Surrounded by Five Beast Lords novel Chapter 188

188 Elmer’s Troubles

“And,” Regina said, “start taking out loans.

“Get as much as you possibly can.

“Use the Shawn family’s assets as collateral. Don’t worry if the interest rates are high.”

Cassian’s hand trembled slightly.

‘Loan sharks?‘ Cassian thought.

If they failed again, the Shawn family would really lose everything this time.

“And finally,” Regina’s voice dropped even lower, “get in touch with the elders from the Frostveil Planet.

“Have them… try to get another batch of ore.”

Cassian looked at her, a deep sense of dread rising in his chest.

‘Mother’s gone mad, Cassian thought.

“Mother,” he tried to persuade her, “maybe we should think this through…”

”

“Then what do you want us to do?!” Regina suddenly snapped, her voice shrill and piercing. “Just sit here and wait to die?!”

Cassian was left speechless by her outburst.

Regina was breathing heavily, staring at him, her eyes full of desperation and madness.

“Cassian, listen closely,” Regina said, pronouncing each word with icy clarity. “If we just sit here and do nothing, we’ll be ruined forever.

“But if we pull this off, there’s still a chance for us to make a comeback.

“You can still be the young master of the Shawn family. Do you get it?”

Cassian was silent for a long time.

Then he nodded. “Understood. I’ll go find Wendy.”

After Cassian left, Regina was left alone in the study.

Outside, the night was dark and still.

She closed her eyes, and two tears slipped down from the corners of her eyes.

Meanwhile, in Dora’s living room, the accounting session was still going strong.

Seven brought over a plate of freshly cut fruit, its screen displaying a curious expression.

“Master, now that we’re so rich, can we buy all sorts of things?” Seven asked.

Dora smiled and rubbed Seven’s metal head. “Yeah, buy whatever you want.”

“Can we buy a new cooking machine?

“I want the one that can automatically whip up a hundred different dishes!

“Your beast mates are all such big eaters, especially when they’re leveling up. I’m totally worn out!”

“Buy it!” Dora said.

Elmer raised his hand. “Hey Dora, can I get some Ancient Blue Planet barbecue? You know, the real charcoal grilled kind!”

“Coming right up!” Dora replied.

Lioren’s tail gave a little twitch; he didn’t say a word, but his amber eyes practically sparkled with anticipation

Clive gazed at Dora’s bright, cheerful smile, a soft warmth glimmering deep in his eyes.

Rafe pushed up his gold–rimmed glasses and suddenly said, “Dory, the Shawn family is barely hanging on.”

Dora raised an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

“Their batch of ore got stolen, and there’s still no news from the outside. I bet they’re scrambling to patch things up,” Rafe said.

He gave a small smile. “I’m guessing their next move is to scrape together some cash and buy another batch of crystal ore from the Frostveil Planet elders.”

Lucian nodded. “Those elders from the Frostveil Planet are all eager to expand into the Core Planet. They’ll definitely get involved.”

Dora leaned back on the sofa, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

“Let’s just wait and see how things play out,” she said, her smile sly and full of hidden meaning.

“The elders from the Frostveil Planet…” Lioren’s cat ears twitched, a cold glint flickering in his amber eyes.

Rafe pushed up his glasses. “We can have someone approach them about the loans.

“Let them think they can get the money, and then…”

He didn’t finish, but that look on his face said everything.

Clive staved silent, his eyes deep.

Dora looked at him and suddenly asked, “Clive, what are you thinking about?”

Clive looked up at her.

“Just wondering,” he said, “how long the Shawn family can survive this time.”

Dora smiled.

Her smile was bright and captivating, but it still made Rafe feel a chill deep inside.

“Let’s just wait and see,” she said.

Early the next morning, Clive headed to the Blackflame Trading Guild headquarters.

Lucian went back to the military, Lioren said he had business to take care of, and Rafe left to keep an eye o the batch of agave plant potions at Sterling Pharmaceuticals.

That left Elmer as the only beast mate at home. Whenever this happened, he’d be all smiles, finally getting have Dora all to himself.

But today, Elmer was acting totally out of character. He sat on the back steps, resting his chin on his hand, white beast ears drooping.

He looked like he was sulking, but refusing to talk about it.

Lately, Elmer had been super stressed out.

Seriously, he was a mess.

Lioren had already been into the special space with Dora.

And Clive? His spot as alpha beast mate was rock solid.

Rafe was still on probation, but every time he looked at Dora, those sly fox eyes of his were practically reeling her in. Who knew when he’d make his move?

Lucian, that Level 8 powerhouse, might be stuck at the military most of the time, but with that childhood engagement bonus, he was still a major presence.

Only Elmer was left out…

Elmer looked at himself in the mirror.

Sunny, handsome face, white beast ears, neat features, clear eyes, when he smiled, his eyes curved into little crescents. ‘Shouldn’t I be pretty good–looking?‘ he wondered.

But Dora always looked at him with that pure, innocent gaze, as if he were just a friend.

“Elmer, you’re so sweet.”

“Filmer you’re extra cute today.”

Surrounded by Five Beast Lords

“Elmer, come over here and let me rub your ears!”

‘Ear rubs again!‘ Elmer thought.

Elmer squatted on the ground, hiding his face in his hands.

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Every time Dora rubbed his ears, his heart would pound so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of his throat.

But Dora? She’d just flash that crescent–eyed smile, give his ears a quick rub, and stroll off without a care in

the world!

‘At this rate, when am I ever going to get to… you know, actually be with Dora?‘ Elmer thought, frustrated.

Elmer was about to lose it.

He didn’t want to be the little brother! He was sick of being called cute, and he wanted to be her beast mate, her man!

The kind of beast mate who could go into Dora’s room, cuddle up with her at night, and… well, do all those things, yeah, those things!

But every time Dora looked at him, her eyes were crystal clear, there wasn’t even a hint of anything but innocence.

Seven walked by, saw Elmer sulking, and its big eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Mr. Hale, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Seven asked.

Elmer shook his head.

“So why are you just sitting here looking all lost this early in the morning?” Seven asked.

Elmer let out a sigh, sounding all mopey. “Seven, what do you think…

“How do I get her to stop seeing me as just a kid?” Elmer asked, sounding frustrated.

Seven blinked its big optical eyes, looking thoughtful for a few seconds.

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