Episode 5 — Boss Wisteria

The problem with intelligent people…

Was that once they noticed something suspicious, they never stopped digging.

And unfortunately for Wisteria—

Cassian Ashford was extremely intelligent.

For the past month, the heir of House Ashford had been appearing everywhere suspiciously often.

Tea gatherings.

Library events.

Charity luncheons.

Even a flower exhibition.

A flower exhibition.

Who voluntarily attended flower exhibitions?

“That boy is definitely following you,” Orion said casually while reading a book upside down.

Wisteria nearly dropped her teacup.

“He is not.”

“He absolutely is,” Arabelle replied while writing notes elegantly. “He stared at you for seven entire minutes during the charity banquet.”

Leonhart looked horrified.

“SEVEN?!”

“It was actually closer to eight,” Orion corrected.

Leonhart immediately stood up.

“I’m going to war.”

“You cannot declare war on House Ashford because someone looked at our sister,” Arabelle sighed.

“Watch me.”

Meanwhile, Wisteria buried her face into the sofa cushion.

This family was exhausting.

Evelyn calmly entered the sitting room carrying fresh tea.

“What are we discussing?”

“Potential romance,” Orion answered instantly.

Wisteria choked on air.

“There is NO romance!”

Leonhart looked murderous already.

“Good. Because I already dislike him.”

“You dislike every male under the age of forty standing near Wisteria,” Arabelle pointed out.

“That is called responsible brotherhood.”

“No,” Wisteria said flatly. “That is called insanity.”

Leonhart ignored her completely.

“If he approaches her again, I shall challenge him to a duel.”

Orion looked thoughtful.

“Economically speaking, House Ashford is valuable though.”

Leonhart gasped.

“You would trade our sister for profits?!”

“No,” Orion replied calmly. “But if she marries intelligently, the market influence would be terrifying.”

Wisteria stared blankly at the ceiling.

How did this conversation become worse every thirty seconds?

Before further chaos could erupt, a servant entered nervously.

“Your Grace requests the family in the ducal office.”

Everyone immediately became serious.

Well…

Mostly serious.

Leonhart still muttered threats about Cassian while walking.

Inside the office, Duke Alaric stood beside several financial reports.

His expression already looked tired.

A dangerous sign.

“We have a problem,” Alaric announced.

Wisteria instantly sensed incoming nonsense.

One advisor stepped forward nervously.

“A luxury perfume company requested partnership investment from House Silvercrest.”

Leonhart frowned.

“That sounds harmless.”

“The owner also owes enormous debt.”

“There it is,” Wisteria muttered quietly.

Alaric rubbed his forehead.

“The company itself remains profitable. However, the owner continuously borrows money for expansion.”

Orion adjusted his glasses.

“A familiar pattern.”

Everyone slowly turned toward Wisteria.

Again.

Wisteria almost developed chest pain.

Why was this family consulting a seven-year-old like she was some legendary financial saint?

“Boss Wisteria?” Leonhart asked dramatically.

“Stop calling me that.”

“Never.”

Wisteria sighed heavily before reading the documents.

The perfume company itself had strong market value.

Luxury goods remained stable among nobles.

But the owner?

Terrible management.

Excessive expansion.

Poor debt control.

Emotion-driven decisions.

Honestly, she had seen startup founders exactly like this in her previous life.

And they always exploded eventually.

“Buy the formulas,” Wisteria said calmly.

Alaric narrowed his eyes slightly.

“And the company?”

“Not worth saving.”

The advisors looked shocked.

“But Lady Wisteria, the brand is famous—”

“Brands can recover,” she interrupted quietly. “Debt cannot.”

Silence filled the office.

Even Leonhart looked impressed.

Wisteria continued.

“If the company collapses, Silvercrest can acquire the formulas, factories, and distribution routes separately.”

Orion slowly smiled.

“That’s disturbingly efficient.”

Arabelle nodded thoughtfully.

“She separated emotional value from financial value.”

Alaric crossed his arms.

“…Again.”

Wisteria blinked.

“…Again?”

“You solved another problem.”

Leonhart suddenly slammed both hands onto the table dramatically.

“ALL HAIL BOSS WISTERIA!”

“Leonhart,” Evelyn sighed.

“No, Mother, this is history.”

“It is embarrassment,” Wisteria corrected.

Unfortunately—

Three months later, the perfume company collapsed exactly as predicted.

And House Silvercrest acquired its assets for nearly half the original price.

At dinner that evening, Leonhart proudly raised his glass.

“To Boss Wisteria, savior of family finances!”

The servants quietly applauded.

Wisteria froze in horror.

“…Why are the servants involved now?”

One maid smiled warmly.

“Because your advice increased everyone’s year-end bonuses, Lady Wisteria.”

Traitors.

All of them.

Across the table, Evelyn hid her laughter behind her teacup while Alaric looked suspiciously proud.

Orion casually added:

“At this point, the kingdom may eventually worship you economically.”

“Please don’t say terrifying things so casually.”

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