I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 99
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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 99
“The reporter from Daily Sunrise went out for coverage, right? Lucian Alexis gave an interview?”
“Yes. I watched it happen.”
“Excellent.”
At Jack Jack’s words, my lips curved upward of their own accord.
The telegram I’d had Demian send from the Investigation Bureau today was directed to Zena, Baron Oldman’s representative.
【Sweet Sweetie】. A candy shop in Hisport Town run by Zena Chaser, a rabbit-human hybrid. It was a quiet establishment where only a single clerk ever manned the counter, and the proprietor was nowhere to be seen.
“Berry, should I send a telegram requesting delivery of honey bear jellies here?”
“Yes! The shop clerk told me today that jellies would be coming in!”
“…What do I do. The response came back saying we’re out of stock.”
“Oh no.”
When I place an order for honey bear jellies at that shop, the response comes back: sold out.
And then Zena arrives at the location where Jack Jack requested delivery. That was my method of communicating with the representative.
“What’s the matter?”
“I’d like to make an anonymous tip to the Daily Sunrise newspaper.”
I told Jack Jack the information to report when he came to the Investigation Bureau, and Zena passed it along to the newspaper anonymously.
Father’s decision to send clothing to Lucian Alexis proved invaluable to this plan.
Because of it, Lucian’s feet remained bound to the Investigation Bureau until the clothing arrived from Trang Clothing Shop, giving the reporter plenty of time to reach the Bureau.
“I’m going.”
“Understood.”
I waved goodbye to Jack Jack as he flew out the window, then hummed to myself while stepping onto the chair to close the window.
‘Lucian Alexis is the type of person the newspaper will definitely photograph, so the clothes Father chose will absolutely grace the front page!’
Though I hadn’t seen which outfit he wore, I knew Father’s taste better than anyone. I was certain that tomorrow’s edition of Daily Sunrise would feature three keywords blazoned across its pages.
Trang Clothing Shop, Lucian Alexis, and—
‘Reytan Quartz Trabel’s first family-backed business venture!’
Victor had already pitched several ideas to Father regarding publicity for the business launch, only to be rejected each time. It was the expected outcome.
Promoting a business meant there was potential to achieve results, and achieving results meant my lowest position could become precarious.
‘But now is the perfect opportunity for a major publicity campaign.’
And the next evening.
———-
Yesterday (the 13th), an unbelievable incident unfolded at the Central Investigation Bureau 17th Branch in Goldport.
…(excerpt omitted)…
It was later revealed that it wasn’t a kidnapping at all—he had simply come to find Reytan Quartz Trabel.
The three children accompanying Diplomat Alexis were connected to the children’s clothing business that the Trabel Family’s second son was launching….
———-
Hehe.
Today’s newspaper, with a photograph of Lucian Alexis wearing clothes sent by my father and leaving the Investigation Bureau splashed across the front page.
The publicity had been so successful that no newspapers remained on the stands.
***
“The Trabel Family’s second son launching a new-.”
“Berry Berry, how much longer are you going to read that newspaper article? It’s already been four days. You’ll have the whole thing memorized.”
“Hehe. My father and I are in the newspaper. I’m so happy~”
“You’re that happy?”
“Yep!”
I grinned innocently, pretending to know nothing, and Father reached over to gently tap my cheek. He smiled, but worry lingered in his eyes.
‘Father must be worried that relatives will start paying attention to me.’
If someone threatens to become a thorn in my side, nip it in the bud before it grows. Uncle Hevanth, Aunt Mariane, Uncle Yosel—they were all people capable of such things.
The reason they didn’t aggressively target Stone House was because they believed that Father and I could never threaten their positions as successors.
But.
‘If I start worrying about getting hurt because of that, I won’t be able to do anything.’
I’m sorry, Father, but our goals are different.
Living safely and quietly within Trabel held no meaning for me.
“Miss Berry, guests will be arriving soon. Would it be alright if I kept the newspaper for safekeeping?”
“Oh, yes.”
And today was the crucial day to lay that foundation!
The Shop Manager of Trang Clothing Shop, seated across from the dining table, took the newspaper from my hands and carefully folded it before placing it in his bag. His movements were neat and practiced from years in service, but his fingertips were trembling slightly.
The person to my right was trembling just as much. Jeffrey was shaking as if sitting in a vibrating chair. Unlike his usual carefree hairstyle, he had swept his bangs back and fixed his entire head neatly with wax. His shirt buttons were fastened all the way to his collar, and he’d even tied a small bow tie.
“Phew, what do I do?! I’m so nervous!”
“Jeffrey, calm down. The chair’s shaking with you.”
Theon beside him had styled his hair with only half his bangs down. His outfit was similar to Jeffrey’s, but with subtle variations that brought out Theon’s own charm.
Either way, both of them looked as though they were attending a formal concert. And sitting here with that appearance, I was just as nervous.
“Father, aren’t you nervous?”
“What’s there to be nervous about?”
Father spoke indifferently. The children’s clothing business succeeding held no interest for him, so that’s why he gave such a response—.
“Three billion cona?”
“Berry, I’ve told you before. Money isn’t everything in this world.”
“Still, more money is always better, isn’t it?”
Three billion cona. The sum that made my heart race just imagining it was the investment amount proposed by the major investor whom Uncle Victor had approached after the Knight left.
Though the children’s clothing business didn’t exist in my other memories, the fact that our Quartz House would receive three billion cona as investment capital was so shocking that I couldn’t sleep that night.
“The investor said they wish to meet the relevant parties directly before deciding on the investment.”
That’s why we had dressed ourselves carefully since morning and gathered at the most luxurious restaurant in Hisport Town to reserve a dining space.
Those gathered were my father, the president of the children’s clothing business, the three of us as models, the Head Designer of Trang Clothing Shop who would handle design alongside my father, and the Shop Manager of Trang Clothing Shop who would oversee sales and promotion of the children’s clothing line.
The Head Designer swallowed hard and spoke.
“But Shop Manager, if we receive three billion cona in investment, we could target overseas markets beyond the Heishal Empire.”
“Overseas? That market you mentioned last time….”
“If that happens, Trang Clothing Shop would fall under Reytan’s jurisdiction….”
It was at that moment when the Head Designer and Shop Manager of Trang Clothing Shop lowered their voices and continued their hushed conversation.
“Ah, everyone’s gathered?”
Uncle Victor opened the restaurant door. He swept his gaze over us seated at the elegant rectangular dining table, then smiled with his eyes crescent-shaped.
“But why are you all dressed so formally?”
“…Pardon?”
“Why, you ask…?”
“…B-because they’re a major investor with three billion cona…?”
His teasing tone. At those words, all of us except my father exchanged bewildered glances, staring at Uncle Victor in confusion.
“I only thought you might be overexerting yourselves. It’s not as though you’re meeting them for the first time.”
At his words, I heard my father beside me click his tongue softly. He seemed to already know the investor’s identity.
‘Huh? Who could it be?’
And emerging from behind Uncle Victor was not a fawn, but a handsome man with features resembling one.
Hair the same pink as mine swayed gently with each step he took.
“Lucian Alexis?”
The Shop Manager gasped and pushed back his chair, rising from his seat.
The major investor of three billion cona, who didn’t exist in my other memories, was Lucian Alexis!
“You’re not wearing a maid outfit today.”
Jeffrey, his tension eased, murmured while loosening his bow tie.
***
“B-Baltar, Chief! No, Manager! I, I’m telling the truth!”
“….”
At the entrance of Crest Mine.
Amid the commotion of the Dwarves, Baltar remained silent.
Then, his large eyes widened, and at last he spoke a name aloud.
“Baron Oldman…!”
The mine map he held in his hand trembled violently.
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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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