Seeing the slight daze in Xu Que's expression, Lacey smiled and asked, "Is there something else on your mind?"
"Well… aren't you worried? Or… afraid, perhaps?" Xu Que cautiously probed.
"Just a few rats. I've known all along," Lacey replied, turning around and resuming her seat.
"Don't you want to know how much he's offered me?" Xu Que pressed further.
"At most, three spirit stones. After all, that's about your worth at the moment." Lacey's words were sharp as she casually resumed watching her live broadcast.
Xu Que was speechless. This woman was no ordinary person.
He had hoped to use this as leverage to break through her defenses, but it turned out that she was fully aware of Maier's schemes and didn't even bother to take them seriously.
Without pushing further, Xu Que retreated. Persisting would only risk exposing himself.
Back at the forge villa, Xu Que sat before the anvil, deep in thought. Although he could act now, the potential fallout was too risky to gamble on. While he had no fear of certain forces, the collateral damage to the people of Z Country would be unbearable.
"Tch… This is tricky," Xu Que sighed inwardly, his gaze drifting to the foremost villa in the manor.
That villa belonged to Carlo. From what Xu Que had gathered, Carlo had two wives but no heirs.
"Maybe I should start with him?" Xu Que mused.
If Lacey was a sleeping tiger and Maier a prowling leopard, then Carlo was a cunning wolf.
"Alright, let's do it. If all else fails, I'll resort to an assassination."
---
**Magic City, Forefront International Building**
"It's been unusually quiet these days," Shen Mengchu remarked.
"Indeed. It feels like the calm before a storm," Liang Jinyu replied, her eyes fixed on the Heaven Ranking.
"Stop worrying about things beyond our control. Just keep your mind at ease. Even if the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up," Murong Xuan'er said lazily, examining her slender fingers.
"You seem to know something," Liang Jinyu turned her gaze toward Murong Xuan'er.
"Me? What could I possibly know? Anything I hear is just gossip." Murong Xuan'er smiled lazily, her tone dripping with allure.
Shen Mengchu, though less sharp than the other two, wasn't foolish. She instantly caught the underlying meaning in Murong Xuan'er's words.
"Do you know who's stirring up the trading market?" Liang Jinyu asked.
With a faint smile, Murong Xuan'er replied, "Materials like these are only useful for forging or alchemy. Among the people we know, besides him, who else could it be?"
"You mean the Chisfield family is deliberately suppressing material prices?" Liang Jinyu pressed.
"Should we start stockpiling materials then?" Shen Mengchu interjected eagerly.
"No. If it really is the Chisfield family, we must do the opposite—we need to sell off as much as possible," Liang Jinyu explained.
Murong Xuan'er gave Liang Jinyu a thumbs-up. "As expected of you, sister. You see right through to the crux of the matter. Though this information came out two days ago, the current price trends suggest the bottom is near."
"What does this have to do with us selling materials?" Shen Mengchu asked, puzzled.
Liang Jinyu smiled, glancing at Murong Xuan'er before addressing Shen Mengchu. "If you stockpile these materials, won't you end up stuck with them?"
"That's true. I'd have to hold onto them and sell them later at double the current market price," Shen Mengchu nodded.
"Dream on, little sister," Murong Xuan'er teased. "The Chisfield family isn't stupid. If you dare to buy, they'll keep driving prices down. You won't just lose money on your stockpile; you'll also disrupt Xu Que's plans."
Shen Mengchu's eyes widened as she realized the implications. "No wonder you're selling materials—you're creating the illusion of panic while quietly profiting from the Chisfield family's manipulation!"
As admiration lit Shen Mengchu's face, Murong Xuan'er added, "Since we understand the game, shall we mark up the prices a little before selling?"
"What do you mean?" Liang Jinyu asked.
"Well, if that man can reap so many resources for free, isn't it fair for us to collect a little interest?" Murong Xuan'er's gaze shifted meaningfully to Shen Mengchu.
Shen Mengchu cursed inwardly. *You sly fox! I was just grateful to you, and now you're trying to use my man!*
"There's no need. Do you think he wouldn't help you if you asked?" Liang Jinyu interjected.
Murong Xuan'er turned to her with a smirk. "That's not very fair of you. My tea hasn't even cooled, and you're already overturning the cup."
Shen Mengchu was completely lost. "What does tea have to do with anything? Weren't we discussing materials?"
Liang Jinyu met Murong Xuan'er's gaze head-on. "Your tea quality aside, I know when the pipes leak, they must be repaired."
Shen Mengchu grew more confused. "Can someone tell me what channel I'm on? Why does it feel so different from yours?"
Murong Xuan'er chuckled seductively. "Care to use your water to brew my tea?"
"Of course. Cooperation is key. When the time comes, you'll get what you want during our tea-tasting," Liang Jinyu replied with a faint smile.
"Masterful," Murong Xuan'er said, rising from her seat.
"Likewise," Liang Jinyu replied as she escorted her out.
"Wait! What just happened? Why did Xuan'er leave?" Shen Mengchu asked, bewildered.
"She's going to prepare for the sell-off. We should do the same," Liang Jinyu said, preparing to leave the office.
"Hold on, Jinyu! Are we only selling B- and C-grade materials? What about A-grade ones?"
"No need to touch the A-grades. Besides, Xu Que likely hasn't reported those materials. Just sell off the B- and C-grades," Liang Jinyu instructed.
"Got it. Thanks, Jinyu!" Shen Mengchu's gratitude was genuine.
Seeing her sincerity, Liang Jinyu felt a twinge of guilt. "Ah, well… let's take it one step at a time. It's not my fault Xu Que is so sought after."
---
Meanwhile, across the trading network, material prices were in freefall. Buyers who thought they had snagged bargains found themselves devastated by the plummeting values.
In the Chisfield family manor, Maier raised his glass, brimming with confidence. "Hahaha! I, Maier Chisfield, will be the next family head!"
"Don't celebrate too soon," Evelyn cautioned. "That woman hasn't even made her move yet."
Turning to her with a smug grin, Maier said, "My dear sister, while Megelo may favor Lacey, don't forget—she's still just a woman."
"Yes, I agree with that. But don't underestimate Uncle Mand and Uncle Carlo," Evelyn countered.
"Them?" Maier sneered. "If our parents hadn't been devoured by those creatures, do you think they'd have ever gotten a seat at the table?"