Chapter 55: Chapter 53: A Business Without Capital

Costa believed that Miss Talia would surely come looking for him again; although she tried her best to hide her interest in that high-yield wheat, her eyes could not lie.

Speaking of these high-yield wheat seeds, Costa owed a debt of gratitude to another patron, a botanist from France.

This French botanist had not only provided the funding but had also traveled on the same ship as Costa's expedition to the Amazon rainforest.

Thanks to this knowledgeable botanist along the way, Costa and his expedition avoided total annihilation from accidentally consuming poisonous plants.

Deep in the rainforest, they discovered a set of ruins. Unfortunately, there was no gold and no jewels. Just as everyone was preparing to leave in disappointment, the French botanist let out an excited scream, claiming he had found treasure. The expedition members pushed the botanist aside, only to see a field of wheat.

The group could not help but sigh; the botanist had gone mad.

However, the excited botanist began to introduce his discovery to the crowd.

He claimed that this wheat could increase European yields by at least 10%, a food that could change the fate of humanity, and that he would be remembered by history.

However, he was ultimately forgotten by history.

Driven by greed, the expedition members killed the botanist and buried him beneath the wheat field.

The expedition members stole the botanist's findings, but upon returning to Europe, no one believed them. Instead of selling the seeds, they were repeatedly driven away as frauds.

It was then that they remembered their other patron and the rubber tree seeds soaking in water tanks.

Now, Costa and his men viewed Talia as a fat sheep, intending to make a massive profit from her.

"Boss, Miss Talia is here," a bald subordinate dressed as a farmer said, walking into the room and interrupting Costa's reminiscence.

"Great, bring her in quickly," Costa said, pouring medicinal powder into a teapot and shaking it to mix.

A moment later, the door was pushed open. The bald man entered, leading Miss Talia and a young gentleman.

Costa was somewhat puzzled; why was there an extra person? Weren't her bodyguards supposed to be standing at the door?

Talia smiled and said, "Allow me to introduce you. This is Professor Hessel from the University of Vienna; he is a botanist."

At the mention of "botanist," Costa's mouth twitched twice.

He quickly regained his composure. It made sense—Miss Talia had left earlier to find a botanist to inspect the goods.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hessel. My name is Costa, a professional explorer."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Costa. Miss Talia mentioned that you have discovered a completely new variety of wheat." At this moment, Hessel had specifically put on a wig to look like a vintage scholar.

"Yes, I discovered it in a ruin within the Amazon rainforest..."

Costa spoke eloquently, beginning his tales of adventure once more, while simultaneously casting flirtatious glances toward Talia.

Unwilling to listen to the nonsense, Hessel interrupted him: "May I see a sample?"

"Of course."

Hessel had some knowledge of botany. He could confirm it was indeed wheat, though the grains were larger than those found in Europe.

Acting the part, Hessel pulled a magnifying glass from his coat pocket, examined it for a long time, crushed a few grains with his fingers to smell them, and then spoke solemnly.

"This is not wheat. It is an Incan food: quinoa."

Costa was utterly stunned. Had he been swindled?

Hessel was well-prepared. He immediately produced a thick botanical encyclopedia, moistened his finger with saliva to flip through the pages, and finally stopped at a specific page, handing it to Costa.

The illustration on the page was very similar to the new variety of wheat before them. The annotation beside it clearly read: *Quinoa, Incan food, native to South America...*

Costa was speechless. He hadn't expected that after committing murder to steal treasure, he had ended up with worthless junk.

Sensing the moment was right, Hessel continued, "Miss Talia, quinoa can appear in different colors when ripe, which is quite beautiful. It might be a wonderful choice to buy some to plant in your garden."

Talia feigned hesitation.

"Since you put it that way, I am willing to pay ten thousand florins for these quinoa seeds."

Hessel struck while the iron was hot.

"Mr. Costa, people as generous as Miss Talia are hard to come by."

Costa gritted his teeth. He didn't know exactly how much quinoa was worth, but he knew that if it truly was what that botanist had said, these seeds would surely rot in his hands.

Rather than earning nothing at all, he might as well take the ten thousand florins first.

"Fine. In the interest of Miss Talia, it's a deal."

Talia produced another check and wrote the amount of 10,000 florins on it.

Costa felt a sense of dejection; his fifty thousand florins were likely gone. However, he had other plans, so he rallied his spirits.

"Miss Talia, I have already prepared the rubber tree seeds. Whenever you want them, I can send men to fetch them. Did you bring your check?"

"Of course. The check is right here, guaranteed by the Rothschild Bank." Talia placed the check on the table.

Costa inspected it; the check was genuine. He smiled and said, "Miss Talia, I wish us a successful partnership. Let us have a cup of tea." Costa picked up the teapot and poured a cup for Talia. "This is fine English black tea."

Talia picked up the teacup, smelled it, and smiled. "Indeed, it is good tea!"

However, Talia did not drink it directly. Instead, she said, "Mr. Costa, I wish to establish a contract. It would be better for both of us."

"No problem, I'll go get the paper." Costa turned to leave.

After Costa left, Talia took his cup, sniffed it, and then swapped the positions of the two cups.

Talia's actions left Hessel somewhat confused.

A moment later, Costa returned to the room with paper and a seal.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Talia. Please."

The contract was quickly drafted. Talia touched her teacup and said, "Mr. Costa, the tea will get cold if we don't drink it. I wish us a successful partnership."

Talia drained her tea in one gulp. Costa touched his teacup, found the temperature just right, and also drank it all.

"Mr. Hessel, thank you so much for today. Where are you staying? I will have my men escort you back."

Costa was attempting to show the guest the door. Talia intended to stay to wait for the rubber tree seeds.

Hessel looked at Talia, and she nodded, signaling that it was fine.

After having his men see Hessel off, Costa returned to the room in high spirits, suddenly muttering, "You will be mine very soon."

"What did you say?" Talia asked.

Costa realized he had misspoke and tried to correct himself, but suddenly everything before his eyes became distorted. He couldn't even stand steadily and stumbled back to his seat.

"Where am I?" Costa said.

Talia knew it must have been the tea. She smiled and said, "I am at Franz's place. I've tasted all kinds of fine tea; I knew your tea was problematic the moment I smelled it. Give me my check back, or I'll report you to the gendarmerie."

Talia had intended only to scare the man, but he actually pulled out the check.

*Has he lost consciousness?* Talia thought.

With the contract as evidence, the gendarmerie would not help Costa get the checks back.

"Then tear up the contract as well."

Costa took the contract and tore it to shreds.

"Do you have any more quinoa seeds?"

Costa nodded.

"Where are the rest?"

Costa pointed to a large crate nearby. Talia opened it and found a bag of wheat seeds and a small packet of fragrant powder.

Talia packed the items away and waved from the window.

Below, someone spread out a large net, and Talia leaped...

Talia's attendants had left after receiving the rubber tree seeds. Costa's men found it strange and wanted to enter the room to check on the situation, but the occasional groans of a man could be heard from within...