Biscuit's sudden visit certainly wasn't about reclaiming an engagement ring.
Morrow knew this well. After a couple of casual remarks, he calmly watched as anger crept onto Biscuit's brow. By not asking first, he seemed to hold the initiative.
Seeing Morrow show no reaction, Biscuit exhaled a long, bored sigh and lowered her hands from her waist.
"Business," she said, brushing past Morrow's arm as he held the door and walking into the room.
Morrow didn't stop her.
In truth, he couldn't have even if he tried.
Closing the door behind him, he watched Biscuit casually take a seat on the sofa before asking, "There's a sneaky guy with a camera at the end of the hallway. Did you bring him?"
"Huh?" Biscuit frowned. "Why would I do that?"
"Cut the act."
Morrow walked to the fridge, retrieving milk and mineral water. "Even if you didn't hire him, you're letting it happen. Do you really want to end up in the tabloids?"
"What tabloids? I don't know what you're talking about."
Biscuit blinked innocently.
Morrow sighed softly, placing the milk in front of her before sitting opposite. "You're underestimating Heavens Arena's PR team. Don't regret it later."
Ever since his popularity had skyrocketed, media outlets had been treating him like a goldmine. And when it came to grabbing attention, some would go to any lengths.
Someone like Biscuit, naively handing them free publicity, even if only on the surface, was a dream come true for them. Morrow could already imagine the sensational headlines flooding the city by tomorrow.
Biscuit didn't care about such things. Or perhaps she simply hadn't thought that far ahead. After Morrow's warning, she just pointed at the milk.
As Morrow twisted open the mineral water bottle, he noticed her odd gesture. "What? Milk is good for the skin. I thought you'd like it."
"It's not about liking it," Biscuit declared matter-of-factly. "I can't drink anything cold today."
"…"
Morrow's hand twitched, and the bottle cap clattered to the floor.
Biscuit slowly narrowed her eyes, staring at him with deep meaning.
Morrow quickly ran through the image of a "muscular doll" in his mind, instantly regaining his composure. He met her pointed gaze with complete calm.
Biscuit had no idea about Morrow's coping mechanism. Seeing how swiftly he steadied himself, she could only marvel inwardly once more at his abilities, far beyond his years.
"Enough games. Let's talk business."
Biscuit took a sip of milk, hinting, "Heavens Arena just announced the prize for this year's Battle Olympia winner."
"Oh? When was this announced?" Morrow asked, feigning indifference.
"An hour after you became a Floor Master," Biscuit replied. "But I only just found out."
"And you rushed over here immediately?"
Morrow set down the mineral water, his gaze steady.
Biscuit looked at him and nodded. "It seems you're already aware, so I'll get straight to the point. I want that one-of-a-kind Corundum Heart Gem excavated from the Pangbo Ancient City Ruins. If you can offer a discount, I might also consider the Dome Treasure Box."
"Wait."
Morrow interrupted Biscuit, frowning. "I'm not arrogant enough to assume the championship is already mine. Why do you sound so certain I'll win it?"
"Don't misunderstand, I never thought that way."
Biscuit shook her head: "Your skills are impressive, but not enough to surpass all the Floor Masters. In my view, you can't defeat the two-time reigning champion. Of course, unless you decide to stop holding back."
"…"
Morrow fell silent.
Biscuit studied his reaction with amusement and chuckled. "Am I wrong? You haven't been hiding your true Nen ability in the arena, nor deliberately choosing harder paths to victory? Or perhaps you..."
"Alright, I admit it."
Morrow conceded helplessly.
It wasn't surprising that someone might notice his concealed Nen ability. But this old fox in front of him clearly saw far more.
"If you don't think I'll necessarily win the championship, why bring this up now?"
Morrow fixed his gaze on Biscuit's eyes.
Setting down her milk, Biscuit clasped her hands together and replied matter-of-factly, "More options mean more possibilities. If someone else wins, there's no guarantee I could buy the Corundum Heart and Dome Treasure Box from them. Even if the champion is willing to sell, they'd likely jack up the price. But you..."
Here, she gave Morrow an appraising look and praised, "Among the people I know, you're quite dependable. If you 'luckily' win, you wouldn't exploit others for personal gain, right?"
What a move…
With just a few words, she'd backed him into a corner.
Morrow lowered his eyelids, only half-believing Biscuit's words, and considering another possibility.
"I think I understand your plan."
"Oh?"
Biscuit raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
Morrow met her gaze. "You're worried you can't afford it, aren't you?"
"Tch, you're underestimating me."
Biscuit waved a finger dismissively, then lifted her delicate chin with conviction.
"Don't let my youthful beauty fool you, I'm a Two-Star Stone Hunter. Do you even grasp the weight of that title? The rare gems in my collection are each worth billions..."
"So you'd sell another gem from your collection to buy the Corundum Heart?"
Morrow asked calmly.
Biscuit: "…"
Morrow continued, "Seems the 8 billion at the Yorknew Auction was still too steep."
Biscuit: "…"
Reading her reaction, Morrow confirmed his earlier suspicion and remarked coolly, "That heart-shaped gem isn't actually worth 8 billion, is it? But as someone once said, spending for what you love is only natural. Now that your wallet's feeling the pinch, you're probably fretting over being called a pauper who can't even afford a single gem."
He threw her own words from Yorknew right back at her.
"…"
Biscuit's upper body tilted slightly as she silently lowered her stiffened index finger. She really wanted the Corundum Heart.
However, after splurging on that gemstone in Yorknew back in September, her wallet had indeed been drained dry, leaving her in no position to afford it now.
Yet, she couldn't hide it from the eyes of the person in front of her.
"Tch."
Biscuit let out a heavy sigh, then snapped irritably, "You really haven't changed at all, still as unpleasant as ever."
Without waiting for Morrow's reaction, Biscuit's expression turned serious and stern.
"The one at the top of Heavens Arena will be your biggest obstacle in this Battle Olympia. You can't beat him."
"That's something you can only know after fighting."
This time, it was Morrow who stared meaningfully at Biscuit, as if he could see right through her true thoughts.
Seeing this, Biscuit thought to herself, This guy isn't easy to fool!
In comparison, someone like Wing was just too adorable.
Biscuit sighed inwardly again, though her face betrayed nothing.
"I'm not joking with you."
"Oh?"