The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 143

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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 143

* * *

…He had definitely said that.

‘Why isn’t High Priest Evans taking any action?’

Father Pedro bit his lips tightly.

It had already been two days since they went public.

But Isaac hadn’t shown his face at all until now.

And it was also troubling that the Imperial Curia had only released a lukewarm statement and then remained silent.

‘Moreover… the credibility of the media outlet that broke the story is too low.’

What if it had been a major media company that filtered and vetted news before releasing it?

At least there wouldn’t have been reactions like ‘the media outlet isn’t trustworthy so it’s hard to believe.’

‘I think I need to meet High Priest Evans again and discuss this…’

Thinking this, Father Pedro shakily rose from his seat.

The scene of the shabby room came into view.

“…”

If he had stayed at the Imperial Curia, it would have been convenient to meet the High Priest in such an urgent situation.

But Isaac insisted that Father Pedro stay in this single room.

The reason was that he shouldn’t be noticed by others.

‘Could it be that the High Priest… just dumped me here because I’m bothersome?’

Father Pedro struggled to suppress the suspicion rising from deep in his heart.

‘No, that can’t be. He said he trusted me.’

I must meet High Priest Evans tomorrow without fail.

I must also remember to ask him about support for the children.

Father Pedro tried hard to steel his resolve.

* * *

At that moment.

“Somehow, it seems you’ve been having private meetings with the High Priest frequently these days.”

Savoring the aroma of tea, Isaac spoke leisurely.

The High Priest, who had been staring intently at Isaac, suddenly threw out a question.

“What exactly are you thinking?”

“As someone foolish, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t think you can deceive me.”

The High Priest shot back sharply.

“Father Pedro.”

“…”

“You were pulling strings behind the scenes, weren’t you?”

Instead of answering, Isaac took a sip of tea.

When he had met the High Priest before, he hadn’t dared even touch the tea.

It was quite a relaxed attitude.

“Saying that the House of Claudius embezzled donations – that’s too big a lie.”

Clink.

Isaac set down his teacup.

Then he smiled with his eyes.

“But to attack Claudius, which is on the rise, there’s no method as effective as damaging their moral standing.”

Isaac’s smile deepened slightly.

“Knowing this, you’re also staying quiet, aren’t you? Am I wrong?”

“…”

He had hit the mark.

Toward the High Priest who kept his mouth shut, Isaac continued leisurely.

“Actually, there will be limits to maintaining this negative public opinion for long. Claudius won’t just sit still either.”

Isaac shrugged his shoulders smugly.

“Well, I don’t think they lack the materials to respond to such a shallow trick.”

“Then?”

“What I was aiming for was this ‘controversy’ itself.”

Dark malice settled over his pale blue eyes.

“Isn’t it interesting? The process of tarnishing the honor of the noble House of Claudius.”

Isaac continued with gleaming eyes.

“People are usually only interested in sensational topics. They’re not very interested in subsequent corrections.”

It was true.

Well, Claudius wouldn’t just sit and watch this incident either.

They would put quite a bit of effort into corrections too…

‘But since the atmosphere has already been set like this, they’ll have to work quite hard to overturn it.’

And even then, subtle suspicions would remain like embers.

Usually quiet, but if someone were to stir them up slightly.

Suspicions that would instantly swell up and devour Claudius’s moral standing.

“Well, you also gave a lukewarm response.”

“…That was.”

“From there, I thought you were also tacitly agreeing with me. Wasn’t that right?”

If there had been no intention to attack Claudius from the start, it would have been enough to declare ‘Claudius has never created slush funds.’

But instead of doing that, the High Priest.

‘Gave the obvious answer of saying they would investigate.’

Well, it was a principled response.

However, since Claudius was actually innocent and the Imperial Curia also knew of that innocence.

It wasn’t a very appropriate response.

More precisely.

‘It was a response that amplified the controversy.’

Isaac narrowed his eyes and glared at the High Priest.

‘That cunning bastard, instead of being grateful for what I fed him…’

For a moment, their eyes met.

Isaac completely erased his irritated expression and smiled with his eyes.

“That’s why I deliberately chose a tabloid with rock-bottom credibility and sent Father Pedro there.”

“Hmm…”

“How could a powerless ordinary priest contact major media outlets? It was all to create a natural picture.”

Isaac continued in an excited tone.

“We just need to release a few more interesting articles like this. If we maintain this controversy for a month, no, just a week, the Claudius Foundation will suffer a major blow to its transparency.”

The High Priest remained silent, but Isaac noticed from experience.

Right now, the High Priest was accepting Isaac’s words.

“And no matter how quickly Claudius organizes and releases materials, it will take some time. Plus, don’t they have to respond to the Tax Office?”

“Tax Office?”

“Yes. When a controversy of this scale breaks out, the Imperial Court can’t just sit still either. They’ll at least pretend to investigate.”

Isaac again gently coaxed the High Priest.

“Well, no matter how cleanly Claudius operates… it would be difficult for no dust to come out when shaken down.”

“And then?”

“Once we ignite suspicion like this, people who had promised donations to Claudius will also return to the Imperial Curia.”

Donations would flow back to the Imperial Curia.

Those words drove the final nail.

“So, what should I do?”

The High Priest’s voice asking this was definitely softer.

‘How transparent.’

While sneering inwardly, Isaac maintained a gentle expression outwardly.

“The Imperial Curia’s investigation results will, of course, state that ‘Claudius is not at fault.’ You just need to delay making that statement as long as possible. So that the controversy is maintained as long as possible.”

“That’s all I need to do?”

“Hmm… could you also contact the Imperial Court?”

“The Imperial Court?”

“Yes. Just tell them that the Imperial Curia is conducting its own investigation with utmost sincerity, so please cooperate with us.”

Isaac’s brow furrowed slightly.

“After all, the Imperial Court has close relations with Claudius as well.”

The Imperial Court wanted both the Imperial Curia and Claudius to maintain amicable relations.

It would be troublesome if the Imperial Court tried to resolve the issue before the atmosphere was properly established.

The High Priest nodded and asked again.

“Setting aside Claudius, won’t Father Pedro resist?”

“Isn’t there a saying that speech is silver, but silence is golden?”

Isaac smiled warmly.

“I plan to have Father Pedro practice that virtue.”

“…”

Toward the silent High Priest, Isaac continued gently.

“You know, don’t you? How useful an eternally silent Father Pedro would be to the Imperial Curia.”

It was true.

The dead tell no tales.

Which meant.

The Imperial Curia could pin all the blame on Father Pedro.

<We express our condolences for Father Pedro’s unfortunate death.

Additionally, as a result of our investigation, House of Claudius bears no fault whatsoever.

It was merely Father Pedro’s personal speculation.

The Imperial Curia and Claudius will continue to maintain their relationship as good partners going forward.>

All they needed to do was release a statement like this.

“Understood, I’ll cooperate as much as possible.”

The High Priest nodded resolutely.

“Just make sure there are no problems.”

“Understood.”

Isaac stood up briskly and asked for permission to leave.

“Then I’ll take my leave now. I have much to do.”

“Yes, good work.”

The High Priest’s voice as he replied was quite gentle, unlike before.

Isaac walked out with confident steps.

‘Just wait, Dietrich.’

When Father Pedro closes his eyes forever.

Isaac planned to give the annoying Dietrich a little gift while he was at it.

The possibility that Claudius might have eliminated Father Pedro in retaliation…

A very small spark of suspicion.

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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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