Reborn as the Last van Ambrose
Chapter 225: Schedule the Meeting

Chapter 225: Schedule the Meeting

The meeting with Soren Blackwell took place in a neutral location—a private dining room at one of the capital’s more discrete establishments.

When Grim arrived, he found the financial manager already waiting, his usual composure notably absent.

"Lord Ambrose," Blackwell said, rising from his seat with obvious nervousness. "Thank you for agreeing to meet on such short notice."

"Of course," Grim replied, settling into the chair across from him. "You seemed to indicate the matter was urgent."

Blackwell’s hands trembled slightly as he reached for his wine glass. "I... I received some information that suggested continued resistance might prove... costly."

"Oh?" Grim asked with mild interest. "What kind of information?"

Blackwell’s face had gone pale. "Someone sent me detailed records of my son’s academic performance, along with documentation of certain personal arrangements that I believed were private."

"How unfortunate," Grim said with apparent sympathy. "It’s terrible how private matters sometimes become public knowledge."

"Yes," Blackwell agreed quickly. "Terrible. Which is why I wanted your help."

"A wise decision," Grim observed. "Though I’m curious—have you discussed this change of heart with Lord Luminaris?"

The question struck home immediately. Blackwell’s composure cracked further, and his hands began to shake more noticeably.

"I... that is to say... Lord Luminaris trusts my judgment in these matters," he stammered.

"Does he?" Grim asked quietly. "Because I imagine he might have questions about why you’re suddenly so eager to get my help and not his."

"I’m trying to do what’s best for all parties," Blackwell said desperately.

"Of course you are," Grim agreed. "But I wonder if Lord Luminaris will see it that way when he learns about this meeting. When he discovers that his financial manager has been making unilateral decisions about family assets."

Blackwell’s face had gone from pale to gray. "What do you want?"

"I want the truth about House Luminaris’s financial operations," Grim said directly. "I want to know about the payments to messengers and rumor mongers. I want to know about the resources being used to wage political campaigns. And I want to know about any other questionable contracts that might attract unwanted attention."

The financial manager sat in silence for several long moments, clearly weighing his options.

"If I provide this information," he said finally, "what guarantee do I have that my... personal circumstances... will remain private?"

"You have my word that I have no interest in destroying families unnecessarily," Grim replied. "But you should understand that your continued association with House Luminaris might make such discretion... difficult to maintain."

The implication was clear. Blackwell could cooperate and receive protection, or he could remain loyal to Julius and face the consequences of his vulnerabilities becoming public.

"I’ll need time to gather the documentation you’re requesting," Blackwell said quietly.

"You have twenty-four hours," Grim replied, standing to leave. "And Soren? I’d suggest you begin considering whether your future interests align more closely with House Luminaris or with those who possess information about your private life."

Two hours later, Grim met with Lady Mei in a different location to receive updates on the broader campaign. She arrived with obvious satisfaction, carrying a leather case filled with reports.

"The household staff are proving remarkably cooperative," she began immediately. "Sarah Mills, the head housekeeper, has agreed to provide detailed information about House Luminaris’s private activities in exchange for a more lucrative position with House Zhou."

"And the others?"

"Thomas Grey, the butler, was initially resistant until he learned that several merchants were prepared to testify about their payment arrangements. He’s now willing to discuss his knowledge of the family’s correspondence and scheduling."

Mei flipped through her notes with professional efficiency. "Catherine Bell, Lady Mira’s personal maid, has provided copies of private letters detailing the coordination of the rumor campaign. Including specific instructions about which stories to emphasize and which social circles to target."

"Excellent," Grim said with satisfaction. "What about the business partners?"

"Mixed results," Mei admitted. "Viktor Thorne, the transportation coordinator, has disappeared entirely. Left the capital yesterday without notice. The textile importer is claiming ignorance about any political activities, though he’s agreed to terminate his contracts with House Luminaris immediately."

"And the luxury goods trader?"

"Magnus Richfield," Mei said, consulting her notes. "More problematic. He’s refusing to cooperate and has threatened to inform Lord Luminaris about our approaches."

Grim felt the dark mana pulse with cold anger. "What kind of threats?"

"He claims he has documentation proving that our information gathering violates imperial laws regarding privacy and commercial interference," Mei explained. "He’s demanding that we cease all contact with House Luminaris associates or face legal action."

"I see," Grim said quietly. "And what kind of vulnerabilities does Mr. Richfield possess?"

Mei smiled with predatory satisfaction. "His luxury goods business includes several items acquired through... questionable means. Artifacts that may have been removed from imperial archives without proper authorization. Jewelry that bears striking resemblances to pieces reported stolen from various noble houses over the past several years."

"How interesting," Grim observed. "It would be terrible if imperial investigators began examining his inventory."

"Quite terrible," Mei agreed. "I believe a more detailed conversation with Mr. Richfield might prove productive."

"Arrange it," Grim said. "But make clear that his cooperation is a one-time offer. If he chooses to continue his threats, he’ll discover what happens when someone mistakes restraint for weakness."

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Lin, who had been conducting her own investigations using methods that didn’t rely on conventional intelligence networks.

"The social circle connections are fascinating," she reported, settling into the chair beside Grim’s. "I attended three gatherings yesterday evening, posing as a visiting scholar interested in imperial court dynamics."

"And what did you learn?"

"Lady Blackwood and Lord Pemberton have already begun distancing themselves from House Luminaris," Lin said with obvious delight. "Not openly, but through subtle changes in seating arrangements, invitation patterns, and conversation topics."

"They sense the shifting winds," Mei observed approvingly.

"More than that," Lin continued. "They’re actively seeking information about House Ambrose’s current standing. Several people approached me specifically because they heard I was staying at your estate."

"What kind of information were they seeking?"

"Your plans, your alliances, your perspectives on recent events," Lin replied. "But most importantly, they wanted to understand whether opposing you was wise or foolish."

Grim leaned back in his chair, processing the implications. "They’re already calculating which side offers better prospects."

"Exactly," Lin agreed.

"What about the Jin Wei narrative?" Grim asked.

Mei’s expression became particularly satisfied. "That’s proceeding beautifully. I’ve provided carefully selected evidence to three different sources—a retired imperial intelligence officer, a military historian, and a diplomatic correspondent who writes for the capital’s primary newsletter."

"What kind of evidence?"

"Documentation of the Jin family’s previous conflicts with imperial authority, records of Jin Tao’s aggressive behavior during the tournament you mentioned, and testimony from servants who observed Jin Wei’s suspicious questions about estate security during the party."

"All accurate information," Grim noted.

"All accurate, and all presented in a context that supports the interpretation you want," Mei confirmed. "By tomorrow evening, the capital will be buzzing with stories about how Lord Ambrose heroically identified and stopped a potential spy who was using diplomatic cover to gather intelligence."

Lin clapped her hands together with obvious delight. "This is remarkable to observe. You’re completely reversing the political narrative through careful application of selective truth."

"I’m correcting the record," Grim said calmly. "The original rumors were fabrications. What we’re spreading is based on actual events and documented behavior."

"Of course," Lin agreed with amusement. "Though the distinction between correction and manipulation is quite subtle from an analytical perspective."

Before the conversation could continue, Chen Xing appeared with another urgent message.

"My lord," he said with a bow, "Magnus Richfield has requested an immediate meeting. He seems... eager to discuss cooperation."

Mei laughed softly. "Word travels fast in the luxury goods trade."

"Schedule the meeting," Grim decided. "But make clear that his window for reasonable cooperation is rapidly closing."

[You work quick. Pretty soon any of your enemies will be reluctant to attack you.] Caius said.

"They chose to make this personal when they involved Lianna." Grim said.

[And when this is over? When House Luminaris is destroyed and isolated? What happens to the man who orchestrated that destruction?]

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