After lunch, Jacob toured Golden City's gray industries and its Underground Black Market, with Wynne and Som at his side.
They visited the Underground Black Market first, the source of most of the goods that Wynne and Som funneled through their auctions. A few items were worth a second look, but nothing truly caught Jacob's eye, and no Pokémon among them stood out.
From there, the two of them led him through the rest of the gray industrial chain.
Bloody. Cruel. That was all Jacob felt as he walked through it.
He saw numb, hollow-eyed crowds, bodies covered in old scars — pitiful, and yet somehow hard to feel sorry for.
He wanted to change it, but he knew better than to force things too quickly. For now, all he said was, "The gray industry isn't something we can rely on forever. Smuggling Pokémon and smuggling goods, we can keep those running. But anything involving human trafficking, we pull out of as soon as we can."
Wynne and Som nodded quickly in agreement, though neither gave away what he was actually thinking.
...…
Night fell, and the group returned once more to the Golden Hotel.
The private room was just as lavishly furnished as before, but the mood was nothing like their tense first meeting. This time, the air was calm, almost warm.
"Boss, a toast — here's to a smooth partnership ahead." Wynne and Som both kept their tone humble, playing the part of loyal subordinates without hesitation.
Jacob read their intentions easily enough from how they carried themselves. There was only one thing they were really after: a Gigantamax Pokémon. Ever since they'd seen Edwin's Gigantamax Charizard, it was clear the two of them wanted one for themselves — and really, who could blame them? A single powerful Gigantamax Pokémon could secure a family's fortune for generations. Since neither of them said so outright, though, Jacob wasn't about to bring it up first.
Glasses clinked, a few rounds were poured, and the table grew steadily livelier.
When the moment felt right, Wynne and Som exchanged a glance, unable to hold back any longer. Wynne rose and leaned close to Jacob. "Boss Giovanni, to celebrate our partnership becoming official, Som and I have prepared two gifts for you."
"Oh?" Jacob had barely touched his drink all evening — no one dared press him to drink more than he wanted — so his expression stayed perfectly clear, without a trace of the wine showing.
At Wynne's words, the corner of Jacob's mouth lifted slightly as he studied the two of them.
So they couldn't wait any longer.
Gifts, was it?
Few things could still surprise him these days, but Wynne's confidence made him curious all the same.
"Bring them in," Wynne called, and two large boxes, each draped in cloth, were wheeled into the room.
Jacob studied the boxes with a slight frown, then glanced at Wynne without a word, waiting to see exactly what he was planning.
Wynne walked to the first box and pulled back the red cloth, revealing a large iron cage. Inside stood two young women.
Jacob's composure slipped for the briefest moment before settling back into place.
He was Giovanni now — the ruthless boss of an underground syndicate. Surely he had that much self-control.
Just a honey trap, he told himself. Nothing I can't handle.
The scene was staged to be tempting, and the mood in the room had grown thick enough to match, but Jacob sat still as a stone. "Let's move on to the other gift. These two can go."
"Of course, Boss Giovanni." Wynne smiled and motioned to one of his men, quietly ordering the two women taken to Jacob's room instead.
To Wynne, this was routine. In his experience, everything a man like Giovanni could want came down to power, wealth, reputation, strength, or women — and of those, women were the one thing Wynne could easily provide. He'd spent the whole morning quietly studying what kind of woman caught Giovanni's eye, offering him everything from young and pretty to mature and striking, and he'd noticed Giovanni's gaze linger each time, even as he held himself in check.
To Wynne, that was proof enough that the desire was there, simply restrained. No one could hold out forever — not even Giovanni, because he was still only human. Wynne was certain that if he combined enough pressure points, he'd eventually find the crack: good spirits, a little wine, a suggestive atmosphere, a hint of perfume in the air, and a beautiful woman half-hidden behind a veil. Surely no one could resist all of that at once.
One of the two women had cost him a small fortune to acquire. The other had been taken just the day before — a Chinese tourist visiting Golden City, while the first had been a well-known online streamer back in Huaxia.
Once the women had been led away, Wynne walked over to the second box and pulled the cloth free, revealing a single Poké Ball.
Jacob frowned at it, saying nothing, waiting for Wynne to explain.
"The rest of you, please step outside for a moment." Wynne waved off everyone but the four men closest to him, until only Jacob, Edwin, Sammy, Wynne, and Som remained in the room.
Wynne's eyes moved to Sammy and Edwin. "Boss Giovanni, what's inside this Poké Ball is priceless, and far too important to risk. I'd ask that Sammy and Edwin step out as well, just to avoid any misunderstanding."
Edwin's expression darkened at that, but Sammy stayed composed and rose at once. "Boss Giovanni, if it's that important, then Edwin and I will step out first."
Jacob's lips curved. Sammy really was sharp — offering to leave before anyone had to ask spared Jacob the awkwardness entirely.
Still, Jacob wasn't concerned either way. He waved a hand and said simply, "Edwin stays. He's my man, and I trust him."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Wynne's face, but with Jacob's decision made, he pressed on. "This is the deepest secret Som and I share — the very thing that seals our alliance. We talked it over, and we've decided to give it to you tonight."
With that, Wynne drew out the Poké Ball and released the Pokémon inside.
...…