Chapter 76: Chapter 76- Vandiana Panthera

The patriarch of the Crimwell family knew he had to act swiftly. Although it might have appeared trivial at first glance, the truth was that the Crimwell family faced a threat from someone far more powerful.

If this situation continued unchecked, they would likely suffer enduring repercussions, particularly with the spread of false information swirling around them.

"Yes, sir." The woman took the phone from the desk, dialing attentively while she listened to the digits her boss relayed. Finally, the call connected, and she handed the phone to him.

"Hello? Who's on the line? A rat being hunted by a snake?"

A soft, melodious voice floated from the speaker, prompting the middle-aged man to grit his teeth. He was hesitant to stoop so low as to ask for a favor from someone like her, but he was well aware of her strength and influence. Gathering his resolve, he took a deep breath and made his request.

"...Lady Vandiana, I need your help." As he spoke, his expression transformed into one of determination, tinged with seriousness, a contrast to the frustration simmering beneath the surface.

:: And why would I choose to help you? ::

Her voice was laced with intrigue as she considered the request from a man in an undeniably precarious position, a request laden with risks.

He tightened his grip on the armrest, irritation bubbling just below the surface, yet he managed to control himself. "I hope Lady Vandiana hasn't forgotten the promise she made to my wife."

He couldn't shake off the memory of the promise of one favor that Vandiana had made to his wife. Given the gravity of the situation, he felt it was the right moment to invoke that favor.

:: Heh? I don't recall mentioning any favor to your wife. ::

Vandiana's tone was curious, her interest piqued by the unexpected mention of a promise regarding a favor that he had never explicitly linked to his current wife.

"Y-you!...I— I mean my first wife," he stammered, struggling to maintain his composure. The irritation in his voice was palpable, while his secretary, standing by his side, continued to keep her gaze fixed ahead.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noted the thin sheen of sweat forming on her boss's brow—a reaction to the woman on the other end of the line.

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Even from her brief exposure, it was clear that she was none other than Vandiana Panthera.

As the patriarch spoke with her, the secretary felt the weight of the moment. The fact she had become involved with the patriarch was surprising—Vandiana controlled 75% of the underground mafia in the Camphrian city and 40% across the entire country, including connections in the capital.

More astonishing was the implication of a favor promised, which represented a vocal guarantee from the underground queen herself.

Vandiana had a reputation for never going back on her word and always fulfilling what she had committed to, making the promise all the more potent given the present circumstances.

:: Oh yes, you used to have a first wife—my mistake. But is it not your fault for removing every trace of her existence? ::

The amusement in Vandiana's voice elevated further, considering how this man spoke about the favor he had bestowed upon his first wife, who had died under mysterious circumstances—most likely from a disease.

Shortly after her untimely demise, he remarried and began changing the names of the companies they had built together, erasing nearly all evidence of her presence, save for his daughter from that marriage.

For all these years, he had neglected and buried the memory of his first wife, and now he called Vandiana to request a favor, which had been promised to his deceased spouse.

It was difficult for her not to feel a sense of disgust at how shameless and despicable someone could be.

"Lady Vandiana, this is a family matter, and I hope you will stay out of it." The man could hardly compose himself, his frustration and anger palpable as he grappled with her pointed words.

:: Yes, yes, family matters. By the way, I've heard your daughter doesn't want to marry? ::

"Lady Vandiana, I have no idea where you got your information, but I have already selected a suitable young man for her," he replied, struggling to maintain his composure. Rather than simply accepting her assistance, this woman was prying into his family matters.

Yet, he found himself powerless to retaliate against her cutting remarks.

:: A suitable young man? Oh, you mean the son-in-law of the Blakes? ::

"No, Damien is unworthy of my daughter. The young man I've chosen is someone you are already familiar with." The man's perseverance was tested as he listened to Vandiana taunt him and expertly extract information, but he remained silent, unable to counter her sharp comments.

:: .....You mean Edward? ::

The moment Vandiana spoke Edward's name, it became clear that the man was aware of this young man, who had only recently arrived in Camphrian City.

Given his master's renowned prestige, Edward had already gained favor with several influential families, including the Crimwell family.

However, being in Camphrian meant he had yet to cultivate alliances with the more prominent families residing in the main city, who owed numerous favors to his master.

"Indeed, he is a once-in-a-lifetime genius, unlike that trash Damien—" The man began to expound on his opinion, convinced that the candidate he had selected for his daughter was superior to the abandoned Raphael heir, but was abruptly cut off.

:: Tell me the favor. ::

Her tone conveyed disinterest, as if bored with his tangents. Vandiana directly inquired about the favor he sought.

"Huh? Oh yes, I need you to deal with those who are targeting my Crimwell family." He was all too aware of the strength this woman possessed; she had the capacity to create chaos. He directly requested her assistance in dealing with the adversaries threatening his family.

:: How amusing. You want me to go up against the Raphaels just because of a promise made to a dead person? ::

'!?!?'

"R-Raphael!!"

Both the secretary and the man widened their eyes in disbelief the moment the mafia queen uttered the revelation, their expressions trembling as they processed the magnitude of the situation, realizing they had plunged into serious trouble.