Chapter 67 Chapter 67 Beo/The men's alliance breaks down...
Later that night, Audrey fell asleep after crying.
When I woke up the next day, I felt a little embarrassed to face my sister with two red and swollen eyes.
When I cried, it felt like the sky was falling, and there was no one in the world sadder than me. But when I sobered up, it felt like it was no big deal.
Audrey discovered the truth of life - people should not make decisions at night because they are prone to emotional reactions.
"Sister, I'm actually not as miserable as I say I am..." In the bedroom, Audrey sat up with her hair in disarray and looked at her sister tentatively. "Don't misunderstand how extreme Herman's actions were to me."
"Well, I won't misunderstand him, and I certainly won't challenge him to a duel." Isabel leaned against the bedside while Lucy set up the dining table for her and laid out breakfast. "After all, there was a silly girl crying so hard, yet she still remembered to speak well of him."
Audrey's face flushed: "I...I'm just telling the truth. I'm not afraid of what he will do."
Isabel smiled but said nothing. Audrey, however, bowed her head in guilt under her sister's gaze, fearing she would resemble the love-struck heroine in an opera, or her Aunt Anna, who fell head over heels for a handsome man.
After breakfast Emily came to dress Isabel.
Audrey wanted to stick with her sister, but seeing her like this, she thought she was busy with something important, so she didn't dare to disturb her.
In the afternoon, Isabel got on a carriage and went to Hermann's company.
The silver-haired gentleman seemed to have expected this and had been waiting in the office for a long time.
A meeting between two wise men always saves a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Just like now, no one exchanged any unnecessary pleasantries and everyone got straight to the point.
"How do you plan to resolve this crisis, Mr. White?" Isabel took off her lace wide-brimmed hat, put down her handbag, and sat leisurely on the sofa in the living room.
Hermann knew his wife's sister was no ordinary person. He had reliable sources in Mellenvik and was well aware that Miss Norman had become Spencer's personal advisor. That was why she was able to sit in this office and negotiate with him on behalf of the Duke.
For the Duchess, this trip to Kent was not simply to visit her sister. In a sense, their purposes were similar.
"Mrs. Spencer, I should ask you first, what do you want to get from this trip?" Although he had some guesses, Herman still made the routine test.
Unexpectedly, Isabel said bluntly: "Money."
Herman raised his eyebrows and nodded immediately.
He appreciated his collaborator's directness, which meant today's conversation would be productive.
"Would you like something to drink?" He waved to his assistant.
Isabel: "Tea, preferably oriental black tea."
Hermann raised his chin, and the assistant quickly walked out.
When the room quieted down, he took out a check, wrote a string of numbers, and pushed it over.
"Is this remuneration enough to cover the Duke and Duchess's appearance fees?"
Isabel twisted the check between two fingers, the corners of her lips slightly curved.
Then, he slowly tore it into pieces in front of the man and threw it away.
Fragments of checks flew everywhere, and Hermann's dark gray eyes flashed with coldness. He said expressionlessly, "Duchess, considering that you are my wife's sister, I can tolerate your rudeness this time. I believe the amount I paid is sincere enough."
"Sincerity?" Isabel said in a gentle voice, "Mr. White, considering that you are my sister's husband, I can tolerate you treating me like a fool this time, but there won't be a next time."
"I'm not kidding you. Holy Sunday is coming soon, and all the merchants who support me are waiting for aid funds. If the church puts pressure on me again, my capital chain will be completely severed, and the factory will come to a standstill." Herman paused. "In short, I need a strong backer to help me stabilize the situation and give me time to divert funds from other sources. Once the pressure is relieved, if you're not satisfied with this figure, I can increase it."
"Your words are sincere and well-reasoned." Isabel chuckled, her icy blue eyes revealing a profound meaning. "So you used this disguise to deceive my sister. If she were here, she would have believed you immediately. Unfortunately, I'm the one sitting across from you."
"Your offer is indeed very tempting. Spencer can earn such a generous reward just by showing up." Isabel said with a mocking look, "But compared to what you get, it's as generous as giving away to a beggar."
Hermann sneered: "If a beggar got this money, he could buy St. Petersburg and live a luxurious life until his great-grandchildren."
"Then we're worse than beggars. This little money is only enough for everyone in Chalves to live half their lives," said Isabel.
Herman slowly raised his eyes: "So what do you want?"
Isabel spoke quickly: "What I want in exchange is not temporary benefits, but long-term cooperation."
Herman remained silent. He stared across at the woman who looked like his wife, but a sense of vigilance welled up within him. He lowered his eyes calmly, "I can barely protect myself right now, how can I cooperate?"
"Stop pretending, Mr. White." Isabel waved her hand amusedly, her eyes taunting. "Do you really think everyone in the Norman family is up to you?"
"Business in Ceylon isn't easy, is it? The Church strangles merchants, and with layers of heavy taxation and technological monopoly, you're practically stuck with the crowd. Old-school lapdogs like the Blossoms are naturally willing to wag their tails and pick up scraps, but you... Mr. White, who's weathered so many storms, are you really willing to be left behind?"
Isabel's eyes seemed to have the power to penetrate people's hearts. She stared at Hermann without blinking.
"If I'm not mistaken..." Her eyes were bright, "You seem to be struggling, but in fact, you have already thought of a way out."
"You gathered a bunch of useless allies and let everyone know you were short on funds, hoping to lower their guard," she said. "Our arrival at this time makes it seem like you were using our name to raise funds to keep things running smoothly."
"But you had no intention of making such a small profit in Haddonfield. Yes, even if you didn't have a technological monopoly, let alone a few factories, how much profit could they generate for you? How could it compare to the maritime trade that made you rich?"
Isabel paused, her eyes deep. "You wanted to use the Spencer title to open up a new route. This was your real purpose from the very beginning, using debt to force the Norman family into marriage."
Silence spread in the air, and you could hear a pin drop in the room.
Herman chuckled briefly. "Excuse me, where did you get your guess? The latest best-selling fantasy novel?"
Isabel didn't look angry at all, and even had a gentle smile on her face.
She took out a folded silk scarf from her handbag and slowly unfolded it - it was a familiar plant, calamus.
"Do you remember it, Mr. White?" Isabel smiled. "This is the life-saving herb you took so much trouble to bring from East India."
"I sent people to the black market to investigate its origin, but found nothing. But one of the cargo ships sailing to the Far East happened to belong to you." She folded the scarf slowly. "I was wondering, since we are related by marriage, why did Mr. White do good deeds without leaving his name? So you deliberately left it open, just to see if I could guess your purpose."
"If you guess wrong, you'll only get the check you just gave me. If you guess right, I'll be qualified to negotiate with you." Isabel paused and looked across at the other side. "Now, can we get to the point?"
Hermann looked straight at Isabel, his expression a mixture of joy and anger.
The two sides fell into a silent standoff, as if examining each other's strengths and weaknesses.
After a moment, he finally retracted his forward-leaning posture, which he often did during negotiations, and sat back in his chair.
"You're half right. I was the one who sent the herbs to Mellenvic, but how they got from the Far East to Ceylon and happened to appear within my search range is unknown to me. I don't want to take the credit for it."
Isabel: "But after obtaining the herbs, it was indeed your plan to test me."
Pouring a cup of coffee, Herman said calmly, "Yes, please forgive my probing. After all, no one wants their partner to be such a fool that they can't even see through such a trick. So, I might as well cooperate with Bruson. At least he can be satisfied with just wagging his tail and eating some leftovers."
"Of course, just like I hate the lying fox who thinks he's smart and tries to test me, he's bound to feel angry when he's exposed because he can't get the upper hand. Believe me, I don't mean to offend you. I understand that this is a common problem among all unscrupulous businessmen." Isabel fought back without changing her expression.
Herman scoffed, not wanting to waste time on verbal attacks. He pulled out a document and tossed it over. "This is a business plan for opening a new shipping route. According to Ceylon law, only nobles are qualified to pilot. Using Spencer's title, I'll provide both the money and the labor, and we'll split the profits 20:80."
Isabel glanced at the ten lines and quickly closed the document: "Fifty-fifty split."
Hermann stared at her and took the document back. "I'm beginning to doubt whether you understand the profitability of this route. This ship is bound for the East Indies. If you're trying to fool me, then let's just end this partnership."
"You're wrong. I'm not a pirate." Isabel casually wrote a string of numbers on a piece of white paper beside her. "I'll use Spencer's name to loan out this capital..."
Herman lowered his eyes and pushed the white paper back: "I don't need money."
"I'm not finished yet," Isabel interrupted. "Also, I'll register a company and develop this route with White Shipping."
"Development?" Hermann frowned.
"Yes." Isabel crossed out the East seal on the document and wrote another word - Huaxia.
"Open up the first real route to mainland China in Ceylon."
Hermann was stunned.
"Huaxia?"
"Are you kidding?" Herman sneered. "China? Officially, a small number of ships can trade with them, but they all pass through the East Indian territories. They have powerful ships and cannons, and abundant supplies at home. They don't care about goods from the West at all. Do you think no one has ever set their sights on China? Unfortunately, they all sank at sea."
"That's because you don't understand China at all," Isabel said coldly. "I don't want to explain too much. Anyway, I will be responsible for the main trade communications, and you only need to provide material support."
"Mr. White, you are a businessman. I don't need to remind you how much money you will make from the first successful trade route with China. That will be much more profitable than the small-scale trade with East India." She emphasized the word "lucrative", with mockery in her eyes.
"That has to be successful." Herman sneered.
Isabel: "I want to succeed more than you do. After all, Spencer is already broke. And you are just pretending to be poor."
Hermann studied her as if he were looking at a gambler.
"How confident are you, Miss Norman?" He didn't address Mrs. Spencer, his expression becoming more serious. "There's no such thing as a guaranteed win in maritime gambling. There are too many unexpected risks. If I fail, I'll be as destitute as Spencer."
"To be honest, it's only 30%."
Isabel didn't avoid his gaze. "One percent is due to my understanding of China, one percent is due to everyone else's lack of understanding of China's current state, and the final ten percent..."
She shrugged and said frankly, "It comes from my confidence and wisdom."
Herman resisted the urge to roll his eyes and took a deep breath. "30%, let me bet my entire fortune..."
Isabel: "30%, in exchange for you becoming a top businessman that cannot be shaken in the whole of Ceylon."
The air became stagnant, and the two gamblers faced each other in silence for a long time.
Herman said slowly: "You win. It's a pleasure to work with you. I will ask Charles to draw up a new contract tomorrow."
Isabel raised her eyes and said, "Add one more clause to the new contract."
She took out a check. It was Lucy's betrothal gift, which she had kept in the bottom of her chest. Today was the time to use it. "This fund will be invested in the name of Isabel Norman, and the money will be divided into 40:40:20. You and I will each get 4, and Isabel will get 2."
Hermann understood what she meant instantly.
Neither of them trusted the other, and their only bond was his wife and her sisters.
If the alliance of interests breaks down one day, Mrs. White's shares can directly influence the situation.
This is also indirectly raising her status.
Of course, Hermann didn't know that Isabel's actions had another deeper meaning.
From her perspective, if the sisters' identities could not be restored, then the shares under "Isabelle"'s name would be Audrey's foundation in Winston Manor. Even if they could be restored one day, that would be even better. The 40% shares under "Audrey's" name would still belong to her younger sister.
No matter how things develop, this asset will be the cornerstone that Isabel gives to Audrey for support.
Herman's expression softened, and without hesitation, he said, "I agree."
After the words fell, Isabel showed her first genuine smile since entering the room, although it was fleeting: "I respect your decisiveness."
Herman snorted coldly: "You should be glad that you are her sister."
The cooperation has been negotiated, and the assistant knocks on the door at the right time and brings black tea.
"Business is over, let's talk personal matters." Isabel took a sip and said calmly, "As I said before, I hate cunning people. If you use the same tactics on your wife, I will make you pay double for everything you gain today."
Herman's face darkened and he sneered, "Are you threatening me? Miss Norman, you don't want to know what happened to the last person who threatened me."
"Also, let me remind you that your sister is now Mrs. White. Don't use your Norman surname to dictate to her." He spoke each word slowly. "It's none of your business to interfere in what happens between us."
"That's not up to you." Isabel looked back calmly. "She likes you now, so I will be tolerant of your flaws. If one day she wants to leave, no one can force her to stay, including you."
Herman narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression suddenly froze, "She told you that she likes me?"
Isabel looked at him expressionlessly and smiled: "It seems that you just found out about this. Don't be complacent. Maybe one day she will get tired of it."
Herman pursed his lips and was about to fight back when there was a knock on the door.
A head with golden curly hair popped in and said in surprise, "So you're here! I've been waiting at home for a long time, and Charles said you were discussing business."
The two people who were on the verge of a fight immediately calmed down.
Isabel said gently, "Why are you here? It's cold outside, why don't you wear something thicker?"
Audrey happily took Isabel's hand and said, "I'm not cold! What are you talking about?"
Herman calmly swept aside the contract and check fragments from the negotiations. "Let's discuss how to deal with the broken funding chain. We can hold a welcoming party tomorrow to reassure our allies."
Isabel tacitly replied, "Yes, and we'll also start arranging technical research to try to break the church's monopoly."
The two clever men did not exchange confessions, but in a few words they put another plan on the agenda, deceiving Audrey and creating the illusion of harmony.
Audrey did not suspect anything and set off back to the estate with her husband and sister.
As soon as Isabel entered the door, without even taking off her coat, she met Heinrich in the restaurant.
He was feeling very proud of himself, and took advantage of Audrey's absence today to quickly occupy the seat next to Isabel, but when he turned around, he saw his wife coming back from outside.
"Where have you been? Come here and sit next to me."
"I'm going to talk about business." Isabel went forward and kissed her husband.
Just as Heinrich's expression relaxed, he saw Audrey and Hermann walk in together.
Audrey's face turned sour the moment she saw her brother-in-law. She muttered, "Mr. Duke, don't be so mean to my sister. We're just going out for a while."
"Why are the three of you together?" Heinrich's face immediately fell. He looked at the three of them and complained to Isabel, "She can go with you on business. Why didn't you call me?"
Isabel closed her eyes and let Lucy help her take off her hat.
Audrey hid behind Herman and shouted, "Why should I bring you along? Let's talk business. I'll be in charge of the technical research!"
Heinrich sneered: "What's wrong with you having skills? I have a title. If it weren't for my wife, I wouldn't come to this shabby place."
Audrey couldn't help it: "A shabby place? You're not welcome here. Go away and leave my sisters behind."
"Oh, I won't leave until my wife leaves."
…
Isabel walked in front and the two of them were arguing behind.
The noise made her feel overwhelmed, and she finally couldn't help but turn around and said, "Shut up!"
The world is finally quiet.
Herman followed at a leisurely pace and pulled Audrey aside at the right moment: "Did you get yelled at? Why don't you come back?"
An expression that says, "I'm the only one in the world who's truly good to you."
Isabel suddenly raised her eyes: "And you! Shut up!"
As she said that, she snatched Audrey from his hands and led her upstairs.
The two men were left downstairs again, staring at each other.
Hermann looked at his empty hands with a dark look in his eyes. "Mr. Duke, tell your wife not to interfere with people she shouldn't be interfering with."
Heinrich was not someone to be trifled with. He immediately sneered, "Here's a message for you. Keep an eye on your wife!"
The men's alliance broke down and the two men went their separate ways.
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