THE VILLAINESS TURNS THE HOURGLASS

Chapter 154. The Scandal Of The Century, Part IV

"My God, Lady Aria! Thank you very much! I would already be glad if you accept my business plan, but you also arranged a meal like this for me!"

"You've come to me like this, and I can't refuse your admittance. I'm sure you've had a hard time, and I hope you enjoy your meal slowly. While you're eating, I'll go through your business plan."

"Thank, thank you!"

In the soft and warm sunshine, nearly ten young men began to eat in a hurry. Then the Count, the Countess, and Cain, who had misunderstood, came and saw it with a stunned face. Mielle, with a tender heart, watched the scene from the window and soon closed the window with a distorted face. The Count approached Aria, who reviewed the documents with a serious face and asked quietly,

"... Aria, don't you think that it would be enough if you have just received the documents?"

"They've been waiting since morning, and I can't just send them back."

"I... "

'I've been waiting for you since last night.' The Count gave a bitter smile since he couldn't say what he really wanted to say. 'How did I end up in a position where I could not speak my mind to my stepdaughter?' Having the merchant's temperament to the bone, he closed his mouth and sat in the dining table when he realized that he was not supposed to do so.

"Didn't you eat inside already?"

"I can't miss this place with the young businessmen! I'm curious because they will become the pillar of the empire in the future."

The Count, who never thought so, wrapped up in plausible words, and Cain and the Countess followed him. They seemed very uncomfortable, but no one took it out of their mouths.

"Do they have any good ideas?"

Aria made a meaningful smile at the Count's question. What he wanted was to see them. But she could not. Unlike herself, who only cared about investing purely, the Count seemed to take the brilliant ideas of these young businessmen, so she replaced the answer with just a nod.

"Okay, you've all brought a good plan."

The faces of the young people, who were eating, became bright. The fact that they were recognized by Aria meant that they were excellent in doing business.

"They are fresh and unique. They are valuable projects. However, I still see things that need to be revised."

Of course, it was empty talk. In retrospect, none of the business plans would succeed in the future. Furthermore, judging from the knowledge that they put in their projects, they were just common people, who were not fit for doing business.

Even so, it was judged that if they had the ability to make such a neat analysis and organize a plan, they could help others. It was a great opportunity.

"So I want to give you a chance."

Aria suggested that they should study at the academy. The young people became disappointed upon hearing what Aria said. They felt rejected because of what Aria said. She served them lunch, but she couldn't just finish the meeting just like that, so Aria told them the following,

"If you all didn't have any talent, I wouldn't recommend the academy to all of you and just sent you back... but you all are talented people, so I'll support you with your school expenses."

She had been thinking that it would not be too bad to support a scholarship named after her anyway. It was also an offer from Asher, and it was so she could put on airs so she could look good. It was nothing more than a penny. The young people were thrilled to hear that she would even sponsor their tuition, along with praise for their talent although they kind of got rejected.

"Why don't you have a cup of tea and go back?"

"No, I got a great favor from you, and I can't stay still!"

Aria, watching the vigorous disappearance of the young men, slowly hardened her face and laid down her fork and knife. The meal was excellent, but she had a bad appetite. It was due to the table manners of the young people.

She felt like she knew how they had felt when they had been in the same situation as she had had no table manners in the past. Thinking that the hindrance had finally disappeared, the Count spoke to Aria without missing the chance,

"Aria, are the rumors true?"

He had a very urgent look on his face. He deserved it as he saw even the young people who came with business plans. They were not like... noblemen, but hungry beasts that were wandering the streets.

"... Rumors?" She couldn't see the Count's face that much, and she pretended not to know it.

He raised his voice as if he were frustrated and said, "The rumors that you're Investor A and are close to the Crown Prince!"

He already saw the young people come and then go, but he still wanted to confirm.

When she nodded and expressed a sign of affirmation, the Count smiled brightly and said, "That was cool." The Count did not confirm the rumors again because the Countess had already seen it in person, and he had already confirmed it through numerous mouths.

"As expected, I've always known that you have the talent since you were young!"

'Does he mean the fur business, which Lane misunderstood as Mielle's design?'