Pirate: Crew of Desire and Bonds

Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Meeting Madam Vivian

"A concept?"

Barbara repeated the word with curiosity.

Jake nodded.

"Yes, I just need a chance to explain it to someone who understands business. If they think it’s worthless, then I’ll accept that."

Barbara stared at him for a few seconds as she noticed something.

Jake wasn’t acting like someone trying to scam a merchant.

There was no greed in his eyes, nor desperation to make easy money.

He genuinely believed his idea had value and that alone made her curious.

Then she let out a small laugh and stood up from the crate.

"Fine."

Jake looked surprised.

"Really?"

"Don’t misunderstand." Barbara pointed her cigar at him. "I’m not saying your idea is guaranteed to succeed."

She paused, a teasing smile appearing on her face.

"But I’m curious enough to see what kind of strange thing is inside that head of yours."

Even hearing those words, Jake couldn’t help but smile and thank her.

"Thank you, Barbara."

Barbara waved her hand dismissively.

"Save your thanks until after the meeting."

Then, she turned toward the main deck and gestured for Grace and Jake to follow.

"Come on. Follow me."

Jake and Grace nodded and quietly followed behind Barbara.

The three of them moved across the ship, passing several crew members who greeted Barbara respectfully.

And as they walked, Jake noticed the atmosphere surrounding the old woman.

Even though she wasn’t the captain, the crew clearly respected her.

Every sailor they passed gave her a small nod, and some even stepped aside without needing to be told.

It was clear that Barbara wasn’t just an ordinary old woman enjoying a cigar on the deck.

Eventually, they reached the upper deck.

The area here was much quieter compared to the lower levels.

There was even a few guards stood nearby, watching over several important-looking rooms.

And at the far end of the deck stood a large wooden door decorated with the emblem of the Vivian Caravan.

Barbara stopped in front of the door and looked at Jake.

"Wait here for a moment."

Jake nodded.

Barbara raised her hand and knocked.

After a few seconds, a calm female voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Barbara opened the door and stepped inside first.

Jake and Grace remained outside, waiting patiently.

For the first time since arriving on the ship, Jake felt a strange sense of nervousness creeping over him.

He had faced dangerous situations before.

He had even fought enemies who wanted to kill him.

...Yet, somehow, standing outside this door felt different.

This wasn’t a battle where strength determined the outcome.

No, this was a negotiation.

A chance to convince someone with years of experience and countless connections that his idea was worth their time.

Jake looked down at his hands and quietly muttered,

"Why does this feel more difficult than fighting Julian..."

Grace, who was standing beside him, heard his words and couldn’t help but smile.

Then she gently reached out and held his hand.

"Jake, don’t worry too much."

Her warm golden eyes looked at him with quiet confidence.

"No matter whether we succeed or not, at least we tried. So there is no need to be so nervous. I will always be by your side!"

Jake stared at her for a moment before letting out a small laugh.

His tense expression gradually relaxed.

"You’re right. Somehow, you always make things feel easier."

Hearing those words, Grace tilted her head slightly and spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Because I believe in you."

Those simple words caused Jake’s lips to curve into a smile.

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A moment later, the door opened, and Barbara stepped out with a faint smile.

"You’re lucky."

She stepped aside and gestured toward the room.

"Come on. Madam Vivian is waiting."

Seeing this, Jake took a deep breath and nodded.

For some reason, he felt as if he wasn’t about to enter the room for a simple conversation.

It felt more like he was walking into an important interview.

He couldn’t help but smile wryly as he remembered how nervous he had been during his first part-time job interview.

But strangely, when Jake looked at Grace beside him, he felt himself gradually calm down.

After all, this responsibility wasn’t his alone.

He had someone important beside him now.

And he needed to become stronger... not just for himself, but so he could properly protect the woman he loved.

Grace clenched her fist cutely and gave him an encouraging nod.

Jake smiled and took another deep breath.

He straightened his clothes slightly, adjusted his posture, and quietly reminded himself.

’Man up, Jake... Man up...’

With that, Jake stepped inside.

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The first thing he noticed was actually Garrick.

The veteran captain was already there, standing near the side of the room with his arms crossed.

Jake was slightly surprised.

"Sir Garrick?"

Garrick turned toward him with a small smile and waved.

"Yo. Didn’t expect to see you here."

Jake nodded before shifting his attention forward.

There... behind a large wooden desk sat the person he had come to meet.

She should be... Madam Vivian.

She was a mature and elegant woman with long black hair cascading over her shoulders.

Her purple eyes carried a calm yet sharp intelligence, as if she could see through every word spoken before her.

A small scar rested beneath her left eye, adding a hint of fierceness to her otherwise beautiful appearance.

She didn’t give off the feeling of a warrior like Garrick or old veteran like Barbara.

Instead, her presence belonged to someone who had spent years controlling situations from behind the scenes.

Madam Vivian looked at Jake quietly.

Then her gaze shifted briefly toward Grace before returning to him.

"So... you’re the young man Barbara insisted I meet."

Her voice was calm and composed.

Jake felt his back straighten slightly.

The woman leaned back in her chair, her purple eyes narrowing slightly with curiosity.

"Barbara rarely brings people to me personally. So I’m interested."

"Tell me, Jake. What exactly is this idea you believe is worth my time?"