Hearing the president's question, Cullen's heart jolted. He swiftly concealed his alarm and replied, "We've basically reached a consensus. There are just a few details that haven't been settled."
Martinas Wessel Pretorius said without changing expression, "I understand. You may leave."
There was a faint trace of melancholy in his voice; clearly, his heart was far from calm. Martinas Wessel Pretorius was no saint. Faced with profit, he too could not remain as still as water.
Cullen's expression had not escaped his notice. If nothing unexpected had happened, this trusted subordinate of his had also been in contact with the Austrians, and might even have already betrayed him.
Having risen to his current position, Martinas Wessel Pretorius was naturally an intelligent man. Whether Cullen had betrayed him or not, he would not verify it.
At this point, it no longer mattered. Even if Cullen had remained loyal to him, refused the Austrians' bribes, and even confessed everything to him, what could he do?
Martinas Wessel Pretorius could do nothing to Austria. He could not even lodge a protest with the Vienna Government. If both sides openly tore off all pretense, he would not even be able to preserve the last of his preferential treatment.
If the powerful factions at home failed to make progress in their negotiations with the Austrians, then he, the president, could still play a role. Now that everything was proceeding smoothly, there was naturally no need for him.
At first, Martinas Wessel Pretorius had planned to negotiate with the Austrians in the government's name and secure a more advantageous political status for everyone.
Reality had slapped him hard in the face. Once the Vienna Government began dividing and winning people over, one after another changed their stance. How could the benefits gained by the country compare