Becoming Professor Moriarty's Probability

Chapter 79: Caroline Augustus Milverton (3)

"Yes, that's better now."

"... Ahem."

Once Milverton returned from taking a bath, in the bathroom of the boarding house of Baker Street, Charlotte greeted her with a handshake before sitting down, muttering in a calm voice once she was properly seated.

"I apologize for earlier. I had a slightly unpleasant experience on my way here..."

"Let's skip the pleasantries and get to the point shall we?"

Charlotte immediately interrupted Milverton's monologue, a gleam brimming in her eyes.

"Do you realize that you are currently committing a grave offense against the royal family?"

"Oh... I wonder what I've done now."

Milverton's eyes also started to shine lightly in response to Charlotte's words.

"I now understand why the world-renowned detective wanted to see me so eagerly."

"What do you want?"

"... Nothing in particular, if I have to be honest."

A slight frown etched on Charlotte's face at Milverton's blunt response.

"I apologize, but there are certain things that I value far more than money."

"Such as?"

"The omnipotent power of being able to control the life of the Prince of England at my whims, I guess?"

"... That's quite a dangerous thing to say there."

The corners of Milverton's lips curled up ever so slightly after hearing her response.

"The more dangerous it is, the more thrilling it would make you feel."

"Hmm..."

"However, I do think I may have crossed the line a bit recently."

With that, she crossed her legs and made her offer.

"100,000 pounds. For that sum, I'll burn the letters I have received from the cute prince and leave for America."

".........."

"I plan to start anew there after laundering my identity. I'm only asking for the minimum amount of money I need to do that. Isn't that quite conscientious of me?"

Charlotte, with a hardened expression, quietly started tapping her finger on the table as she heard Milverton's request.

"... 20,000 pounds."

"What?"

"20,000 pounds is my limit."

An incredulous look pervaded Milverton's face once she heard the words leaking out of Charlotte's mouth.

"You have cut the money by 80% out of the blue and expect me to accept that? I am at a loss for words, truly."

".........."

"It seems the prince's life only amounts to that much for the royal family."

Her eyes narrowed.

"I've heard there's a very important engagement between nations that is supposed to be held recently.

"And I'm well aware that the prince is one of the parties involved in that engagement.

"In that case, should you really be slashing the price so aggressively as you have?"

"Let me be clear, that's the maximum amount I can offer at the moment."

Charlotte then lifted her head, a serious expression plastered on her face.