After the last two people entered Earl Hall's private study, everyone signed the contract without any resistance. After all, they had already discussed it beforehand; jumping out to protest now would only make everyone unhappy.
The contract clearly stipulated that all shareholders of 'Rheinmetall' were not allowed to sell their shares privately. If they wished to sell, they had to notify the others in advance, and other shareholders enjoyed absolute right of first refusal.
Altair Sheffield invested with technology and a steel factory for a 31% stake. Uncle-Grandfather Leif Strauss invested with three factories and a hundred acres of industrial land for a 15% stake. Karel Duarte invested with three factories for a 10% stake. Owen Donovan... held 10%. Heather Grant, representing the Sanguine... held 10%. Hall... held 7%... held 10%... held 5%. Hahn Clayton... held 2%.
Since Hahn did not arrive today, Altair would take his copy of the document back to him. Once he finished signing, it could just be sent directly to the official records.
Earl Hall directly summoned the servants at the door to bring in the corresponding amount of champagne. They shared a glass, chatted for a few words, and then left one after another.
After all, the banquet was still going on outside. As the host, Earl Hall could not stay in his private study forever. Without him, it wasn't appropriate for the others to linger too long, so they simply left.
After leaving the study, Altair did not choose to return to the hall with Uncle-Grandfather Leif. Instead, he waited a while for the Donovan couple.
Altair still wanted to help Madam Anna. When the two came out, he went up to meet them, told them about Madam Anna's situation, and expressed his desire to help.
Heather, who was holding Owen's arm, flatly refused. She smiled and said, "You, why are you still acting like a child? What does she have to do with you? At most, she only taught you etiquette for a month. You want us to help her just because of such a tiny connection? Sometimes I really feel you're foolishly cute."
"I heard about her situation long ago. In fact, that 'Apothecary' she found was sent by me. Otherwise, anyone who caught that kind of disease wouldn't have lived this long."
Looking at Heather's playful face, Altair asked curiously, "Does his illness really require a potion made by a Sequence 5 'Scarlet Scholar' to be cured?"
"Indeed, I didn't lie to her about that," Heather said bluntly. "His illness is not ordinary; it's an occult disease created by a sequence four Demoness. Although it's a weakened version that has spread through several generations, it's still not something an ordinary person can resist."
"The reason he's still alive is that I want to watch a tragic love story. Think about it: the male lead falls ill, and the female lead exhausts her family fortune to treat him, ending up penniless. She persists for ten years until finally, the male lead wakes up... just thinking about it is particularly interesting."
As she spoke, Heather even clapped her hands for the good script she had arranged. Owen also touched her hair with a doting look.
Heather threatened Altair, "You mustn't mess things up for me, or I won't have a serialized drama to watch."
"But I haven't thought of what to do after he wakes up. Owen, help me think of a script too; this kind of thing is the most fun," Heather acted spoiled, shaking Owen's arm.
"Alright, alright, I'll think about it when we get back." After comforting Heather, Owen said directly to Altair:
"Although Heather usually loves to play and her words aren't very steady, this matter is indeed as she says. The price for removing a disease left behind by a sequence four Demoness of Despair is indeed very high."
"Even if you insist on helping and find an Apothecary who can treat him, her family can't afford the price now. In the end, you would have to pay. In that case, it's impossible to predict how much you'll have to give, and what you would gain."
Heather made a face at Altair and said, "If you want us to help, then you have to find me an even more interesting story."
The two left directly after lecturing Altair. Their meaning was simple: they completely rejected his hot-headed decision. No kinship, no friendship, no benefit—not worth helping... As Altair was about to enter the hall, he saw Uncle-Grandfather Leif still waiting at the door. When Altair approached, he asked directly, "What, were you lectured by the Donovans?"
"Uncle-Grandfather, how did you know?" Altair asked in confusion. "Did Owen and the other say something to you when they passed by?"
Leif shook his head. "No. This was a very simple prediction. The moment you decided to stay behind, I already knew the outcome."
"Actually, if you really want to help her, you should think about what value she can bring to you that makes it worth investing funds to help her, rather than blindly following your desire to help."
"Alright, I'm going home first. Remember to come over for dinner the day after tomorrow. Your cousin Charles Strauss will be returning to the Northern Continent temporarily in the next few days."
Altair nodded and asked, "Will Cousin Charles stay for good after returning to the Northern Continent this time?"
"I'm not sure yet," Hahn sighed helplessly. "We'll see then. I want him to stay, but given his personality, it might be difficult."
"I'm off. You should head back early too."
Watching Uncle-Grandfather Leif walk to the door and leave in a carriage, Altair returned to the banquet hall. He found Madam Anna and explained his intention to leave. The two then found Earl Hall to say their goodbyes and left directly in a carriage.
In the carriage, Madam Anna looked at Altair, who had been deep in thought, and asked, "What is it? Have you encountered some difficult decision?"
Altair nodded heavily and said, "I have a friend who anticipated a problem she cannot solve herself, and I could help her solve it through others. But my elders all asked me why I'm helping her, since we have no relation and no shared interests."
"And the advice Uncle-Grandfather Leif gave me was to think about what value she can bring before deciding whether to help."
"And right now, I really can't think of what value she has that's worth my help."
Madam Anna asked curiously, "Then it depends on what kind of help your friend needs. If it's political, you need to look at their ability. If it's financial, you need to look at their ability to repay. If..."
"It's a 'Scarlet Scholar' potion." While Madam Anna was still speaking, Altair interrupted and said, "But the price to get this potion is not low. I'm finding it hard to choose."
The look in Madam Anna's eyes gradually became burning, but after a few seconds, she lowered her head. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I think this friend of yours must have very professional teaching abilities, some wealth, and can also provide some things within her power for you."
In the carriage, Altair did not give a result. Madam Anna could only watch his back as he left the manor from the carriage, hoping that his friend indeed had investment value.
After Altair walked into the hall, he found Hahn still waiting at the door. Stepping forward slowly, he handed the document in his hand to him and said, "After you sign this today, remember to send it to the judicial authorities tomorrow. Has Freya not returned yet?"
Hahn respectfully took the document and smiled. "Not yet. She said there were matters at home to handle, but didn't say how many days of leave she would take. I think it should be soon."
"Oh, I'm going to rest." After saying that casually, Altair turned and went upstairs.