49. Behind the curve

Once Scarlet got home she added into her journal (Druidic): Got update. No answers on appointment. I am freaking out... I didn't realize the work I was doing wouldn't count. I have only a few passion projects but I need something to make money. IDK what to do...
 

The Scene that prompted this is below -

In her office Scarlet handed out a variety of folders to the group sitting, she slid the white board down 5 levels to get to the markup she had drawn up earlier, "As you can see the projected profits are currently in line with the estimates made and given 6 months ago. We're expecting the same growth as the acquisition finalizes." She droned on. While the group of shareholders seemed interested Scarlet's energy started to wane. They continued to discuss for another 2-3 hours and once Scarlet started ushering out the group she had to face off against an older gentleman who wouldn't take a hint. But she planned for this, her mentor and aunt entered under disguise and she was able to get him to leave her office. She locked the door behind him.
 
The older bever-kin muttered, "Really Starlight, you should just let me bite him."
 
Scarlet sighed and waved her off, "No. I don't want to deal with the paperwork."
 
The two older women gave each other a look and their discuses dropped. Aunt Brana and Sniffles moved to the table and started cleaning. Once they finished, they all sat down and discussed the next step. Sniffles finished, "So to recap, due to you finishing the R&D lab and hiring process our potion situation has been dealt with. I did see the report that you finished the acquisition of building and defense materials, Brana where are we?"
 
Brana Verdant-Brómber Voetdhel-Montaneus started her report and request for more materials. Scarlet looked angry, not at her of course but what was uncovered. It wasn't as if she didn't know, Sniffles had told her about the possibility years back, but hearing the confirmation from her Aunt infuriated her. "So, what do you need from me?"
 
Brana asked, "Your soldiers." She looked between Scarlet and Sniffles, "This is the current plan we have come up with." Brana and Sniffles continued to argue over specifics, but the terms were set. Scarlet wrote down what was agreed upon and handed it to the two. Brana answered, "Yes. This is fine. How soon?" She raised an eyebrow as Scarlet offered different answers, surprised at the turnaround time. "The third option works. It would be good to have them dispatched along with the lumbar and iron shipments. Would take care of article 5." She pushed the folder to both of them.
 
As the 10th article came up Sniffles got up to sample some food, leaving Scarlet and Brana to read over the dossier. Brana gave Sniffles the side eye and asked a rather biting question which Scarlet started to refute before Sniffles spoke, "Calm yourself child," she held her hand up towards Scarlet. "Brana how do you think I got the information that has helped you take out the people in office that helped take down your family?" She gestured to Scarlet, "How do you think we've been able to stay safe and keep most of the other members from realizing she's not dead?" Scarlet nodded in agreement. She continued, "The information network needs to stay. I know it's a lot of money but it's the only reason we're keeping on top of things. I can only be in so many places at once."
 
Scarlet added, "Auntie, please. We need to keep it. The plans we've created with all the shell companies, these cloak and dagger games has a secondary feature, with is to help us filter out or identify problematic people. I know it's a lot of money, but we need to keep them up." Scarlet pleased. Sniffles had a defiant look on her face which was very much 'fight me'.
 
Brana eventually deflated before admitting to them, "It... I think the thing that bothers me the most is that I feel like there is so many enemies surrounding us. I fear for the other members of the family. Kaðlín kids were almost kidnapped but were stopped due to," she gestured to Sniffles who nodded in acknowledgement. "I also fear for you. You have some men around you who... are a little too interested in you."
 
Scarlet nodded and told her, "I know. I've taken steps regarding this..." She laid out what she had currently setup, and Sniffles added a few. Nodding Scarlet jotted them down and while she was busy the two looked at each other and an understanding came between them. Once Scarlet looked up their faces were rearranged and serene. They followed up with a few more items of interest for Scarlet. Sniffles handed off another packet or to do list. Scarlet nodded and accepted it.
 
Scarlet internally sighed as they left her office and closed the door behind them. She locked it and hit the button on the side to denote that she was 'busy'. It would let the members of the temple know that she was not taking any more visitors, but they would let her know when the food drop off happened.
 
Thinking back to the meeting, after the meeting concluded she tried asking how was the 'Heir Appointment' going but they dodged the question. They waited with her for her imps to be delivered back to her. All the items they had worked on was behind the partition and games and coloring books were set out for the imps. Once they were in the two left. It would ensure that that nosy gentleman couldn't bother her. She got the imps seated, the two dogs sat in the front part where the business table was. She moved back to her desk and closed the partition to muffle the noise. The glass became opaque. She could see a shadow if someone was in front of it so the imps would let her know when the food was ready so she could flip the switch to allow the delivery person to drop off the goods.
 
Behind the closed door, Scarlet took several deep breaths to calm herself. With the lack of answers, she felt even more apprehension. They had given her a set of instructions or guidelines to help setup this empire, but she was following their playbook. While she was happy that she had taken the initiative to create charity businesses', she realized that she would have to achieve other things by herself. She read over the packet to see what items she could use to help pad her resume. She wanted to make sure she was the best candidate. She was more than happy and willing to turn it over to someone else after she rescued her sibling but for right now, she had to win.
 
Scarlet continued to work until a few imps moved in front of the opaque glass denoting the delivery. She opened the door to confirm, closed the sliding partition behind her and flipped the correct switch. Thankfully it was an acolyte that made the delivery to her office. She wouldn't have to deal with the older gentleman who for whatever reason thought he knew more than her or was entitled to xyz due to his sex and age. The acolyte did subtly drop that a carriage was arranged for her by her handler. She nodded and thanked him, tipping well for him and the person who delivered the food. Sighing she muttered, "I can't believe that asshole. I hope he gets bored and goes away. I don't want to deal with him."
 
The imps looked up and one of them asked, "Shall we burn him?"
 
Shaking her head she told them, "No. No burning unless he hurts me away from the temple or the house. I don't think he will though, the temple has knights and paladins. He'd have to be very stupid to try." They looked disappointed but she placed the pastries and fruit bowl out for them. They soon forgot what they just asked. Scarlet took a few back to her desk as she continued to work. Once the item was filed in the secured closet/safe she removed the opaqueness from the glass and opened the sliding door. After another hour of work she and the imps gathered the trash and placed it outside of the office before they left. They were escorted to a carriage and Scarlet and co. got home unmolested.