The long table in the hall was quickly cleared.
Sir Simon sat at the side of the head of the table and opened his folder.
Edward sat to his right, his expression cold and stern.
Victoria sat opposite him.
Jiang Lin sat next to Victoria.
Isabella pulled out the chair on the other side of Jiang Lin and sat down directly.
Chen Qian stood behind them, holding a stack of files.
Sir Simon glanced at the seating arrangement.
"Mrs. Montclair, this audit involves the Wendell Family trust."
Isabella smiled.
"I am just observing."
Edward sneered.
"There is no place here for a French winery."
"The outsider you are discussing is a core partner of Montlais Winery. Since you mentioned him, I certainly have a place here."
Sir Simon looked at Jiang Lin.
"Mr. Jiang, what is your current status regarding Wendell Family affairs?"
Jiang Lin pushed over the confirmation letter signed by Victoria.
"Temporary consultant, negotiator for the football club's equity, and assistant for the asset audit invited by Mrs. Wendell."
Edward spoke up immediately:
"He manipulated Victoria into freezing family assets, interfered with club transactions, and incited the fans."
Victoria looked up.
"I signed those documents myself."
"You were influenced by him."
"I've had enough of you pushing me."
The hall went quiet.
Sir Simon flipped through the confirmation letter.
"Mrs. Wendell, please submit the basis for your decisions."
Victoria looked at Chen Qian.
"Miss Chen."
Chen Qian stepped forward and placed four documents on the table.
The first, the valuation discrepancy of the Training Ground.
The second, the contact records between Hall Capital and Gray Architectural Consultants.
The third, the payment vouchers for Mason's wife's company.
The fourth, the list of duplicate payments for East Wing repairs and missing records for the restoration of antique collections.
Sir Simon looked at the Training Ground document first.
"Who compiled these materials?"
Chen Qian stood straight.
"I did."
"Are you an accountant?"
"I have a background in finance; I am the temporary Financial Assistant at Montlais Winery."
Edward scoffed.
"A temporary assistant dares to audit the Wendell Family trust?"
Chen Qian's fingers tightened slightly.
Jiang Lin did not speak for her.
Isabella looked up.
"Miss Chen, state your conclusions."
Chen Qian took a deep breath.
"Hall Capital's offer lacks independent valuation support."
"The potential development value of the Training Ground is higher than the transaction package price."
"Vice Chairman Mason has a conflict of interest with Hall Capital."
"The Wendell trust has duplicate expenditures and unaccounted funds regarding castle repairs, stables, and antique restoration."
Sir Simon continued to look through them.
Edward's expression grew increasingly ugly.
"These things were all pieced together."
Jiang Lin pushed over a printed copy of a cached webpage.
"This is the deleted old page from Gray Architectural Consultants."
Chen Qian added:
"The cache timestamp is before Hall Capital's statement."
Sir Simon paused.
"Hall Capital publicly denied the Training Ground development plan."
Victoria looked at Edward.
"So, how do you explain this page?"
Edward gritted his teeth.
"I will have my lawyers verify this."
Sir Simon closed the folder.
"The current evidence is sufficient to support suspending the transaction."
Edward turned his head sharply.
"Simon!"
"I only care about the interests of the trust."
In the hall, the flames crackled in the fireplace.
Sir Simon continued:
"Mrs. Wendell's suspension of equity sales, freezing of Training Ground transactions, and request for a supplementary audit are consistent with the logic of asset protection."
Victoria did not smile.
"In other words, I have the right to continue the investigation."
"You have the right."
Edward's expression was gloomy.
"Then what about this Easterner?"
Sir Simon looked at Jiang Lin.
"Mr. Jiang should not have direct contact with the original trust documents, but he can participate in the club restructuring plan as an external business consultant."
Victoria nodded.
"That is acceptable."
Isabella continued:
"Montlais Winery will provide the necessary commercial cooperation documents."
Sir Simon looked at her.
"Mrs. Montclair, you are deeply involved."
"I am sitting here specifically to make that involvement look clearer."
Edward stood up.
"This audit is absolutely ridiculous."
Sir Simon's tone was steady.
"Earl, I suggest you temporarily avoid contact with documents related to the Training Ground, antique collections, and the club."
"Are you ordering me?"
"I am protecting the trust."
Edward glared at Jiang Lin fiercely, then turned and left.
The hall door was slammed shut.
Victoria slowly leaned back into her chair.
"Sir Simon, will you stay for dinner?"
"No. I will take copies of these materials back tonight."
Chen Qian spoke immediately:
"The copies are already prepared."
She handed over the file bag.
Sir Simon looked at her.
"Very efficient."
Chen Qian's face flushed slightly.
"Thank you."
Isabella said indifferently:
"She is indeed very efficient."
Victoria smiled slightly.
"Mrs. Montclair is very cautious when praising people now."
"Afraid you'll poach her."
"I will offer a high price."
"She won't leave."
Chen Qian stood where she was, her ears turning bright red.
Jiang Lin looked at her.
"Sit down once you've delivered the files."
Chen Qian responded softly:
"Yes."
After Sir Simon left, only a few people remained in the hall.
Victoria picked up the wine glass on the table.
"The first round, I suppose we won."
Isabella corrected her:
"Temporarily."
Victoria looked at her.
"Mrs. Montclair really likes to remind me not to be happy too soon."
"Because Jiang Lin usually makes things more troublesome."
Jiang Lin gathered the files.
"I'm still sitting right here."
Victoria leaned in closer and gently tugged the dark blue scarf around his neck.
"Perfect, your scarf is crooked."
Isabella's gaze landed on her fingers.
Victoria moved slowly, her fingertips sliding along the edge of Jiang Lin's collar, loosening the knot by half an inch.
"This is more comfortable."
Isabella stood up, walked in front of Jiang Lin, and directly pressed down on the other end of the scarf.
"It's too loose."
She pressed the scarf back into place, her fingers lingering for a moment just below his Adam's apple.
Jiang Lin lowered his eyes.
"Ladies, we just finished auditing the trust."
Victoria chuckled.
"Now we are auditing you."
Chen Qian sat nearby, lowering her head to drink water, and almost choked.
Isabella turned back.
"Miss Chen, slow down."
"Yes, ma'am."
Victoria looked at Chen Qian.
"You can also express your opinion."
Chen Qian looked up sharply.
"Me?"
"This scarf, is it better a little looser or a little tighter?"
Chen Qian's face flushed instantly.
She glanced at Jiang Lin and immediately lowered her head again.
"I... I think what matters most is that Mr. Jiang is comfortable himself."
Isabella smiled lightly.
"A very safe answer."
Victoria continued to tease her.
"Safe does not equal interesting."
Chen Qian clutched her cup tightly and said softly:
"Then... don't make it too tight."
Jiang Lin laughed out loud.
Isabella looked at him.
"What are you laughing at?"
"She spoke very objectively."
Victoria slowly withdrew her hand.
"Then we'll listen to Miss Chen; don't make it too tight."
Isabella let go of the scarf.
Before her fingertips left, she tapped Jiang Lin's collar lightly.
"Don't let anyone else touch it randomly tonight."
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
"Anyone else?"
"Mrs. Wendell knows who I'm talking about."
"I do, which makes it even more interesting."
Dinner was temporarily moved to the small banquet hall.
The long table in Wendell Castle was too big, so Victoria had it changed to a round table.
After the seats were arranged, Jiang Lin took a look.
On his left was Isabella.
On his right was Victoria.
Chen Qian was arranged to sit directly opposite him.
Jiang Lin pulled out his chair.
"Who set up this table arrangement?"
Victoria sat down.
"I did."
Isabella sat down.
"I changed it."
Jiang Lin looked at Chen Qian.
"Why are you sitting opposite?"
Chen Qian answered softly:
"Miss Irene said this makes it convenient to pass files."
Victoria smiled.
"It's also convenient for seeing clearly."
Isabella picked up her water glass.
"Mrs. Wendell is very talkative tonight."
"Because we won today."
"Only won half."
"So we need to celebrate half."
Red wine was served with dinner.
It was not wine from Montlais Winery.
Victoria raised her glass.
"This is one of the few drinkable French red wines left in the Wendell cellar."
Isabella glanced at the wine label.
"The vintage is good."
"How does it compare to Montlais?"
Isabella gently swirled her glass.
"A bit lacking."
Victoria laughed.
"Honest."
Jiang Lin took a sip.
"It is indeed a bit lacking."
Victoria turned her head.
"Mr. Jiang is already showing favoritism now."
Isabella also looked at him.
"This is called accurate judgment."
Chen Qian lowered her head to cut her meat, unable to suppress the corners of her lips.
Victoria saw it.
"Does Miss Chen also find it interesting?"
Chen Qian looked up.
"I think... the wine might really be a bit lacking."
Isabella's lips curled up slightly.
"Very good."
Victoria sighed.
"It seems Miss Chen is on France's side tonight."
Chen Qian explained immediately:
"I'm on the side of the accounts."
"Do accounts have nationalities too?"
Jiang Lin helped her out:
"The accounts are on the side of cash flow."
Chen Qian nodded.
"Correct."
Halfway through dinner, the waiter brought over roasted venison.
Victoria cut a small piece herself and placed it on Jiang Lin's plate.
"Try it. It's from the castle's woodland."
Isabella immediately pushed a spoonful of sauce to Jiang Lin's side.
"This kind of meat needs to be paired with some sour sauce."
Chen Qian looked at the plate, hesitated for a moment, and pushed the basket of hot bread in front of her toward Jiang Lin.
"Mr. Jiang, you didn't eat much of the main course earlier."
Three pairs of eyes met.
Jiang Lin looked at the meat, sauce, and bread that had suddenly appeared in front of him.
"I feel like I'm being hand-fed."
Victoria leaned back in her chair.
"You don't like it?"
Isabella gently wiped her fingers with a napkin.
"He likes being taken care of, he just doesn't admit it."
Chen Qian blushed.
"I just did it while I was at it."
Victoria laughed.
"The most dangerous word of the night has appeared."
Chen Qian looked confused.
"What?"
Isabella looked at her.
"While I was at it."
Jiang Lin picked up the bread.
"Is this considered dangerous?"
Isabella looked at him.
"You are best at saving people while you're at it."
Victoria added:
"Taking payment on the side," Chen Qian whispered. "And making people owe him on the side."
The round table was quiet for a second.
Then Victoria laughed out loud.
Isabella laughed too.
Jiang Lin looked at Chen Qian.
"You're learning to be wicked."
Chen Qian blushed deeply.
"I haven't."
After dinner, Victoria did not let anyone clear the wine immediately.
She had the waiter bring a bottle of brandy.
The fireplace was burning brightly.
The rain started again, tapping against the glass windows.
Victoria stood up.
"Mr. Jiang, dance with me."
Chen Qian froze.
Isabella slowly put down her wine glass.
"There is no music here."
Victoria raised her hand.
The servant turned on the phonograph in the corner.
The old record started to crackle.
A slow waltz flowed through the small banquet hall.
Victoria reached out her hand.
"Now there is."
Jiang Lin looked at her hand.
"You are well prepared, Madam."
"There should always be some fun in the castle."
Isabella didn't speak.
Jiang Lin stood up and took Victoria's hand.
Victoria's fingers were cold.
She stepped closer, and her other hand rested on his shoulder.
"Mr. Jiang, do you know how to dance?"
"A little."
"A little again?"
"Enough."
Victoria's smile deepened.
The two glided into the first step.
She wasn't pressing too close, but it was close enough.
Her skirt hem brushed against Jiang Lin's pant leg.
Her hand slowly moved from his shoulder to near the back of his neck, her fingertips gently pressing against the edge of the scarf.
"The knot tied by Mrs. Montclair is indeed very tight."
Jiang Lin held her waist.
"Mrs. Wendell is very fond of studying scarves tonight."
"Because it is the closest thing to you."
Jiang Lin laughed in a low voice.
Isabella sat at the table, watched for half a minute, and finally stood up.
Before the song was over, she walked to the pair.
"It's time to switch."
Victoria did not let go immediately.
"Is Mrs. Montclair in a hurry?"
"I'm afraid Mr. Jiang will be tripped up by British etiquette."
"He dances very well."
"I'm checking."
Victoria stopped and slowly let go.
"Please."
Isabella took Jiang Lin's hand.
She pressed closer more naturally than Victoria.
Her hand rested on his shoulder, her fingertips gently pressing along the scarf.
"You are very cooperative tonight."
Jiang Lin held her waist.
"You looked like you came to snatch someone just now."
"I did."
Jiang Lin's steps paused slightly.
Isabella looked up.
"What, are you not used to it?"
"It's fine."
"Then keep getting used to it."
She moved half an inch closer.
The scent of her perfume overpowered the brandy.
Victoria sat back at the table, picked up her glass, and watched the two.
Chen Qian kept her head down, not daring to look around.
Victoria suddenly spoke:
"Miss Chen, would you like to dance too?"
Chen Qian almost knocked over her water glass.
"I don't know how."
"Mr. Jiang will teach you."
Isabella stopped and looked at Victoria.
Jiang Lin also turned his head.
Chen Qian blushed up to her neck.
"I really don't know how."
Victoria stood up and pulled her from the chair.
"Then learn."
Chen Qian was brought to the middle.
Isabella let go of Jiang Lin and stood to the side.
"Miss Chen, stand up straight."
Chen Qian was so flustered she didn't know where to put her hands.
Jiang Lin reached out.
"Give me your left hand."
Chen Qian handed it over.
He held her hand, his other hand hovering lightly by her waist.
It only touched a little bit.
Chen Qian's body tensed up.
"Relax."
"I, I'm afraid of stepping on you."
"If you step on me, it counts as a work-related injury."
Victoria laughed.
Isabella corrected from the side:
"Step back with your right foot, don't look down."
Chen Qian followed, but she missed the first step, her toe hitting Jiang Lin.
"I'm sorry!"
"It's fine."
Isabella walked closer and held her shoulders.
"Don't hunch your shoulders."
Victoria supported her wrist from the other side.
"Raise your arm a little higher."
Chen Qian was being adjusted by the two noblewomen from left and right, and she felt like she was burning up.
Jiang Lin looked down at her.
"Are you still nervous?"
"Even more nervous."
Victoria laughed and let go.
"Very good, at least you're honest."
Isabella also stepped back.
"Continue."
Jiang Lin led Chen Qian through a few slow steps.
From being stiff at the beginning, she was finally able to keep up with the rhythm.
Her skirt hem swayed gently.
She looked up at Jiang Lin, then immediately looked away.
"Mr. Jiang."
"Hmm?"
"I didn't embarrass you today, did I?"
"No."
Isabella spoke from the side:
"You've improved."
Victoria added:
"Better than many people who enter the castle for the first time."
Chen Qian finally smiled.
This smile was clean.
There was no panic from the basement, nor tension from the conference table.
Isabella saw it, and her expression softened a bit.
Victoria didn't tease her anymore either.
The song ended.
Chen Qian immediately let go, retreated to the table, her face too red to look up.
Just as Jiang Lin was about to sit down, Isabella handed him the wine glass.
"Take a sip."
He took it.
Victoria suddenly reached out, her fingertips brushing across his lips.
"A little wine stain."
The movement was very light.
The hall went quiet again.
Isabella looked at her hand.
Victoria withdrew it, her expression natural.
"Sorry, I'm used to it."
Isabella picked up a napkin and walked to Jiang Lin.
"Then wipe it clean."
She pinched Jiang Lin's chin, making him lower his head.
The napkin slowly wiped across the corner of his lips.
The movement was slower than Victoria's.
Chen Qian looked down at the table, her ears bright red.
Jiang Lin was being held by the chin.
"Madam, the reporters have already left."
"I know."
"Then what is this?"
Isabella let go and put the napkin back on the table.
"Confirming it's wiped clean."
Victoria picked up the brandy.
"Mrs. Montclair, you win this round tonight."
"I wasn't competing."
"But you've been scoring."
Isabella looked at Jiang Lin.
"He is the scoreboard."
Jiang Lin sat back in his chair.
"Can I request a halftime break?"
Victoria shook her head.
"No."
Isabella agreed.
"No."
Chen Qian said in a very low voice:
"I think you could let Mr. Jiang drink some water."
The three looked at her simultaneously.
Chen Qian immediately handed the water glass to Jiang Lin.
"It's really just water."
Jiang Lin took it and drank a sip.
"Thank you."
Victoria laughed softly.
"Miss Chen's point is very steady."
Isabella did not refute.
The night had deepened.
After the dinner party ended, everyone walked upstairs together.
The castle corridor was dimly lit.
Arriving at the East Wing, the room distribution became a problem again.
Irene's original arrangement:
Jiang Lin stays in the middle suite.
Isabella stays on the left.
Victoria stays in the temporary guest room on the right, to facilitate document discussion at night.
Chen Qian stays at the end of the corridor.
Isabella finished looking at the arrangement.
"Mrs. Wendell is also staying in the East Wing tonight?"
Victoria's tone was calm.
"The trust documents are all in the East Wing study, it's convenient."
"Your master bedroom is in the West Wing."
"I don't want to go back tonight."
Jiang Lin stood between the two.
"I can change rooms."
Isabella and Victoria spoke simultaneously:
"No need."
"No need."
Chen Qian held the documents and stepped back half a step.
"Shall I go back to my room?"
Isabella looked at her.
"Wait."
Victoria also looked at her.
"Miss Chen's documents from tonight haven't been put into the archive room yet."
Chen Qian was caught in the three people's gazes.
"Then shall I go put away the documents first?"
Jiang Lin took the documents from her arms.
"I'll go."
Isabella held down the other end of the documents.
"No, you go back to your room."
Victoria gently held down the top of the document bag.
"I'll have Irene deliver them."
Three hands touched the document bag at the same time.
Jiang Lin looked at them.
"A document bag, you have to fight over that too?"
Victoria laughed.
"Anything can be fought over tonight."
Isabella looked up.
"Including documents."
Chen Qian whispered:
"Then... shall I return to my room empty-handed?"
The three looked at her.
She quickly shut up.
Finally, Irene arrived and took the document bag.
Chen Qian finally escaped.
"Madam, Mrs. Wendell, Mr. Jiang, good night."
Isabella nodded.
"Good night."
Victoria smiled and said:
"Good night, Miss Chen."
Jiang Lin looked at her.
"Sleep well."
Chen Qian blushed and walked away quickly.
The remaining three stood in the corridor.
The sound of rain came from outside the window.
Isabella opened her room door.
"Jiang Lin."
"Hmm?"
"At 7:00 tomorrow morning, I want to see you in the breakfast room."
Victoria opened the door on the other side.
"Mr. Jiang, at 6:30, I will have someone send black tea to your room."
Isabella looked at her.
"He drinks coffee."
Victoria laughed.
"English castles drink black tea in the morning."
Isabella turned directly to Jiang Lin.
"What are you drinking?"
Jiang Lin looked at the two doors.
"Water."
Victoria laughed until her shoulders moved slightly.
Isabella couldn't help but laugh a little too.
"You've become timid."
"This is a survival strategy."
Before Isabella entered the room, she suddenly turned back and unfastened the scarf for him.
"Give it back to me."
Jiang Lin looked down.
"This scarf is Mrs. Wendell's."
Isabella held it in her hand.
"I tied it on."
Victoria leaned against the door frame.
"Then I'll send another one tomorrow."
Isabella replied to her:
"I'll tie it on him again tomorrow."
Jiang Lin looked at his now-empty collar.
"Good night."
Isabella: "Good night."
Victoria: "Good night, Mr. Jiang."
Both doors closed at the same time.
Jiang Lin stood in the corridor and laughed to himself.
From the left next door came Isabella's voice:
"I can hear you."
On the right, Victoria also spoke:
"I can hear you too."
Jiang Lin pushed open his own room door.
"Then I won't laugh."
The corridor was quiet again.
In the distance, Chen Qian's room door quietly opened a crack.
She poked her head out, looked at the three tightly closed doors, and quickly shrank back.