If You Are Suited for the Villain's Secretary - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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If the Villain’s Secretary Suits Me
Chapter 15
I was suppressing my delight and exchanging pleasantries with Lenox as naturally as possible when it happened.
“CEO, hello—”
“Come into the conference room.”
Aden cut me off mid-greeting as he emerged from his office.
I was getting used to it by now. Observing him, I realized he didn’t just ignore my greetings—it was a consistent pattern.
‘He acknowledges customers and business partners, but he consistently cuts off employee greetings. Maybe that’s why he skips lunch—he must be full from words alone.’
As I entertained this frivolous thought, Luther and Lenox rose from their seats.
Since I’d never attended a meeting before, I assumed this one would proceed without me as well.
“Iliana Grecia too.”
“Oh, yes!”
But what was this?
I quickly grabbed my notepad and pen, following them into the conference room.
Once seated, Aden opened his mouth in his characteristic monotone. True to form, he dove straight into business.
“You should be aware that the Medior Empire’s annual royal charity auction is being held in the Plaza this afternoon. The items up for auction are reportedly the same as previous years—paintings from the imperial treasury, ceremonial armor and weapons, books, and so forth.”
My hand, which had been busily transcribing Aden’s words, paused for a moment.
This definitely wasn’t Merchant Guild business. So then…
‘Is he sharing Information Guild work with me too?’
I swallowed hard and continued writing.
“Among them, we have information that a masterpiece by the clockmaker Tate—’Tate 81’—whose manufacturing techniques have since been lost, will be put up for auction.”
“Wow… oh, my apologies.”
Luther, who had inadvertently let out an exclamation, quickly covered his mouth in embarrassment.
Aden glanced at him and continued speaking slowly.
“The moment it’s displayed, everyone will react like Luther just did. Not only is the quality exceptional, but it’s the final number in a numbered series—anyone with even a passing interest in timepieces will be clamoring for it.”
“Our client must be among them.”
“Correct. The client is determined to acquire ‘Tate 81.’ The maximum budget they’ve provided is 1.5 billion gold.”
‘Wow…’
This time, I nearly gasped myself.
To think someone could spend 1.5 billion gold on a watch… I was envious.
‘I know about the Tate series. I’ve seen articles saying other numbers typically trade around 100 million gold.’
Considering it’s the final number and a masterpiece, the price would likely multiply several times over, but even so, 1.5 billion gold seemed more than sufficient—even excessive.
‘Hmm? But with that much money…’
I was tilting my head at this sudden thought when—
“Iliana Grecia.”
“Yes?”
“What were you thinking about?”
I hadn’t expected to be called on so suddenly.
I quickly looked up to find Aden staring at me.
So I had to report even my thoughts… How troublesome. I cleared my throat and spoke quietly.
“With that amount of money, it would be more than sufficient for you to win the bid personally. I was just wondering why you commissioned La Mar instead….”
I had naturally expected him to cut me off mid-sentence, so I hesitated deliberately—but to my surprise, Aden listened to me all the way through.
Then he fixed me with a gaze sharp as a blade. My spine stiffened.
Tension made me bite my lip, and Aden spoke in a low voice.
“That’s not the sort of thought a Crimson employee would have.”
He was right. I quickly bowed my head.
“I apologize….”
“But you’ve grasped it well. That’s the crux of the matter.”
Wait.
Was I being praised?
I looked at Aden uncertainly, and he continued without emotion.
“The client apparently visited Crimson first.”
It was instantaneous.
The moment Crimson was mentioned, Lenox sitting beside me flinched slightly.
“But just before the contract could be finalized after discussing the budget, Crimson rejected the offer, citing another client as their reason.”
“Damn, no business ethics at all. They should have refused from the start!”
“…They just extracted the available funds and abandoned him. For their own client.”
“However, according to our investigation, there was no other client seeking to purchase the timepiece.”
“What? Then surely….”
Luther’s expression darkened.
“They’re planning to win the bid themselves first, then sell it to our client at a higher price?!”
“Precisely. The client managed to scrape together 1.5 billion Gold in cash after learning about the auction at the last moment, so their calculation is that by taking time to negotiate afterward, they could extract far more than the 100 million Gold commission.”
“Seriously, what a…ugh.”
Luther barely restrained his curse, and my expression wasn’t much different.
It was truly a scheme more despicable than imagination.
“We informed the client of this situation, but they insist they cannot abandon ‘Tate 81’.”
“But now that those bastards already know our maximum bid….”
“Exactly.”
Aden’s lips curved into a faint smile.
The smile was chilling, but what followed was even more sinister.
“We need not concern ourselves with the means or methods either.”
‘This can’t happen!’
We have to be careful about the means and methods!
I had momentarily forgotten in the face of Crimson’s despicability—that Aden was equally ruthless.
Of course, at this point La Mar operates within legal boundaries, but the problem is that our opponent is the rival organization Crimson.
If we were to catch evil with greater evil and perhaps cross a line in the process?
‘That can’t happen!’
“Luther, monitor Crimson’s movements. Lenox, participate in the auction at the venue alongside the client. As I mentioned earlier, the means and methods of winning the bid are irrelevant. Should any problems arise, I take full responsibility.”
Aden’s voice dropped to an extremely low tone as he turned toward me.
“And Iliana Grecia….”
“Hey! Could I possibly accompany Lenox to the auction as well?”
All three of them turned to look at me simultaneously.
Their expressions were all rather formidable, and cold sweat trickled down my back, but I pressed forward with unwavering resolve.
“It’s my first charity auction, and I’d like to experience it. Besides, I’m new to the company…”
“Ah, so you’re asking me to give you a tour, our new friend?”
Lenox chuckled and spoke with a hint of sarcasm.
I met his gaze directly and continued.
“No. Since I’m new, Crimson won’t know my face yet. So perhaps I could overhear conversations here and there? I could observe the situation while moving about.”
“….”
“I’ll make sure not to be a burden, Lenox. Please give me the opportunity to observe and learn.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment.
It was Aden’s voice that broke through the silence so profound you could almost hear the sound of eyes moving.
“I had planned to have you compile data while remaining in the office, but if that’s your preference, you may accompany Lenox.”
“Sir?”
“However.”
Lenox looked taken aback, but Aden continued with unhurried composure.
“You must honor the words you’ve spoken, Iliana Grecia.”
His tone was emotionless, yet his words carried the edge of a blade.
But I answered without faltering.
“Yes. I’ll do my best.”
“I’m counting on it. Iliana Grecia, you may leave first.”
“Understood.”
From the moment I heard about the auction, I had resolved to accompany Lenox by any means necessary.
Now that I could go with him, all that remained was to execute this properly.
‘If my memory serves me correctly, there’s someone among the auction participants who could help.’
The person I’m looking for is Delilah.
The Mage Tower Master of a small Magic Tower located in the Eastern Region.
***
The path leading to the Plaza.
Lenox cast a sidelong glance at the new employee walking beside him.
Just moments ago, after the newcomer had left and only three of them remained, Aden had spoken.
“I told Iliana Grecia the budget was 1.5 billion gold, but in reality, it’s 1.8 billion gold. The client adjusted the budget upward.”
“That means… if the new employee is a spy for Crimson, they’ll report that the budget hasn’t changed, allowing us to easily secure the bid with 1.8 billion gold!”
“It merely increases the ‘possibility’ of securing the bid. We mustn’t be overconfident. Remember this—while catching the spy is important, our priority right now is acquiring ‘Tate 81.'”
“Understood…”
Aden had said he couldn’t yet be certain whether the new employee’s backer was Crimson or a third party.
So he’d continued assigning field work to see if they’d make contact with anyone, but nothing of the sort had occurred yet.
Yet the fact that they suddenly insisted on coming along today made Lenox’s suspicions lean in a particular direction.
‘It seems like Crimson after all. They must have arranged a signal beforehand.’
Given the nature of an auction house—crowded with people and where conversations with anyone wouldn’t seem unusual.
Moreover, the newcomer had cleverly manufactured justification for contacting Crimson, claiming they wanted to eavesdrop on conversations.
‘For now, it’s best to keep my distance and observe. If they attempt contact, I can apprehend them immediately.’
Lenox’s eyes gleamed with resolve.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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