Beneath Smiles, Hidden Blades
"Excellent."
Hearing that the thousand-year Frostheart Ginseng had been located so quickly, Julian D'Aurelius felt genuinely pleased.
That rare medicinal treasure had been one of the reasons he agreed to help the Ashbourne Household in the first place. Originally, his only intention had been to resolve the Ashbourne family's crisis while advancing his own plans. Now that Felberta Ashbourne had proactively fulfilled her promise ahead of schedule, it saved him considerable time and effort.
A mutually beneficial arrangement.
Julian had never disliked those.
With a relaxed smile, he followed Felberta through the grand entrance of the Ashbourne estate.
The sprawling manor carried an air of old nobility. Neatly trimmed gardens lined the stone pathway, while rows of bodyguards and household servants stood respectfully on either side. Despite the elegant surroundings, Julian could already sense an invisible tension lingering in the air.
