Gazing at the stranger’s retreating figure, Monica crouched low in the bushes, her plane-like ears tucked back, not making a sound until she meowed softly after a long while.
From a side building’s window not far away, Austin played with an ancient silver coin, observing the scene, and snorted, "Zip up and leave, he sure had his fun, utterly irresponsible."
The butler Megan stood behind him, silent; Wayne’s self-indulgent way of stroking the cat reminded her of someone.
Silence is a rational avoidance, leaving room for the other party to save face, Megan hoped her silence would lead the other party to wake up in time.
Austin had little regard for Wayne, even though he hadn’t read the diary, he knew this fellow was up to no good from a series of outsourced investigations alone.
What’s frightening was Philark’s assessment of Wayne, sparing no praises and extolling the junior without reservation.
Philark was an outstanding butler, meticulous and accurate in judging people. Even he had been deceived, so it was almost certain that Veronica practically got nothing.
Austin thought of himself, then envisioned Veronica as Hefei. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Were it not for the fact that things had already progressed too far to change, he would undoubtedly have Wayne disappear by the simplest and crudest of means.
Three months earlier, Hefei had mentioned Wayne in front of Austin, along with the nylon patent and ideas about stockings.
The nylon patent was under the control of the Lando Family consortium, highly durable, wear-resistant, and of great practical value, primarily used for military supplies. It was fine to lend it to the lady for civilian clothing production.
Austin seized the opportunity to please his wife, agreeing at lightning speed, without even blinking an eye.
Hefei was delighted, showing a ray of favor to the doting fool, and then began to praise the student’s talent and character, like Philark, with much admiration.
Austin disagreed, mentioning the student brought the same joy to Hefei’s eyes as when she was, not deceived, but coaxed by him back in their early days.
Austin didn’t think stockings would become a market hit, a best-seller chased after eagerly.
These days, selling arms was the true path to power, and the bill exchange was the goose that laid golden eggs. He advised Hefei to wake up, not to be blinded by lies spun by a concrete barrel, and to return home to live a life with banks early on.
Indeed, any product related to the people’s livelihood could indeed make a fortune due to the large market base.
As an outstanding capitalist, Austin knew this well and had full confidence in it.
But stockings? He couldn’t understand how an optional article of clothing could become a hot item.
Moreover, with such low costs and high prices.
Without going too far, just considering the purchasing power of Lundan’s market, the price of a pair of stockings would deter the average woman; only middle-class women could afford such a luxury.
The concrete barrel dared to boast, really thinking her design would drive all women crazy, willing to sell their pots and pans or even themselves to buy one?
Naive and ignorant, it was obvious they didn’t understand the market!
Austin could already picture the overstock of unsold stockings.
Good, let the concrete barrel reveal her true colors, and his wife could then have a moment of clarity.
Even if the stockings sold well, Austin still wouldn’t change his opinion of Wayne. A person couldn’t earn money beyond their understanding. If Wayne made a fortune selling women’s clothing, it only proved he was a pervert at heart.
Austin hadn’t pulled out millions to place in front of Wayne to make him take the money and run away of his own accord.
Too low-level a tactic. Wayne was Hefei’s student, one of Veronica’s few friends. Even if the plan succeeded, he would offend both his wife and daughter at once; the loss would still be his own.
Besides, if Wayne turned down millions, he could end up with more.
Austin didn’t doubt Wayne’s potential for success; it was just a matter of time, an inevitable eventuality.
Therefore, he had devised a two-pronged strategy against Wayne.
On one hand was the use of a beautiful woman, the seductive actress Lily Hayworth, whose voice alone bespoke allure—her taking the initiative to pursue him was a temptation no man could resist.
On the other hand was the Red Leaf Forest Asylum.
Planck originated from the Liberty Mage Alliance, which was backed by the Tulip Family. Austin couldn’t claim close ties with Planck, but he figured that if he took the initiative to speak up, the other party would definitely do him a favor.
With that thought, Austin tightly gripped the ancient silver coin, a slight curve forming on his lips.
He could already see Wayne’s end!
Caught by the honey trap and treated by Veronica as a mere friend, losing the chance to advance further; and due to the continuous mental health notices from the Asylum, distanced by the Naturalism Church, Hefei, as a last resort, would have to give up this student.
The orchestrated move against the unaware, wielding the momentum to crush, Wayne would inevitably leave this home.
"No matter how you look at it, I hold the advantage!"
Austin couldn’t think of a reason to lose, laughing heartily as he asked Megan to bring up the cat; feeling elated that night, he intended to indulge in some petting.
The next morning, Hefei rode in a high-class black sedan to the Church headquarters for work, having decided to come home every night. Therefore, she didn’t refuse the chauffeured ride arranged by her husband.
No more pretense, the truth was laid bare—her family was indeed very wealthy.
Wayne hadn’t managed to hitch a ride with his teacher and was about to ask the butler to call a car for him; the road was too long, at least to the main gate.
Before he could speak up, he was caught red-handed by the Dragon Blood Girl.
"What now? I’ve already apologized for yesterday."
Seeing Veronica approach furiously, Wayne felt somewhat panicked; if Austin saw this, he would undoubtedly set up a plan against him.