~Chapter 13~
Of course, Eggbert was planning to treat Anais better if she came back this time.
He would even let her have a child.
If Anais really didn’t like it, he was even willing to send Sophia and Chris away.
If he gave in this much, Anais probably wouldn’t bring up divorce again.
“Once you leave Graham, you’ll see how cold and scary the world really is. I’ll make sure you feel it, Anna.”
Eggbert smiled smugly, full of arrogant confidence.
His secret meeting came to an end.
Some people got what they wanted, some didn’t. Now, everyone had to make their own choices for what came next.
Heres reserved a private room for me and Baldwin at a restaurant near the Graham Bank.
It was a place where I often had meals with bank clients.
Even though it was a familiar place, I felt nervous and uncomfortable.
Probably because I was meeting Baldwin.
It didn’t take long before Baldwin arrived. As always, he looked sharp and perfectly put together.
His sharp eyes softened briefly into a faint smile.
“It’s been a while, Your Grace,” I said.
Baldwin stared at my lips. Since he had lowered his head to look at me, his long eyelashes cast a shadow over his purple eyes.
His eyes narrowed slightly, then glowed with a quiet intensity. He slowly looked up and gave a small nod.
A light greeting.
It only lasted a few seconds, but it felt like forever to me.
Baldwin took his seat.
“This is a place the Graham Bank often uses for meetings. Everything we say here will be kept private,” I explained.
Baldwin gave a silent smile.
“I ordered the best dishes on the menu…”
Baldwin moved his hand gracefully and wrote:
[I didn’t come here to eat.]
“Oh, right,” I said quickly.
Baldwin looked at me with a cool, serious expression.
It was the face of a true businessman.
Even though his expression was colder than usual, I actually felt relieved.
I was glad he looked like that.
He wasn’t like the people who came to me pretending to do business but only wanted to take advantage of me.
He didn’t stare at me with disgusting eyes or scan me from head to toe.
Baldwin was simply looking at me as a fellow professional.
I called the server and asked them to hold the food.
Serving meals in this kind of situation would only get in the way.
My heart started to beat fast.
He was someone I could finally talk business with, properly.
“I’ve heard about what’s happening with Constantine. I heard the deal with the Germani family fell through. I had a feeling that today’s meeting was related to that. Am I right?”
Since Baldwin was treating me like a real business partner, I could speak with him the same way.
It actually felt more comfortable.
[You’re not wrong. That’s why we’ve decided to build a cruise ship. Right now, there isn’t a proper cruise ship in the Estus Empire.]
Technically, there were cruise ships, but none of them were really good.
The ones running now were small, held very few passengers, and didn’t travel far—just short trips along the coast.
But the cruise ship Baldwin was talking about wasn’t going to be anything like that.
“Constantine could get funding from many places. Why are you choosing us?”
Baldwin curved his lips into a smooth smile. It was different from any smile I’d seen before.
It was the kind of smile that hid a sharp blade inside.
So this was the face Baldwin wore when he was doing business.
I had learned something new.
[You’re right. But I’m not foolish enough to miss the huge amount of money floating around the market.]
He turned the page of his notebook with an elegant gesture. His pen moved fast and neatly.
[I think we need to adjust the profit-sharing ratio. I want Graham’s money. And you—you need me.]
Again, Baldwin left me speechless.
[I’m not like the others constantly running in and out of Graham Bank. Isn’t that right?]
He was hitting the mark. Every word.
He was talking about adjusting the percentage of profit Graham Bank would get in return.
At that moment, I remembered something Jenus once told me:
A poison you have no choice but to drink.
“This is something I need to think about. How much time can you give me?”
[Constantine’s patience isn’t long. Five days. Bring your answer by then.]
Even though I was the one with the money, it felt like Baldwin had the upper hand.
Only then did I truly understand why people were so afraid to do business with him.
He had the power to twist any situation to work in his favor.
And without even realizing it, I was already caught in his rhythm.
“Five days feels a little short. How about a week?”
[Fine. But we won’t wait longer than that. Like you said, many people are already waiting to work with us.]
“Yes, I won’t be late. Graham Bank, under my lead, has never broken a promise.”
[Then I will prepare a perfect proposal for Graham Bank before the deadline.]
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
And that was the truth.
I thought this could be a good chance to learn from Constantine’s skill and drive for business.
Baldwin smiled again—this time, it was the kind of smile I had seen before.
A gentle, warm smile.
[Then, shall we eat now?]
That made me laugh a little.
Only after hearing Baldwin say that did I finally notice the atmosphere of the restaurant.
A small chandelier lit up the private room with a soft glow.
The table wasn’t served yet, but all the utensils were neatly arranged.
There were grapevine designs carved on the fine tableware.
A pleasant fragrance and soft music from a music box filled the room.
Everything added to the atmosphere.
I had been here many times before, especially when treating important clients of Graham Bank.
But today felt different—more special—for one reason.
He respected me, quietly and clearly.
His purple eyes looked straight at me.
When our eyes met, he gave me that soft yet dazzling smile.
It was probably because the person sitting across from me was Baldwin Constantine.
When I called for the waiter, the food that had been held back started arriving.
Baldwin even ate with perfect manners.
Every time I said something, his calm gaze moved between my lips and my eyes.
His eyes were as deep and quiet as the ocean at night.
By the time dessert came, I found myself wishing it wasn’t already ending.
He was a great conversation partner. He never rushed anything, and his calm nature made me feel at ease.
For the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe everything would be okay.
All the humiliation I had suffered before didn’t even cross my mind.
“It was a lovely evening, Duke.”
[I enjoyed it too.]
Even his handwriting—neat and strong—seemed to reflect his personality.
His clean fingers holding a luxurious fountain pen somehow felt elegant and special.
“I hope we can have another good conversation next time.”
[One week from now, same time, same place—does that sound good? Next time, I’ll be the one treating you, since I’m sure we’ll have some good news to talk about.]
Confidence without reason is annoying—people like Egbert are good examples.
But confidence backed by real skill? That earns respect. Baldwin was the perfect example.
I realized the difference clearly now.
“Shall we go? You can leave first, Duke. I have something to discuss with the manager.”
Baldwin nodded. He was planning to reserve this place again soon for a meeting with some VIP clients.
They were longtime Graham customers, and each had specific food preferences.
They were picky and stubborn—just the way they’d always been.
They had helped my grandfather build up the Graham Bank and had deep personal connections with him.
Grandfather used to say that people like them should never be treated lightly.
This was my first time meeting them since I left the Graham mansion, so I felt a bit nervous but also excited.
After seeing Baldwin off and finishing my talk with the manager, another 30 minutes passed.
It was right when I stepped out of the restaurant.
That’s when I ran into someone I really didn’t want to see.
Even though it was nighttime, she stood out in a bright pink dress—Sofia.
She seemed to be leaving the same restaurant, laughing loudly with her group.
The women around her quieted down when they saw me and looked away.
Then Sofia, standing proudly like a duck leading her flock, spoke to me.
I really wished she wouldn’t.
