The Fake Wife of the Strongest Husband Wants to Survive - Chapter 31

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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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Chapter 31
With her arms crossed, Pesha stood with her back to the sharp autumn sun, while her maid Mini fidgeted beside her, parasol in hand.
“Ma’am, you’ll damage your skin this way. Why on earth are you watching the construction site?”
“I’m not watching—I’m thinking.”
Look at the construction overseer’s face—it’s gone pale. If you keep standing here, those people won’t be able to work properly.”
Pesha let Mini’s words slide past her, her eyes fixed on the work site.
The land was contaminated with Aura, which meant that even when they dug trenches, they couldn’t go deep enough.
‘Even if we manage to build the trench, it won’t have much effect at this rate.’
Owen’s plans for the Territory were grand and meticulous, but the contaminated land kept becoming an obstacle whenever he tried to advance his vision.
What was needed was a more fundamental solution than Pain Relief, more fundamental than Purification Medicine.
Having reached this conclusion, Pesha crossed her arms and spoke abruptly.
“We need to plant trees after all.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Mini, when you eat hot soup and don’t want to burn your tongue, how do you do it?”
“Hot soup? Well… you scrape from the top with a spoon. The surface has cooled, you see.”
“Exactly. Even if it’s hot at first, if you know the trick, you can eat it just fine.”
“But why are you asking about soup? Are you hungry?”
“No. I simply wish to teach the Territory’s financial officer how to eat soup.”
“The financial officer, you mean…?”
Pesha smiled at Mini’s troubled expression.
“I need to see Jane Penrose. Bring him to me at once.”
This time it was Mini’s face that went pale.
* * *
Jane crossed the corridor with weary steps after dismissing the soldiers from their morning drill.
Having barked orders from horseback since early dawn, his entire body felt heavy as lead.
Under normal circumstances, a day of training like this wouldn’t have drained him, but he had been enduring grueling work for a full week now.
Every page of the ledgers gnawed at his stomach, and requisition forms from each department piled up like mountains.
Sometimes he couldn’t tell if this was truly an Earldom or rather a fortress locked in perpetual siege.
In this place, one person shouldering multiple duties was commonplace.
He had come with the intention of focusing on training and actual combat as a knight, but somewhere along the way he’d become a slave to documents and numbers.
Work like this ought to have fallen to a proper chancellor.
A central figure overseeing the castle’s finances, diplomacy, and military alike.
But unfortunately, there was no one in this castle capable of taking the helm.
Moreover, since finding a trustworthy chancellor was not easy, the lord’s three adjutants had each divided the responsibilities among themselves for the time being.
Rebecca Bates, his fellow knight-cadet, had taken charge of military affairs, and the unlucky Fulton Taylor had assumed diplomatic duties.
The management of finances and all manner of accounting fell to Jane.
Holding his throbbing head, he released a deep sigh.
He had the distinct feeling he wouldn’t sleep properly tonight either.
He’d likely face morning with barely two hours of rest.
He closed his eyes as if to shake away the phantom visions flickering at the edge of his sight, then sighed once more—when
figures appeared at the end of the corridor and spotted him.
“There he is!”
“Grab him before he gets away!”
The maids, spouting lines worthy of hunters chasing wild boar, broke into a sprint and each seized one of Jane’s arms.
“What—what are you doing?”
Bewildered, Jane asked, and the maids answered with solemn faces.
“You’ll need to come with us for a moment.”
“Come with you? Where? Is this the lord’s order?”
The maids exchanged uncertain glances.
“Not the lord’s, but rather…”
“The lady wishes to see you.”
“The lady? Me?”
Jane pointed at himself with confusion written across his face, then complied and followed where they led.
Yet no matter how hard he racked his brain, nothing came to mind.
Arriving bewildered at the door to the lady’s chambers, the maid accompanying him knocked.
The door opened to reveal Pesha Raidel seated gracefully at a tea table, sipping from a cup.
“You called for me?”
“Welcome, Penrose. Will you have some tea?”
“No, thank you. I would prefer to hear your business.”
Though he radiated palpable suspicion, Pesha remained utterly unhurried.
“Then stand and listen.”
“Yes, of course. What is it you need?”
“I need you to find some extra budget for me.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Didn’t you hear? I want you to create some surplus budget.”
Jane’s mouth fell open.
“Create…… surplus budget, you say…….”
A wave of déjà vu washed over him.
Haven’t we been through this before?
The budget he’d been allocated was already pared down to the bone, and now she wanted him to find money that didn’t exist.
His eyes narrowed involuntarily.
Was this woman finally showing her true colors?
He’d been uneasy from the start—when she claimed to have manufactured something by pouring in even her own allowance for personal expenses.
When she said she’d donate the profits from using that potion to the Territory’s operating fund, he’d been moved to tears.
It seemed his wariness had been a misunderstanding.
He’d even reflected on how his narrow thinking and prejudice had led him to speak rudely to her.
But now it was clear she had ulterior motives all along.
His suspicion had been correct—she was a spy sent by the Emperor and a puppet of Duke Raidel, and soon enough she’d drain the lord dry and destroy Swap.
“I believe your allowance for personal maintenance is allocated separately.”
“I spent my allowance making the Cydoroca Potion, so that’s why.”
‘Who told you to spend it like that!’
He was biting back the urge to shout when Pesha frowned and pressed on.
“No, I mean—the Territory’s appearance is one thing, but look at the landscape. It’s terrible. What are we going to do about these bare hills? I’m asking you to secure some landscaping budget.”
Landscaping budget for contaminated land—what was she talking about?
He couldn’t fathom what went on in her head.
In any case, it was impossible in the current situation.
Jane straightened and cut through decisively.
“Perhaps in two years’ time, but not this year.”
“That’s too long. There’s truly no way at all?”
“Truly, there is no way.”
Even as he refused firmly, Jane felt a twinge of guilt.
She had every right to be angry about his claims to ownership of the money she’d earned.
Besides…… it was true that the Territory’s entire financial situation had been breathing easier thanks to her profits.
“I’m not doing this out of spite. The budget has been allocated only to the most essential needs, and to remove any portion of what’s already been assigned is…….”
He launched into explanations, but to his surprise she gave up quickly.
“Fine, then. I suppose there’s nothing to be done.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“But could you do me another favor instead?”
“Another…… favor?”
What was she after now?
Jane swallowed hard, his expression wary.
“I’d like you to look into my assets for me.”
“Your assets, ma’am?”
She had assets?
Pesha shrugged at Jane, who stared at her with shock.
“I’m originally from the capital aristocracy, you know.”
“Ah…… would it help if I inquired about the amount deposited in a bank?”
“No. There’s no liquid cash—it’s all likely in real estate. Liquidate everything. I’m curious how much there is myself.”
Four days later, Jane submitted a report on her asset holdings.
As expected, there was virtually no cash in her name—it was all in property.
Upon seeing it, Pesha grinned wickedly and thought to herself.
‘Dear heavens…… forgive me today for being a righteous thief, or don’t. Kehehe.’
She liquidated everything except for one large boutique building located in the heart of the Capital’s prime real estate district.
During the process, a broker who knew the Capital’s financial situation intimately tried to stop her with a pale, nauseated expression, but she was unmoved.
“It’s right here in the contract. My. Name.”
“But, but how can you proceed with the transaction without Duke Raidel’s permission?”
“Are you not listening? It’s right here. My. Name.”
“Still, this is, this is……!”
The broker couldn’t find his words and began to weep.
And no wonder—all the properties registered under Pesha’s name were assets that Duke Raidel had placed in his daughter’s name to evade taxes.
In name alone did it belong to Pesha, but in truth it was the Duke Raidel’s property through and through.
‘But what am I supposed to do about it? Who asked him to put my name on it anyway?’

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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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