Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Apocalypse (1)
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Ronan Chriswell.
The heir to the chairman of Syneron Medica, a pharmaceutical giant ranked 16th among corporations and on the cusp of mega-corp status, backed by proven competence.
A handsome face like a movie star's, and at an age still full of prime vitality despite possessing it all.
Objectively speaking, he was a man with no flaws as a potential husband for any woman.
Could anyone in this city even find a better match?
Such a man now looked straight into my eyes and made his proposal.
"Ms. Evania, will you marry me?"
His soft, calm voice carried a note of certainty.
He knew all too well just how alluring and hard-to-refuse this courtship was.
It wasn't mere pride in his outstanding looks or background.
This arranged marriage was the calculated result of weighing the benefits it could bring to both sides.
"........."
Indeed, forming a partnership with Syneron Medica like this... would bring immense gains to the Church.
It started with hospital operations.
Even in districts without a cathedral yet, patients flocked to Eleos Medical Center, the Church's core business.
With demand already proven, the reason we couldn't easily expand our medical operations was, naturally, operating losses.
'Of course, Celestina's support helps... but she can't shoulder the medical costs for the entire city alone.'
In the end, expanding the Church's influence through hospitals required careful balance between incoming donations and expenditures.
Fortunately, most medical staff were Church followers, slashing labor costs significantly.
Thus, the biggest chunk of hospital expenses came from medications prescribed to countless patients.
'But partnering with Syneron here...'
It would naturally slash those deficits dramatically.
Unshackled financially, Eleos Medical could expand at a whole new level.
He seemed to foresee that future as well.
"I can assure you. If you join me in this venture, a joint Radiance Church-Syneron effort could dominate not just this city, but the global medical market. So... Ms. Evania, will you be my partner in that bright future?"
"........."
I pondered for a moment. Perhaps accepting his proposal was the safest, quickest path back to my original world.
Expanding under the direct protection of a pharma giant like Syneron would neutralize most rival threats while gathering faith.
Combined with our allies Tessellation and Lumina Group, we'd rival a top-10 mega-corp in influence.
'But...'
My decision remained unchanged.
"Ronan, thank you for the offer... but I can't accept the engagement."
His confident expression finally stiffened at my response.
"......Why?"
Before I could reply, he continued as if guessing the reason.
"Ah, are you worried it might hinder the Church's marketing? If maintaining a pure saintess image is key, we'll cooperate fully. We can keep the marriage strictly confidential if you wish—no public announcement. What matters is us becoming a legal family, sharing assets and business."
In truth, across eras, alliances among the powerful were more often like this.
A legal bond tying two forces together.
Statistics showed over 40% of Alpha Circle marriages were contractual for business purposes.
Some even developed affection, but many lived separately lifelong, never intimate; some harvested genes separately for artificial wombs...
With that explanation, Ronan smiled softly.
"If you prefer, our marriage can follow suit. I promise no pressure on spousal relations or intimacy."
"........."
Honestly, it was a bit tempting. As he described, no real marital duties—just legal marriage for a massive alliance like Syneron Medica. The aversion to tying myself to a man felt lessened.
Even so... my choice was refusal.
"Sorry, but my answer won't change."
"........."
Ronan now looked utterly baffled.
I explained to him.
"First off, Ronan, you seem to have a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding...?"
"Yes. The Church never has, and never will, demand anything from believers beyond faith."
He viewed the Church as a tool to control followers' lives, predicting investments would yield future profits—a solid business model worth partnering via marriage.
But the premise was wrong from the start.
The Church wasn't a corporation. All our ventures weren't profit-driven; they were just to give the desperate a better life. Even dominating the medical market wouldn't change that—we sought no massive profits...
I explained it honestly.
With such a fundamental difference in perspective, cooperation now would lead to a split later.
"Do you understand?"
Learning the truth, Ronan fell silent.
"So... the Radiance Church truly practices charity by God's will—a real religion?"
His ambiguous gaze probed if it was joke or truth.
Facing my serious expression, he slowly spoke.
"......Mobilizing that much capital and manpower for zero profit... I still can't wrap my head around it. People really believe in invisible heavens and inaudible divine wills—irrational tales like that?"
"Yes."
Only then did he accept it as fact.
A short sigh escaped him.
"Well."
Frustration at his elaborate plans crumbling? Self-reproach for overestimating us?
He shook his head slightly, lost in thought.
Finally, he probed once more.
"Even if it started as religion, the business potential remains. Why not reconsider now?"
I shook my head firmly.
"Sorry, but no."
"........."
Now convinced there was no room left, Ronan dropped his polite posture, casually crossing his legs.
"So, I was completely off-base. Embarrassing."
No longer seeing me as a business partner, perhaps.
Or deeming it a waste of time.
His attitude toward me suddenly...
"Frankly, who wouldn't be fooled? Pouring that much money into something with no returns."
"........."
A bit... irritating? Was I imagining it?
I snapped back without thinking.
"If you call the Church's work meaningless, Ronan, then what do you strive for?"
Caught off-guard, he looked flustered.
"Pardon?"
"Is stacking achievements to win succession and claim Syneron Medica's chair your life's goal?"
He paused, then nodded faintly.
I pressed on.
"And if you seize the chair and dominate the global medical market... what then?"
Honestly, this had nagged at me personally.
Most execs in this world chased endless profits despite fortunes to last lifetimes.
'Not saying it's inherently wrong...'
But I couldn't grasp their purpose.
Goals are destinations or possessions desired. Purpose is the why.
Yet many here lacked purpose. They had aims like wealth or fame but faltered at "for what?"
Most said "happiness," but none knew what it was or where it lay.
Even the ultra-wealthy. Sometimes it seemed they earned to be happy, or only felt happy earning.
Ronan might differ...
But if he had a true purpose, he wouldn't pick a lifelong partner on profit alone.
As expected, confusion flickered on his face for the first time.
"Well..."
"Will you say the achievement of advancing the company or climbing high is meaning enough? Then... what's the difference between fulfillment from money and status versus helping people?"
He seemed speechless, then let out an incredulous chuckle.
"Are you saying... success as a mega-corp chairman equals tending street urchins and beggars?"
"Value is subjective. But..."
I met his eyes firmly, answering resolutely.
"If you ask me, the latter holds more. It makes far more people happy."
"........."
Conversation halted.
In the awkward silence, I figured the meeting was done.
I'd deflected the proposal smoothly as planned. He wouldn't partner with a non-profit entity.
As I gauged to bid farewell and rise, Ronan suddenly laughed again.
"Hahaha."
He laughed long, wiping slightly wet eyes.
"To confess honestly, I've met countless women. But one like you, Ms. Evania... drawing such interest at first sight? It's been ages."
"........."
What? I thought, but his gaze had shifted markedly.
As if I'd unwittingly pressed some hidden button.
Forgetting prior talks, he smiled warmly once more.
"Let's wrap business here. If you're free, how about dinner tonight—"
Right then.
Something vessel-shaped near my heart, holding faith... suddenly jolted sharply!
"...!"
I startled inwardly.
'What?'
The vessel shook vividly, but thankfully, the faith inside didn't spill a drop.
Not real liquid, perhaps. Just the surface rippled briefly.
But I was more flustered than that.
I'd never felt this sensation before.
'What was that just now...?'
Distracted by the inner anomaly, a voice came again.
"Ms. Evania?"
Snapping back late, I replied hastily.
"No, as I said. Not interested in you, Ronan. I'll be going."
"Wait, just—!"
He tried to stop me mid-sentence, but I barely recall.
My mind was elsewhere entirely.
All focus on the vessel's first anomaly, I fled the scene.
Thus ended my meeting with Syneron Medica director Ronan Chriswell—abruptly.
No further anomalies even back at the cathedral or after, leaving me a bit deflated.
"........."
A week passed.
Finally, I grasped the vessel's true change.
It had tilted rightward about 15 degrees from before.
But the faith inside, not true liquid, stayed put—no spilling or pooling.
Not reduced like after a miracle. Just the vessel itself subtly tilted.
Sensing its shape, I sat in my office chair, sighing deeply.
'What does this mean...?'
As I pondered endlessly, Yoanna burst in urgently.
"Sis!! Big trouble! Seen this?!"
"Huh?"
📰 Breaking News [Breaking] Ronan Chriswell of Syneron Medica Found Dead at Home... The man I'd met just a week ago.
Shocked by news of his sudden death—the same who'd confidently proposed— I stammered.
"This... real? Why?"
"Dunno. Cause under investigation still..."
What happened? I felt only bewilderment.
He hadn't seemed the type to drop dead in a week.
It even crossed my mind:
'Could it relate to the vessel's anomaly?'
The change started then... unease lingered.
But no, unlikely.
Our miracles were never violent.
Powers specialized for helping—why kill suddenly now?
Moreover, my abilities ran on faith. The vessel's amount hadn't decreased.
Still just tilted.
"........."