“What Lord Onderra said is correct. Cough! Even if we make a new appointment, it would be better to negotiate the conditions first. I propose taking turns for about ten minutes each.”

Lord Onderra shared the same opinion.

“Then, how about taking turns for ten minutes each, and then hearing about my plans together?”

In the part where opinions collided about who should come out first for a showdown, I decided the order with a draw.

Sitting face to face on the sofa, each with their respective butlers behind them, it was Lord Onderra who would come out first.

“Hehe, Madam’s straightforwardness is truly exceptional. My notorious reputation aside…”

‘Look at this?’

Without saying a word, I raised one eyebrow end slightly. Lord Onderra continued with a somewhat oppressive attitude.
Relying on the power of her husband, she thought she could act freely, but is she still arrogant even after the divorce? Even knowing how divorced women are treated in noble society…

Lord Onderra took out a pipe from his pocket and asked. Upon doing so, his butler pulled out a tinderbox from his pocket.

“This office is a non-smoking area, Lord Onderra.”

At the firm statement, the butler’s action came to a halt. Lord Onderra’s expression became awkward, and he spoke.

“To tell non-smoking to me, the lord of the Onderra family… Are you fearless or brave?”

Oh, trying to press with family and status?

I deliberately crossed my legs, propped my chin with my hand, and smiled gently at him.

“Whether a divorced woman receives contempt in noble society applies to the Renoir family as well, I wonder?”

Mentioning the family and status shut the mouths of the two servants, just like the previous day.

Like the servants yesterday, Lord Onderra also kept his mouth shut.

‘Even in a foreign country, it seems that the influence of the family is stronger than I thought?’

I had no intention of visiting my hometown, but it seemed perfect for intimidating arrogant business partners.

No matter how much of a bad child Ellen is, it’s okay to use the family name as a way of address that the world recognizes.

“Hmm, I thought you hated your hometown so much that you wouldn’t mention it?”

“Will that last a lifetime? Whether to introduce it or not is entirely up to me.”

“…….”

“Moreover, at least in this situation, Lord Onderra seems to be in a state where he cannot ignore me, right? We are going to talk about business, aren’t we?”

There was a slight tension in Lord Onderra’s hand holding the pipe. His eye area trembled slightly, showing signs of irritation.

“The attitude is different from when you suggested discussing business in a friendly manner on the opening day.”

“We are always open and welcoming for business discussions. Especially when talking with the highly reputable Lord Onderra of the Onderra family. I was really looking forward to it.”

“Of course, you can look forward to it. Since I’ve hardly received any alimony, having a reliable assistant like me will be reassuring. It might be difficult to attract investments.”

The trembling corners of Lord Onderra’s eyes calmed down a bit. As if he was becoming more confident, one corner of his mouth rose.

He signaled to his butler to light the pipe again, showing a face that said, ‘If you do that, so be it.’

However, even if Ellen lived a wicked life for a year or two… I can raise the arrogant corner of my mouth better.

I raised the corner of the villain’s mouth unapologetically and pointed my finger at the butler standing behind him.

“I was really looking forward to it. However, I was disappointed when the butler who came to arrange the appointment turned out to be so rude.”

At my actions, the butler who was about to light Lord Onderra’s pipe hesitated, stopping his movements.

“The highly reputable butler of the Onderra family would not act on his own, right, according to Lord Onderra’s will, wouldn’t it?”
When my butler stopped, Lord Onderra, whose eyes narrowed, began to chew on the end of his pipe. One side of the previously raised corner of his mouth came down, and he smirked as if surprised.

“Rumors of alimony again? My ex-husband is not that stingy.”

“Groundless rumors? From what I hear, the financial situation of the viscount’s wife is precarious due to her extravagance.”

“Of course, my actions may have led to divorce because of my blindness in love.”

While it was inevitable for Ellen’s personality to be bad, it was better for the perception on the financial side to change, considering the big picture of the viscountess.

Let’s talk about the influence of gossip in the social circle of the viscount now.

“Talks about finances are misunderstood.”

As soon as I caught on, Lord Onderra laughed as if it was absurd.

“There’s no misunderstanding? Everyone knows that Morris Viscount is overly generous to his wife. But now, he doesn’t have the ability to be so generous.”

“It would be unpleasant for the viscount to hear that. What I did wasn’t extravagance; it was an investment.”

“Investment?”

Lord Onderra had an expression that seemed to wonder what nonsense I was talking about.

By now, Philip would have known that Ellen’s debt had been completely settled, and there might be some left. I smiled more confidently.

“If you doubt it, ask Viscount Morris. Ask how the financial situation of the Morris Viscount’s family is now.”

“…….”

“Let’s stop talking about that. It seems there are suspicions. So, are you sincerely here to discuss business with me?”

“…….”

“By the way, let me inform you that investment follows different rules depending on the priority, and unfortunately, Lord Onderra is not the first investor.”

I informed him that Mrs. Hades was already a collaborator. Lord Onderra’s complexion changed instantly.

“I am well aware of the value of my business. Haven’t you heard that?”

“……Then why did you react so negatively to the business proposal at the grand opening?”

At that time, Lady Hades also looked down on this business with disdain.

‘Even though it’s a big hit, like a divine item bestowed by a god in the old world?’

But I had no intention of revealing the truth on either side.

Isn’t business subject to change depending on the situation?

“That’s because I appreciate your compliments, Lord Onderra. So I included you as a candidate for collaboration.”

I pointed again to the pipe Lord Onderra was holding.

“But here is a non-smoking area, so simple communication is not possible. I wonder if we can be in a collaborative relationship?”

“……Hm.”

Lord Onderra, who was rolling his eyes, gestured to his butler.

“Give that to her.”

Lord Onderra’s butler placed a slightly larger box than documents and letter envelopes on the table.

“It’s an investment plan for you, and a gift for the lady.”

“……A gift?”

“Well… The misunderstanding will be resolved soon, as you will meet Viscount Morris. But…”

“……”

“Because I have age and status, there may be misunderstandings that I am arrogant and stiff towards women.”

After trying to gain momentum, he said it was a misunderstanding.
Lord Onderra discreetly placed the pipe in his pocket. Then, with a much softer voice than before, he spoke.

“It seems you keep misunderstanding, so I’ll speak plainly. The lady’s idea is excellent. I hadn’t thought that Lady Hades would also be involved, but we can proceed with collaboration considering that, can’t we?”

“…….”

“Growing the business will undoubtedly benefit from my status and wealth as well.”

Despite his firm tone, he, like Lady Hades, wasn’t managing his expression properly.

“In celebration of our partnership and as a small gift, I’ve prepared something.”

“But the partnership hasn’t been decided yet.”

“Even so, I’m willing to give such a gift.”

“…….”

“I sincerely hope it suits the lady’s taste, as I prepared it with genuine intent.”

At Lord Onderra’s gesture, his butler opened the gift box for me to see clearly.

“……!”

The moment I saw it, I couldn’t help but catch my breath. Mild Gyeong, who was standing behind, had a similar reaction.