The Master Programmer-Chapter 194: I Love Women 2

"Relax," he said, his tone calm but commanding. "Here's your man's weapon. I don't need it to handle myself. Or him. Or you. This is my first show of sincerity."

Katherine's lips curled into a sly smile. "And yet, you disarmed him so effortlessly. Impressive." She leaned forward slightly, her silk robe parting to reveal the curve of her collarbone and a hint of lace beneath.

"Tell me, Jason, how did you do it? How did you learn to best special forces soldiers with such ease that honestly anyone would have loved to be the person who was you."

Jason's eyes flicked to the guard, who was glaring daggers at him. "Your man here left too many openings. Special Forces, is he? He's either getting old or sloppy."

Dan's jaw tightened, his fingers twitching toward his weapon. Katherine raised a hand to stop him, her gaze never leaving Jason. He was doing this on purpose, trying to see her bottom line. She was about to show it to him.

"He's one of the best," she said, her voice carrying a hint of warning. "But you… you're something else. It's almost as if you've studied the art of persuasion… and domination. And you've also studied weapons. And business? When did you have all the time to do this, Jason? You're so young and yet you have experience worth ten years in all these disciplines…"

Jason chuckled, leaning back into his chair. "Time is a Social Construct. And compliments won't get you far, Katherine. If you're this curious about me, why don't we skip the games and get to the point?"

Her expression softened, the playful facade slipping into something more earnest. "Fine," she said, sitting up straighter. "I'm here for business… and perhaps a little pleasure."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Pleasure?"

She smiled, an enigmatic curve of her lips. "You intrigue me, Jason. You're not like the others I've dealt with. You have… an aura."

Jason noticed the subtle shift in her tone and posture. She was employing classic NLP techniques—pacing and leading—mirroring his confidence while steering the conversation. But Jason wasn't one to be led. And he was always the one who did things like these to others, not the other way around. How could he let her do something like this without punishing her for it?

"And you," he said, his voice low and steady, "are more dangerous than you let on. Tell me, Katherine, what does a Reich heiress want with a man like me?"

Her smile widened, but there was no humour in it. "SO you did your research on me. Let me guess, while you were in the shower? A good opportunity no doubt. But that is exactly why I am here. Opportunity," she said simply. "You've made waves, Jason. Neural Flux Pills… hundreds of millions in profit… a rising influence in the city. I want to be a part of it. I want to take your business to the Capital"

The Capital... again. It was not the first time he had heard about this. In the last 24 hours, it had been something that was starting to occupy a place in his mind. Now it was more serious than ever.

Jason's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. "And how do you know I am the one behind the pills?"

"I didn't before, but seeing how you're speaking now, I guess you are the one." Katherine giggled sultrily, brushing her hair back ever so slightly. "So what will it be, Jason? You want to work together?"

She had done her homework, but her interest wasn't entirely business-driven. Her body language, the subtle touches to her robe, the way she leaned closer with every sentence—she was trying to seduce him as much as negotiate.

Actually, that was probably a negotiation tactic in and of itself. If Jason's mind was overrun by lust, he might not be able to make the right decision.

"You're bold," Jason said, his tone laced with both admiration and caution. "But tell me, Katherine, why should I trust you? Your family's reputation precedes you. I am not idiotic enough to claim to want to play in the big leagues…"

She sighed, leaning back and exposing more of her neckline. "I won't lie to you, Jason. The Reich family doesn't take kindly to outsiders. But I… I'm different. I've been cast aside, left to fend for myself. Reich Pharmaceuticals is all I have, and it's failing. Your Neural Flux Pills could change everything. That is my sincerity to you. The truth, and truth that we're sharing amongst each other."

Jason studied her, noting the genuine desperation beneath her polished exterior. She wasn't just here for profit; she was here to prove herself, to escape the shadow of her powerful family. The little stunts were just to sweeten the deal on her end. It was not as if she meant any of it. That one realisation was everything Jason needed to know to understand the type of person she was.

Intelligent. Charming. Driven. Intuitive.

People like this were terrifying. But Jason was not going to fall to her schemes. He was going to make sure to get her to kneel to him and his whims.

"Interesting," he said, his voice thoughtful. "But desperation can make people unpredictable. How do I know you won't betray me the moment it benefits you?"

Katherine's eyes blazed with determination. "Because I have more to lose than you do. If I fail, I lose everything. If I succeed… we both win. And anyway, why would I sell you out? I would be selling myself out too. Think about it."

Jason nodded slowly, his mind calculating the risks and rewards. She was a wildcard, but one with immense potential. He could use her connections, her resources… and her. Plus her being from the capital was going to be useful, a great way to make his entrance into that world of the capital.

"Fine," he said finally, standing up. "But if we're going to work together, there will be rules. No games, no lies, and no stepping out of line. As long as we can agree with each other on this, then we will get along very well."

Katherine rose to meet him, her silk robe clinging to her figure. She extended a hand, her smile triumphant. "Agreed."

Jason took her hand, his grip firm. It was about time. "One last thing," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "If you ever send someone after me again, whether it's to call me, or to get me to talk, I'll make sure it's the last mistake you ever make. Feel free to take me seriously. After all, I know where you live."

Katherine's smile didn't falter, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. Jason released her hand and walked toward the door, his confidence radiating with every step. As he walked past the guard, whose name was Dan, he smirked and took out his name card. "Contact me here. We'll talk soon."

After handing that over, he kept walking towards the door, and just as he reached the threshold, Katherine's voice stopped him.

"Jason…" she called, her tone soft but laced with intrigue. "What exactly are you after?"

Jason turned as he opened the door, his smirk returning. "Everything."

The door closed behind him, leaving Katherine staring after him, her mind racing with possibilities. Outside, Jason stepped into the night, his thoughts already strategising his next move. But even as he plotted, a nagging question lingered:

What game was Katherine playing?

She looked uneasy, but there was something about her unease… it felt like she was play-acting like she was giving Jason what he wanted to see. A woman like that was not to be taken lightly.

He had to move fast, to protect his monopoly. Taking out his phone, he typed a message to Troy, his face staring as he did.

[You were right. The capital knows about the pills.]

[Move fast. Make sure to leave no trace from both of us.]

[This is going to get dirty very soon.]