100,000 Gold Coins is not a small amount,
for anyone.
And that included Marinda as well.
But unlike others, when Marinda heard this figure, she wouldn't instantly rage nor assu that what Arthur had said was nonsensical.
Instead, Marinda would think.
And Arthur liked people who thought.
Especially when Marinda thought, she looked exceptionally enchanting.
Even when she stood motionless, it was as if she radiated a golden light.
Marinda firmly believed that Arthur had planned ahead with precision and purpose.
And Arthur was willing to let Marinda continue to believe that.
Therefore, he planned to say a na—
Dorn!
The Dorn who was an alias for Alvis Hamlet!
And that alias was worth 100,000.
Indeed, this price was truly a friendly rate.
After all...
Once Marinda investigated this alias, she would surely uncover Alvis Hamlet.
At the sa ti, it was highly likely she would discover so clues concerning him, thus learning more about the secrets of his mother, a mber of the Golden Lion Family.
Therefore, this price was truly reasonable.
It was absolutely not because Arthur had given all the money to Bob to rush the production of the Death Soldier Potion, and was financially strapped, that he thought of tricking Marinda out of so money.
Absolutely not!
Arthur emphasized this to himself.
anwhile, he headed towards the kitchen.
Marinda had instructed him to retrieve the dishes and utensils.
And about last ti's dishes and utensils?
Ms. Anna had washed them.
Arthur had even seen them afterwards, neatly and cleanly arranged inside a basket.
"Here, your dishes and utensils.
I've cleaned them well, haven't I?"
Arthur placed the basket in front of Marinda.
Ms. Anna, who was browsing through "Modern Pastry Cooking," didn't even lift her head, just quietly flipping through it—Ms. Anna viewed Arthur's 'kind lie' as akin to a younger brother's endearing whimper.
It wasn't just unimportant to her; rather, it was sowhat cute.
Of course, only applicable to mbers of the Kledos family.
Strangers?
Ms. Anna would show them what horror ans.
Marinda glanced at the basket, rolled her eyes at Arthur, and then looked towards Ms. Anna—
"Thank you for your help."
Marinda sincerely thanked her.
Although she could roughly guess Ms. Anna's background, if Arthur considered Ms. Anna as family, she also needed to show the respective respect.
Not for any other reason.
Just for his current status.
"Not at all, Marinda,"
Ms. Anna answered with a smile.
That smile, savage and terrifying to outsiders, seed much milder to Marinda, certainly better than a certain soone who only talked about money, deeply calculating and conniving at heart.
After thinking a bit about the finances on record to ensure it wouldn't affect her business, Marinda nodded at Arthur.
"Speak!"
"Dorn, the Dorn from Inner Bay!"
Arthur declared.
Marinda narrowed her eyes.
"Inner Bay?"
The lady emphasized.
"Yes."
Arthur nodded firmly.
Without any hesitation, Marinda blew out a large smoke ring and plunged right through it.
Whew!
Finally, she was gone.
Arthur breathed a sigh of relief, greeted Ms. Anna, and then returned to the floor of the Spirit dium Parlor, quickly falling into deep sleep.
anwhile, Marinda began to get busy.
First, she instructed her subordinates to inquire about and look for a person nad Dorn.
It could quite possibly be from Inner Bay, of course, even more likely it claid to be from elsewhere.
Regardless, Marinda needed to know everything about this person nad Dorn before sunset.
Afterward?
The lady began to sort out her attire.
She changed into a pair of khaki trousers, brown high-waisted boots, and a white shirt adorned with a vest—though still in n's style, the cuffs and collar had lace decorations, and the trousers were slightly modified at the waist and hips to accentuate the curves, making it look more like a lady's hunting outfit.
The lady was not attempting to change anything.
It was simply necessary.
Because...
Madam Susan's visit.
Facing the chief steward of the Earl of South Los, Marinda would never let her guard down.
However, Marinda would never 'dress up' like this on a normal day, even though she knew the other party disliked her usual attire.
In recent years, having played the role of the Earl of South Los's purse, Marinda had so confidence facing Madam Susan, without needing such careful treatnt.
The reason she changed into an outfit the other party liked.
Naturally, it had nothing to do with will.
It had nothing to do with trying to please either.
It was because Marinda hoped to learn so useful information from Madam Susan's mouth.
And then?
Of course, to use it as a 'chip' for her negotiations with Arthur!
Think about it, every ti she negotiated with Arthur, wasn't it always her who provided various bargaining chips? Wasn't it always Arthur who had the upper hand?
This made the always strong-willed lady unable to swallow her pride.
Therefore, just now Marinda did not inform Madam Susan of her visit.
All for the sake of winning against Arthur once!
At least!
At least—
She, Marinda, also wanted to gain so initiative this ti!
Thus Marinda unconsciously took Madam Susan's visit more seriously.
"Mary, prepare so light Food.
However, at should be well-prepared.
Be cautious with the spices, and there needs to be a soup substantial enough to be considered the main course," Marinda commanded.
"Yes, my lord,"
The part-ti housekeeper and cook, Mary, imdiately headed to the kitchen herself.
And when Edwin ca to report, Marinda walked to the main entrance of Caesar Manor, watching as an unmarked carriage slowly entered through the front gate.
Driving the carriage was a guard from the Earl of South Los Family, familiar yet unnaable.
Beyond this, there were no companions.
Marinda frowned in secret.
Although, with Madam Susan's capabilities, she did not need more guards, but as the chief steward of the Earl of South Los, she deserved better treatnt.
Or rather...
Noble etiquette, deanor.
In any case, there should be a cavalry troop of no less than 20 surrounding the carriage.
And now, there was only one possibility.
Madam Susan had not co on behalf of the Earl of South Los, but in her own na.
Such a situation required extrely close personal relations.
And her relationship with Madam Susan?
They did not have such a closeness.
But what really puzzled Marinda was Madam Susan's attitude—
After the carriage stopped at the entrance of the main building, without waiting for the guard to open the door, and seeing Marinda standing at the entrance, Madam Susan directly pushed the door and stepped down from the carriage.
"Why have you co out?
Winter in South Los is not so friendly."
The slightly reproaching words of an elder stunned Marinda.
What followed was even more baffling as Madam Susan took off her rabbit fur cloak and draped it over Marinda.
And before Marinda could react, she took Marinda's arm, nearly half-supporting her as she led Marinda back inside the main building.
Marinda was dumbstruck.
This 'Lady of the Eternal Night' stared blankly at Madam Susan.
While the lady ticulously examined Marinda, whispering softly—
"Old Charlie would be very happy if he knew he was going to be a great-grandfather."
Marinda was shocked.
Then, her pupils dilated in surprise.
What?!
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