Chapter 33
“Thank you for participating in the clinical trial. I’ll now give each of you the promised compensation. Please take care on your way home.”
With a gentle smile, she turned around, and people quickly gathered around Luan to collect their payment.
Leaving the scene behind, she headed to the refrigerated storage room where the hair loss treatment was kept.
The well-made medicine was stored in clean glass bottles. Due to the properties of the matured mana herb, it spoiled easily, so refrigeration was essential. At a glance, the condition of the medicine looked excellent.
She checked the manufacturing dates on each bottle and was satisfied with how well everything was maintained.
As she stepped out of the storage room, she was startled to see a man standing right in front of her.
He seemed to be one of the participants in the clinical trial, but for some reason, he was lingering nearby, watching her nervously.
“Is there something you need?”
At her cautious question, the man stepped forward as if he’d been waiting for her.
With above-average looks, he removed his hat politely and bowed.
“Lady Rondinella, my name is Chandler. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s an honor to finally meet such a stunning beauty in person.”
Heard so much about me? From who? Luan never discusses personal matters with the trial participants…
As she stood puzzled, Chandler rubbed his forehead with his index finger and shook his head.
“Ah, my introduction was a bit lacking.”
With a mysterious wink, he brought his hand to his mouth and whispered.
“Did you find the item I gave you useful?”
Item? Did I buy something from him?
She looked at him in confusion.
He was tall and slender, with a charming smile that surely had made many women cry. Dressed in a neatly tailored suit, a long trench coat that reached his calves, and shoes so polished you could see your reflection in them.
Was he perhaps a tailor?
Tilting her head, she asked, “Did I ever buy something from you, Mr. Chandler?”
He smacked his forehead with his palm and shook his head again.
His smile remained fixed, like a mask.
Then he formed a finger-gun with his hand, and with a “Bang!” sound, he said cheerfully—
“Everything You Need General Store!”
Her eyes widened at the unexpected reference, but she quickly composed herself and asked,
“Everything You Need General Store? And what does that have to do with the item you mentioned?”
“Yes! Betty from the general store was the one who connected you and me.”
If it was someone Betty connected her with… there was only one possibility.
“You mean… the investigator who delivered the crystal orb with the evidence…”
“Shhh!” Chandler put a finger to his lips. “It’s a secret that I’m a detective. Let’s keep that just between us.”
He let out a light laugh, his trench coat fluttering slightly with the motion.
His outfit and gaze had seemed unusual—and he really was that detective. The one who caught Alex and Rachel’s scandalous affair and recorded it.
She felt a strange mix of embarrassment and relief.
“Ah… yes, I used that item very well. But I was surprised to see you as a participant in the clinical trial. What a coincidence.”
“Haha, actually, it wasn’t pure coincidence. I heard from Betty that you were looking for participants. That caught my interest. Hair loss treatment like this doesn’t exist in the Western Continent… and I also wanted to see you in person.”
“You wanted to see me? Why?”
When she asked, Chandler cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Well, as I mentioned, your beauty is legendary. And now that I see you, I understand why.”
Unable to meet her eyes, his ears turned slightly red as he scratched his head and chuckled.
“In any case, the medicine is fantastic, and meeting you is a huge honor. So I wanted to give you this gift to thank you for changing my life.”
Chandler shyly held out a small object, and she accepted it with curiosity.
It was slightly bigger than a bean and soft to the touch. She examined it closely.
“What is this?”
“It’s a magical tool from the Western Continent that lets you hear someone’s thoughts. If you wear it in your ear, you can read the other person’s mind. But it doesn’t work for just anyone… Hmm… how did it work again…”
Chandler scratched his head furiously, trying to remember.
She laughed and told him to let her know if he recalled it later.
Looking a little relieved, he replied, “Ah, it had such a strange method of use that I completely forgot. Would it be alright if I wrote down the instructions and passed them to Luan?”
“Yes, that works.”
“Thank you. By the way, I have quite a network back in the Western Continent. That means I can easily acquire rare magical tools. If you ever need anything, feel free to contact me.”
He handed her a business card with a bright smile.
She raised an eyebrow in interest.
“Are there many fascinating items like this in the Western Continent?”
“Absolutely. Some are extraordinary, some just okay, with all kinds of different abilities.”
“What about the price? I imagine they must be expensive…”
“Of course, they can be priceless due to their rarity. But to be honest, I already have more money than I need. I value things beyond currency—things that money can’t buy.”
Chandler smiled as he placed his hat over his now-thick head of hair.
Things money can’t buy, huh…
For Chandler, that was probably his hair. Not even rare items from the Western Continent could solve it before.
No matter how attractive someone might be, hair loss could easily turn people away.
She smiled knowingly and nodded.
“Mr. Chandler, if you agree to supply me with magical tools from the Western Continent, I’ll provide you with all my medicine, including the hair loss treatment, for free. What do you think?”
Hair loss treatments aren’t a quick fix—they often require long-term or even lifelong use.
Chandler knew this well and grinned in satisfaction.
“You truly understand value. I love things that go beyond mere coins. Now then, Lady, is there any item you’re currently looking for?”
Thinking for a moment, she lifted one corner of her lips into a sly smile. Then she raised her index finger and pointed to a part of the factory.
Chandler followed her gaze—and his eyes lit up in surprise.
***
Around sunset, Aselin left the factory.
Since she was already out, she decided to stop by the general store. But as she turned the corner, someone suddenly grabbed her arm from behind and dragged her into a narrow alley.
The sharp scent of alcohol hit her nose—and when she turned around, she saw Pierre standing there.
“What the hell are you doing?! Why are you managing the factory I sold to Prince Claude?!”
“What’s the problem? His Highness entrusted the factory to me, his fiancée.”
She replied calmly, but Pierre’s face turned red with anger. He looked like steam might burst from his ears.
“I knew it! This is total bullshit! Claude suddenly offered me a crazy price for the factory, and now I know why. It was all you! You’re trying to ruin me and steal everything, aren’t you?! Give it back! I’m telling you nicely—give me back my factory, now!”
