Please Lend Me 50 Million - Chapter 17

However, before she could find such a scene, she lost herself in his curving green eyes. His green eyes, resembling clear greenery, sparkled brilliantly like spring in full bloom. Asha’s hand, which had been resting on the sofa, twitched for a moment. It was because an urge to brush away the glasses covering those green eyes surged within her.

But as if it were all an illusion, Harriet returned to his usual calm face. It was an ordinary face that made her feel a sense of injustice.

“Why….”

A voice filled with injustice popped out, but before she could even complete the sentence, Harriet continued.

“The documents in your hand belong to the head of the Perso Trading Company, don’t they?”

“Huh? Yes? Yes. Since it’s famous and stable, I thought this business was the best choice.”

At his sudden words, Asha hurriedly held up the papers. It was a plan typical of the head of the Perso Trading Company, who enjoyed attaching large drawings to business plans. So that’s how he noticed.

Harriet leisurely continued. Was it Asha’s imagination that he seemed in a better mood than before she came in?

“Lately, many people compare the Perso Trading Company’ head to a fisherman. He always presents stable business plans to lure in partners, but the core of the business mostly remains with the Perso Trading Company. Since the partners have no choice but to support the Perso Trading Company, the Merchant Leader fattens himself up that way. They say it’s a business recommended for those who expect a small but stable income.”

Crossing his legs and smiling loosely, Harriet recited information about the Perso Trading Company. In reality, it was closer to high-quality information he had investigated, but throughout his speech, he explained it like common public opinion. He had smoothly navigated a situation that could have turned into him lecturing her. She was grateful for his kind consideration, but Asha’s troubled heart was not soothed.

“Thank you. But… other than the head of the Perso Trading Company’s business, I really have no sense of what criteria I should use to choose a business. Even though I’ve blown quite a few businesses.”

“A student who works hard is sometimes wonderful just for that.”

Even focusing on her effort rather than falsely praising her business insight was typical of him. Asha lifted the tea placed before her and showed a faint smile.

“That’s true. Still, I wish there were a good teacher who could teach a wonderful student like this….”

Wait.

Asha stopped moving before her lips could even touch the teacup. When she suddenly stiffened, Harriet also looked at her with an inquiring gaze. His soft brown hair brushed against his face as he tilted his head slightly.

In business, where you become partners the moment you share knowledge, there is no such thing as a teacher-student relationship. That’s why, if you peel back those who brag about teaching business, they often only teach the basics or keep the good information hidden.

Even if one sought a business teacher, one could not objectively weigh a teacher’s qualities due to the volatile and subjective nature of business. Therefore, finding a business teacher was beyond tricky; it was difficult.

But who was the man before her? Was he not the man who held all the gold coins of the port trade city, Peliche? Could there be a better business teacher than this?

It was an absurd idea and an impudent request, but Asha, who had been working through the night for days, was in a state where she was blind to everything else.

“Harriet?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Could you… could you teach me business? If it’s too difficult, even just how to choose a business plan is fine. Anything, even something small!”

Asha hurriedly put down her teacup and turned completely toward Harriet. This was no time to savor tea. At Asha’s urgent behavior, Harriet showed a languid smile.

It was Asha who grew anxious at that leisurely smile. To persuade him, she even thrust the business proposal before his eyes and continued.

But before she could spout any sweet talk, he readily opened his mouth.

“All right.”

“—!”

It was Asha who was shocked by Harriet’s word of affirmation. At such an easy permission, Asha stammered and questioned back.

“Even though our contract will end if I—if I succeed, is that okay?”

Her honest confession came from a heart that didn’t want to deceive him. From Asha’s perspective, she had made a big decision to reveal her honest feelings, but instead, Harriet only blinked as if puzzled.

After blinking his eyelids a couple of times, Harriet finally replied in a tone mixed with laughter, as if he had just understood her words.

“My, Asha. If I had intended to take you through cowardly means that ruined your reputation and character, you would be in the dungeon of this castle right now, not this hall.”

Despite the voice mixed with laughter, not a hint of playfulness could be found anywhere. Only a thick lust he couldn’t quite hide was stuck to the end of his words.

Harriet, leaning his body even closer to Asha, whispered.

“And with your pretty ankles sprained, no less. Since I lust after your white skin and envy the gazes of others that touch you, you would have been able to see the sunlight only one day out of thirty nights.”

The low voice, as if whispering a secret, was mixed with twisted desire and faint joy. It was a sense of liberation that came from expressing, even slightly, a desire he had suppressed for a long time, and a s****l urge that made his crotch tingle just from imagining it.