My Gluttony System: I Devour God-Tier Talents-Chapter 29: Exile

"Vivienne?"

Kyrie’s tone was definitely one of surprise, he didn’t expect that she would call him not after everything, not from what he now remembered about her.

He adjusted the prompter, tapping with two fingers as he spoke even before her message came through.

"You sure took your sweet time love"

He opened the message.

Vivienne: I know about the negotiation tomorrow and that Leonel’s mediating.

Vivienne: *Sighs* I just wanted to reach out before whatever happens...happens!

Kyrie almost had one of the veins on his head pop as he spoke.

"You wanted to reach out? after everything?" his voice a tad confused.

Vivienne: I know you’re pissed. You absolutely have the right to be.

"Do I.. now? Or is this just another one of your games?"

He paused after a low breath.

Vivienne: It’s not a game, K-Y. It was never one with you babe.

Kyrie grunted "Really? So you didn’t know they were coming for me?"

Vivienne: I did–. The second time, I just couldn’t reach out to you, I left a thousand messages, you can check.

Kyrie knew that it may be true after all he had escaped without his prompter and just got it back. This call was happening by chance.

"Do you regret it?"

There was another pause and tension between the lovers.

Vivienne: No. I don’t.

Kyrie’s eyes twitched but suddenly he calmed down. He should be angry and this conversation should end right in that moment but a sense of calmness embraced him. It’s origin? Unknown.

Because despite everything—the danger, the manipulation, and the life changing chaos. He still wanted to understand why. Understand her.

He spoke calmly.

"Why me? Why risk so much for whatever this is?"

Vivienne: Because everything I do is for survival, K-Y. In this world, I don’t have the luxury nor the liberty of innocence. Everything I do has to be calculated.

Kyrie found it actually interesting at this point. It seemed this body was just a tool for most. The Architect and now Vivienne. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"So, I’m just a piece on your board.*

Vivienne: Not anymore babe.

"What changed then? " He asked, his voice stern this time.

Vivienne: * sighs * I needed Gilead to know about us. I needed him to react. It is an important part of my plan. But—

"But what?" He asked flatly.

Vivienne: But— it’s just— I don’t think I would have survived if anything happened to you.

"Bullshit" Kyrie retorted

Vivienne: it is– it makes no sense but what I feel now is nothing I planned for. I feel like your piece now. I can’t help it.

Kyrie listened attentively.He had a keen eye for manipulation but this woman was more difficult to read.

If only she was within range, he could have easily read her or use his skill to grasp her emotions.

"I’m not sure I believe you"

Vivienne:I wouldn’t believe me either dear.

"So what exactly are we doing?"

Vivienne: This is me not willing to let go of this no matter the outcome after tomorrow.

Kyrie smirked, his eyes bright.

"You’re quite interesting V.--- But the only hope for that is if I truly know you "

Vivienne: What do you wanna know?

"Everything, all the whys and hows that got us here "

Vivienne: *soft cough* A prompter isn’t suitable for such, baby.

"You’re right then how do we get some alone time"

Vivienne: After tomorrow, things will become clearer. Neither Negan nor I would let Saul hurt you.

Kyrie chuckled, "What can you do? You can’t even leave without him knowing."

Vivienne: You’d be surprised what I can do when my hand is forced..

Her voice was more determined.

Kyrie chuckled,

"That sounds really dangerous."

He was more sarcastic than serious.

Vivienne: I flirt with danger love. You should know. I’ll find a way to see you. To explain everything. I swear it to you.

"Alright then" He said, obviously tired of the conversation.

His thumb still hovering around the screen, he didn’t want to dig too deep with this woman but for some reason, even with the dangers, it was compelling.

Also he had decided to live this life to the fullest. He had to know what he was working with.

Vivienne: Thank you, Kyrie. For giving me a chance.

Her tone was genuine as it can be.

Kyrie sneered.

Vivienne: Please stay low until after tomorrow. I promise I will come find you.

"Sure!" Kyrie said as he tapped the screen, turning it off.

The conversation ended. Kyrie’s mind was in conflict. He felt anger, curiosity, suspicion and yet attraction.

This woman did leave quite the impression.

Tomorrow, Negan would negotiate on his behalf. And after that...

After that, he would try to get much needed answers from the woman who paid for the tickets of this rollercoaster.

He hoped he’d survive long enough to actually hear what she wanted to say and maybe just—-

He thought with a devious smirk on his face. Flashes of her body reeling in his mind.

—--

The Next Day..

7:30 PM.

Warehouse 7, Industrial District.

Negan arrived on time, his silver side burns gleamed with his spotless longsleeved white. His sleeves folded to his elbows, shirt tucked into black trousers that matched his gloves.

The warehouse was well lit with gas lamps and vents around.

It wasn’t far from what he expected. It was a neutral playing field.

It was considerably far from their territories. Both from Saul’s and his employer who was already here.

Leonel stood near a large wooden industrial table. He was at the middle of the warehouse.

What stood out were his sharp brown eyes. They watched Negan as he approached.

His charcoal black suit, red handkerchief at right pocket and a silver pocket watch dangling from his attire.

He looked quite big and imposing,the kind of man you would think was violent.

But Negan knew better. Leonel’s real strength wasn’t physical.

But his political mastery.

"Punctual as ever Negan" Leonel said,

"Me, punctual?You got the wrong guy mate "

Negan chuckled, extending a warm handshake to Leonel.

"Thank you for doing this."

"Business," Leonel replied simply as he received the handshake.

"War is bad for everyone. Better to talk."

Negan nodded. That was Leonel in a nutshell—practical and precise.

This man ran the Crown Casino, one of the most profitable operations in Strevus, and he’d built his empire on keeping the peace.

Wars disrupted trade, scared customers and brought unwanted attention from the marshals and sentinels.

Peace was profit.

"He’s coming?" Negan asked.

"He said he would." Leonel gestured to the table.

" Let’s sit "

Negan took a seat, he was quite relaxed but nothing in this building was outside his senses.

He knew this could go south at any moment in time.

Saul was unstable and wildly dangerous. No one questioned that.

Ten minutes later, the warehouse door opened.

Gilead "Saul" Thawne stepped inside.

Negan’s eyes followed him immediately

His brown animal skin suit was matched with shoes of the same colour as he moved like old money, each step controlled.

Saul’s eyes locked on Negan. They were as odd as ever. The right was dim blue and the other grey. Always erratic.

But it was the fire in those eyes that made Negan’s instincts tingle.

Saul walked to the table slowly, his gaze remained on Negan the entire time.

He didn’t sit immediately. Just stood there, staring.

"Gilead," Leonel said calmly. "Sit. Let’s talk like businessmen."

Saul remained motionless. For a moment, Negan thought he might refuse.

Finally, Saul sat at the only free chair just opposite Negan, his movements stiff as if he was holding back a storm.

With Leonel at the head of the table, this was certainly a table where men ate.

"Thank you for coming," Leonel continued, his tone even.

"We’re here to find a middle ground. A solution "

"There is no solution," Saul said, his voice low and dangerous.

"The boy fucked my wife. He disrespected me. Made me a laughing stock. The underworld is whispering, Leonel. They’re laughing at me."

"I understand," Leonel said.

"Reputation is everything in this world. But the boy’s death wouldn’t restore it. It’ll just start an unwanted war."

"Then we can have a war." Saul’s mismatched eyes flicked to Negan.

"Unless Cross is too afraid to fight."

Negan chuckled and leaned back in his chair, his expression calm.

"War is quite costly, Saul. You, me and Leonel would pay that price and the marshals would start snooping and for what? Pride?"

"Pride?" Saul’s voice rose slightly.

"Pride? This isn’t about pride, Cross."

This is about respect. This is about her.

His voice more intense in the latter part of the statement.

"Vivienne," Negan said quietly.

"My Vivienne," Saul repeated. "She’s mine. She’s always been mine. And that boy—your stupid boy—thought he could just take what’s mine and live."

"I’m sure he wasn’t thinking but one thing is sure" Negan said evenly.

"She made her own choices."

The words hit Saul like an actual blow, his hands clenched on the table,

"I don’t care, she’s mine" he repeated, his voice shaking.

"She belongs to me." His voice tensing up.

Leonel raised a hand.

"Gentlemen. This isn’t productive. Gilead, what do you want?"

"I want the boy dead," Saul said flatly.

"That’s the only outcome I’ll accept."

Negan’s gaze remained focused. His voice cold and calculative.

"He stays alive"

Saul leaned forward, his mismatched eyes blazing.

"That’s too bad. I can take both your heads. That’s no problem"

The tension in the room spiked. Negan could feel it but he was no stranger to violence or chaos.

He actually didn’t mind if this crumbled because Saul would die in that instant. He had made up his mind.

But Leonel stepped in smoothly.

"Or," he said calmly,

"We find a third option."

Both men looked at him. Eyes squinting.

"What third option?" Saul demanded.

Leonel leaned back, his brown eyes thoughtful.

"The problem isn’t the boy himself. It’s what he represents. The insult to your reputation, Gilead. The whispers. Yes?"

"Yes," Saul said with his shoulder’s stiffened.

"Then we address that. We give the underworld a story they can accept. One that restores your reputation without requiring unnecessary bloodshed."

"How?" Negan asked, though he suspected he knew just where this was going.

"Exile."