Chapter 112: The Surface Area of Adele’s Psychological Shadow
The moment Adele heard the priest’s words, obvious displeasure surfaced in her eyes. However, she knew the priest was deliberately provoking her into losing composure, so she forced down the anger in her heart and said, “Father Auden, I don’t require your advice on how I choose to handle this debt. If you dislike the way I am trying to resolve it, then the money can simply remain unpaid. In any case, the debt still belongs to my father for now.”
In truth, Viscount Arend had long since given up on the debt entirely. Only Adele, driven by a sense of responsibility to preserve the family estate left behind by her grandfather, was still making an effort.
If Adele adopted the same indifferent attitude, it would clearly be unfavorable to the priest and the Watcher Merchant Consortium he represented. She was using that fact to warn the priest not to push too far.
“In the future, it will be your problem. Very well, you are correct. The debt is the Viscount’s matter. Then we shall discuss the contract after the Viscount returns.”
Seeing that Adele would not yield, Father Auden simply reverted to his old method—bypassing her interference and preparing to finalize the agreement directly with Viscount Arend.
“Are you avoiding me again, Father Auden? You should know that every time you sidestep me and go to my father instead, it only proves you have no way of dealing with me.” Adele stared at him as she spoke.
“Interpret it as you wish, Miss Adele. I am merely following procedure,” Father Auden replied shamelessly.
However, this time Adele had no intention of stepping back.
“This time, I am not without options. Of course, you may sign a dock rental agreement directly with my father. But as Viscount Arend’s heir, and as a direct stakeholder, if I suspect that you are renting the dock for illegal purposes, I have the right to exercise supervisory authority—for example, bringing people to inspect the cargo on your ships. I imagine that would be rather troublesome for you, wouldn’t it? You knew this, which is why you came to negotiate with me, didn’t you?”