The Heart System Chapter 593

After finishing my sandwich, I let out a deep sigh and switched off the television. To be perfectly honest... I was actually becoming accustomed to this life. The idleness. The freedom to sleep whenever I pleased. Just lounging around all day long.

And that was the most concerning part. I could feel the tendrils of laziness starting to wrap around me.

Another minute passed with me staring vacantly at the dark screen. Finally, I roused myself. Since Minne hadn’t shown up yet, I decided to check on her.

"Honey?" I called out as I walked towards the hallway. "Minne?"

No response came.

I paused outside her bedroom door and gave a gentle knock. "Are you in there?"

Silence.

After a brief pause, I knocked again, this time with a bit more force.

"Minne?"

Still nothing.

A frown creased my brow as I carefully pushed the door open and peeked inside.

The room was empty. Her bed was impeccably made, the curtains drawn back just enough to let sunlight stream across the floor. Her cleaning supplies were also missing.

"Huh..."

Before I could ponder this further, I heard the distinct sound of the penthouse door unlocking behind me. I stepped back into the hallway, turning my gaze toward the entrance.

Minne entered first, appearing a little winded. Eleanor trailed closely behind her, and frankly... she looked terrible. Her eyes were visibly red and puffy, her breathing ragged as if she had just run a considerable distance. Her hands trembled almost imperceptibly at her sides, and even from my vantage point, I could see the faint tracks of dried tears on her cheeks.

The moment she looked up and saw me, a flush of embarrassment crossed her face.

"Eleanor?" I asked, moving closer. "Are you alright?"

"Master," Minne said softly, offering a slight nod in my direction. "Um... Mrs. Eleanor was..."

"I had another panic attack," Eleanor interjected, her voice subdued as she used one hand to partially shield her face. "I... I knocked on the door earlier, but I suppose you were sleeping. Minne helped me calm down."

"Damn it..." I ran a hand over the back of my neck, a wave of guilt washing over me. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," she replied quickly, though a tremor still lingered in her voice.

"No, really. Come inside." I moved aside to let them pass. "Please, sit down. I'll get you some water."

Both women entered the living room at a slow pace. Eleanor now appeared utterly drained, as though the panic attack had completely depleted her physical energy.

Minne remained by her side throughout the process.

I proceeded directly to the kitchen, retrieved a glass from the cupboard, filled it with cool water, and then returned to the living room, where Eleanor had just delicately settled herself onto the sofa.

I offered her the glass.

"Here."

She accepted it with hands that still quivered slightly. "Thank you..."

Minne stood nearby, her gaze fixed on Eleanor with evident concern, while I quietly took a seat opposite them, observing the distressed woman as she attempted to regain steady breaths.

"What happened?" I inquired gently.

Eleanor shook her head and used her thumb to rub beneath her eyes. "It was... my brother. He called again, asking for money. I told him no, but... I don't know. God..."

"Mark, wasn't it?" I asked. "Is that his name?"

She gave a weary nod before taking another small sip of water. Even the way she held the glass conveyed her exhaustion, as if her body hadn't yet recovered from the intense panic.

A comfortable silence settled over the living room for a few moments. The muted television cast soft reflections on the walls, and sunlight streamed in through the windows behind us. It should have felt serene. Instead, the entire space felt heavy with unspoken anxieties.

"Someone needs to speak with him," I finally stated. "I suppose that someone will have to be me."

"Don't," Eleanor immediately responded, shaking her head. "He's impossible to reason with."

She leaned forward slightly, carefully placing the glass on the coffee table before letting out a slow breath.

"I'll just... try to figure out a way to cover the debt," she continued. "Perhaps Charlotte could offer me some extra shifts or a salary increase. I'll manage somehow."

Even if Charlotte were willing to help, Brok certainly wouldn't be.

I had already encountered that despicable man. He wasn't the type of debt collector who accepted meager monthly installments and patiently waited. He demanded immediate full payment. With the accumulated interest, the sum had spiraled into an astronomical figure. Millions.

The kind of wealth that ordinary people never even glimpse in their entire lifetimes. The most disheartening aspect was Eleanor's genuine belief that she could somehow work her way out of this predicament.

Leaning back slightly against the couch, I rubbed my jaw thoughtfully. Brok possessed his own enforcers. These were not mere street thugs posturing as tough guys. They were the silent, observant type, presumably capable of breaking bones without hesitation if ordered.

So, how on earth was I supposed to bring him down? The system remained my only genuine advantage.

Perhaps the ability to stop time could yield some answers. I was looking for documents, phone records, vulnerabilities—anything that might reveal what Brok was truly hiding behind that pawnshop of his. Was it drugs, weapons, or money laundering? It was impossible to say.

However, it was unlikely that someone like him would be foolish enough to store incriminating evidence in plain sight on his phone.

Nevertheless, I had to attempt something, and I already knew the most logical starting point: the pawnshop itself.

With a quiet exhale, I pushed myself up from the comfort of the couch. "Minne, you stay here with Eleanor," I instructed. "I need to take care of something."

"M-Master..." Minne's head snapped up instantly, her face etched with concern. "W-where are you going?"

"Just some business matters to attend to."

"Sophia mentioned you went to see Brok," Eleanor stated, her gaze lifting to meet mine once more. Her expression had turned decidedly serious. "Don't do that again, Evan. He's a dangerous man."

I offered a slight shrug in response.

"Eleanor, I am the danger."

The instant those words left my lips, Eleanor stared at me for a beat before letting out an unexpectedly weary laugh. "Don't hit me with pop culture references right after I've had a panic attack, you absolute idiot," she chided, shaking her head. "God... what am I supposed to do with you?"

I moved closer and leaned down, placing a gentle kiss upon the top of her head. She let out a soft sigh but made no move to pull away.

This entire situation with Brok needed a definitive end. Not at some future point, not eventually, but now.

And truthfully? The system itself clearly intended for me to be involved. The quest reward alone was astronomical—twenty thousand credits. That was an immense sum compared to most rewards I had received thus far. It was an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

"I'll be back before dinner," I assured her, standing upright. "Try to relax until then."

Minne nodded eagerly. "Please be careful, Master."

"I will be."

Eleanor's expression remained unconvinced.

I retrieved my jacket from the coat rack near the entrance, slipping it on while performing one last check of my phone. There were still no updates from the hidden camera, and Jack and Robert had yet to make an appearance.

Fine.

One problem at a time.

Opening the penthouse door, I cast a final glance back before stepping out. Eleanor was now curled up slightly on the couch, with Minne positioned close beside her, gently rubbing her shoulder.

The door clicked shut softly behind me.

Instantly, my entire focus shifted, zeroing in on Brok.

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