New York, Hell's Kitchen, Good Luck Restaurant.
A week had passed since the chaos at the Eiffel Tower was resolved.
The High Table had paid a series of prices to appease the French leader, calming his wrath and averting a catastrophic disaster. As for Marquis Vincent de Gramont's family, they were not only struck down by Kingpin's forces but also vanished into the annals of history under the combined pressure of the High Table and the government.
Due to intentional official interception, the citizens of Paris were unaware that they had avoided an attack by the great mushroom. Everything returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
Only those in the Dark Dimension knew that Marquis Vincent de Gramont had betrayed the High Table, colluding with Terrorists in an attempt to destroy downtown Paris, but this was thwarted by Chen Ye, the new Elder from the High Table.
Indeed, two days had passed since Chen Ye received recognition from the High Table.
Chen Ye also returned to his restaurant in Hell's Kitchen and resumed his normal life.
"Chen Ye, you did such a big thing, and you didn't even take me with you. You don't love me anymore!"
Deadpool, upon hearing about it, slapped the table and complained in a cheap way that Chen Ye didn't include him in such a fun matter.
"Alright, alright, it was an emergency last time, and you were off God knows where, so I didn't call you."
Chen Ye didn't even turn his head, drinking his tea.
"I really want to try what it's like to be blown up by the great mushroom. I wonder if it can kill me. Next time something good like this happens, remember to call me!"
It turned out Deadpool wanted to see if the great mushroom could kill him.
"I'd say it's unlikely. With your ability, even if the Earth were destroyed, you wouldn't die." Chen Ye rolled his eyes.
Footsteps came from outside the restaurant. The arrivals were Winston, John Wick, Master Ye, and an adjudicator from the High Table.
The adjudicator walked to the tea table, took out a briefcase, opened it, placed it in front of Chen Ye, and said, "These are the Elder's identity gold coins, adjudicator gold coins, your identity verification card, and a High Table Elder's dedicated phone, all sent by the High Table."
"There are three Elder's identity gold coins in total. As long as you go to any force controlled by the High Table and present an Elder's gold coin, they will do their utmost to serve you."
"This identity verification card has your exclusive verification code. This is for verification when you need to issue any commands or bounties within the High Table. With your Elder's authority, you can perform a series of operations on it."
"There are nine adjudicator gold coins here, meaning you can have nine adjudicators under your command. The adjudicators' identity information needs to be uploaded to the High Table's archive center for identity confirmation."
"As for the Elder's dedicated phone, it's for your convenience during meetings. Generally, when the High Table holds Elder meetings, important figures like you certainly don't have time to go to headquarters, so you just need to use this phone for meetings."
After hearing the adjudicator's explanation, Chen Ye understood.
Deadpool, who was beside him, quickly took out an Elder's identity gold coin, bit it, and after confirming it left a tooth mark, quietly put it into his pocket.
"Can this thing be remade if it's lost?" Chen Ye asked.
The adjudicator was speechless after hearing this question: "Elder Chen Ye, this has never happened in the history of the High Table, so it should be fine."
"Pietro, put this away, lest a certain red-hooded thief takes it." Chen Ye almost called him out by name.
Pietro stepped forward and took the briefcase from the adjudicator's hand, giving a glare to Deadpool, who was eyeing it covetously.
As for the Elder's gold coin that Deadpool had pocketed, Chen Ye and Pietro tacitly chose not to ask for it back.
The adjudicator continued by taking out another briefcase from beside him, opening it to reveal a stack of densely packed document bags.
"Elder Chen Ye, these are the Marquis's assets within the High Table. Considering you weren't in Paris, the High Table took the liberty of converting them into something more convenient for your location." Clearly, this was the High Table's hush money and thank-you fee for Chen Ye.
"The first part mainly consists of properties across the U.S., armories, and training Bases."
"The second part includes shares in the Marquis's investment company and some bonds, and so on."
"As for the third part..."
Chen Ye interrupted the adjudicator directly, "Alright, alright, you don't need to say more. Send all of it to Fisk Tower. You don't need to mention the rest."
It wasn't that Chen Ye had no interest in money, but he was afraid that knowing too many details would make him lazy and lose interest in earning money.
Moreover, no matter how much money there was, it would be useless in the Marvel Universe. Would Thanos come over, and Chen Ye pull out a check saying, 'Here's a hundred billion, leave Earth'? Besides, Chen Ye didn't even have a hundred billion.
If Thanos left with that hundred billion, Chen Ye would try every means, even kidnapping Iron Man or something, to get it.
Anyway, Chen Ye knew that he wouldn't be able to spend it all in this lifetime, and that was enough.
The High Table's adjudicator saw that Chen Ye was not interested in money and felt great admiration, continuing to explain: "Here are the High Table's loyalists stationed in New York. This is their personnel list and detailed information."
"Originally, there were about 100 people, but after they caused a ruckus in Hell's Kitchen last time, a portion of them were taken out by you, My Lord. Currently, there are less than 30."
"This group of subordinates was given to you by the High Table Elders. You can use them however you wish."
Chen Ye felt a bit awkward hearing about the gift from the Elders and said, "Forget it, forget it. Let them go back. After all, I took out quite a few of them. They'd be awkward looking at me, and I'd be awkward looking at them." After all, he almost killed them, and now he wants them to pledge allegiance? Even if they don't say anything, they must have grievances in their hearts. It's better not to bother.
The adjudicator seemed to know what Chen Ye was thinking: "Elder Chen Ye, don't worry. If you don't take them, they will be ordered to commit mass suicide, so taking them would actually be saving them."
Chen Ye, after hearing this, could only nod, implicitly agreeing to the matter, considering it a life saved. As for their arrangements, once the school community opens later, many security guards will be needed to ensure the safety of the students, so he'll let them stay there. The streets also lack sanitation workers to clean.
"Finally, regarding the reconstruction of the New York Continental Hotel, do you have any opinions?" the adjudicator inquired.
"The location will be on the adjacent street. And Winston, come here." Chen Ye called out to Winston.
Winston, who was nearby, quickly stood up.
Chen Ye led Winston and said to the adjudicator, "I presume I don't need to introduce this gentleman much. This is Winston, the former head of the New York Continental Hotel. He is now one of my adjudicators. He will be fully responsible for the hotel's reconstruction."
Winston looked at Chen Ye with gratitude: "Thank you for avenging me and allowing me to regain control of the Continental Hotel. I will manage it well for you."
Winston's heart was filled with gratitude, partly because he had served the High Table for so long, only to be driven out by the Marquis and have his years of hard work, the New York Continental Hotel, blown up, and his good butler killed, all just for breaking a rule.
Not only did Chen Ye avenge him, but he also entrusted him with the New York Continental Hotel shortly after they met. Chen Ye's trust deeply moved Winston, who had experienced the coldness of human relationships.
A scholar would die for his confidant. Winston decided to dedicate his old life to Chen Ye.
Winston then asked Chen Ye, "Do you have any requirements for this Continental Hotel, such as decoration, layout, and so on?"
Chen Ye said reassuringly, "I trust you with it. You can discuss the rest with the High Table. I only have one requirement: ordinary positions at the Continental Hotel must be prioritized for people from Hell's Kitchen."
Winston paused, unsure if he had heard correctly, then quickly asked again, "Could you please repeat that?"
Chen Ye, seeing his reaction, understood and said, "You heard correctly. I only have one requirement: ordinary positions at the Continental Hotel, such as waiters, cleaners, chefs, etc., must prioritize hiring ordinary residents of Hell's Kitchen."
Upon hearing Chen Ye's affirmative answer, Winston pondered for a moment. Then, he looked at Chen Ye with admiration. He hadn't expected Chen Ye not to seek benefits for himself, but to consider the ordinary people of Hell's Kitchen. He thought to himself that he had indeed not misjudged the man; such a My Lord was worth following.
Winston bowed 90 degrees, placing his right hand on his chest, offering the highest respect: "Your request, I swear to complete with my life. I am willing to stake my life on it."
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, Host, you have successfully added Winston as a friend."
"Gained attribute: Noble Etiquette Lv8."
"Congratulations, Host..."
"Congratulations, Host, Winston's favorability has increased to max stars (six-star cap)."
"Congratulations, Host, Winston has become your family."
"You have gained all of Winston's skills. Existing skills have automatically leveled up by one."
"Subsequent skill improvements for family members will also automatically improve the Host's skills."
"Congratulations, Host, current family count (2 members). With three more family members, the system will undergo an upgrade."
"Please, Host, keep up the good work."
Hearing the system's prompt, Chen Ye looked at Winston in surprise, not expecting to make Winston his family so easily.