The Price

For a moment, Liz's gaze grew even colder.

As the person granted full authority to handle matters, if Huai Shi bypassed her and reached an agreement directly with Izzy, then regardless of the outcome, her position would become extremely awkward.

At the very least, it would be difficult to shake off the label of "incompetent."

Even if Izzyhektel was her uncle and would most likely not make things difficult for her, who knew what her uncle might do when his brain short-circuited?

After all, Mamagiriya was exceedingly indulgent toward her High Priests.

That esteemed goddess, known as the Mother of Doting Love, most enjoyed personally raising the children she favored, practically a fanatic for nurturing talent. And those she favored were, without exception, either once-in-a-century geniuses or villains rarely seen in a hundred years. Otherwise, there would not be oddities like Izzy.

Worse still, what if—if, perhaps—Mamagiriya thought Huai Shi had "a promising future" and decided to nurture him?

Whenever this foster mother of the American Lineage started favoring outsiders, all her children found it somewhat unbearable.

Liz frowned and asked sternly, "Are you threatening me, Huai Shi?"

"You know I have always respected you... Well, sorry. I understand why you have an unfavorable impression of me. In fact, I would very much like to apologize to you. I would not even mind staying far out of your way.

But unfortunately, this is not merely my own affair."

Huai Shi raised his hands in surrender. After thinking for a moment, he made a serious suggestion. "How about this? For the second phase of the Danbo construction project, I will increase the amount borrowed from America Bank and give your Glorious Crown Group priority during the bidding process. How does that sound? I have wanted to build a luxury hotel in