Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 340: Alon Mendez

Chapter 340: Alon Mendez

Mandy never imagined a day like this would come—when the man she had once admired from a distance would stand before her, pleading for her help.

She had finally managed to carve out a rare half-day to rest in her apartment in Central City. But as soon as she arrived, Alon Mendez was already there, blocking her doorway.

"Mandy, please, help us," he begged, his voice thick with desperation.

Seeing that he wouldn’t leave, Mandy reluctantly let him inside. Thankfully, her family was staying elsewhere, sparing everyone the discomfort of an awkward encounter.

Though Alon had clearly tried to look polished in a sharp, tailored suit that emphasized his striking features, his red-rimmed eyes and the bluish circles beneath them revealed his exhaustion.

The Mendez family had once thrived on Planet Nagano, their roots deep and their wealth vast. But that planet had been consumed by a black hole, leaving nothing behind—not even dust.

The collapse of order stripped them of their immense wealth, lofty status, and every privilege. What had once been an endless stream of digits in Nagano’s banks was now meaningless; the banks themselves no longer existed.

With the planet’s destruction, the Alliance’s resource reserves shrank drastically, sparking severe hyperinflation.

A hundred credits, once enough for two days of comfortable living, could no longer buy even a loaf of bread.

The Mendez family wasn’t destitute yet, but desperation had set in. They hoped Mandy could petition the government to recover their assets.

They weren’t alone—merchants from other ruined planets were making similar requests, though none had met with success.

Alon’s approach was calculated. The Legion of Everglow was at its height, and Mandy, as its secretary-general, wielded considerable influence. Surely, the government would listen to her.

He wasn’t wrong—Mandy had the power to act. But she refused him outright.

"The government won’t approve your claim," she said firmly. "Elden Prime’s resource reserves are already stretched to the limit. If hyperinflation worsens, ordinary people won’t even be able to afford food."

Her tone remained resolute as she elaborated. "Those with millions or billions might spend a thousand credits on a loaf of bread, but most people don’t even have that much. Hunger will drive them to revolt, and riots will erupt. The government and the military council won’t risk such chaos. Anyone with a shred of responsibility would see that."

Alon grew agitated. "It’s just my family. One exception won’t lead to chaos," he insisted.

"No exceptions. Not for anyone—and definitely not from me," Mandy replied, crossing her arms. Sunlight streaming through the window caught her golden ponytail, making it gleam like fire.

The Legion of Everglow was already under intense scrutiny from the Alliance Military Council. Mandy couldn’t afford to give anyone ammunition against them.

Alon’s tone became more urgent. "Others might refuse, but why won’t you help? If it’s Rear Admiral Shedd you’re worried about, I promise—once the assets are restored, I’ll give half to her."

"Money’s just numbers now," Mandy said evenly. "Lyra wouldn’t care."

Lyra had made her priorities clear upon returning, converting all funds into tangible resources. She had foreseen the current crisis long before it arrived.

Frustration overtook Alon, his voice sharpening. "Mandy, are you really going to be this heartless? Or is this still about what happened all those years ago?"

His accusatory words made Mandy frown. She thought she’d moved past those feelings long ago.

The sting of unrequited love and heartbreak had become a natural part of her life, something she had endured and, with time, even found traces of sweetness in. ’Why ruin that now? Why insist on reminding me that the sweetness had been my own illusion, the bitterness the only truth?’

She snorted and leveled him with a cold, disdainful look. "And why shouldn’t I hold you accountable for your insults and manipulation?"

The moment Alon spoke, he regretted it. The Mandy standing before him now was no longer someone he could afford to provoke.

To put it simply, a single frown from her was enough to send a chill down his spine.

Her sharp gaze locked on him, and his confidence wavered. Wiping his face, he adopted a mournful tone.

"What do I need to do to earn your forgiveness?" he asked. "You know my grandfather needs Aesculapius’ Grace treatment every few months. If we can’t afford it, am I supposed to just watch him die?"

Despite the emotional weight of his plea, Mandy remained unmoved.

"Out of respect for the time your family lent us money when my grandmother was in crisis, I can provide food and help Mr. Mendez apply for Aesculapius’ Grace treatment," she said. "But for the rest of your request—I cannot agree."

Alon’s expression shifted abruptly. He stood, his voice rising. "I know you still have feelings for me! If you agree to help, I’ll do anything you want."

The implication hung heavily in the air. Mandy’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Anything?"

Her demeanor changed. Relaxing back into the couch, she tilted her chin slightly, her tone mocking. "Then go ahead. Show me."

Alon flushed with humiliation but began unbuttoning his jacket. After shrugging it off, he moved to remove his diamond cufflinks, his actions slow and hesitant.

Mandy raised her eyebrows, mildly surprised. She had only intended to make him retreat in defeat. She hadn’t expected the man who had once insulted her to truly cast aside his pride.

Yet here he was, standing before her like a puppet awaiting her command.

How ironic.

Her mind briefly wandered to something Lyra had once told her during the particularly dark moment: "When you have everything, there will be thousands of Alons for you to choose from."

Wealth and power had proven seductive indeed, but Mandy’s gaze narrowed slightly.

Alon had already unbuttoned his shirt, revealing smooth, pampered skin.

Compared to the hardened soldiers of the Legion of Everglow, his body was unimpressive.

Whatever appeal he once held for Mandy was long gone. Just as she prepared to tell him to leave, an unexpected voice broke the silence.

"Bad timing, but I think my business is more important than seducing men."

Mandy turned sharply to see Lyra leaning casually against the doorframe. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to throw Alon out of the window.

For his part, Alon was so mortified he wished he could leap from the twentieth floor. Still, he forced himself to maintain composure. "Rear Admiral Shedd, long time no see."

Lyra’s expression was frosty as she gave him a curt nod. "Don’t let the door hit you on the way out."

Alon grabbed his jacket in a rush and fled, nearly tripping over himself. There had been a time when he could stand face-to-face with Lyra without fear, but now her icy aura left him paralyzed. He passed her without uttering another word.

Once he was gone, Lyra turned to Mandy, who looked thoroughly embarrassed.

"You could’ve just said yes," Lyra remarked flatly.

Mandy shook her head. "The government has already refunded over a hundred bank accounts. I’m not going to add more fuel to the fire."

She elaborated. "The connections between merchants and people in both the military and government are too deep. If those funds get converted into resources, it’ll inevitably squeeze out the survival space for ordinary people. I’ve been one of them—I won’t become the kind of person I used to hate."

Lyra didn’t comment on Mandy’s principles. She simply said, "The time is right. Get your family in order and prepare to move with Morrison."

Mandy hesitated, a trace of melancholy crossing her face. "So, it’s finally come to this."

"Lyra," Mandy started, as if recalling something.

"Hmm?" Lyra turned back, her expression unreadable.

Mandy met Lyra’s emotionless gaze but hesitated, then shook her head. "Nothing."

Fate had entwined them in its web from the moment they were born, pulling their lives along predetermined paths.

All they could do was navigate the chaos of these countless interwoven threads, searching for a way to survive.