Mystery: Good Witch

Chapter 693 Beware of the "Audience"

Normal people would not easily ask questions involving commercial secrets, but Baron Sindras only thought about it for a moment, then nodded and said:
"This matter has actually been in the works for some time... After I became a noble, I consciously got involved in many business areas in Backlund, especially those that other nobles were interested in, in order to expand my network of relationships and wealth..."

Audrey listened to the Baron's words with a smile, revealing a hint of maturity that did not match her youthful and lively appearance.

The ability of the audience to feel expressions and actions, as well as to perceive the other person's innermost thoughts from the conversation, is similar to the instigation and persuasion of the instigator. Although it is an extraordinary ability, it is not as easy to be perceived as various explicit abilities when used. Angel, as the witch of "despair", did not notice Audrey using her ability while sitting aside. She only felt that Baron Syndras had told her in a few words that he was trying to acquire the shares of Coim Company.

"…After the Air Pollution Investigation Committee was established and the Environmental Protection Act was passed, several members of a private club recommended Coim to me. After I did some research, I also thought that it had great potential for appreciation in the next three years. Early investment could bring huge profits and win the favor of the investigation committee members, especially those who were slightly dissatisfied with me."

Having said that, Sindras looked at Audrey and chuckled.

Does he mean he wants to get in touch with my brother, Hibbert, who is the chief secretary of the committee? Well, it means he wants to ease the relationship with the new party and break away from the Conservatives...

Audrey thought about it, raised her hand imperceptibly, and put it back. She was careful not to use her mind-reading or hinting abilities, and continued only through verbal guidance:

"Do you still remember those friends who recommended Coim to you?"

"Of course, our circle is not big. They are Viscount Conrad, Lord Wolfe Jr..."

Syndras named five names in a row. They were all nobles or children of the conservative party. Audrey had seen them at various banquets and dances. She intuitively felt that they were not extraordinary people, but she could not rule out the possibility that these people were also affected by extraordinary abilities and thus induced Baron Syndras to make a decision.

Once extraordinary abilities were involved, there were too many possibilities, and it was impossible to judge who had a problem based on daily contact and clues... Audrey puffed up her cheeks in her heart and looked at Christine Theresa, who was quietly listening to the conversation between the two. The latter gave Audrey an encouraging smile, which gave Audrey some motivation.

"Your Excellency, Baron, during your plan to acquire Coim, has anyone paid special attention to your progress, or urged you to obtain controlling shares as soon as possible?"

She thought for a moment and asked the next question.

Looking at Baron Syndras who kept answering questions under Audrey's guidance, Angel realized the horror of the "audience" approach.

Even without using her abilities, she could rely on the knowledge in the potion to observe people's expressions and use words to guide them at the right time, easily obtaining the secrets deep in other people's hearts. These behaviors were even difficult to detect through divination afterwards. Even Beyonders of the same sequence would easily allow the "audience" to succeed without prior vigilance and preparation...

If "Justice" Audrey wanted to do evil, she could easily gain the trust of most people by avoiding the nobles who were protected by the church and the military, and use the secrets deep in their hearts to exchange for countless benefits. It was also much safer and more convenient than for a witch to seduce on her own.

It's worthy of being the potion pathway where the Sealed Object "0-08" is located... Well, besides it, I've also seen the "audience" who should be at the top of the sequence, the "Angel of Fantasy" Adam... Thinking of this, Angel felt a chill down his spine, and inexplicably a scene appeared in his mind of Audrey becoming a demigod and quietly hiding beside him through "psychological invisibility" without him noticing at all.

If there is also a mysterious "audience" dog, who can resist it...

Audrey looked at Christine, who seemed a little distracted, curiously and ended her initial questioning.

What surprised her was that there was no sign of any guidance or interference in the establishment and implementation of Baron Syndras's entire acquisition plan.

But for an extraordinary person who has been promoted to a "hypnotist" and has a lot of experience in secretly guiding the nobles around him, this is the biggest doubt.

As a newly promoted noble and the Conservative Party's "money bag", Baron Sindras must always be surrounded by a group of people who try to influence any of his decisions. Moreover, if he is not influenced by anyone in such an important decision as the acquisition of Coim Company, it only means one thing: this is an illusion disguised by extraordinary abilities!
Could it be "psychological suggestion" or "hypnosis"... But I should be able to see some clues, unless the "audience" is higher than me, or even a demigod... Of course, there may be other ways to erase all traces, but I still think it is most likely the "audience"... Audrey looked at Christine again, only to find that her psychedelic purple eyes flashed a barely detectable light.

She and I were thinking alike!
Audrey clenched her fist on her lap excitedly.

"Your Excellency Baron, when your business is frustrated or you encounter difficulties, have you ever thought about seeking help from the church and getting spiritual comfort?"

After a moment, Angel, who judged through the "magic mirror divination" of his eyes that Sindras was indeed affected by extraordinary abilities, asked.

"Church?" The baron asked in confusion, and continued after a moment, "I am a believer of the Lord of Storms, but to be honest, after I suffered repeated setbacks in my attempts to inherit the family business, I was almost on the verge of bankruptcy three times, and even tried to end my own life, I no longer believe in anything other than myself."

It can be seen that this baron is a person with less firm faith. Otherwise, with his wealth and status, as long as he shows his piety a little, he should be able to obtain some blessings from the Church of Storms, or even the protection of a special "Punisher"... This is the difference between "upstarts" and nobles with a solid foundation. The latter often have a good relationship with the church. Even if they and their family members are not extraordinary people, they can be protected and avoid most of the dangers in the open. Angel laughed secretly and said:
"I still suggest that after you leave here, you go to the Storm Lord's Church and talk to the bishop on duty. Maybe it will work?"

"Christine is right. My father and brother would regularly go to St. Samuel's Church to attend mass, pray to the goddess in the confessional, and receive corresponding blessings."

Audrey also understood Angel's idea and joined the persuasion team.

Obviously, "Earl Hall also did it" had a much greater effect on Sindras than Angel's dry advice. He glanced at the two ladies, nodded hesitantly, and said:

"I'll go to Holy Wind Cathedral later."

That was the former headquarters of the Church of the Storm. Even though the headquarters had moved to Pasu Island, it was still the largest church of the Storm in the Backlund Diocese. This multimillionaire was willing to enter there again to pray for the blessing of the Lord of Storms. No matter how many problems he had, they would be properly solved... Audrey's knowledge of mysticism emerged in her mind, and she suddenly realized why her father, Earl Hall, asked her to participate more in various activities of the Goddess Church, and even asked her to join the Charity Student Aid Fund and become a director of this foundation organized by the church.

He was worried that I would encounter something similar to what happened to Baron Sinderas. Although the Beyonders of the Church were protecting our villa, my father, my mother, and me, I would not be protected when I was away from home. For example, last year, when the Aurora Society's messenger attacked me, if it weren't for Miss Queen's sacrifice, I would have...

And since I can personally establish a relationship with the church and obtain the blessings of the bishops, most of the wild extraordinary people should not consider attacking me.

Thinking of this, Audrey breathed a sigh of relief and suddenly felt that the adult world was too complicated.

Not noticing the sigh of the girl beside him, Angel looked at Sindras and continued:

"I hope that under the majesty of the Lord of Storms, you can realize the inappropriateness of your radical actions during this period."

And that should be the credit of a certain Storm Church deacon who cleared the "hint" from you...

"In fact, I have realized it. I came here this time just to ask you to convey my apologies to Mr. Dwayne Dantes."

Perhaps he felt much better after being comforted by the "audience", the baron said with a smile, while drinking the remaining white wine in his hand.

"That's great," Audrey calmed down and took over the conversation. "I will also inform the chief secretary of the committee about this. Maybe he can arrange for you to meet with Ms. Mary so that the two sides can have a good talk... From what I know, Mary doesn't care much about the company's profits. She only wants to keep the Coim Company passed down by her father. Overly aggressive acquisition and operation strategies may ruin the company."

"Then perhaps we can reach some kind of consensus between us."

Sindras expressed his wishes, then stood up, bowed slightly, and expressed his gratitude to the two women.

In this way, a confrontational business conflict was basically resolved. With the mediation of Audrey's brother, the Baron and Ms. Mary might be able to reach a solution that satisfies both parties... Angel felt quite accomplished. He also stood up to send the Baron away and have a good talk with Miss Justice who suddenly visited. However, he found that Baron Sindras, who had already walked to the door of the reception room, suddenly stood still, his body trembling a little.

"Your Excellency the Baron?"

She asked curiously, but she became alert in her heart. Unconsciously, invisible threads instantly covered the entire room.

"Sorry, I, I'm not feeling well..."

Sindras turned around slowly. His cheeks, which had been somewhat rosy from the effects of alcohol just now, became even redder. His eyes were also somewhat bloodshot. He walked tremblingly towards the table and chairs in the middle of the room.

He wasn't poisoned, was he? We drank from the same bottle of wine, but I didn't notice anything wrong... Angel muttered, his eyes flickering, and he was about to do a simple divination...

...Baron Sindras' breathing became heavy and his pace quickened. In just a few steps, he crossed the distance between the three people and rushed straight towards Angel.

(End of this chapter)