Chapter 693 Beware of the Audience
Normal people wouldn't easily open their mouths to discuss such a question involving commercial secrets, but Baron Sindras only thought about it briefly before nodding and saying:
"This has actually been in the works for some time... After I became a noble, I consciously set foot in many of Backlund's business sectors, especially those that other nobles were interested in, in order to expand my network and wealth..."
Audrey listened to the Baron's words with a smile, revealing a hint of maturity that didn't match her youthful and lively appearance.
The audience's ability to sense expressions and actions, as well as to perceive the other person's innermost thoughts from conversation, is similar to the instigator's instigation and persuasion. Although it is a Beyonder ability, its use is not as easily perceived as various explicit abilities. Angel, as the Witch of Despair, did not notice Audrey using her ability while sitting nearby. She only felt that Baron Syndras had simply revealed his attempt to acquire shares in Coim Company.
"...After the Air Pollution Investigation Committee was established and the Environmental Protection Act was passed, several members of my private club recommended Coim to me. After some research, I also believe that its potential for appreciation over the next three years is very high. An early investment could yield substantial profits and gain the favor of the investigation committee, especially those who have slight dissatisfaction with me."
Having said that, Sindras looked at Audrey and chuckled.
Does he mean he wants to contact my brother, Hibbert, the committee's chief secretary? Well, it means he wants to ease the relationship with the new party and break away from the Conservative Party...
Audrey pondered, raised her hand imperceptibly, and then put it back down. Carefully avoiding any mind-reading or suggestion abilities, she continued through verbal guidance:
"Do you still remember those friends who recommended Coim to you?"
"Of course, our circle is not big. They are Viscount Conrad, Lord Wolfe Jr..."
Sindras listed five names in a row. They were all nobles or children of the Conservative Party. Audrey had seen them at various banquets and dances. She intuitively felt that they were not Beyonders, but she could not rule out the possibility that these people were also influenced by Beyonders and thus induced Baron Sindras to make a decision.
Once extraordinary abilities were involved, there were too many possibilities. It was impossible to determine who had the problem based on daily contact and clues... Audrey puffed up her cheeks in her heart and looked at Christine Theresa, who was quietly listening to their conversation. The latter gave Audrey an encouraging smile, which gave her some motivation.
"Your Excellency, Baron, during your plan to acquire Coim, has anyone shown particular concern for your progress, or urged you to quickly acquire a controlling stake?"
She thought for a moment and asked the next question.
Looking at Baron Syndras who continued to answer questions under Audrey's guidance, Angel realized the horror of the "audience" path.
Even without using her abilities, she could rely on the knowledge gleaned from the potion to observe others' expressions and use words to guide them at the right time, easily gaining access to the deepest secrets within others. These actions were difficult to detect through divination afterward, and even Beyonders of the same sequence would easily allow the "audience" to succeed without prior vigilance and preparation...
If "Justice" Audrey wanted to do evil, she could easily gain the trust of most people by avoiding the nobles who were protected by the church and the military. She could then use the secrets deep in their hearts to exchange for countless benefits. This would be much safer and more convenient than for a witch to seduce people on her own.
It's worthy of being the potion pathway where the sealed object "0-08" is located... Well, besides it, I've also seen the "audience" who should be at the top of the sequence, the "angel of fantasy" Adam... Thinking of this, Angel felt a chill down his spine, and inexplicably a scene appeared in his mind of Audrey becoming a demigod, quietly hiding beside him through "psychological invisibility" without him noticing.
If you add a mysterious "audience" dog, who can resist it...
Audrey glanced curiously at Christine, who seemed a little distracted, and ended her initial inquiries.
What surprised her was that there was no sign of any guidance or interference in the establishment and implementation of Baron Sindras's entire acquisition plan.
But for an extraordinary person who has been promoted to a "hypnotist" and has a lot of experience in secretly guiding the nobles around him, this is the biggest doubt.
As a newly minted noble and the Conservative Party's "money bag," Baron Sindras was bound to be surrounded by people who sought to influence his every decision. Furthermore, if he wasn't influenced by anyone on a crucial decision like the acquisition of Coim, it could only mean one thing: it was a false facade disguised by his extraordinary abilities!
Could it be "psychological suggestion" or "hypnosis"... But this way I should be able to see some clues, unless the sequence of the "audience" is higher than mine, or even a demigod... Of course, there may be other ways to erase all traces, but I still think it is the "audience" who is most likely... Audrey looked at Christine again, only to find that her psychedelic purple eyes flashed with a barely perceptible light.
She and I were thinking alike!
Audrey clenched her fists on her lap excitedly.
"Your Excellency, when your business suffered setbacks or you encountered difficulties, have you ever thought of seeking help from the church and gaining spiritual comfort?"
After a moment, Angel, who judged through the "magic mirror divination" of his eyes that Sindras was indeed affected by extraordinary abilities, asked.
"Church?" the baron asked doubtfully, and after a moment he continued, "I am a believer in the Lord of Storms, but to be honest, after repeated setbacks in my attempts to inherit the family business, nearly reaching bankruptcy three times and even attempting to end my own life, I no longer believe in anything other than myself."
It was clear that this baron's faith was not particularly steadfast. Otherwise, with his wealth and status, he could have obtained certain blessings from the Church of Storms, or even the protection of a specialized "Manufactured Punisher," simply by demonstrating his piety. This was the difference between "upstarts" and established nobles. The latter often had good relations with the church, and even if they and their family members were not Beyonders, they could still be protected and avoid most of the dangers that were apparent.
Angel chuckled secretly and said:
"I still suggest that after you leave here, go to the Storm Lord's Church and talk to the bishop on duty. Perhaps that will be effective?"
"Christine is right. My father and brother regularly attend mass at St. Samuel's Church and pray to the goddess in the confessional to receive the corresponding blessings."
Audrey also understood Angel's idea and joined the persuasion team.
Obviously, "Earl Hall also did it" had a much greater impact on Sindras than Angel's dry advice. He glanced at the two ladies, nodded hesitantly, and said:
"I'll go to the Holy Wind Cathedral later."
That was once the headquarters of the Church of the Storm. Even though the headquarters had moved to Pasu Island, it was still the largest Church of the Storm in the Backlund Diocese. This multi-millionaire was willing to enter there again to pray for the Lord of Storms' blessing, so that no matter how many problems he had, they would be properly resolved... Audrey's knowledge of the occult surfaced in her mind, and she suddenly realized why her father, Earl Hall, asked her to participate more in the various activities of the Goddess Church, and even asked her to join the Charity Student Aid Fund and become a director of this foundation organized by the church.
He was worried that I'd run into something similar to Baron Sindras. Although the Beyonders of the Church were protecting our villa, protecting my father, mother, and me, I wouldn't be protected when I was away. For example, last year during the attack by the Aurora Society's divine messengers, if it weren't for Miss Queen's selfless help, I'm afraid I would have...
Since I can establish a personal relationship with the church and obtain the blessings of the bishops, most wild extraordinary people should not consider attacking me.
Thinking of this, Audrey breathed a sigh of relief and suddenly felt that the adult world was too complicated.
Not noticing the sigh of the girl beside him, Angel looked at Sindras and continued:
"I hope that under the majesty of the Lord of Storms, you can realize the inappropriateness of your radical actions during this period."
And that should be the credit of a certain Storm Church deacon who cleared the "hint" from you...
"Actually, I've already realized that. I came here this time just to ask you to convey my apologies to Mr. Dwayne Dantes."
Perhaps he felt much better after being comforted by the "audience", the baron said with a smile, while drinking the remaining white wine in his hand.
"That's perfect," Audrey said, calming herself down and taking over. "I'll also inform the committee's chief secretary about this. Perhaps he can arrange a meeting between you and Ms. Mary for a proper discussion... From what I understand, Mary doesn't care much about the company's profits. She simply wants to preserve the Coim Company, passed down from her father. Overly aggressive acquisition and operational strategies could ruin it."
"Then perhaps we can reach some kind of consensus between us."
Sindras expressed his wishes, then stood up, bowed slightly, and expressed his gratitude to the two women.
In this way, a fierce business conflict was basically resolved. With the mediation of Audrey's brother, the Baron and Ms. Mary might be able to reach a solution that satisfies both parties... Angel felt quite accomplished. He also stood up to send the Baron away and have a good talk with Miss "Justice" who had suddenly visited. However, he found that Baron Sindras, who had already walked to the door of the reception room, suddenly stopped in place, his body trembling slightly.
"Your Excellency the Baron?"
She asked curiously, but she felt a little alert in her heart. Unconsciously, invisible silk threads instantly filled the entire room.
"Sorry, I, I'm not feeling well..."
Sindras slowly turned around. His cheeks, which had been slightly rosy from the alcohol just now, now became even redder, his eyes were a little bloodshot, and he walked tremblingly towards the table and chairs in the middle of the room.
He's not poisoned, is he? We drank from the same bottle of wine, but I didn't notice anything wrong... Angel muttered, his eyes flashing, and he was about to do a simple divination...
...Baron Sindras's breathing became heavy, his pace quickened, and in just a few steps he crossed the distance between the three people and rushed straight towards Angel.
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