During afternoon tea time, the salon of Viscount Greent's house was still going on.
After comforting Mary, Valeera made an excuse to leave the living room and went to join the secret meeting in the study.
The noisy conversations in the living room passed through the long corridor and when they reached the study on the first floor, they had turned into bursts of soft sounds, losing the original information carried in the sounds.
Viscount Greent stood at the door of the study, looking around the corner of the corridor.
After seeing Valeera appear, he complained softly, "You came too slowly."
"Ah, sorry."
Valeela approached with a smile and explained softly:
"The conversation I just had with Mary was about business, so it took a little time."
Hearing what Valeela said, Greente couldn't say anything more, so he could only nod his head and open the door in a gentlemanly manner.
…
"Hugh, Forsi, this is the reward you deserve." Audrey pushed a bulging envelope to the two ladies opposite the desk.
Xio wanted to say something polite, but her hand quickly grabbed the envelope and felt the weight of the money.
She could only say sincerely:
"Miss Audrey, thank you for your generosity. Your integrity makes you more beautiful."
As she spoke, she had untied the thin thread on the envelope and saw the banknotes inside.
They were uniformly colored banknotes with black lines on a gray background. They were thick in texture and exuded a special, refreshing ink fragrance.
10 pounds... Xio took out one and confirmed the denomination. Forsi, who seemed lazy and didn't care about money, came over at some point.
This, at least... Xiu looked at the thickness and tried to figure out how many there were in total.
She couldn't help but look at Forsi and saw the surprise in each other's eyes:
This is obviously a lot more reward than they imagined!
Audrey smiled slightly and said:
"A total of 800 pounds, you decide how to distribute it."
"That incident put you in danger, and I'm sorry for that."
800 pounds... No, no need to apologize... If I do it again, even if I know the possible consequences, I will accept the commission... Even if it is just divided equally, plus my savings, it is enough to buy the formula of the "Sheriff" potion It's...Xiu, who was just over 1.5 meters tall, stared blankly at the banknotes in the envelope, wishing he could take them all out and count them repeatedly.
She believed that the generous and beautiful Miss Audrey would definitely not be short of remuneration, but what if the other party made a wrong calculation?
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes! Xio raised his right hand, paused for a few seconds, and then silently put it down.
Forsi couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth, and sighed:
"This is more than the total royalties I have received so far for my book "Stormhouse"..."
Should I praise Miss Audrey, or laugh at myself for the writer's poverty? She added silently.
After the excitement and joy subsided, Xiu looked at Audrey and said seriously:
"We have recently come into contact with people who are suspected of psychological alchemy. The 'audience' potion you want will soon have clues."
Thinking that verbal praise is not as good as actual actions, Xio took the initiative to report on the progress of finding the potion formula to express his positive attitude.
Xio, I have already reached Sequence 8, which is better than you... Audrey smiled reservedly:
"I am looking forward."
After getting down to business, they chatted about various rumors about the Extraordinary Circle while following Audrey's example, they each started looking for the books they wanted to read.
Suddenly, Xio's eyes lit up and he saw two hard-covered books:
"History of the Nobles of the Kingdom of Loen" and "Heraldry".
At the same time, Forsi also found books that interested him:
"The Geography of the People of Fusac Empire" and "Around the Northern Continent".
…
The door opened and closed, and the faint sound coming from the living room only circled around the study room before being isolated again.
Audrey and the other three who were standing at different places on the bookshelf looked up from their books and looked at Valeera and Viscount Grindt who had just come in from the door.
Valeela smiled and said, "Sorry, I was a little delayed. Did you miss something?"
"No," Audrey responded with the same smile, "We were just chatting."
"They told me that they have recently come into contact with a target who is suspected of possessing the formula. Maybe there will be clues about the formula of the 'Spectator' potion soon."
Grelint was a little envious after hearing this, and couldn't help but ask, "What about the 'pharmacist's' formula?"
Valila followed his words and cast expectant glances at Xio and Forsi.
"Well, we still..."
"We are still observing and evaluating the suspected target," Fors interrupted Xio with a smile and said in a positive tone, "It will take some time before formal contact is made."
Hearing such an answer, Grelint, who was walking towards the sofa, smiled and nodded, "You can rest assured, as long as you can get the 'pharmacist' formula, the reward will not be small."
Audrey watched the words and quietly raised the book in her hand, covering the smile on her face.
"I hope everything goes well." Valeera glanced at Forsi with a half-smile, but did not reveal her words.
In order to alleviate the embarrassment, Forsi quickly picked up the previously interrupted chat topic.
While Valeera listened, she walked to the bookshelf full of books, walked around, and browsed through Viscount Greent's collection.
After a while, when the conversation among the group subsided, she found an opening and asked a question with a smile:
"Do you know why I'm late?"
This is obviously the beginning of a new topic.
With the cooperation of the four people, Valeela successfully changed the topic, told her about her intention to invest in Kaoyim Company, and briefly described the results of the investigation on the company's operating conditions.
Finally, she asked in a tone of seeking advice:
"What do you think? Is this company suitable for investment?"
Xio and Forsi quietly looked at each other and chose to listen silently.
Audrey cared about her friend, thought carefully for a while, and said in a sincere tone:
"Judging from your description, this company's operating conditions are pretty good. As long as there are no major accidents, it will generally not suffer losses. It is considered a very reliable investment."
She first confirmed Valeela's vision, and then explained her true opinion:
"But the annuity income from investing in it is too small, only about 5%, while the income from excellent investments can be nearly double without increasing the risk too much."
"That's right," Grindt agreed at this time, "My opinion is the same as Audrey's."
"I have one more thing to add."
Audrey spoke to draw Valeera's attention back to her, "I'm also looking for new investments recently. If you need it, I can discuss it with you."
Forsi was writing furiously in the record book he took out at some point.
While she quickly jotted down the key points, she admired in her heart that this was a real noble lady. She was not only distinguished by her clothing and appearance, but also by her proficiency in the art of language. Her words were always as soft and comfortable as the warm spring breeze.
Valeera felt the same way.
Although she knew that there was a boost from the "Mind Reader" potion, she would not ignore Audrey's own qualities because of this.
You know, the title of "Backlund's most dazzling gem" was recognized by her before she became an extraordinary person.
Of course, despite this, Valeela still has to show her attitude of sticking to her choice.
She argued a little unconvinced:
“But investment is a long-term thing, how can we only look at current returns?”
"I think as long as there are good development prospects, even if the current income is lower, you can consider appropriate investment."
Then, Valeera listed some of the development advantages of Coyim Company, such as the public's voice for air pollution control, the demand for high-quality fuel by nobles and wealthy businessmen, and her "anticipation" of the introduction of air pollution-related laws. Judgment” and so on.
This is a visible fact in the first place. After being processed by the "instigator"'s words, the persuasiveness becomes even higher.
Audrey and Grelint had to admit that what Valeela said made sense.
Especially Audrey, because of her father Earl Hall's relationship, she has a higher sensitivity to the kingdom's policies.
"What you said makes sense."
Audrey thought carefully and said:
"From this perspective, Coyim has a higher investment value, but of course, the risk is also higher."
"I think so too." Grelint nodded.
Forsi and Xio didn't speak, but they both felt a sense of gain in broadening their horizons.
"So you changed your mind?"
Valeela asked back in "surprise", and then suggested with a smile:
"Mary is in the living room. Do you want to fetch her and get to know her better?"
Well, it’s almost like using the current annuity income to be reduced by half to gain a possible higher income in the future... Viscount Greent leaned on the sofa, thought for a moment with his chin, and nodded in response:
"Can."
After speaking, he looked at Audrey at the desk.
Audrey smiled, "I have no objection."
Green Point nodded and was about to speak when he heard Forsi say:
"Dear Viscount Greent, my friend and I want to leave early, is it okay?"
"Okay." This was exactly what he wanted.
"Dear Viscount Greent, can I borrow these two books? I will return them soon." Xio looked at the owner of the study pleadingly and made a request before leaving.
Grelint nodded nonchalantly and said:
"no problem."
After hearing his answer, Forsi quickly made a request, and was also allowed.
Witnessing all this, Audrey's mouth curled up slightly.
As a qualified and promoted "audience", after many contacts, she had accurately grasped Xio and Forsi's preferences in certain aspects, and used this to make arrangements in advance without anyone noticing.
Making the people being guided feel that it is their own wishes is a reflection of the audience's ability.
——————
ps: Change first and then change, the original part is not actually included in the chargeable word count.
