TTRIA 9

Wayne laughed pleasantly and added.

“Seeing you in person, I can finally understand. Why Hugo liked Jeff so much.”

“I am only grateful that you see me in a favorable light.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The private conversation ended on that amicable note. The more formal discussion that followed proceeded in a moderately light, yet not heavy, atmosphere. Wayne remained consistently gentle and focused, yet occasionally threw sharp questions. Unlike the agent, who had shown clear signs of being bothered, his attitude was sincere. From him, one could certainly feel his interest and affection for the talented children.

After all the conversation had ended, a meal was prepared. The table set for the family head was more magnificent than expected. Under the antique chandelier, delicately crafted crystal and silverware sparkled. The neatly folded linen napkins were placed perfectly, and a subtle scent that did not interfere with the meal gently enveloped the space.

The main course, a softly cooked veal tenderloin, was accompanied by a deep, rich red wine sauce, and a potato gratin baked with herbs and butter created a perfect balance for the meal. The wine was an old vintage of a deep, heavy ruby color, seemingly taken from the mansion’s cellar.

So this is what hospitality is. Jeff thought to himself in admiration as he picked up his cutlery. At the table, which was set neatly as if performing a ritual, Wayne naturally tilted his glass and spoke quietly.

“The words I said earlier. Do you remember them?”

Jeff raised his eyes and looked at Wayne. The blue eyes he met were deep.

“The thing about wanting to know about the scent. Were you serious?”

“Yes. Of course, I am serious.”

Jeff answered without hesitation. Wayne lightly swirled his glass and asked back.

“What if I were to say I won’t tell you? What were you planning to do then?”

“I was planning to ask persistently. But if your mind does not change despite that, it would be something that cannot be helped.”

Something that cannot be helped? No way. If Wayne Gray would not give him the answer, then he was planning to go as far as stealing a <Vebreuk> perfume to request a component analysis of the scent. Since he could not say it just like that, Jeff put on a bitter smile and hid his inner thoughts. Wayne, who was watching Jeff’s face fixedly, said.

“Do you know this, Jeff? Actually, telling you the raw material is not that difficult. Because I also add it when explaining the scent to those who purchase the perfume.”

“Then….”

“But.”

Wayne cut in, interrupting Jeff’s words.

“The raw material Jeff is looking for just happens to be very special to <Vebreuk>. It’s like a trade secret of sorts. Only Gray knows, and only Gray must know. This is the one thing I do not explain even to the buyers.”

“Ah… is that so.”

Then why did you bring it up? The moment he barely suppressed the urge to question him, Wayne said something unexpected.

“But I also feel like telling Jeff.”

His blue eyes curved lightly.

“Because you seem to have a deep connection with <Vebreuk>. Whether through your uncle or through Hugo. You were drawn to this place by the scent, weren’t you?”

“…Are you serious?”

He is not even one of Gray’s people, yet he’s saying he’ll tell him <Vebreuk>’s trade secret? What is his motive? Jeff stared into the blue eyes as if to gauge Wayne’s inner thoughts. However, Wayne answered with a composed smile.

“Yes. I am serious.”

“If that is the case….”

“But.”

Wayne, cutting him off, shook his head lightly.

“I can’t just tell you easily.”

His smooth fingertips tapped the wine glass lightly.

“From now on, I am going to make a proposal. Would that be okay?”

“I am not so shameless as to try to obtain the family’s trade secret without any price.”

He did not know what kind of demand he would make, but for Jeff, it was actually a good thing. Because things obtained easily always leave a bad aftertaste.

“Good, Jeff. It’s not that difficult.”

“Please speak.”

“From today onward, Jeff will undergo a ‘test’.”

A test? Jeff sent a quizzical look.

“What kind of test?”

“That’s a secret.”

Wayne’s gaze, as they met, deepened even further.

“Figuring out what kind of test it is, is the beginning of the test. There is only one thing I can tell you. That you will be secretly undergoing a test from now on.”

Jeff waited in silence for the words to follow.

“If you pass safely, I will give you the answer you want. Hmm, shall we add to the reward while we’re at it? I will also produce for you the <Vebreuk> perfume that Jeff first smelled. The perfume of the predecessor that you smelled from your uncle, Mr. Walker.”

In that moment, the air in the dining room sank coldly. Wayne smiled softly and asked for the last time.

“How about it? Are you willing to take the test?”

Jeff looked at him without any answer. He realized the weight of the words Wayne had uttered lightly. It was no different from an epiphany. The information about <Vebreuk>’s core raw material, and the perfume of the predecessor. Offering that as a price meant that the weight of the test would also be by no means light.

“Yes.”

However, for Jeff, the option of backing down did not exist.

“I will take it. That test.”

His hateful uncle. As long as he could obtain a clue related to Alan Walker, Jeff was prepared to do anything.

“Good, Jeff. The test will begin tomorrow. As I said, it is your job to figure out what kind of test it is, but to give you one hint….”

Jeff held his breath and watched Wayne’s lips. He smiled smoothly and opened his mouth quietly.

“Do not take even the slightest change lightly.”

…Change.

Those words would mean that something would secretly change.

Because of that, Jeff would come to doubt everything in his daily life. He would doubt his eyes, doubt words, and doubt actions. In the end, he would doubt all existence, and even come to doubt himself.

“Doubt, Jeff. Everything in the mansion.”

And that, indeed, would be the true weight of the test Wayne had given to Jeff.