"I know you can, my dear." Sergius said gently to her, "I never doubted your abilities, nor your talent. I was not suggesting that you could not do a good job, or that Sebastian's activities would upstage your own. Merely I thought that if it were possible to double our net gain, then we should attempt it." He paused then, looking between the pair of them. "But I can see that neither of you are keen on the idea, and I will not force you into it. We are a team, after all." And besides, he knew a little of Antoine Laurent, and possibly, just possibly, he would be able to gather enough information on the man and his family to significantly reduce the risks of Aimé Laurent spoiling their plans.
He took another drag on the cigar, "You both did very well tonight, and I should congratulate you both."