I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 110
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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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Chapter 110
Julia’s jewelry box—the one she’d asked him to search for to give to her youngest granddaughter.
Brown had taken that jewelry box.
‘Was it mere coincidence?’
Laksek’s heart grew heavy. Brown’s death remained a weighty matter for him as well.
He had reviewed all the circumstances surrounding his son’s death, yet could only conclude it was an accident.
Regarding the murder that Reytan insisted upon, neither evidence nor plausibility emerged.
The words of Laksek, who led the Trabel Family, carried too grave a responsibility. Should he acknowledge that Brown’s death might have been murder, every direct descendant would fall under suspicion from that day forward.
Blind vigilance and suspicion were not what Laksek desired. The Trabel Family already harbored deep rifts between relatives, torn apart by the struggle for achievements in the succession hierarchy for the position of family head.
“Why did Brown take the jewelry box?”
“It appears he intended to ask the craftsman who made it to unlock the mechanism. He seemed to have it with him on the day of the accident as well—.”
Callet was reporting what he’d heard from Head Butler Serber when both their gazes turned simultaneously toward one place. The study door.
Laksek murmured as he felt a faint breeze seeping through the door frame.
“That pathetic wretch has been listening to talk about his brother.”
Knock, knock.
“Let him in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Callet opened the study door at Laksek’s command. Reytan strode into the study with long steps, and Laksek clicked his tongue at the sight of his son.
“Contain that vile aura of yours. Are you trying to burn down my entire house?”
“How could that be? I would never burn down the Count’s house.”
Reytan tightened his grip on Windis.
Seven years ago, his father—who showed no interest in the truth behind Brown’s accident—now searches for his mother’s jewelry box. Surely not.
“Have you finally decided to investigate the circumstances of Brown’s death?”
At that question, Laksek let out a small hum. He had only just learned that the jewelry box’s final whereabouts was with Brown. Those hopeful eyes of his child.
‘What should I do?’
It was a clear misunderstanding.
Had it not been for his granddaughter, he would have had no interest in the object whatsoever. It was not only Reytan who waited anxiously for Laksek’s answer, his silence hanging heavy.
….
Callet too awaited Laksek’s response.
Brown’s death had been decisive in deepening the rift between father and son. More precisely, Reytan had been disappointed when Laksek said he could not investigate the incident, claiming the truth was not visible.
Yet now an opportunity had arrived to bridge that chasm, however slightly. The fact that Reytan had not once spoken to Laksek with reckless words in this place was proof of it.
“The thing is—”
Laksek opened his mouth. Reytan kept his gaze fixed on his father, waiting for what would come next.
‘Please say yes, Family Head.’
Callet silently pleaded with his eyes to Laksek, who did not even glance his way.
“The reason I searched for the jewelry box was—”
‘Even if it is not the truth, to investigate Brown’s death.’
Count Trabel’s aide was supposed to maintain neutrality regarding the direct family’s affairs, but Callet’s scales would occasionally tip to one side without his realizing it.
“I was going to give it to your daughter—”
“That’s correct.”
This was that moment.
“Wha…?”
That bastard?
Laksek stared at Callet, who had suddenly cut him off, with wide eyes. Reytan, whose gaze immediately shifted to Callet, asked.
“…What are you talking about, Callet?”
“Since you continue to play innocent, my lord, I have no choice but to speak plainly. You are indeed investigating Brown’s accident.”
“Why were you pretending otherwise?”
“Because you were mindful of the other direct family members. As you have been before.”
“Surely you haven’t been doing this the whole time…”
Hah. Laksek let out a silent laugh within himself. The misunderstanding was deepening with each brazen lie his aide laid out.
Yet even he found it amusing that the words “misunderstanding” wouldn’t leave his lips when he saw his son’s reddening eyes. Perhaps it was simply the weakness of age.
“….”
Reytan slowly turned his head. Laksek, as if accepting the meal his aide had prepared, spoke with blunt indifference.
“So it is.”
“Father, I…”
“Why call me that? Address me as Count, as you always do.”
Hmm. The title he hadn’t heard in seven years didn’t sound so bad. Laksek, noticing his aide’s pleased gaze, tapped his index finger twice on the desk.
‘I’ll deal with you later.’
***
20. A Toast to the Victor
A few days had passed since the jewelry box incident.
Tap. Tap.
Jack Jack had come to report to Baron Oldman.
We were in the VIP restroom of the Trang Clothing Shop, but since the shop was temporarily closed, there was no one to enter. I shut the restroom door firmly and spoke with Jack Jack.
“Aunt Mariane is lodging a protest?”
“Yes. She claims it’s suspicious that Baltar, the Dwarves’ chieftain, is both the manager and laborer of the Crest Mine, and demands an explanation for what she calls biased judgment.”
“She said this to Baron Oldman?”
I could understand why Aunt Mariane harbored doubts.
After all, it was the Dwarves who requested the most perfect gem, the Dwarves who judged it, and all the laborers at the Crest Mine—recently transferred to Baron Oldman’s name—were Dwarves.
“Does Grandfather know? And Chieftain Baltar?”
“It appears she has not lodged a protest with either of them.”
“Interesting?”
I was slightly puzzled, but I quickly grasped the reason.
The contract between the Dwarves and the Trabel Family was Grandfather’s cherished endeavor, made possible because they had brought the perfect gem.
She simply didn’t want to incur Grandfather’s displeasure by touching that matter.
‘Though it would be simple to tell Grandfather about this—’
If Grandfather became involved, things would escalate. Aunt Mariane might even lodge a protest directly with the Dwarves.
An angered Chieftain Baltar might refuse to contract with the Trabel Family again.
‘To the Dwarves, Baron Oldman and Count Trabel’s family are separate business partners, after all.’
I didn’t want to trample on Grandfather’s hard-won cherished endeavor again, so for now, I thought I should observe how Aunt Mariane would proceed.
“I suspect Aunt Mariane didn’t simply demand an explanation. What are her conditions?”
“She says the distribution of profit shares from the jewelry store will be withheld until an explanation is provided.”
“Ugh. I knew it would come to this.”
It would still take time before Baron Oldman’s bank account became flush. I needed to quickly secure a stable trading partner to deal with the iron from the Crest Mine—
‘There really isn’t a decent option. Everyone except the merchant company operated by the Trabel Family just tries to drive down the price.’
The Blue Company didn’t specialize in iron, and Victor and Baron Oldman had no prior acquaintance.
‘It’s clear that contracting on favorable terms with Baron Oldman won’t be easy. A contract at average unit prices would be breaking even at best. Victor is no pushover, after all.’
In the end, Baron Oldman’s greatest current income comes from Aunt Mariane.
For now, I needed to convey Baron Oldman’s response to Aunt Mariane.
“Then please ask Aunt Mariane for specific conditions regarding how she wishes the explanation to be made. Set a deadline of two weeks for Baron Oldman to provide his response with those conditions determined. Tell her that if the deadline is exceeded, I will inform Count Trabel.”
“Understood.”
Without setting a deadline, there was a high likelihood she would withhold her response indefinitely. Aunt Mariane’s objective was likely to use this as leverage to avoid paying Baron Oldman his profit settlement.
‘I can’t let that happen~’
After seeing Jack Jack off, I closed the window and stepped out of the restroom.
“Oh?”
At that very moment, someone was also emerging from the restroom across the way.
It was Lucian Alexis, the diplomat from the Edencia Kingdom with pink hair, resembling a delicate doe.
“Diplomat, hello!”
A major investor who had poured 30 billion Cona into my father’s business was right before my eyes!
As I greeted him with a cheerful smile, Lucian smiled gently and spoke.
“Hello, Berry. Did you come with Reytan?”
“Yes! You came for the adults’ meeting too, didn’t you, Diplomat? Father and everyone else are all gathered!”
With the 3 billion investment finalized, Trang Clothing Shop and Father’s business decided to expand their scale beyond the original plan. They would broaden their target range from children to adults and open branches in the Edencia Kingdom as well.
It was a result achieved because Victor, the Shop Manager of Trang Clothing Shop, and the Head Designer pushed Father forward with such enthusiasm.
Word had already spread, and inquiries about purchasing clothes were pouring in. The postal carrier had even acquired an additional dedicated mail bag just for Trang Clothing Shop.
“Thanks to the Diplomat, I think Father’s business will succeed! Father said he’d buy me gifts once he makes a lot of money~”
I was walking toward the place where the adults were gathered alongside Lucian.
At my excited words, Lucian asked.
“Is there a gift you’d like to have, Berry? Should Uncle…, no, should I buy you something?”
“Hmm—. That’s okay!”
“Really…?”
“Sister Berry~!”
For some reason, Lucian seemed disappointed. Jeffrey came running toward me from a distance, shouting.
“Reytan said he’d make swords for Theon and me!”
“Swords?”
“Yes! Child-sized ones! The Shop Manager knows a blacksmith who works in the Fepol Mountain Range!”
“Oh wow.”
Entrusting it to the Dwarves would be ideal, but Father and Baltar hadn’t yet formed connections. The Fepol Mountain Range was also known as a place that produced excellent iron.
“That’s great!”
I was cheering with Jeffrey when Lucian muttered to himself.
“Rauf would be better than Fepol….”
…Huh?
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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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