She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 74

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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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Chapter 74. The New Continent’s Businessman (2)

When he turned his head, he saw a middle-aged man dressed in a frock coat standing there.

The man took a step closer to Rainer.

“I am Nigel Russ. It’s an honor to meet the Duke of Hays in person, whom I’ve only heard about through rumors.”

Nigel bowed his head respectfully.

It was a courteous posture even toward Rainer, who was like a nephew to him.

Rainer extended his hand for a handshake.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. They say you’re the most successful businessman in the New Continent.”

“Oh my, you flatter me.”

Nigel smiled bashfully as they shook hands.

“I was just lucky, that’s all.”

Though it was a modest statement.

Even so, Rainer didn’t miss the calculating gleam typical of a businessman that was examining him.

Certainly, Hays would be an attractive partner for him as well.

In that case, it would be fine to probe a little further.

“How could business be done with luck alone? You must have had considerable skill.”

Rainer withdrew his hand and spoke calmly.

Then he lowered his head and leaned close to Nigel’s ear.

“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to request an opportunity to learn about that skill myself.”

At those words, Nigel burst into hearty laughter.

There were no class distinctions in the New Continent.

So before coming to Listea.

He had been greatly worried about how to deal with the haughty nobles.

It was gratifying that the Duke was extending his hand first.

“Then there’s no need for unnecessary time-wasting.”

At the same time, a bang! echoed nearby from a gunshot.

Nigel shrugged his shoulders.

“How about we move to a different location? This place is good for talking about shooting, but it seems a bit too noisy for business discussions.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“Good. Very good.”

Nigel clapped his hands together.

“The hotel where I’m staying happens to be nearby. Let’s have a quiet conversation there.”

* * *

Nigel was staying at the Seymour Hotel.

Rainer instructed Harry to wait outside and followed Nigel inside.

Standing in the lobby, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

In one corner of the lounge, a familiar spot caught his eye.

It was where he had met Cecilia for the second time.

‘Actually, um… I’m almost out of money to stay at the hotel.’

She had boldly asked him to help with her revenge.

Then casually revealed circumstances that any ordinary noble lady would be ashamed of.

The events of that day suddenly felt distant.

Back then, he had only thought of it as an alliance to bring down Elise.

But now—.

“This way, Your Grace.”

Lost in thought, Rainer snapped back to attention at Nigel’s voice.

They were already in front of the top-floor suite.

“It may be humble compared to the Duke’s Mansion…”

Nigel said as he guided Rainer inside.

Of course, it was merely a modest statement.

When the door opened, a spacious drawing room was revealed.

A chandelier glowed softly from the ceiling.

Large oil paintings depicting Listea’s landscapes hung on the walls.

The luxurious thick carpet muffled their footsteps.

And through the wide windows, the entire view of Brisen could be seen at a glance.

In front of it, a woman was standing.

“Tira.”

At Nigel’s call, the woman turned around.

She was a free-spirited beauty with reddish-golden hair and violet eyes.

“Oh my, is this a guest?”

“Yes, come and greet him properly.”

As the woman approached with quick steps.

The ruffles covering her dress fluttered like butterfly wings.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Tira Russ—”

Suddenly, Tira’s words trailed off.

Her gaze remained fixed on Rainer.

His trained physique revealed through perfectly tailored clothes.

Straight shoulders and firmly pressed lips.

And deep ocean-like eyes that seemed impossible to escape once you fell into them.

The man before her was more magnificent than any man she had ever seen.

‘My goodness…’

Tira unconsciously swallowed.

She found herself staring blankly at Rainer’s face.

“Dear?”

“Ah, yes.”

At her father’s call, Tira belatedly came to her senses.

She quickly bowed her head.

“I apologize for my rudeness. I am Tira Russ.”

Her voice trembled at the end.

Nigel just laughed good-naturedly.

“Your Grace, please forgive the rudeness. This child is meeting a noble lord for the first time, so she seems quite startled.”

“I see. I am Rainer Hays.”

Rainer replied in a calm voice.

Though it was a brief introduction, that single statement made Tira’s heart beat even faster.

‘Oh my, even his voice…’

She unconsciously gripped her dress hem so tightly it would wrinkle.

She stole careful glances at Rainer’s profile as he turned toward Nigel.

“I didn’t know you had brought your daughter.”

“Ah, yes. She’s such a wild child that I don’t know what trouble she might cause if she’s out of my sight.”

Nigel put his arm around Tira’s shoulder and spoke playfully.

“I’m thinking of finding her a suitable match in Listea and marrying her off for good. If you know of any good prospects, I’d appreciate your help.”

“Really, Father. How can you say such things in front of a guest?”

Tira shot him a displeased look.

Yet she looked up at Rainer with secretly hopeful eyes.

After all, she was quite confident in her own charm.

Perhaps Rainer had also been captivated by her at first sight.

Such expectations arose, but.

“I see. I’ll ask my wife as well. Perhaps there might be a gathering your daughter could attend.”

“…Ah.”

At Rainer’s words that followed, Tira’s expectations were instantly crushed.

A powerless sound leaked from her mouth.

‘Well… there’s no way they’d leave a man like this alone.’

Tira’s eyes sank with disappointment.

Naijel, who knew nothing, just laughed heartily with joy.

“My, what an honor that would be. I’m not sure if this child would even be able to appear before the Duchess. We’re not even nobles…”

“Don’t worry. My wife isn’t the type of person who judges people by their status.”

Rainer’s tone carried conviction.

“Then shall we stop the small talk and move on to business?”

“Then I’ll bring some tea.”

Tira hurriedly headed to the tea room.

Her heart was still beating rapidly, and her face felt hot.

“Phew…”

She leaned her back against the wall and let out a long breath.

Her heart showed no signs of calming down anytime soon.

“If I had known this would happen, I should have come to Listea earlier. I wasted time just trying to please that old man.”

Tira bit her lips tightly with a resentful expression as she took out teacups and tea leaves.

“Still…”

She stopped her hands while brewing the tea.

And she lowered her eyes for a moment, lost in thought.

As Naijel had said.

Originally, she had planned to find a marriage prospect here in Listea and settle down appropriately.

But the moment she had already seen Rainer.

It seemed like no other man would catch her eye anymore.

‘That’s right, Tira. Social barriers or marital status weren’t important to you anyway, were they?’

What matters is my heart.

Her hand gripped the tablecloth tightly.

* * *

“Phew, to meet a Duke right after coming to Listea. I was lucky.”

After Rainer left.

Naijel loosened his tie and leaned back on the sofa.

He had an extremely pleased expression.

“Did you hear? The Duke kept talking about his wife the whole time. He said he wants to discuss the medicinal herb distribution rights in a setting where his wife is present.”

“…”

“Usually men would be reluctant to have women interfere in business talk. But do you know what the Duke said? ‘My wife is wiser than I am, so it will surely be a constructive conversation.'”

Naijel giggled as he imitated Rainer’s manner of speaking.

But Tira sat on the sofa with her arms crossed, saying nothing.

Naijel belatedly glanced at her expression.

“What’s wrong? Your lips have been pouting since earlier.”

“I don’t know.”

Tira turned her head sharply.

The hem of her ruffled dress swayed irritably.

Naijel slyly moved closer and sat down.

His arm wrapped around Tira’s slender waist.

“What’s this? Why is our ‘daughter’ so sulky? Hm?”

“Hmph, daughter my foot.”

Tira snorted.

“Does that Duke know? The fact that you’re secretly living with a woman young enough to be your daughter behind your wife’s back?”

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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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