Arthur had thought this would be a low-risk, high-reward partnership.
But who could have imagined such dangers lurking beneath the surface?
The thought that the reclusive Count of South Los might be behind this made Arthur's temples throb.
The Count of South Los had not always preferred seclusion.
He had become reclusive after the old Count suddenly died of illness and he succeeded him as the ruler of South Los.
A boy had become the ruler of a territory, only to retreat from public life. No matter how Arthur looked at it, something felt wrong!
In fact, rumors were still circulating even now.
Old Charlie had told his predecessor more than once, "The lion of Inner Bay will grow old one day, and the tigress of South Los will grow up."
His predecessor had not quite understood what that meant.
But Arthur understood perfectly!
I've been dragged into a struggle between the Grand Duke of Inner Bay and the Count of South Los... This is trouble!
Arthur frowned inwardly.
He knew full well that tremendous opportunities lay here, even a chance to rise to the top in a single leap. But one wrong move would leave him dead without a grave.
Just like Coste and Emond!
Those two might not have served the Grand Duke at all. Perhaps they had merely leaned slightly toward him, and now the Count had killed them.
It was even possible that they had simply appeared before the Count at the right moment and been made the spark that ignited the whole affair.
And afterward?
Even the trading company they had founded had been crushed to pieces!
Everything happening now was merely the beginning of the Count's attempt to break free of the Grand Duke's control.
That was precisely why he could not receive a