Surviving as a Terminally Ill Heiress - Chapter 46
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 46
Naomi, who had led me here, knocked on a door and swung it open with practiced ease.
“Pardon the interruption.”
Oh. So this is the Conference Room.
The interior was unremarkable enough.
A long table flanked on both sides by executives of various descriptions, all seated in neat rows.
And presiding at the head of the table—Ambrose himself.
“The young lady has arrived.”
“…What?”
The moment Ambrose spotted me, his eyes widened.
It was the same expression as before. Like when I’d gone to receive Blessing Level 1.
In a place he’d never expected, something utterly unanticipated—like an unexpected gift materializing out of thin air.
I left Alex and Pepper standing naturally by the doorway and walked steadily forward.
Then I stopped before the Duke and held out the envelope of documents.
“I came to run an errand for you.”
……
“Grandfather.”
It was the first time I’d called him that.
Well, we weren’t at the Mansion, and plenty of people were watching—so I might as well show a little respect. Besides, I needed to maximize the satisfaction rating on this errand.
I muttered inwardly to myself and gave the envelope another shake.
For some reason, the Duke had gone very still.
“Grandfather?”
“…Ah, ahem. Yes, that’s right. An errand, you say.”
Suddenly affecting all this gravitas.
Yet his voice came out louder than usual, unmistakably flustered.
“Chairman.”
Someone nearby addressed him by an unfamiliar title.
It must be how they refer to him here at the Trading Company. Chairman.
‘…I like the sound of that.’
I felt a little tempted.
Not seriously—just curious what it would feel like to hear “Chairman” after a lifetime of “President.”
“And this young lady is…?”
The executives glanced back and forth between me and the Duke, clearly waiting for an introduction.
The Duke cleared his throat and spoke bluntly.
“Ahem, my granddaughter.”
“Rabine Ambrose. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
I clasped my hands respectfully and bowed my head.
Several sets of eyes converged on my crown.
“Oh, the young lady we’ve heard so much about!”
“We’ve been hoping to meet you!”
“You do seem to resemble the Chairman.”
My goodness, such harsh words to someone you’ve just met.
I forced out a smile for the sake of professional courtesy.
Just then, Tru entered the Conference Room.
“The refreshments the young lady prepared.”
With that, Tru began setting cups and plates from the tray onto the table.
Everyone, apparently thirsty, eagerly reached for their teacups.
Most of them made satisfied sounds—”Ooh”—as they tasted it.
“Honey-preserved Ginger Tea, I see.”
“Yes. The weather’s turned a bit chilly, and you’ll all be speaking for some time.”
Honey and ginger can’t be beaten for occasions like that.
I’d asked the kitchen to prepare it. Please, do enjoy the refreshments as well.
Once simple refreshments were laid out on the table, cheerful laughter rippled through the room.
“Haha, how wonderful to have such a thoughtful granddaughter!”
“I did think you looked remarkably well lately.”
“We were all surprised when we heard you’d stopped working late and come home early. Now it all makes sense!”
“Ahem, ahem, ahem! Enough with such nonsense!”
Yes, there’s definitely something wrong with his lungs.
I shot Ambrose a withering look as his shoulders twitched. Ginger tea’s good for the chest—might as well drink a full cup.
‘And don’t forget to set a generous fee for this errand.’
Wasn’t this quite satisfactory?
I was feeling rather pleased with myself.
“Does that mean you’ll be attending today’s meeting as well?”
Me? Absolutely not. What would I understand if I sat in?
I made a vacant expression.
I’d expected them to feel uncomfortable with some random child barging in, but instead they casually offered me a seat.
And it wasn’t just one person—they all seemed to share the same thought.
“Which company would you like to take over, young lady?”
“Since this is such an important time for gaining experience, what about the trading division?”
“Or perhaps food products, or construction would also be suitable.”
“Which direction interests you?”
“Well… I haven’t really thought about it.”
I’d never done anything like that before.
As I just blinked at them, someone suddenly exclaimed as if it were obvious.
“Ah! So you’re interested in a marriage arrangement!”
…What?
“Then we’d best start looking into suitable matches right away.”
“The previous young lady was sent to Wagner when she was young, after all.”
“Indeed, getting accustomed to it early would make it easier to settle in…”
“No!”
Both Ambrose and I turned to look at each other.
We’d spoken at the same moment.
But he immediately cleared his throat and turned away, leaving the cleanup to me.
“No, what I meant was that I have no interest in business itself.”
“Pardon?”
“However…”
People murmured as if what I’d said made no sense.
“An Ambrose who doesn’t do business…?”
How could such a thing be?
They all looked bewildered, almost betrayed.
No, really—must an Ambrose always do business?
In plainer terms, they were asking whether I’d rather become the House of Ambrose or the Queen of Wagner.
But if that’s how you frame it, my choice would be…
‘Howard Nelson…’
A perfect role model.
A wastrel second son from a wealthy family—far too perfect. The pinnacle of pleasure without responsibility.
I looked around at the company people with a blank stare.
I’m aware that I’ve somehow become the heir to House Ambrose.
But I never made any ambitious plans to directly manage the Ambrose title or the Trading Company.
I’d be fine with it passing to someone else. I’d rather it did, honestly.
‘I just want the money…’
I have no interest in prestige. Even less in responsibility.
A comfortable heiress with no obligations—that’s the life I want.
I’ve already had enough headaches from the Magic Tools I made for class and sold on the side.
I wasn’t about to take on actual business operations.
“Still, wouldn’t it be good to take on some work and try?”
“I’d rather not…”
I answered glumly.
No work. I don’t want to work.
I worked a lot.
So much. I worked until the day I died.
So now I want to claim my fortune without working.
Will someone judge me for that? Say I have no conscience?
‘Yes, I have no conscience. No dreams—just want to play and eat.’
And the people judging me would understand this feeling too.
Everyone secretly wants to live like Howard!
The employees kept trying to persuade me, but I held firm.
Eventually the meeting just petered out.
The staff had lost their will.
‘Is my not inheriting the business really that disappointing?’
I was actually the one who felt bewildered.
One by one they exchanged listless farewells with me and Ambrose before disappearing.
That’s when someone approached me with long strides.
It was a fairly young-looking man among the executives.
“Might I trouble you for a moment of your time?”
“Of course.”
His tone was so solemn I nodded without thinking.
He produced a stack of papers from his pocket and thrust them abruptly before my eyes.
“Try signing these.”
Huh? What are these?
The man pressed again.
“Quickly, now. Just sign whatever you like.”
“Yes? Um, here then.”
I really did just sign at random.
I couldn’t read them anyway, so what choice did I have?
After that, he kept shoving more papers at me, and I kept signing whatever he put in front of me.
Eventually he stuffed the rest carelessly into his jacket pocket, carefully selected the ones I’d signed, and tucked them back into his breast pocket with reverence.
I asked him, watching him look satisfied.
“So what exactly were those?”
“Stock certificates.”
What is this guy?
He eagerly left the Conference Room, saying he’d proceed to buy or sell based on what I’d signed.
Wait, was that okay?
At that moment Naomi stepped up beside me and studied me as if reading my soul, then spoke.
“It’s Ambrose’s Intuition, after all.”
Have I lost my mind?
“Your expression suggests you think I have.”
“…Actually, it seems like you’re the one with good intuition, Naomi.”
You read people so well too.
Naomi smiled then.
“This comes from experience. It’s something I cultivated through work and age, not something inborn.”
I shook my head and gestured toward the man’s retreating figure.
“Was he really okay?”
“Of course.”
“Even though I just… randomly signed things…?”
“Then it becomes ‘Ambrose’s random,’ doesn’t it?”
That’s sophistry. But she spoke with absolute certainty.
I no longer had the energy to argue further.
Another stack of papers was thrust at me.
“Since we’re on the subject, why don’t you pick some out for me as well?”
I was truly exhausted.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————