The sun rose as usual. Morning light filtered through the dense forest canopy, scattering in patches across the road paved with green bricks.
Two slender, fine horses, draped in silk studded with starlike diamonds, gradually approached from the end of the road.
Golden reins extended from their necks toward the rear, connecting to a finely carved, dark-gold carriage.
It rolled over the brick road until it stopped in front of the gates of the Clavenna residence.
The patterns on the dark-gold carriage were vivid and flowing, converging at the center and linking to a gleaming gilded emblem.
That was the mark of the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.
The guard driving the horses tugged the golden reins, bringing the two strong white horses to a halt.
The morning sun shone on the horses' coats, reflecting a dazzling glow, like the light of dawn itself.
The guard holding the horses flipped down from his mount, quickly opened the carriage door, and leaned forward slightly, greeting his master with the utmost respect.
The woman inside lifted the curtain and slowly stepped down.
The moment she got out, she casually glanced around at the walls surrounding the estate.
"So this is Councilor Clavenna's home?"
"Yes, Miss Zora."
The guard responded, bending his waist even lower, becoming more respectful.
Zora looked at the Clavenna residence and quietly pondered for a moment.
'So Councilor Clavenna likes this kind of house style. Should I send him two more sets?'
Just as her thoughts wandered, a maid at the entrance of the estate stepped forward and bowed to her.
"You are Ms. Zora Nandena, correct? Please come in. The master and the others have been waiting for quite some time."
Hearing the maid's words, Zora responded with a polite, sweet smile.
It seemed Mr. Viktor placed great importance on the deal with the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.
He had even informed the household maids in advance to let her in.
Zora cast a glance at the guard behind her. The guard immediately understood and nodded.
He turned around, took an exquisite gift box from the back of the carriage, and placed it into the maid's hands.
"A small token. Please accept it."
"They're just some insignificant little things."
The maid was slightly stunned as she looked at the gift box handed to her, lowering her head to glance at it.
Such an exquisite box, what was inside must be quite valuable.
Before she could react or speak to decline it, she saw Zora already swaying her long, fair legs as she walked into the courtyard.
Halfway in, as if noticing something, she turned back to look.
The maid was still standing there, holding the forcibly given gift box, staring blankly.
So Zora gave a slight smile and spoke first, "Please, lead the way."
———
The meeting hall in the courtyard was unusually quiet. Morning sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, spreading across the entire hall.
The vintage carpet had been cleaned spotless by the servants. Sunlight spilled over the plants and the beautiful furniture, making everything look fresh and lively.
On a long redwood tea table, several cups of steaming tea gave off the distinctive fragrance of aged leaves.
Zora sat on the sofa, feeling the soft comfort beneath her, and began to think quietly.
Councilor Clavenna probably wouldn't go so far as to arrange such meticulous hospitality for her.
So there was only one possibility.
There must be a very attentive lady of the house here.
Thinking back to when they were in the kingdom, when Viktor suddenly told her he already had a fiancee…
'So Councilor Clavenna had already grown this close with his fiancee?'
'They're even living together before marriage.'
Just as Zora was still surprised, Liya walked down from the second floor step by step.
The moment she lowered her head, she saw the woman sitting on the sofa, arranged there by the servants, gorgeous, yet unfamiliar.
At once, her eyes curved, and the corners of her lips lifted, unable to hide the joy in her heart.
Oh ho, the one bringing money has arrived.
She had already heard all about it. This woman was the daughter of the president of the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce.
Her refined manners, in Liya's eyes, were nothing but a glittering mountain of gold.
Waiting for her to go and take from as she pleased.
For someone who loved money as much as she did, this was simply the best kind of "friend."
"You must be Miss Zora?"
Hearing the voice from the stairs, Zora looked up, saw Liya coming down, and quickly stood up, bowing respectfully.
"Hello, I am Zora Nandena."
As she introduced herself, she watched Liya closely without blinking.
Facing the young, beautiful, and elegant Liya, Zora's eyes lit up slightly.
She looked close in age to Mr. Viktor, and her temperament matched his well.
Such a beautiful woman with such a distinct presence, she must be Councilor Viktor's fiancee.
She still wanted to confirm it, but it wasn't appropriate to ask directly.
So she chose a more tactful way.
"You are the lady of the Clavenna household, correct?"
Liya, who had just walked up to Zora, paused slightly when she heard the question.
Although everyone in the Clavenna family treated her as the lady of the house, and she had always considered herself in that role, this was actually the first time she had heard someone address her so openly like that.
After thinking it over, it seemed perfectly reasonable. So she smiled at Zora and said, "Yes, I am the lady of the house here. Liya."
"If there's anything, you can speak to me directly."
'Alright, that confirms it.'
'The Liya in front of me is indeed Councilor Clavenna's fiancee!'
After confirming her guess, Zora's eyes shone. She even felt like moving closer to Liya and building a more intimate connection.
Even her tone became warmer.
"I didn't expect you to be so young and beautiful."
"Mr. Viktor must cherish you very much."
Hearing Zora's praise, it felt like a flower blooming in Liya's heart, and a sweet smile appeared on her face.
After all, everyone likes to hear nice compliments.
Especially Zora's last sentence, it pleased her greatly.
Being called young and beautiful, Liya had heard that so often her ears were almost calloused.
But being told she was deeply cherished by Viktor, though the wording felt a bit strange, well, she was Viktor's sister after all. That made sense. Nothing wrong with it.
Still, in front of outsiders, she had to maintain her composure.
Moreover, this was a deal Viktor had specifically told her about. She had to secure it steadily and not show any flaws.
So she covered the smile at the corner of her lips and let out a light laugh.
"Thank you for the compliment. Let's sit down and talk in detail."
After the two of them sat down, Liya gave a light cough and returned to her usual capable demeanor.
"Then, Miss Zora, please explain the specific details of our cooperation."
Zora, faced with Liya's sharp business sense and swift change in attitude, was momentarily caught off guard.
'As expected of a couple?'
They handled matters in exactly the same way, clean and decisive.
Thinking this, Zora straightened her posture and quickly responded, "It's like this."
She handed over a carefully prepared contract and placed it on the tea table in front of Liya.
Liya's slender fingers lightly picked it up, her gaze focusing as she examined it.
Zora sat beside her, explaining in a gentle and patient tone, "We sincerely invite Councilor Clavenna to become the vice president of our chamber's branch in the kingdom."
"He will enjoy all the benefits and privileges of the kingdom branch."
Liya's eyes showed a trace of thought. After reading the contract, she placed it back on the table, her slender finger tracing one of the lines as she spoke seriously, "This is your invitation for our side to join, and it's written clearly in the contract."
"But a deal is a matter between both parties. What I want to know now is, what can you offer to persuade us to join your chamber?"
'Uh…'
Zora's mouth hung open as she froze in her seat.
'This woman… she's formidable.'
Her father had told her before, business is like a battlefield.
During negotiations, a merchant must never lay out all their bargaining chips at once.
For example, right now, the contract only stated inviting Viktor to join the chamber.
But the Liya in front of her had only glanced at it once and directly pointed out the hidden condition.
It wasn't "Viktor" joining the chamber, but "us" joining the chamber.
One Viktor and the entire Clavenna family were completely different matters.
That meant the Cassidra Chamber of Commerce had to bring out more chips.
And that wasn't all. With just one sentence, Liya had turned their advantage into a disadvantage.
She was even questioning Zora, how much could your chamber offer to invite us?
Now Zora was stunned.
They came to invite someone to join, yet now they had to pay out of their own pocket.
But they had no choice.
Even her father had said that if necessary, they could give things away, as long as they secured Viktor.
Clearly, they wouldn't be able to keep what remained.
Zora let out a quiet sigh, understanding that she had already lost this subtle business battle.
Fortunately, it was a condition their chamber could still accept.
"Then… what would you require?", Zora asked, sounding slightly restrained.
At that moment, Liya pulled out a dark, glossy pistol from her waist.
With a bang, she slammed it heavily onto the table.
The loud sound startled Zora.
At the same time, Liya continued calmly, "Before we discuss anything else, let me give you a meeting gift."
"You can use it for self-defense."
Zora stared at the object on the table in confusion. She picked it up curiously and examined it closely.
'What is this thing?'
With a playful smile, Liya suggested, "You can try pulling the trigger, but don't point it at anyone."
Curious, Zora held the gun in her right hand, aimed it at a wall inside the meeting hall, and cautiously pulled the trigger.
Bang!
A spark driven by magic burst from deep within the muzzle in an instant.
A black bullet wrapped in a red glow shot out at high speed, smoke trailing from the barrel.
The powerful bullet struck the wall in front of her and shattered it with a loud crash.
Hearing the violent explosion from inside the room, the guards outside hurriedly smashed the door open and rushed in.
The moment they entered, they saw Zora standing there, holding a pitch-black object, aiming at a collapsed section of the wall.
At the same time, Zora's mind went blank. Her mouth hung open, her hands trembling with cold sweat, her voice filled with obvious shock, "This… what is this thing?"
"This?"
Liya smiled slightly and explained, "This is called a gun."