Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 278

Christian was tilting a wine glass on the terrace. Caroline, seeing there were no women by his side, felt a first wave of relief.

“Um, Chris.”

As Caroline parted the curtains and walked out onto the terrace where he was, Christian gave a small, awkward cough.

“You startled me. I almost spilled it all over myself.”

“Oh, s-sorry. Did I surprise you?”

“Lady Lasphilla, what on earth are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you being so persis—”

He bit his lower lip and shook his head.

“Forget it. I want to be alone, so please stop following me.”

“You want to be alone? …Are you serious?”

This wasn’t a question meant to hold him back. It was pure confusion.

Christian was a man who liked being the center of attention. No matter how dull the party, he’d never be satisfied if he couldn’t dominate the center of it.

For someone like him to seek solitude at the height of the party? Impossible.

“Yes. I have a lot on my mind right now. I don’t have time to deal with you.”

“You don’t have time… Oh, I see! So that’s why…!”

“Hm?”

“I thought so, yes, I figured as much.”

Even though he had intentionally spoken coldly, Caroline instead brightened.

“So that’s it…”

If he had worries, it was only natural he wouldn’t have the emotional leeway for conversation. At last, there was a reason she could grasp to understand Christian.

As expected, he’d never had a chance to reflect on her!

Now that she knew the problem, all that was left was to solve it. If it was an opportunity he lacked, then she could create one.

Caroline asked in a friendly tone,

“What’s on your mind? I’ll help you think it over.”

“You? My problems?”

Christian stretched his neck from side to side, making his discomfort obvious. But unlike before, Caroline didn’t shrink back. Her eyes shone brighter, and she took a step closer.

Seeing this, Christian let go of the refined aura that suited his looks and grumbled outright.

“What answer do you think I’ll get if I talk about investments with a woman like you? I’d just be wasting my breath.”

“Investment?”

“If you’re about to ask what an investment is, please find someone else. I’m really busy.”

“I know what an investment is… The tea cultivation method you mentioned before, that’s an investment, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you still have shares in that company?”

“Of course. It hasn’t hit the upper limit I predicted yet.”

Christian, answering absentmindedly, suddenly stopped.

‘Why am I answering her so sincerely?’

And why does she remember that in such detail?

He’d boasted about investments to women many times before, but most either ignored it or tilted their heads. Caroline was one of them.

Naturally, he’d expected her not to remember…

‘Does she have an unexpected sense for business?’

Her father, Count Lasphilla, was known behind the scenes as a money fiend. It wouldn’t be strange if his eldest daughter had received some basic financial education.

‘Maybe I could get some information from her.’

The thirsty dig their own wells. Christian was desperate for gold at this point.

Clutching at straws, he asked,

“Caroline, have you heard anything from your father lately?”

“Hm? About what?”

When Christian finally showed some interest, Caroline’s eyes shone with anticipation.

“Like, is there any company where you could get big dividends if you invested, or any company involved in stock price manipulation, that sort of thing?”

“Oh, that kind of thing…”

For a moment, disappointment crossed her face, but then something flashed through her mind.

‘That letter with no return address.’

The contents of that letter couldn’t be trusted. But if it were true…

‘It could help Christian regain his composure.’

And more than that? It could easily give him a reason to love her again.

This was a gamble. One she couldn’t take lightly.

Caroline spoke carefully.

“Actually, my father received some information from a new broker…”

“What is it?”

Christian’s face came in close. Caroline slid her palm between their faces and smiled.

“Chris… Do you know anything about a broker named Dan, from the exchange?”

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