Yes, Furina-sama!

"So, do you want to go inside and take a look?" Richard asked, smiling at the young reporter.

"I… can I?" Charlotte hadn't expected such good fortune.

"Of course… not." Richard wasn't insane enough to invite Charlotte into the "dessert room".

And by now, he fully grasped just how dedicated this reporter was to her craft.

Even though he'd just told her she'd broken the law, she still hadn't given up on getting a big scoop.

"Ah…" Charlotte's shoulders visibly drooped. 'Just my luck.' Not only had she unknowingly broken the law, but she'd also failed to get her story.

Wasn't this just a total loss?

"I think you should be worrying more about yourself, Miss Reporter." Richard reminded her calmly.

"Ah, you're right… So, could you help me find a lawyer? Just coming to Mondstadt already drained my entire savings since I started working, I really can't afford a lawyer on top of that…"

Charlotte had originally hoped she could dig up a huge story in Mondstadt and then use that scoop to get all her expenses reimbursed by the editor-in-chief.

But now? Forget reimbursement, not only would she need to pay a lawyer out of pocket, she might even end up becoming front-page news herself, {"Shocking! Steambird intern caught attempting to steal state secrets, jeopardizing diplomatic ties!"}

In that case, not even Chief Editor Euphrasie might be able to save her.

"Judging by your face, you seem to realize exactly what you're up against?" Richard's lips curled up in a smile that looked just like a villain's.

"…Yeah, I know." Charlotte drooped her head in resignation, but after just one second, a lightbulb suddenly flicked on in her mind.

Normally, a big shot like Richard wouldn't waste time explaining any of this to a mere intern. He'd just have her arrested on the spot.

He could've even ordered that patrolling knight from earlier to detain her immediately, but he hadn't done that. Didn't that mean…?

Charlotte cautiously raised her eyes to peek at Richard, only to find him watching her with a half-smile.

Got it!

"So, you really do understand the situation now, Miss Charlotte the Reporter?"

Richard's actions proved her hunch was correct; he really had no intention of hauling this unlucky intern off in chains.

Even though he had every right to.

After all, who said Furina's so-called "intelligence room" just for quietly eating desserts wasn't a state secret?

If that secret got out, it could very well become a diplomatic scandal!

Sometimes, the value of a secret isn't about the secret itself; it's about the chaos it causes if it leaks.

"Clearly, this isn't the best place to talk. Whatever we need to do, wait until after the banquet. Then come find me. Here's my private address in Mondstadt." Richard pulled out his notebook, scribbled an address on a page, tore it out, and handed it to Charlotte.

Charlotte hesitated a moment, then took the slip of paper. At the same time, she tugged at the neckline of her dress with one hand, trying to cover the alluring curve at her chest.

The cautious young lady warned: "I'll say this up front, if you want me to do… do… things that go against my principles, I won't do it. If that's what you're planning, you'd better just arrest me now."

Her reaction was understandable. From her perspective, a powerful man like Richard now had leverage over her, and then he'd handed her his private address on top of that. Anyone would get suspicious.

Charlotte knew very well the effect her looks could have on men.

And as a reporter, she also knew all too well about the dark side behind glamorous façades. Some high-profile figures looked polished in public, but who knew what dirty tricks they pulled in private?

For all she knew, Richard might be exactly that kind of man, now that he had something to hold over her, he'd force her to "serve" him. Otherwise, he'd ruin her life.

If she gave in, she'd become a canary locked away in some fancy little apartment. Forget being a reporter, she'd lose her freedom, forced to do whatever Richard wanted every day, like a puppet, made to wear all kinds of outfits and pose in all sorts of humiliating ways…

In that moment, Charlotte's imagination went wild, every scenario worse than the last, each one making her legs feel weak. She might even end up dead at this rate.

She could almost hear Richard's voice, whispering in her ear: "This secret… I'll hold it over you for life!"

'No way, anything but that!'

Compared to that, prison sounded like a great option!

When Charlotte finished speaking, her emerald eyes stared intently at Richard, her heart steeled with resolve. If Richard really turned out to be that kind of man, she'd never give in.

If it came to it, she'd fight him tooth and nail! And once she made it out of Meropide Fortress, she'd expose his filthy true face to the world!

'…Though, come to think of it, it wasn't that filthy', only now did Charlotte notice just how handsome Richard actually was.

Honestly, who could feel disgust at first glance at a man who looked like this? He was simply too good-looking.

Even Charlotte had to admit he was quite easy on the eyes. If things did go the way she imagined… who was really taking advantage of whom?

'Wait, what am I thinking?!' Charlotte was shocked by her own thoughts.

What do you mean by "who's taking advantage of whom"? There's no way that's happening! She would never compromise!

"Things that violate your principles… that's a tricky one. Everyone's principles are different, and they do tend to change." Richard leaned in a bit, a playful glint in his eyes."Miss Charlotte, could you give me an example?"

He could easily tell what Charlotte had misunderstood, but it amused him so much that he deliberately didn't clear it up right away.

After all, he was a bit of a wicked man.

"An… an example…?" Charlotte's face flushed bright red. How was she supposed to say that out loud?!

Maybe going to prison was the better option!

Seeing the innocent reporter on the verge of meltdown, Richard decided to show some mercy. He said, "Relax. I won't ask you to do anything outrageous. We'll talk specifics tonight, and you have the right to refuse."

Hearing this, Charlotte let out a tiny sigh of relief. At least it wasn't the worst-case scenario.

'Wait a minute, I have the right to refuse…?' Then, no matter what he asked, she could just say no!

Besides, he had no real evidence in his hands anyway. Without proof, no matter how high-ranking Richard was, he couldn't just accuse her out of thin air.

And she truly hadn't been trying to steal any secrets; she was squeaky clean.

'Heh, Secretary General Richard, even you have an oversight sometimes!'

'He'd underestimated my instincts as a reporter!'

But just as Charlotte was secretly gloating, Richard tapped the slip of paper in her hand and then lifted his notebook with a sly smile.

Then the cunning secretary said slowly:"Before, I really didn't have any concrete evidence… but now…"

"…that's a different story."