The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 168

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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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Part 2, Episode 38
Bang!
His fist came down on the desk, and papers scattered across the floor like snow.
The Young Earl watched as the butler nearby began gathering and sorting the documents, then opened his mouth.
“I… I’m not certain of the reason, either. From what I understand, they’re simply requesting that we change trading partners this time.”
“What in blazes are they raising their terms for? Both of them, and today of all days—”
Molpo brushed his hair back roughly.
He smoothed down his trembling mustache, then let out a heavy sigh.
“What’s happened now, Father?”
“Word came from the Jen Mineral Trading House that they doubt they’ll be able to renew the contract.”
“What? Without warning? The Jen Mineral Trading House is just as renowned as the Rion Mineral Trading House I visited—they’re famous for supplying the highest quality minerals.”
It would be possible to produce lower grades or cheaper goods, but taking custom orders, commissioned work, or reservations for major clients would become impossible.
“I’d thought if Jen fell through, I’d simply shift to Rion…”
He rubbed his face roughly.
“In any case, I’ll try negotiating again tomorrow with new terms once daylight comes.”
“Yes, I suppose I’ll need to visit them again myself.”
“Still, I’m worried about what we should do if that doesn’t work.”
“If they won’t budge, I’ll have to go to the noble families backing them and apply some pressure.”
“Noble families?”
“Yes, businesses like that always have patron families working behind the scenes—families who provide funding and take a cut of the profits.”
Molpo, seemingly frustrated, retrieved some whiskey and poured it into a glass as he spoke.
The Young Earl nodded.
“If I recall correctly, the Marquis Wilbred Family is the primary patron of the Jen Mineral Trading House.”
“Ah.”
“And the Rion Mineral Trading House would be backed by the Duke Bellion Family… presumably.”
Molpo’s expression became oddly nuanced.
“Speaking of which, what’s become of your sister?”
“I heard Celia still hasn’t left her room. Apparently she’s been skipping meals and crying all day.”
At his son’s words, Molpo’s face darkened.
“Tch—tearing up an invitation and she carries on like this?”
“There seems to have been some talk behind the scenes.”
“Well, of course there’s gossip when you do something so thoughtless! Don’t you understand what high society is like? That’s precisely why she’s so easily swayed and listens to every whisper—that’s why I haven’t formally introduced Celia to society yet.”
She was too easily influenced, too eager to hear rumors and copy whatever foolishness others engaged in.
“True enough. Even small mistakes become flaws in a place like that.”
“Stupid girl. If you’re going to bully someone, at least be clever about it. Why do it where everyone can see?”
Molpo clicked his tongue and gulped down his whiskey.
“By the way… who was it that tore up the invitation?”
“Ah, Mother mentioned it was the Marquis Wilbred’s daughter who tore it. Mother was quite angry, saying she was utterly rude.”
“The Marquis Wilbred’s daughter…?”
“Yes, the one the Marquis recently adopted.”
“Ah, you mean that street urchin.”
He clicked his tongue and let out a scornful laugh.
At first he’d wondered what the commotion was about, but when he learned she was actually a street vagrant, he found it utterly bewildering.
“There were two of them, weren’t there?”
“Yes, one of them was apparently the Duke Bellion’s daughter. It seems they were originally trying to bully the Duke Bellion’s daughter, who already has a poor reputation…”
“A beggar and an illegitimate child. They suit each other perfectly.”
Molpo clicked his tongue and rubbed his face.
The rumor that the Duke Bellion’s daughter was illegitimate had never been formally announced, but it circulated quietly through society.
In fact, the young lady seemed to want to hide her identity and rarely ventured out. Her temperament, he’d heard, was disagreeable.
The truth of those rumors was uncertain, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
‘…Still, of all the bad luck, both Jen and Rion are backed by the Duke and the Marquis.’
Molpo narrowed his eyes and exhaled.
“…Surely not.”
Wasn’t it an unspoken rule not to interfere in trifling quarrels between children?
“In any case, just to be safe, have him send appropriate gifts to apologize for any rudeness.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Tch, this is truly giving me a headache. If I can’t resolve this somehow…”
He muttered softly, then brushed his hair back roughly and lit a cigar between his teeth.
Yet from the very next day, Molpo found he could not avoid sensing that something was amiss.
Every gift he sent was returned, and the trading houses showed no sign of changing their position.
For now they could manage with the stockpile they’d built up in the warehouse, but even that would last only a year.
Count Molpo had reached out consistently for nearly a month, and when faced with refusal after refusal—not a single reply—frustration and urgency drove him to write a letter requesting a visit.
The next day, both houses sent word granting him permission to call.
* * *
“……It has been some time, Marquis. I trust you have been well.”
Count Molpo widened his naturally rapacious eyes into a rounder expression as he offered his greeting.
“Ah, there you are. It’s been a while, Count Molpo.”
The casual, downward inflection in Garren Wilbred’s speech made Count Molpo pause for a moment.
Usually, even among the nobility, one employed formal speech toward those of lower rank as a matter of courtesy and respect.
He felt a surge of indignation, but then reasoned that it was understandable—Garren had only recently inherited his title.
In any case, since he was the one with the need, he forced a good-natured laugh.
“I should have paid my respects when you became Marquis, and I apologize for my negligence. Business has kept me rather occupied.”
“No matter. It’s fine. I wasn’t particularly waiting for your courtesies anyway.”
Garren Wilbred crossed his legs and smiled thinly, gesturing with his chin toward the sofa.
“Standing to talk would be awkward. Sit. I’ve been expecting you to come around.”
“Ah…… You mean me?”
“Yes. I thought it was about time the pressure became too much to bear and you’d show up.”
How convenient.
Garren Wilbred dismissed the maidservant with a nod, then turned back to regard Count Molpo, who appeared bewildered, struggling to parse and comprehend his words.
“Well, judging by your face, it seems you don’t even know what to do.”
He spoke at his leisure.
“You said you had something to say, didn’t you? Let’s hear it. I do hope it’s something that won’t bore me.”
Otherwise, it’s a waste of my time.
At that final barb, Count Molpo’s face flushed with shame and his hands clenched into fists.
Count Molpo was confused.
Though the man was smiling, one could sense from his manner that his mood was far from pleasant.
The problem was precisely that.
Why was his mood so poor?
Count Molpo, after all, had never caused discomfort in any of his dealings.
As long as nothing posed a serious problem, he typically accommodated his counterparty’s terms, and in return they made effort to provide him with better goods.
He always maintained a basic courtesy toward business partners.
Since his profits came from overseas dealings, it was simple enough—if he raised his terms, he could quietly raise his selling prices in turn without anyone noticing.
Some nobles spoke carelessly to inferiors or raised their voices with every transaction, but he was not such a fool.
What one gives out returns in kind—and this held true not just for money, but for human regard as well.
Especially with servants and hired hands; even a small kindness was enough to earn their earnest cooperation and loyalty.
Count Molpo withdrew from his thoughts and exhaled slowly, drawing out his breath.
“Hah…… It seems something has displeased you, Marquis.”
“It has.”
“I came hoping to ask your assistance in mediating a matter with the Jen Mineral Trading House, but…….”
The way he spoke made it clear that Marquis Garren Wilbred had done this deliberately.
……But why?
Still unable to discern the reason, he furrowed his brow.

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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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