Chapter 175: VOL 3 - 13: I’m looking for your support.
"That sounds interesting, but I didn't know you were in the public relations business." Upon hearing Laura's proposal, Erik commented with an intrigued smile on his face, to which she responded seriously.
"I'm actually not, but I think this is a great opportunity to boost my auction house's reputation and possibly expand into new markets—which is what I'm really aiming for."
"Really? But I thought your auction house was one of the most important ones." Erik asked with mild curiosity, prompting Laura's smile to widen slightly as she replied.
"Thank you for the compliment. You could say we have a certain level of recognition at the university, but we still lack a vital element to take the next step forward."
"Oh? A sponsor, perhaps?" Erik asked with a subtle businesslike smile, to which Laura nodded and replied delightedly.
"Fufu, it's truly a pleasure to talk with someone so sharp."
"So basically, you're looking for the support of my masters."Erik said in a calm tone as he set the cookie he'd been eating back on the plate—an action that caught Sofía's attention as she turned to look at him, slightly confused, while Seraphina's smile began to widen discreetly. That alone set off every alarm in Laura's mind, prompting her to quickly speak in a slightly rushed tone.
"No, no, Erik, you're mistaken. What I'm looking for is your support in particular."
"I see."
Erik nodded and responded casually, as if it didn't really matter. But somehow, Laura could feel that something was off—something hadn't sat well with the young man in front of her. And the faint smirk of the maid standing behind him, which seemed to scream disdain and satisfaction, only confirmed it. For some reason, that realization made Laura panic—but being an experienced woman, she quickly began to speak again, this time with composure.
"What I need most right now is the support of a young academic genius who managed to register patents that spread across the galaxy before turning thirty, and who is publicly recognized as the best of the current young generation. That would allow my auction house to open up an entirely new market segment that has so far remained unexplored."