Episode 3 — The Invisible Strategist

House Silvercrest had become suspiciously successful.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Inside the capital city, nobles whispered endlessly during banquets and tea parties.

“Silvercrest predicted the grain shortage.”

“They purchased storage facilities before shipping delays worsened.”

“Their profits nearly doubled this season.”

“Did the Iron Duke hire some economic prophet?”

Meanwhile, inside House Silvercrest—

The so-called “economic prophet” was currently hiding beneath a table.

“Wisteria.”

Silence.

“Wisteria, we can see your shoes.”

The tiny silver-haired girl remained perfectly still.

Perhaps if she ignored reality long enough, reality would disappear.

Unfortunately, Leonhart dramatically lifted the tablecloth.

“There you are!”

Wisteria stared at him expressionlessly.

Leonhart grinned proudly.

“Father is calling for an emergency family meeting.”

That sentence alone sounded exhausting.

“Can’t.”

“Yes, you can.”

“Busy.”

“You are hiding under furniture.”

“Exactly.”

Leonhart immediately carried her away despite her silent resistance.

Traitorous family.

Inside the ducal office, Alaric stood beside several maps and financial reports.

Orion looked excited.

Which was never a good sign.

“Magical transportation technology,” Orion announced dramatically.

Leonhart looked unimpressed.

“That sounds expensive.”

“It is expensive.”

“Then why are you smiling?”

“Because science.”

Nobody questioned Orion anymore.

It preserved sanity.

Arabelle adjusted her glasses elegantly.

“The inventor seeks noble investors for development funding.”

“And?” Leonhart asked.

“And the risk is enormous.”

All eyes slowly turned toward Wisteria.

Wisteria nearly developed a headache.

Why are they looking at me like I’m some ancient financial oracle?

Evelyn calmly poured tea.

“Well, dear?”

Betrayed by Mother too.

Wonderful.

Wisteria reluctantly glanced at the documents.

The technology itself had long-term value.

But the inventor?

Disaster.

Absolute disaster.

The man changed sponsors every few months, borrowed aggressively, and expanded too quickly.

A walking bankruptcy case.

“The technology is valuable,” Wisteria finally said.

Leonhart brightened.

“See? Even Wisteria agrees!”

“But the inventor is terrible.”

Leonhart froze.

“Oh.”

Orion leaned forward immediately.

“Explain.”

Wisteria pointed at several sections of the report.

“He changes investors too frequently. That usually means unstable finances. Probably debt problems.”

The room fell quiet.

Arabelle’s eyes widened slowly.

“That’s… disturbingly accurate.”

Wisteria continued calmly.

“If you wait long enough, the company will collapse. Then you can buy the patents cheaply.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Leonhart stared at his little sister like she had personally destroyed someone’s bloodline.

“That was terrifying.”

“Efficient,” Orion corrected.

“Cold-blooded,” Arabelle added.

Wisteria sipped tea peacefully.

Honestly, they were overreacting.

This was normal business logic.

Then again…

Maybe not in a world where economics apparently functioned through vibes and noble pride.

Alaric crossed his arms thoughtfully.

“And you’re certain?”

Wisteria shrugged lightly.

“Ninety percent.”

Leonhart gasped dramatically.

“She even has percentages!”

Orion looked fascinated.

“Father… I genuinely think she may secretly be an ancient economic spirit.”

“I heard that,” Wisteria said flatly.

Three months later—

The inventor’s company collapsed exactly as predicted.

House Silvercrest acquired the magical transportation patents at an absurdly cheap price.

At dinner that night, Leonhart suddenly stood up with sparkling eyes.

“I have decided something important.”

Nobody reacted.

This happened too often.

Leonhart pointed dramatically at Wisteria.

“From today onward, before every important decision, we consult Boss Wisteria.”

“No,” Wisteria answered immediately.

“Yes,” Leonhart replied immediately.

“No.”

“Yes.”

Alaric quietly continued eating.

“…Father,” Wisteria said carefully. “Please stop him.”

Alaric took a sip of tea.

“…The title is growing on me.”

Betrayal.

Pure betrayal.

Even Evelyn smiled softly into her teacup.

Only Arabelle showed mercy.

“A nickname should at least sound elegant.”

Leonhart snapped his fingers.

“Supreme Boss Wisteria!”

“That is objectively worse,” Orion said.

Wisteria stared blankly at the ceiling.

In her previous life, billion-dollar corporations feared her.

In this life—

Her biggest problem was surviving family embarrassment.

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