Mana was completely baffled by Lu Xia’s reaction. She never imagined that when Lu Xia said she wasn’t needed, she truly meant it—no second chances.

She was still in a daze as the old butler escorted her out. It wasn’t until she met her agent that she couldn’t help but complain, "What kind of person is she? We were in the middle of a conversation, and she just kicked me out!"

The agent had already heard what happened from the old butler, and her expression was thunderous. "Didn’t I tell you before we came to be on your best behavior? I told you this person was important! What is wrong with you? Did you even read the file I gave you? Do you think just because you have some clout now, you’ve forgotten your place?"

Qiao Lan was also a female of ordinary birth, but she had managed to establish a firm foothold in the entertainment industry on her own over the years.

It was a known fact that most female artists who showed their faces in the entertainment industry came from ordinary backgrounds. A female from a truly prestigious family would never work so hard.

She had thought Mana would understand such a simple truth. Although the Empire revered females, that reverence was stratified. There were clear hierarchies.

But no, the moment Mana achieved a sliver of success, she adopted the typical high-and-mighty attitude of some females, looking down on everyone and everything.

Mana looked utterly wronged as her agent verbally unloaded on her. Ever since she had gotten popular, Qiao Lan had been much gentler. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d been yelled at.

She never expected to be chewed out on the street just for losing such a minor endorsement.

’What on earth did I do wrong!’

"Forget it. I can see you’re not destined for superstardom. Get in the car. Stop embarrassing us out here." Qiao Lan opened the car door and got in first. A long moment passed before Mana finally climbed in. "Sister Lan, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this endorsement was so important."

Qiao Lan didn’t want to waste any more words on her. She activated the light screen on her terminal and held it out. "See for yourself."

Mana said nothing more, instead focusing on the contents of the light screen. She quickly discovered that the No. 1 Institute Beauty Cream, despite not even being on the market yet, was already a trending topic thanks to organic buzz. Hordes of people were eagerly anticipating its release.

With that level of hype, she realized, the product didn’t even need a celebrity spokesperson to sell well.

In fact, people would be buying it for the product itself, not because of any particular star.

It was more likely that the celebrity spokesperson would be the one to gain a massive amount of exposure from the product.

For an artist, this was an absolutely golden endorsement opportunity—one she had now completely ruined with her dismissive attitude.

She finally understood why Qiao Lan was so furious.

Realizing what she’d lost, Mana turned to Qiao Lan. "I was wrong, Sister Lan. Is there really no chance? I’m willing to apologize."

"Who do you think you are? You think if you apologize, she has to accept it? Do you have any idea who you were dealing with? She’s a Duke! Do you think she needs you? Honestly, I was flattered that she came to discuss this with you personally. It showed how seriously she was taking this. And what did you do? You acted all high and mighty. Forget it. Just drop it. Some things are just not meant for you; you couldn’t grasp them even if they were handed to you. I have no intention of completely offending a Duke over you."

Qiao Lan’s message was crystal clear: she was not about to offend a figure like Duke Lu Xia for Mana’s sake.

Meanwhile, Lu Xia hadn’t given Mana a second thought. After all, she wasn’t the only candidate they were meeting today.

They had already screened several candidates beforehand.

After Mana, Lu Xia met with three more candidates, ultimately selecting one female and one male to be the spokespeople for the No. 1 Institute Beauty Cream.

Once the spokespeople were chosen, Lu Xia met with the director. Only after the commercial script was finalized were the pre-launch preparations for the beauty cream considered complete.

Leaving the No. 1 Institute, Lu Xia got back in her car. "Where can I buy a Gene Fusion Potion?"

The old butler was taken aback by the sudden question but quickly recovered. "Typically, they are only sold by the Gene Research Institute. However, they only go on sale once a year, in July. We’ve already passed the date, so if you wish to purchase one now, your only option is to try your luck on the black market."

At this, the old butler couldn’t help but wonder, ’Could Duke Lu Xia be planning to buy one for Graces?’

The old butler was, of course, aware that Graces had been spending his nights in the master bedroom recently.

For a male, receiving the Female Master’s favor for the entire night was the highest possible honor.

Especially since he was considered a ’defective’ male.

The old butler even felt that Graces was now receiving better treatment than the main husbands of other families. This was far beyond the station of a mere husband.

"Where is the black market? Can anyone go?" Lu Xia wasn’t surprised that the Empire had a black market. After all, every place has its shadows where the sun doesn’t shine.

She just needed to understand its rules. She required a gene fusion agent to prepare for her next phase of research.

It wasn’t an urgent matter, however. She wouldn’t launch the No. 2 Institute until the No. 1 Institute was running smoothly.

"The black market has no rules, and anyone can go. However, if you wish to go, it would be best not to go alone. You could consult Graces on this matter," the old butler suggested.

Lu Xia leaned back against her seat, raising an eyebrow. "Is he an expert on the subject?"

"Graces is in the military, after all, and the military is tasked with raiding the black market every year. He should have some information."

Lu Xia nodded at his words, deciding to ask Graces about it when she got home.

When she arrived home, Graces had already prepared dinner. Seeing her enter, he came forward to take her bag and coat. "Did everything go well today?"

Graces asked naturally, all of the reservation from their first meeting gone.

The old butler couldn’t help but glance at him again. He had, of course, noticed Graces’s transformation. ’He really isn’t like a typical ’defective’ male,’ he thought.

Then again, he reflected, a typical ’defective’ male could never have become a Colonel in the military on his own merit.

"It went well enough. There’s something I need to ask you. Do you have a moment?"

"Of course. What is it?" Graces asked, following Lu Xia back to her room.

Once back in the room, Lu Xia went straight into the dressing room. Graces stood outside as she called out, "How much do you know about the black market? I’m planning on making a trip there when I have a spare moment. I need to purchase a gene fusion agent for research. The butler told me the Gene Research Institute only sells them once a year in July, and the sale has already passed. The only way to get one now is on the black market, but I’m not familiar with it at all."

Graces’s gaze darkened for a moment when Lu Xia suddenly brought up the black market, but his expression quickly returned to normal. "When are you planning on going? I can go with you."