RISE OF EROS

While the first two rewards were not very meaningful to Candice, it was different for Andrew. He was not a wealthy person like Candice, so the large amount of money Candice had received made him drool.

Even though he felt a lot of greed for that money, he didn't show it on his face and since he had agreed with Candice that she would be the one to decide if she would share that reward, he didn't even ask about it.

The second reward, although it caught his attention, Andrew didn't think much about it, as he knew that, to buy a property in the noble region, you have to be a noble or have the king's approval to purchase, so it was useless for him to think that he could get it.

Having thought about all that, he tried to hide his desire for the money, Andrew preferred to discuss the third reward, which was the one that worried him the most, "Are there restrictions of any kind?".

"Yes, the marquis said we can't make too much of a fuss. We also have to make sure the products are still being sold so as not to cause upset in the noble community and lastly, that if we want to make any moves it must be within 1 year," Candice replied.

Although they had limited them to 1 year to act, Andrew thought it was enough time to sort things out with Johan and Oliver thought the same, but Candice's next words, made Andrew furrow his eyebrows.

"Johan most likely already knows about this, so he'll be on guard." Although Andrew was surprised by this, Oliver interjected, "That's very likely. While the nobles were warned, some of them will surely have informed him of that order."

"I think the same. While the relationships he has with most of these nobles are superficial, many of them will still inform him, as they would be in his good books if he manages to win the fight," Candice said.

"Well, it doesn't really make any difference, after all our relationship was already hanging by a thread. He'll certainly be more alert now that he lost his backing, but it doesn't change the fact that we have to deal with him," Andrew said next.

"Do you have any plans in mind?" asked Candice. Since she would be the new supplier of Andrew's products when they dealt with Johan, she had to get involved, so she wanted to know if her ally had any plans.

At Candice's question, Andrew was helpless, as they hadn't really thought of a plan to deal with Johan. So far they were waiting for Johan to lose his backing to decide how to move forward.

Candice being an expert at reading people, understood immediately that Andrew had no plan when she saw his expression. Although a bit disappointed, she said nothing, as she somehow understood what he was thinking.

In fact, she thought that his strategy of waiting for Johan to lose his support with the nobles to act was good, she could not consider it good that he did not have a contingency plan, so letting out a sigh she said.

"I think you need to improve your planning skills. What were you planning to do if Johan didn't lose his support?". Andrew's expression darkened as he heard Candice's question because he understood that she was right.

His lack of planning could be fatal, but he couldn't say anything, so he kept silent. Oliver seeing that Andrew was being lectured, said nothing because he had already thought of a contingency plan if that happened, but had not told Andrew.

Oliver wanted Andrew to develop his planning skills, as he couldn't always be there to tell him what to do so he hadn't said anything. Besides, he was watching how Candice acted at the realization that Andrew had no plan.

Oliver had a good impression of Candice, but he still didn't trust her 100%, so he wanted to see if she was a sincere ally or just pretending to be. While Oliver was assessing all this, Candice spoke again.

"Also, I have to inform you that you are in the empire's sights." This comment alerted Andrew. While he already knew that to be the case, he had no idea how serious the situation was, so he asked, "To what extent?"

"I would say to a great extent," Candice replied and after a pause added, "Even I am under surveillance for having dealings with you. I'll be honest with you, they asked me to be a spy for them, but I refused, however, I made a commitment to report if I saw that you were deviating from the interests of the empire."

Gaston was uncomfortable at the attitude of transparency his boss was adopting, but said nothing. On the other hand, Andrew and Oliver were impressed, because Candice's attitude was showing them that she was a person they could trust.

Certainly, it could all be an act on her part, but those tricks didn't work with Andrew and Oliver who thanks to their eyes could unveil those lies, especially Andrew, because his Eros eyes were more sensitive than Oliver's in these aspects.

Seeing that they could trust Candice, Andrew did not keep up appearances and shamelessly asked, "So, Miss Candice, since you are being so honest, do you have any proposals on how to deal with Johan"?

Although Andrew's question could be taken as a sign of weakness, it was really a sign of the trust he had in Candice and Oliver approved Andrew's action with an internal nod.

Gaston on the other hand was surprised at how open Andrew was, but he also understood that Andrew was showing his trust in Candice, and that alleviated his earlier concern about the way Candice had told everything without holding anything back.

To him, Candice had made a bet by showing candor and she had won that bet. Although he had his reservations about Andrew, he also knew he was a great ally because he had a lot of good things in his hands.

Candice being an obviously experienced businesswoman, noticed that Andrew treated her as a trustworthy person and she gave a satisfied smile, although she did not know why she was glad that Andrew recognized her.

This smile was a genuine joy and did not escape Andrew's eyes, which caused him uncertainty, because he did not understand and at that moment Fluffy spoke to him, "Did you see that I was not mistaken master?".

With Fluffy's comment, Andrew understood, why Candice's smile generated a strange feeling in him and he had no choice but to accept that Fluffy was right, Candice had an interest in him and that's why he used Eros' eyes on her.

Although no traces of love appeared in Candice's aura, some hints of interest could be seen, which made Andrew think seriously. He had to decide whether to pursue this girl or not.

While he was thinking that, Fluffy spoke again, "Master, that's not even a decision to think about. That woman is of a high level of beauty and will offer many points. Not to mention, if she becomes your wife, you will have access to her business and connections."

Fluffy's comments, were like stabs to Andrew's heart because everything he had said was true, but Andrew had already decided that he would not take wives just for the benefits, if there was no love involved he would not take her.

Fluffy who could understand his master's thoughts, could only sigh heavily, as he thought, "I forgot that the gods of Eros are too closely tied to love. Well, let it be what it has to be."

At that moment Candice interrupted his thoughts as she said, "Well, I don't have any concrete plans, but the question should be, how do you want to resolve the matter?".