Faced with Arthur's counter-question, Yekaterina didn't hesitate for a mont, nor did she show the slightest bit of expression on her face as she imdiately responded—
"Of course!"
"Soone must be held responsible for the losses at Port Doldot!"
And moreover…
"The Inner Bay Golden Lion Family has already tarnished the glory of the West Berlin Family!"
As she spoke, anger erged on Yekaterina's face, and the hatred in her eyes seed almost tangible.
However, seeing Yekaterina's expression, Arthur's brow furrowed slightly.
This young 'Spirit dium' didn't respond, but instead turned his head to look at Port Doldot.
The ancient castle of the West Berlin Family was built atop a mountain peak, from which one could completely overlook Port Doldot—a fact the Marquess of Seberlin had ntioned, claiming his ancestors had anticipated the rise of Port Doldot when they constructed the original castle.
Thus, they chose this location, not only to ensure the safety of Port Doldot but also to restrain the armies on land.
Although such statents seed to be accepted by most people when looking at the results,
to Arthur, who had seen the original castle, it was nonsense.
The earliest castle was slightly larger than a mill, resembling a watchtower.
The initial military camp probably consisted of nothing more than a couple of tents.
Clearly, the early West Berlin Family was far poorer than imagined.
There's a saying in Arthur's hotown, 'Good money is spent on the blade,' and it applies in this world too. In short, if one truly recognized the potential of Port Doldot, those limited resources would have been invested there, not in constructing the castle here.
Therefore, the ancestors of the West Berlin Family didn't have such foresight.
Of course, it's possible they did have such vision, but the circumstances at the ti didn't allow it, forcing the West Berlin Family's ancestors to settle here.
Who could say for sure?
After all, ti is the most poisonous of poisons.
It not only ages people but also confuses everything.
Luckily, Arthur was young enough and had enough antidotes.
He didn't believe he could see into the future or peer into people's hearts.
But he could clearly see the remnants of the fire and the black smoke billowing from Port Doldot.
And he could make people think he saw the future or peered into their hearts.
Don't forget, he was a 'Spirit dium'!
Arthur raised his right hand, a finger pressed against his furrowed brow, his eyes slightly narrowed, his gaze shifting.
Seeing this, Yekaterina felt an ominous sense rising within her.
'Did my expression reveal a flaw?
Impossible!
I certainly did not…
Wait a mont!'
Suddenly, the lady thought of sothing, but before she could organize her thoughts, Arthur took the lead and directly asked—
"Is the Marquess of Seberlin's injury serious?"
Yekaterina was stunned.
This lady looked at Arthur with an incredulous gaze.
'He knows?
He knows!
How could he possibly know!'
With her most guarded secret discovered, even Yekaterina showed a hint of panic, and to hide this panic, the lady quickly asked.
"Is it a divination of the Spirit dium?"
"No.
It's your sudden arrival, Yekaterina.
And the decisiveness just now."
Arthur answered.
"Oh?
Can you explain in detail?"
Yekaterina furrowed her brow, waiting for Arthur's explanation.
The young 'Spirit dium' didn't play mysterious, but simply answered.
"You are the designated heir by the Marquis himself, although it hasn't been made public, but everyone in this castle knows it.
Therefore, when a riot erupted in Port Doldot, you would surely be well protected.
Even the slightest hint of danger shouldn't bring you here.
Unless, the Marquis has given up on you.
But that's impossible.
So there's only one other possibility—
"The Marquess of West Berlin has encountered so issues, so much so that you had to prematurely step onto the stage as his successor to stabilize the situation,"
Yekaterina nodded slightly, acknowledging Arthur's words, then continued to ask.
"And just now?"
"Just now, your answer was too decisive, so decisive I almost mistakenly thought that between Inner Bay and West Berlin, it was West Berlin who had the upper hand.
But what is the reality?
Inner Bay holds the absolute advantage.
In such a situation, your decisiveness unavoidably leads one to speculate, and coupled with the first point, that's why I boldly asked, 'Is the Marquess of West Berlin seriously injured?'"
Arthur continued explaining.
Hearing this explanation, Yekaterina could not help but start clapping her hands.
Clap, clap, clap.
"I so wish you were here for divination.
Your intelligence is as if you truly saw everything with your own eyes."
In the crisp applause, a wariness erged in Yekaterina's gaze towards Arthur.
This wariness was not hidden.
Arthur saw it clearly.
Imdiately, the young 'Spirit dium' laughed.
He said—
"Have you never suspected that this is indeed divination?
Have you never thought that it's your own thoughts that inford of everything?"
Arthur's smile was full of warmth.
But Yekaterina subconsciously took a step back.
The lady was sowhat frightened by Arthur's words.
The lady originally intended to use her obvious 'wariness' to remind Arthur that she was not to be trifled with, but such a reminder led to more fright instead.
Although the lady was not genuinely scared, the pressure on her had doubled.
She found herself hampered at every turn when facing Arthur.
And that was exactly what Arthur wanted.
He needed to take the initiative in the upcoming negotiations.
The kind of—
Absolute initiative!
At that mont, he had achieved it.
"I was just kidding, don't mind ,"
Arthur said as he shrugged his shoulders, feigning an easy apology.
However, Yekaterina did not feel any relief.
The lady knew she was at a disadvantage.
Still not quite willing to concede, the lady imdiately said—
"You did scare a little.
But having such a capable partner like you is my honor—I think we should add a few clauses to the contract signed by my father and you,
regarding Jacqueline and Catherine, for instance."
Catherine was not present, but Yekaterina could sense her sister's 'weak' presence.
If the direct approach is impregnable, then try the flank, there might be unexpected effects.
This was the Marquis of West Berlin's teaching, and Yekaterina rembered it well.
And at this mont, she was attempting it.
"Jacqueline and Catherine have already acknowledged Marinda as their sworn sister.
It has nothing to do with our cooperation contract."
Arthur's smile remained unchanged.
However, Yekaterina's mind went 'boom' and exploded on the spot.
Truly an unexpected effect.
But it was negative!
The lady bit her lip in secret.
She knew that she had utterly failed.
The sense of defeat even prevented the lady from maintaining her composure.
Arthur watched this scene quietly.
It was not that Arthur had so perverse hobby in watching the downfall of a lady.
Rather, Arthur was waiting for the real person who could give him a 'definite answer' to appear.
The next mont, footsteps echoed from within the secret passageway.
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