She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 76

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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 76. The Decisive Move (1)

At the voice from behind, Rainer, who was about to cross the threshold, stopped in his tracks.

He turned around and looked at Cecilia.

His green eyes, resembling peridot, glowed softly.

“What is it?”

“Well…”

She had called out to stop him.

But now that they were face to face, no more words came to mind.

She just felt reluctant to see him leave this room.

After choosing her words for a moment, Cecilia carefully opened her mouth.

“Do you not have nightmares these days?”

“…Ah.”

A brief silence passed.

Soon, a faint smile crossed Rainer’s lips.

“I don’t have them these days. Thanks to someone, I’ve become stable.”

“Really?”

“Yes, according to my physician, psychological factors play a large role.”

After Cecilia came to this place.

Rainer had confided his symptoms in detail to his physician for the first time, symptoms he had been reluctant to discuss.

He was worried that Cecilia might get hurt more because of him.

After starting treatment, the nightmares had subsided.

No, more than anything else, the most effective remedy might have been Cecilia herself.

“Then… that’s a relief.”

Warmth spread through one side of Cecilia’s chest as well.

Tonight seemed sufficient with this much.

“Good night, Rainer.”

“You too.”

Rainer nodded briefly and left through the door.

Cecilia carefully walked over and approached the doorway.

When she carefully pressed her ear against it, she could hear the sound of Rainer’s bedroom door closing.

“Phew…”

Only then did Cecilia let out a small breath.

‘Why did I ask if he was having nightmares? Was I going to offer to sleep with him if he said yes?’

Rainer would handle things well on his own.

While inwardly scolding herself as if she were being ridiculous.

Cecilia couldn’t help but chuckle at her own appearance, fumbling like an awkward girl just moments ago.

* * *

A few days later.

A calm atmosphere flowed through the drawing room of the Hays Ducal House.

It was the day Naijel visited for negotiations regarding medicinal herb distribution rights.

On the surface, it looked like a leisurely tea time.

But underneath, keen exploration and calculations were being exchanged.

‘Hmm…’

Naijel lifted his teacup while observing Cecilia sitting across from him.

Even when the Duke said he would attend the meeting.

He had only considered it an excessive display of affection.

But the Duchess he actually faced seemed like no easy opponent.

“How is the tea?”

“Excellent.”

Naijel answered with a smile.

“I pride myself on having tasted quite a bit of tea at my age, and this is the finest among them. The Duchess has excellent taste.”

“You flatter me.”

Cecilia also wore a gentle smile.

But her eyes were sharply observing Naijel.

‘Most medicinal herbs from the New Continent pass through this man’s hands.’

He simply lacked a noble title.

The source of his confidence was certain.

“About the medicinal herb distribution rights you mentioned.”

Then, Naijel was the first to break the ice.

“The conditions you proposed aren’t bad, but frankly speaking, I can’t say they’re very attractive to me. Several interesting proposals have come in from other countries as well.”

His tone was leisurely.

“In exchange for this deal, could you offer something ‘special’ that differs from what others offer?”

Since the monopoly rights were in his hands anyway, he had nothing to lose.

So he just needed to move in pursuit of greater profits.

“Oh my, is that so.”

Cecilia also maintained a composed attitude.

She had what Naijel called ‘something special.’

Information from the future.

“Mr. Russ, new medicinal herbs have been discovered in the New Continent, haven’t they? They’re known to be remarkably effective against the skin disease that’s currently prevalent.”

“Oh, you knew about that too?”

Naijel showed a surprised expression.

Instead of answering, Cecilia just smiled quietly.

In her previous life, a sudden skin disease had spread, causing many people to suffer.

The only medicine that could treat it at the time was made from herbs that grew only in the New Continent.

So the medicine was always precious and expensive.

However, when the same herbs were discovered in a neighboring kingdom, the situation was completely reversed.

Naijel, who didn’t know this yet, was planning to buy the new medicine in large quantities and distribute it across the continent.

“Those herbs may be expensive now, but… they won’t last long.”

“Pardon?”

“Soon the same herbs will be discovered in the Kingdom of Herdin as well. The announcement will probably be made around next week.”

Cecilia’s voice was filled with conviction.

“If I were you, I would give up on that and focus on other matters.”

Naijel tapped his knee with his finger.

That business was a field he had been putting considerable effort into.

He was in the middle of preparing quite a large investment.

But if what Cecilia said was true?

He could end up stuck with a lot of inventory and suffer great losses.

‘But I can’t abandon a business I’ve been preparing for so long based on just one unfounded statement…’

Naijel frowned slightly.

He couldn’t fathom this woman’s intentions at all.

Cecilia just had a calm expression.

“If you find it hard to believe, you don’t have to. But…”

Cecilia leaned forward slightly, moving closer to Naijel.

“If I’m wrong, I’ll buy the distribution rights at three times the proposed price.”

“What? Th-three times?”

“Yes. But conversely, if I’m right, I’ll buy them at half the price. Since I’ll be preventing your future losses, it would actually be beneficial for you too, Mr. Russ.”

“Well…”

“How about it? Would you like to bet on my words?”

Naijel was astounded by the bold proposal.

He had met many businesspeople over the years, but this was a first.

And that by a woman, no less.

“Your Grace.”

Naijel turned to look at Rainer.

With an expression that asked what on earth his wife was talking about.

“Do you also agree with this proposal, Your Grace?”

“If that is my wife’s wish.”

Rainer nodded his head immediately without the slightest hesitation.

Was the Duke being too lenient with his wife?

Or was he truly confident that the herbs would be found?

Or perhaps it was both.

Naijel was confused.

But even so, calculations were constantly running through his mind.

‘As the Duchess said, it’s not really a losing deal.’

If the herbs were found, he could avoid losses.

And even if not, he could sell the distribution rights at triple the price.

It would be hard to find another party elsewhere willing to offer such conditions.

‘They say this family could buy half of the Ristea Empire if they wanted to…’

It seemed those words weren’t false after all.

Seeing how they could casually make such a big wager.

Naijel let out a short breath and nodded his head.

“Very well. Let’s do as you say, my lady.”

Success!

Cecilia’s eyes sparkled.

But she nodded with a composed face once again.

“Then let’s meet again next week at the same time.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Tira was touring the Duke’s Gardens under Harry’s guidance.

“Hmm, it is beautiful indeed.”

Right now she was dressed so splendidly that she would draw everyone’s attention.

A dress with a soft sheen revealed her voluptuous figure without reservation.

She had put great effort into her appearance, excited about coming to the Duke’s mansion.

‘Harry, guide our guest.’

The Duke had passed her off to his aide without giving her so much as a glance.

While conspicuously wrapping his arm around the Duchess’s shoulders.

‘And that woman…’

Tira’s face darkened further as she thought of the Duchess.

At first, she had thought she would just be some stuffy and boring noblewoman.

But the Cecilia she actually encountered was.

‘Welcome.’

More dazzling than any woman she had ever seen.

Even Tira was left speechless for a moment.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, of course.

‘It won’t be easy, it seems.’

But she had no intention of backing down.

The greater the hardships and adversity, the sweeter the fruit she would gain.

Having already decided she wanted Rainer.

She had the kind of personality that wouldn’t be satisfied until she got what she wanted.

“This garden has been here for 200 years since—”

“You know what? I’m done with the garden explanation.”

Tira cut off Harry, who had been explaining about the garden at length.

Looking at Harry, who was flustered by her rude behavior, Tira asked.

“I’m curious about something—do His Grace and the Duchess get along well?”

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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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