New Eden: Live to Play, Play to Live

Chapter 823 Catching Attention

"Yeah. Wasn't he in the hospital in a critical condition?"

"What? I heard he was dead from a friend of mine who works at the CHUM."

"What nonsense did your friend tell you? I heard he was in a coma from a nurse in the Boudreau hospital on the north shore."

"How would she know that? Only super VIPs can get a room there."

"Wake up, dumbass. Can't you see his clothes? His demeanour? The woman in his arms? How can you think he's not a super VIP?"

"Shh! He's walking by!"

Alex could hear all of them the moment they started chatting, his hearing much more acute than most people now, but he kept silent.

'They can imagine what they want. They are all wrong anyway.'

"There you are," he heard a whispering voice say. But it was much fainter, and it sent a shiver down his spine.

His head turned slightly toward the direction it had come from, but he couldn't see anyone there.

But there was no way he had imagined that. There was too much bloodlust in that voice to be in his mind.

Expanding his awareness, he tried pinpointing where it had come from, but couldn't get a read on anyone who wasn't normal.

Kary felt his mana pulse outward and glanced at him.

Even Guylaine felt the wave wash through her, although it felt like a chill and nothing more to her.

"Something the matter?" Kary whispered to him on his right.

Alex couldn't get a read on whoever had said this, and his face turned serious. But he didn't want to worry her, so he returned to smiling.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. I thought I had felt something. But it was a false alert," he whispered back.

"What are you two whispering about there?" Guylaine asked, a fake pout on her lips.

"Nothing, Mom," Kary replied, brushing the matter aside.

She gave Alex a concerned look, knowing he never did anything without reason but kept mum. If he said it was nothing, then she wouldn't pry.

He would tell if the situation changed, that much she was sure of.

They kept walking, exiting the building, and Alex quickly found the limo with his eyes.

Gilbert was parked a bit diagonally from the building entrance and was waiting outside the car, smiling profusely.

When he saw Alexander, he waved at him, making sure they made eye contact and walked over to him.

"Mr. Leduc, what an honour for you to call on my services again. Did you need me to grab anything? A bag, a suitcase? Or maybe one of the gorgeous women in your arms?" he said, looking at Guylaine with a seductive smile.

"No, thank you, I think the door will suffice," Alex replied, giving him a look of, 'You're doing too much.'

The driver understood the unspoken words and toned down his tirade.

"Of course, sir. Right away, sir," Gilbert said, getting a more serious look on his face.

Alex nodded lightly, glad he understood, as he waited for the door to be opened.

Once the door opened, he let both women sit before him and smiled at Gilbert.

"We are going to Roland's Bistro on Clark Street. You know the one?"

Gilbert grinned at him.

"Of course, sir! I know this city better than my own kids. An excellent choice for a light lunch!" Gilbert said, his smile only getting larger.

'Not sure you should brag about that…' Alex thought, chuckling lightly.

As soon as he sat in the limo, Gilbert closed the door and speed-walked to the driver's side.

He sat in his seat and closed the window between him and the passengers, giving them privacy.

The trio felt the limo get into motion, and Guylaine finally opened her mouth.

"Isn't this a bit much to impress me?" she said, faking an accusative tone.

Alex took an offended look.

"My, Guylaine. I would never. I don't own a car, as the city is a mess to drive in, and I would subject you to sharing a cab with the three of us. This was the only acceptable option."

Guylaine snorted at his facade.

"Alright, you can drop the act. I was just messing with you. Although I must say, this is really extravagant. Maybe you should be more careful with your money. That thing doesn't grow on trees."

Alex smiled at her.

'If only you knew.'

At the moment, he hadn't looked at his trade portfolio in a while, but according to David's previous estimations, even with the amount he took out for the penthouse, he should have well over a hundred million in stock.

And that was aside from his gold in New Eden, which he could trade anytime.

He was practically swimming in gold.

And he hadn't looked at the guild treasury in a month, either. There was no telling the amount of funds at his disposal.

"I assure you, Guylaine, this is the least of my worries. Life has been very fortunate in the last year, and I am not short on funds. Well, as fortunate as falling in a month-long coma can be, heh heh," Alex said.

The woman gave him a judging look before her eyes turned sad.

"Yeah, I heard about it at length. What I didn't hear was how it happened. Could you tell me? Of course, you don't have to if it's a traumatic event."

Alex glanced at Kary, who looked away.

She was ashamed she hadn't thought of something on this, but her mind had been in a dark place, and finding excuses was her last thought.

"I don't mind. But it is a pretty boring story. Are you sure you want me to bore you out with it?" Alex asked.

"Oh, please; I am almost fifty years old. I doubt I haven't heard more boring stories in my life. Factory work is far from exciting. Hit me with it," Guylaine said, waving dismissively.

Alex nodded with a chuckle.

"Alright then."