I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 63

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 63

The wallpaper and floor were familiar.

She forced herself to recall hazy memories.

The memory of being betrayed by her father, the store collapsing, and meeting Wilhelmina while cleaning up in the rain.

The emotions of vowing revenge once again filled her heart.

‘The Grand Duchess said she would help.’

Despite it being an unreasonable request, her anxiety disappeared knowing that Wilhelmina would help.

Of course, she couldn’t provide direct assistance, but just the fact that they were together put her mind at ease.

Just as she was recalling her gratitude toward Wilhelmina, the door opened at that moment.

“Grand Duchess.”

“It’s fine, you don’t need to get up.”

When Jane tried to get up to greet her, Wilhelmina waved her hand in refusal.

Instead, she brought over a chair and sat next to Jane.

Nata, the guard who had entered with her, smiled brightly and went outside, closing the door.

Only Jane and Wilhelmina remained in the bedroom.

“You seemed tired, did you sleep well?”

“Yes, I’m fine now. I can move around immediately.”

“Rest a bit more. The rain hasn’t stopped yet.”

Come to think of it, the spring rain was still falling heavily.

The sound of rain hitting the window seemed fiercer than yesterday.

“You were sleeping like you had almost fainted… Should I explain yesterday’s events again?”

“No, I remember.”

“Really? Then I’d like to hear an explanation of what circumstances you were in.”

Although Wilhelmina had heard the general story through Johan, she didn’t know about Jane’s family situation.

Jane’s lips trembled. Bringing up past stories felt like chewing sand, but she regained her composure and began to speak.

“…I’m the youngest of three siblings. I have two elder brothers above me, and they each manage the Goldrail main store and the downtown branch respectively.”

Jane’s father, Yulkes Goldrail.

He had three children.

His wife passed away from illness not long after giving birth to Jane.

From an outside perspective, Yulkes was a representative example of a self-made man.

He had grown his trading company with remarkable skill, and within 20 years of founding Goldrail, he had obtained noble status.

Merchants who achieved such rapid growth in the conservative Western Market could be counted on one hand.

And he was equally selfish and calculating.

Wealth was more important than human affection, and as a result, he had many enemies.

He wasn’t the type who could be categorized as a good person, at least.

“But because he was that kind of father… I had expectations.”

Jane continued her explanation in a voice that struggled to suppress her anger.

It was rare for commoner families to educate their daughters.

Wealthy households might hire a private tutor to teach etiquette, but unless they were noble families, expecting Academy-level education was unrealistic.

So Jane, unlike her brothers, couldn’t receive a proper education.

She properly learned arithmetic and economics only after Yulkes became a noble.

Jane was delighted that an opportunity had finally come to her as well.

Thinking that Father had finally accepted her as a member of the trading company, she studied diligently.

The greatest values to Yulkes were wealth and honor.

She had hoped that if she could bring those to him, he would acknowledge her.

And perhaps as a reward, Yulkes gave her a small branch store…

“Just when things were finally getting on track, he told me to give up being a merchant and prepare to become a housewife instead. …Oh, of course I’m not opposed to marriage. It’s just that my dream…”

“I understand. You don’t need to elaborate.”

As she spoke, Jane hastily changed her words, feeling like she was insulting Wilhelmina who had been forced into marriage.

Wilhelmina shook her head as if it didn’t matter to her.

“So the trigger for taking away your branch store was marriage.”

It was a scheme to connect Goldrail with noble houses.

While it would be difficult for Yulkes, who had risen from being a merchant, to enter high society, Jane married into a noble family could even host banquets directly.

That would naturally increase opportunities to connect her two brothers with noble ladies from other families.

His intentions were transparent.

“Yes. He brought up all sorts of justifications. That I had been rude to the Doman Trading Company, or asking what was so praiseworthy about dealing with commoner restaurants…”

“I’d like to hear more details about the Doman Trading Company matter. Could you explain?”

“Oh, yes.”

Though she didn’t know why that was of interest, Jane recalled her dealings with the Doman Trading Company to explain. And she slowly explained.

“First, the items that the Doman Trading Company handles are…”

Though the explanation was mixed with merchant terminology, Wilhelmina understood it without difficulty.

After hearing the entire story, she rested her chin on her hand and fell into thought for a moment.

“Grand Duchess?”

“…Did you discover the fact that the Doman Trading Company was committing accounting fraud entirely on your own?”

“Yes, I never planted spies as they claim.”

“Physical evidence?”

“I believe it would come to light if investigated.”

“Hmm, I see.”

When she closed her mouth again, anxiety crept in.

She worried that Wilhelmina might also think that making an enemy of the Doman Trading Company was unnecessary trouble.

‘She might feel that I misused the knowledge the Grand Duchess gave me.’

With guilt over using Wilhelmina’s knowledge for such trivial matters, Jane’s face turned pale.

It was a different kind of anxiety from when Father had betrayed her. Jane stammered as she opened her mouth.

“I- I was short-sighted back then…”

“Then if you had time and budget, could you investigate more trading companies?”

“…Pardon?”

“You said physical evidence would come to light if investigated. Then if you actually took time to investigate thoroughly… What? What’s wrong?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Jane covered her face with both hands to hide her relieved expression.

Wilhelmina tilted her head as if finding it strange, then returned to her usual tone.

“I need investigation results on other trading companies. If it’s not just the Doman Trading Company’s problem, then the large trading companies in Layton Territory should have at least one flaw.”

“There will be many. Seven or eight out of ten will try to hide their account books.”

“Other evidence besides account books, can you find them?”

Jane removed her hands from her face and thought for a moment.

Comparing account books with actual inspections would be most reliable, but that would be difficult without an insider.

She would need to directly examine branch offices or production sites in other cities, and the distribution process…

“It seems… possible.”

“Good, then let’s move to the next step.”

The next step?

Jane cast a questioning look, unable to guess what Wilhelmina was trying to do.

Wilhelmina slowly began to unfold the plan she had been thinking of.

“—You need to become a whistleblower.”

…The concept Wilhelmina brought was quite unfamiliar.

Rather than strange, she couldn’t read the intention.

But the future outcome that followed was very sweet to Jane.

“Is that… possible?”

“If you do well, and if Mikhail is the kind of person I expect, it’s possible.”

But contrary to her words, Wilhelmina’s eyes held trust.

She seemed confident that Jane could do it, that Mikhail would agree.

That fact gave Jane strength.

Father didn’t believe in her, but Wilhelmina didn’t doubt her.

Jane didn’t yet know what this emotion growing in her heart meant.

“Can you do it?”

“What’s the deadline?”

“About three months. I need time too. I can’t create a position immediately.”

Jane quickly calculated the investigation period and expenses.

Three months from now, considering the travel time needed to investigate the trading companies Wilhelmina wanted…

“It’s possible.”

It was tight, but within the realm of possibility.

When Jane nodded confidently, Wilhelmina smiled with satisfaction.

“Good, from now on we’ll communicate by letter. Sorry to say this, but you’ll have to leave the Annex Building as soon as the rain stops. It won’t be good if the fact that I sponsored you gets exposed.”

“Sorry? This is a blessing for me.”

Eyes sparkling with gratitude turned toward Wilhelmina.

Wilhelmina made an indescribable expression and pulled her head back. She also muttered some unidentifiable words to herself like ‘This one too.’

“For now, get some more sleep. It’s evening, so let’s discuss the remaining plans tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, understood.”

Having set a goal, her mind felt at ease.

With the thought that she just needed to work hard, Jane’s complexion improved considerably.

Just as Wilhelmina was about to leave the bedroom, Jane cautiously spoke up with a question that suddenly came to mind.

“Ah, Grand Duchess.”

“Yes?”

“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“I…”

Now that she was about to ask, the question wouldn’t come out readily.

Jane tried hard to hide her embarrassed feelings.

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