Chapter 112
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 112
"We met at the auction house. You were the one who snatched up the Lowerberry land everyone was eyeing with such bold efficiency, weren't you?"
Harriet had been so engrossed with Cedric that she hadn't properly noticed her surroundings, but it seemed Tez had been observing everything. However, since he hadn't mentioned Cedric, she couldn't quite gauge how much he actually knew.
There’s no need to volunteer information, she thought.
Without betraying any surprise, Harriet gave a slight nod, her expression carefully poised. "I suppose I just got lucky."
"Ahahaha! I was with some investor acquaintances that day, and they were all quite curious about you, Lady Harriet. Enviously so, I might add."
Harriet deliberately ignored his probing gaze and took a sip of her tea. "It was my first time attending. Are there usually so few women my age there?"
"You won the most valuable lot at your very first auction? Lady Harriet, I’ve thought this before, but you truly have the soul of a gambler."
A pang of guilt shot through her. After all, the land she had originally set her sights on was actually the least valuable.
As Harriet offered nothing more than an ambiguous smile, Tez leaned forward, his voice dropping to a softer, more intimate register. "Typically, noblewomen pretend not to care about money, claiming such interests are vulgar—even though everything they wear is bought with it."
"What is your purpose in telling me this?"
"Because you seem proactive in growing your wealth. I like people like that."
"I'm flattered."
Tez chuckled again, seemingly amused by her dry reaction. "If you're interested in investments, would you care to join me at an outing hosted by Albeman Bank and myself? You could gain a great deal of helpful information there."
His inexplicable allure made her wary, but the invitation was undeniably tempting.
Albeman Bank was the largest financial institution in the Astor Empire. It was widely rumored that invitations to its spring outing were exclusively extended to high-ranking aristocrats with massive transaction histories. It was even said that every deal capable of moving the nation’s foundations took place there.
So, this man is a bigger player than I thought.
He was known only as a playboy, so she’d had no idea he possessed such extensive connections in these circles. On the surface, she and Tez seemed to be on equal footing, but if he held an invitation from Albeman Bank, there was clearly a massive gap between them. Her acquisition of the Perilas and Lowerberry lands, combined with the profits from her soap business, wouldn't be enough to secure a seat at such an event.
An opportunity to get her foot in the door was too precious to let slip by.
"I am neither wealthy nor a high-ranking noble. Would I even be allowed entry?"
"What’s the problem when you’ll be attending as my partner? Besides, the people there actually prefer ambitious young individuals."
Harriet nodded, then asked the question she was truly curious about. "But why are you making such an offer to me? And please, don't use the excuse of apologizing for the past. I wouldn't believe it."
Tez’s eyes widened before he burst into laughter. "Ahahaha! Seeing your eyes so full of suspicion, it seems I’ve truly earned your disfavor."
"Isn't such unprovoked kindness naturally suspicious?"
"It’s not without reason, no." He blinked his thick black lashes once, then whispered sweetly, "A man’s favor is never granted to a woman without a touch of affection."
Harriet faltered for a moment, then countered, "Not everyone is like that."
"While there might be differences in intensity, I believe there are no exceptions. Especially when it comes to the favor of Tez Roark."
She didn't know how to respond. In truth, Tez’s "affection" didn't matter to her in the slightest.
If all men’s favors are accompanied by affection, then Cedric Kailas’s favor, too...?
Harriet, who had begun flushing despite herself, snapped back to reality when she saw Tez wearing a smug smile.
"Ahem! I apologize, but I have no intention of forming a special relationship with you, Young Master Roark."
"I understand. But don't be so definitive. I know quite a few women who regretted saying that later."
"I'm serious."
"Very well. After all, in life, there are words that can always be 'reversed'."
As if living up to his nickname, 'Hundred Victories, Hundred Wins,' Tez seemed convinced Harriet would eventually fall for him.
Growing slightly annoyed, Harriet fixed him with a serious look. "If becoming your lover is a condition, then I will not attend the Albeman Bank outing."
"Ah, that’s a misunderstanding. While I do wish to become close with you, Lady Harriet, I never said it had to be a romantic relationship."
"Pardon?"
"I believe we could become good friends. Of course, if Lady Harriet wished, we could also have a rather... uninhibited relationship, but..."
Harriet quickly shook her head, and Tez laughed.
"I thought as much. So, this offer to be partners for the outing is purely for the sake of building a friendship."
"Are you... serious?"
"Yes! If you're truly uncomfortable, you're free to refuse. I'm only offering because I’m going anyway, and I thought it would be better to have a partner who actually has an interest in the business."
With him putting it that way, she couldn't justify further suspicion. Harriet pondered it for a moment before finally deciding to accept.
It’s an invitation I could never obtain on my own, and I have so much to learn from the truly wealthy.
The worst that could happen would be someone making unwanted advances, and Tez, as her partner, would surely handle that much.
"Alright then. I'll be in your care."
*
While Angelic was, in principle, only to be sold in hospitals or pharmacies, Albert was the kind of man who openly declared that rules were meant to be broken. After all, what truly lined his pockets were the drugs sold in unofficial settings.
Today, his 'salon' was once again bustling with clients who had come to purchase medicine directly from him. Normally, Albert would simply hand over the product with a professional air, but he wished to get closer to the client currently before him. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"By the way, Lady Bella. You came to our party recently, didn't you?"
Bella, who was transferring the medicine from a silver tray into her pouch, frowned and looked up. "What are you talking about?"
"We ran into each other, didn't we? When you were disembarking from the ship."
He smirked as if he knew her secret, but she merely tilted her head. "I apologize, but I’ve never seen you anywhere other than here, Sir Albert. I believe you’ve mistaken me for someone else."
"Oh? But it really seemed like you... The mole was in the exact same spot, you see." Albert pointed tentatively toward his own nape and chest.
Bella’s expression immediately turned stone-cold. "The mole was exactly there?"
"Yes. And the hair color was identical. Many people besides me probably thought it was you, too. But... it truly wasn't you?"
Bella shook her head, her face terrifyingly rigid.
The hair color is one thing, but for the mole to be in the exact same spot... that’s impossible.
A deeply unsettling feeling crept over her. As she rubbed her goosebump-covered arms, Albert cast another suspicious glance her way.
"How odd. Not only the mole's location, but her manner of speaking and her overall aura clearly resembled you..."
"I told you it wasn't me. And even if, by some chance, it had been me, I don't believe this warrants an interrogation. Furthermore, if word gets out that you treat your clients this way, I doubt it would be beneficial for your business."
Only upon hearing Bella’s sharp tone did Albert realize he had angered a valuable client.
"Ah, haha! My apologies. That particular guest was just so peculiar... As a token of my apology, I'll give you some extra medicine."
Albert quickly moved to open the box. If someone as famous as Bella Listerwell were to spread negative rumors, it would undoubtedly ruin him.
But Bella watched him, then shook her head. "No need for the medicine."
"No, please, I insist—"
"I’d like something else instead."
Bella calmly placed her pouch into her bag and met his eyes. "From now on, no matter what medicine I purchase from you, Sir Albert, please ensure that the secret is kept. That is the gift I desire."
"That goes without saying. Even now, all sales records and client identities within this salon are kept strictly confidential."
"Words are cheap. I want it in writing."
Albert’s expression grew even more suspicious. "Are you going to... kill someone with our medicine?"
"Perhaps."
"Pardon?"
"But we won't be investigated. You'll be happy selling the medicine, and I'll be happy obtaining what I desire. That’s all I’m asking for. Simple, isn't it?"
Albert reluctantly nodded, though he couldn't begin to fathom what Bella was planning.