Agnes has always been a resolute person. After making up her mind, she went to visit the Count of Monte Cristo that afternoon.
And she was lucky. Edmond Dantès happened to be at home today. After receiving the notice, he immediately invited her in.
"Miss Agnes, what advice do you want from me?" He took Agnes to the study and asked her politely.
Of course, deep down in his heart, he probably knew why Agnes came to find him. He was currently executing the plan he had made with Beauvin before, starting to disrupt the financial order of France, and at the same time avenge himself to deal with Danglars.
Tangglars was an adventurer with a very bold and radical business policy. In order to earn more interest, he secretly issued promissory notes that were several times greater than his bank reserves.
He originally thought that this move would be seamless, because these promissory notes were circulating in large quantities in the market, and as long as there was no concentrated run, he could deal with it by knocking down one wall to make up for the other.
However, he met Edmund and Bowen, who were plotting to kill him. They secretly collected a large number of Tangglars' over-issued promissory notes, and then Bowen also revealed in the market, intentionally or unintentionally, the financial difficulties of Tanglar Bank.
information.
Bowang is a senior executive of Poncena Bank, and Poncena is a giant in the market today, so his words immediately caused waves in the market, and the market's trust in Tanglar Bank suddenly plummeted.
To be fair, Tanglar is a very capable person. He has accumulated a lot of credibility and assets over the past ten years. He can still barely cope with the situation, but it is obvious that his capital is being eroded, just like lamp oil.
The crisis was gradually melted away, and the market's confidence in him declined, making it even more difficult for him to raise funds and obtain financial support from the outside to cope with the crisis.
Obviously, if the situation continues like this, it will not be long before Tanglar's "fuel" is exhausted and he will go bankrupt.
This is not a strange thing. In this era of rapid development and changes, the market has long been accustomed to such life stories of ups and downs, and the financial world is constantly performing the story of being prosperous today and going bankrupt tomorrow.
Story. Even if Tanglar Bank cannot survive and goes bankrupt, it will not move others. At most, it will only be a few more words to talk about. In a few months, everything about him will be forgotten and never heard of again.
A little bit of waste, this man's life's hard work seems to have never existed in this world.
However, the largest depositor of Tangglars Bank is Agnes' family. Now that Tangglars Bank is in danger of a run, Agnes cannot watch it calmly.
Sure enough, just as Edmund expected, Agnes was not in the mood to be polite to him, but went straight to the point.
"Monsieur Count, do you remember M. Danglars?"
"Yes, I remember." Edmond Dantès nodded calmly, "Of course I remember this banker. It was you who introduced me to him."
"So do you know that he has encountered great difficulties in his business recently?" Agnes asked, looking at Edmund with wide eyes, her bright and anxious eyes, as if she was silently warning Edmund,
'For the sake of my friends, don't lie to me!'
Facing this look, Edmond Dantès inevitably felt ashamed and guilty. After all, he truly regarded Agnes as a friend, but now that he had done such a thing, how could he remain indifferent?
But now that things have come to this point, there is no turning back now. He can only bite the bullet and pretend that he knows nothing.
"I haven't heard much about this." He still maintained his calmness. "You know, I have an important mission and I really don't have time to pay attention to the news in the financial world."
"Really?" Agnes's heart sank, but the last trace of luck kept her from giving up asking, "According to what I saw that day, you harbor a deep hatred for him, and I once heard you mention it a little bit.
Having seen your previous tragic experience, you will never forget this kind of hatred... I have no doubt that if you have the chance to take revenge on Tanglar, you will definitely do it! And now, wouldn't you?
Is this a good opportunity to deal with him? Have you never thought about bankrupting him? "
Cold sweat broke out on Edmond Dantès' back. Although Agnes's tone was not harsh, he seemed to be in a courtroom at this time, facing the prosecutor's severe torture. The feeling of psychological oppression was even
Worse than that.
It's not that Miss Agnes is easy to deceive, but it's really unsettling to deceive her.
"I do hope that he will go bankrupt, but that is not my most urgent task at the moment." Edmond Dantès forcibly suppressed the pain in his heart, and then told Agnes the words he had already thought of, "
Miss Agnes, I never dare to live up to the important responsibility entrusted to me by Your Majesty for a moment. At such a critical moment, how could I allocate irrelevant energy to avenge myself? Moreover, even if I wanted to do so,
, If I want to deal with Tanglar Bank, I will definitely not be able to do it alone. It will require mobilizing a lot of money and resources. Do you think I have this ability? In other words, my comrades are willing just to avenge me.
Just waste so many resources?
Miss Agnes, I can tell you that I have no idea what happened, but if that bastard Danglars was in trouble, I would not have the slightest sympathy for him. I would only regret that he did not wait until I had time.
Deal with him and you're done, that's all."
What Edmond Dantès said was so reasonable that Agnes was speechless for a moment.
She also knew that her unreasonable suspicion of the Count of Monte Cristo was a bit unreasonable, but in this situation, she could only do so much for her family.
Although she was disheartened, she still mustered up her last courage and hope and begged Edmund again, "Mr. Earl, I have no intention of intervening in your past grievances, and I will not advise you to go."
I am not qualified to be magnanimous to my enemies. I am just worried about my family, because I just learned the news that my father is the main depositor of Tanglar Bank, and he lent a large sum of money to Tanglar...
I also know that this is my father's imprudent investment and has nothing to do with anyone. Even if he suffers a loss, it is just his bad luck. But Earl, I want to implore you, if you have any way to protect my family from losses, please do it.
Can you help me? Since Tanglar is your enemy, let him be at your disposal. I just want to save my family from disaster..."
Edmond Dantès listened quietly. He had never seen the always proud Agnes actually bowing her head to others in such a humble manner. And seeing Agnes like this, he was not excited at all.
I just feel extremely guilty and heartbroken because he was actually responsible for all of this.
For a moment, he almost forgot everything and wanted to just nod and agree. After all, there was still time. As long as Bowang was found to rescue him, there was still a way for Duke Nordlien to recover a lot of losses.
However, when the words came to his lips, he remembered what the Marquis of Treville said to him that day.
You can't act emotionally. After finally catching Duke Nordlyon's painful leg, why not just force him into a desperate situation? Only in this way can he bow to His Majesty.
Now that he does this, Miss Agnes will certainly suffer for a while; but if he doesn't do it, her family will face imprisonment and exile. Wouldn't that be ten times more painful?
Therefore, long-term pain is worse than short-term pain. As long as you stand on His Majesty's side, Your Majesty has many ways to make up for the Duke's losses. What does this small amount of money mean?
Because of this idea, he strengthened his will at the last moment and decided to stick to the original plan unswervingly. Not only did he want Duke Nordlien's deposits to be buried with Tanglar Bank, but he also wanted the Duke to remain in the bank.
All investments made elsewhere were lost.
Once you start, be ruthless. This is true compassion. Hesitant and half-assed false compassion will only make things worse.
"Miss Agnes, I'm sorry. I can't help much at the moment, but if I can save your family's losses, I will find a way no matter what." He changed his tone to a gentle tone, half
He promised Agnes half-heartedly, "I believe that since your family has survived so many disasters before, no matter what disaster happens in the future, they will be able to survive it, and fate will eventually favor you."
Of course, Agnes didn't understand what terrible thing the other party meant by 'favor', so after receiving Edmund's assurance, she felt a little more relaxed.
"I'm sorry for making you laugh, Count." She smiled bitterly and apologized, "I have always been proud of my swordsmanship, but when this happened, I was at a loss and didn't know what to do.
Alas, no matter how sharp the sword is, it can cut through the greed and filth in people's hearts. The invisible and intangible money ledger dominates our world, and no one can escape. I want to use my own hands to protect my family from all disasters.
The intrusion, but can I really do it?"
The sudden blow made Agnes show rare vulnerability and confusion. Although she could not foresee what would happen in the future, she could instinctively smell the danger. However, what made her most helpless was that it was not something she could do.
Problems solved by one person and one sword.
Hearing this emotion, Edmond Dantès also felt melancholy in his heart and sighed. "You will definitely be able to do it! I dare to assert that as long as you are here, there will eventually be a pure land in the world. You
The bright light will bring hope to many people."
Agnes didn't know what Edmund was referring to. She just thought that what he said was extremely exaggerated. Even in such a bad mood, she was still amused and laughed, "You are too exaggerated! I
How can it be so powerful?"
After laughing for a moment, she changed the topic again, "Let me tell you another piece of news. I will escort my sister to Switzerland in a few days. Well... her trip is to meet your benefactor."
In fact, Edmond Dantès had already learned this news from the Marquis of Treville, but he still pretended to be shocked.
"Really? That's great...I believe your Majesty will welcome Mrs. Alice's arrival. After all, they are friends. Of course, that includes you..."
"I don't dare claim to be his friend." Agnes frowned slightly, obviously recalling those things back then, "But don't worry, I won't make it difficult for my sister. I should treat him
I will be respectful when polite."
"I'm afraid your Majesty will be happier if you are unrestrained," Edmond Dantès replied. "What he appreciates most about you is your natural pride and uninhibitedness. Your Majesty has been accustomed to seeing ladies who are extremely polite in the court since he was a child.
, and your demeanor and temperament are completely different, so he will never forget you."
Edmund said it unintentionally, but Agnes recalled the young man's repeated frivolousness, and her face became angry, but deep down in her heart she suddenly felt a little proud.
After all, when others consider her, they will always consider her social class and her dowry, and when that person considers her, no matter what shameless motives, all he sees is herself.
But, it still doesn’t work after all.
Agnes put aside all distracting thoughts, and now she had returned to her usual demeanor. She looked at Edmond Dantès apologetically, then bowed to him and apologized. "I'm sorry, Mr. Count, I have no reason to doubt you, and
I said a lot of offensive things to you, I beg you not to take it to heart and forgive me, a daughter who loves her father so much..."
"Of course, I understand your mood, so I don't care at all." Edmond Dantès shook his head.
"I will leave in a while. I can't help in Paris. I don't know how to protect my father, but at least I can protect my sister." Agnes looked at Edmund and stretched out her hand to him, "
Earl, you just said you would try your best to help, so as a friend, I implore you to fulfill your promise, okay?"
Facing this look and hearing Agnes mention her friends, Edmund was simply ashamed.
He knew that he was stabbing Miss Agnes with his own hands. No matter what reason he used to cover up his behavior, it was a shameful betrayal, so he no longer dared to call himself Agnes's friend.
But even so, he had to do it because it was his responsibility and obligation.
Edmund's hand trembled slightly, but he still managed to calm down, and he held Agnes' hand.
These hands look slender, but they contain great explosive power. However, at this moment, they are like candles in the wind, swaying feebly in the void of fate.
"I wish you a safe journey..." Edmond Dantès said goodbye to Agnes, holding back the guilt and grief in his heart.
After a while, although he knew it might arouse suspicion, he couldn't help but remind Agnes.
"If the situation is really bad, you can always ask His Majesty for help. He will definitely be willing to help you."
"But I don't want to beg for mercy from him!" Agnes retracted her hand with a smile, and left without looking back.