I Accidentally Resurrected My Dead Husband - Chapter 48

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 48
“You think I don’t know that?”
Well, it seemed she genuinely didn’t—or at least, she was acting as though she didn’t.
Smith swallowed the words rising to his throat. Not that he’d meant to swallow them; it was simply that his subordinate had brought in tea at precisely that moment.
“When I expanded my business, I opened a shop, but the landlord there is an absolute bastard.”
Udite Herrington shook her head as she reached for the teacup, then poured out her grievances to Smith about the stench and the landlord’s thuggish behavior.
“Once I fix the stench, he’ll just raise the rent, won’t he? The moment I tell him I won’t pay, he’ll order me out. I solve everything—the smell, all of it—and after just one year of business, he throws me out?”
The teacup trembled in Udite’s hand.
“I won’t see him again if I can help it—not until I’m dead and gone.”
She ground her teeth together, glared into empty space, and muttered the words like a curse.
“I’m quite certain you won’t, madam.”
Smith slid a glass of cold water toward her instead of tea, his tone soothing.
“But I’m still not clear—why do you need my name for this?”
“That’s because—”
Udite gestured for Smith to lean in closer, then whispered her scheme to him. He nodded along as she spoke, and when she finished, he gave her an approving thumbs-up, declaring it a brilliant plan.
“Your strategy is excellent, madam. You’re clearly a talented asset to our organization.”
“You’re too kind.”
Was that truly a compliment, though? Ern caught himself watching Udite Herrington with genuine satisfaction, then dismissed the thought with a shrug. Well, if he was pleased with it, then it must be a good thing. Never mind the logic.
* * *
Though merely a commoner, Cain had once owned four shops around the Square. His ancestors’ wealth had made it possible.
But through debauchery and failed ventures, he’d sold them off one by one, leaving only Shop #72. Yet the moment he’d tried to focus on running it honestly, an inexplicable stench had pervaded the place. He’d considered hiring a spirit medium to exorcise it, but they were all Shartin Clan, which made him uneasy.
The Shartin Clan all knew each other through distant connections. If word reached them about George, who knew what might happen? Rather than banish the stench, they might just layer a worse curse on top.
While struggling with this dilemma, Cain hit upon a brilliantly devious idea. He noticed that the smell didn’t appear when the shop wasn’t in operation. So why not rent it out to someone else, collect the fees, and live comfortably? Far easier than actually running a business.
He deliberately set the rent below market rate, then collected a full year’s worth of monthly payments upfront. When tenants came demanding to break the contract because of the smell, he’d brandish the contract and respond with shameless audacity.
“According to the contract here, either take half and leave, or spend the whole year running the shop. Your choice.”
Most of them would reluctantly accept half their deposit back. Through this scheme, Cain had earned a substantial sum without lifting a finger.
This time, he’d decided to squeeze even more out of this woman, Udite. He’d demand a breach penalty on top of it all. If she wouldn’t pay, he simply wouldn’t return even half her deposit. Cain’s plan was airtight.
“Smith? Smith’s backing her? That usurer?”
“He’s not backing her, he’s investing in her. Investing.”
Until the moment Udite Herrington, the new tenant, appeared with the Ruman Brothers, Smith’s right hand.
“Do we look like street thugs to you?”
Udite asked the question with genuine curiosity.
Cain was floored. Two massive men, their waists girded with cattle-herding swords, had grabbed the back of his neck and dragged him into a dim alley, and she was asking if they looked like thugs? What did she think they looked like—the city guard?
“What is it you want from me?”
Cain decided to play it bold. The contract itself was legally sound, after all.
“If that’s what you want, then return half of the rent money you took.”
Cain raised his voice. Yes, he’d expected this reaction. Udite replied calmly.
“Shall we discuss the contract itself then?”
“The contract has no issues—”
Cain had begun to bluster, but the moment the Ruman Brothers behind Udite—known to be Smith’s men—furrowed their brows and fingered their sword hilts, his tail dropped.
“The contract is perfectly sound.”
Cain’s manner, which had been dismissive toward the young woman, suddenly became quite respectful.
‘She’s getting value for her gold.’
Udite felt satisfied inwardly. Smith had readily lent her his name and his men.
“My name’s already smeared in filth anyway, so use it as you please. My men will do anything for their wages.”
Udite had asked to borrow the two men with the most menacing appearances. Smith had recommended the Ruman Brothers—his right hand. They were as notorious as he was, he’d said, which would make them invaluable for intimidation.
He’d demanded fifty thousand Gold as payment. Udite briefly regretted not making Ern and Henry look more threatening instead, given the steep price.
Ern had grumbled about why she needed to spend gold when he could simply hang back with his sword drawn. But the moment Udite and Ern laid eyes on the Ruman Brothers in person, they understood at once why Smith had recommended them.
Their heads were shaved clean except for a strip down the center; their foreheads and the space between their brows were deeply lined as though they perpetually scowled; their eyes were sharp and piercing. One of them even wore an obviously fake artificial eye.
Massive in build with hefty frames, their bellies and the swords hanging from their waists jiggled menacingly with each step—it had an oddly threatening quality. In an actual fight, Ern would’ve easily won, but in terms of sheer appearance, Ern couldn’t match their raw brutality.
In any case, the Ruman Brothers were professionals at threats and intimidation. The moment they saw Cain, they seized him without ceremony and dragged him into a shadowy alley. It was psychological dominance from the start.
Thanks to this, Udite was able to conduct her business with Cain smoothly, without raising her voice once. Not that Cain would call it a conversation.
“You knew about that strange smell in the shop and pretended not to, didn’t you? You’ve been pulling the same scam on everyone else too.”
Udite stepped closer to Cain and spoke in a hushed tone.
“Cheating others is bad enough, but cheating Smith is far, far worse.”
Udite lied, telling Cain that she worked under Smith and that he was using her as his entry point into legitimate business. She added that the full year’s rent she’d paid upfront had come from Smith himself.
“Miss, that’s not—I didn’t—this isn’t fraud.”
“Try saying that to Smith’s face.”
Smith’s reputation was truly formidable. Every time his name was mentioned, Cain’s face drained of all color.
“What do you want from me? Should I just return the contract payment?”
“No. Take the rent you’ve already paid—that’s for Cain.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“And give us the shop.”
Before Udite had even finished speaking, the younger of the Ruman Brothers thrust a sheet of paper toward Cain.
“It’s a purchase agreement. Sign here and here.”
“What? A purchase agreement? You want me to sell the shop?”
Cain blinked, bewilderment written across his face.
“You’re going to buy the shop?”
“Yes.”
“Selling isn’t really a problem, but…”
They want to buy that foul-smelling place? Cain’s words trailed off. He glanced sideways at Udite and the Ruman Brothers. It didn’t seem like a joke.
“Since Smith is purchasing it, I’ll give you a discount.”
“A discount? Then you’ll be refunding me money?”
At Udite’s question, Cain’s lips trembled as though he genuinely couldn’t fathom what was being said.
“I’m not sure I understand…?”
“You already received the property value. Two hundred and fifty thousand Gold.”
“That’s a year’s rent that I took! Surely you’re not asking me to hand over the shop for that amount?”
When Udite nodded, Cain exhaled sharply through his nose, utterly dumbfounded, and tore the contract shoved before his face to shreds.
“Even for Smith, this is outrageous! That shop is worth at least ten million Gold! This is highway robbery!”
He seethed with indignation. Highway robbery—as if they weren’t the ones committing it. Udite’s lips curled, and the Ruman Brothers produced a spare contract they’d prepared for just such an occasion.
“Cain, I don’t think you’re grasping the situation.”
One of the Ruman Brothers drew a blade from its sheath and casually tapped it against the wall. Udite whispered, quick to capitalize on Cain’s flinch.
“If word gets out that Smith wants that shop, do you think anyone will still be interested in buying it? I doubt anyone would even consider renting it.”
Cain swallowed hard. If it became known that Smith—that infamous usurer whom even nobles avoided—had set his sights on the shop, it would never sell, not even for a single Gold piece.
“Two hundred and fifty thousand Gold is better than nothing.”
“I’d recommend accepting it.”
The Ruman Brothers pressed a pen into Cain’s hand, each adding their words.
“It gets worse if you’re dragged to the office.”
“Much worse. For you, at least.”
After a moment of anguished deliberation, Cain looked toward the Ruman Brothers, his face flushing crimson and then draining pale. He took the contract with trembling hands. The pen shook as he gripped it.
In truth, he’d already anticipated this wouldn’t last long. The rumors about the foul odor would eventually spread. That’s why he’d been trying to sell the shop before word got out. But he’d never imagined he’d have to part with it at such a pittance.
If he thought of it as the price of his life, it made sense somehow. Yet even though his head understood it was wiser not to cross Smith, watching himself surrender the shop at such a bargain stung.
But a man’s life matters most. With a miserable expression, Cain finally signed the purchase agreement.
“You made the right choice, Cain.”
Udite tucked the contract into her chest and smiled with quiet satisfaction. Whether Cain collapsed in despair or not, her eyes gleamed with unmistakable contentment.
From the far end of the alley, Ern—who had been watching Udite from a distance—murmured to himself as he watched her grin broadly.
“Looks like it worked.”
It was what they called “turning the tables on the one trying to turn the tables on you.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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