The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 117

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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 117】

My speculation could have been wrong.

But seeing Duke Novantium, who had been obsessed with my wife, suddenly showing loyalty to someone else bothered me.

‘The Princess’s way of speaking too.’

Rianel’s characteristic blunt and emotionless tone kept reminding him of the Empress.

‘But if the Princess and the Empress are the same person, everything would be explained.’

Above all, the Emperor had heard many stories from Yuna.

A city where lights never go out all night. Carriages that run silently. A world where news from distant places could be confirmed in real time without messengers.

If such a world truly existed, wouldn’t it be possible for the Empress to enter the Princess’s body?

If Rianel really was Ensilen.

‘I need to get her back.’

Her excellence and the reputation built up in her new body should all become his.

‘She’s my Empress, after all.’

The Emperor wanted to restore his prestige that had been worn down through his entanglement with Yuna.

Of course, since it wasn’t certain yet.

‘I should keep watch for now.’

* * *

Wilbrin was surprised to see Rianel return to the Special Tax Bureau Office.

“Are you going to commute here again starting today?”

“I thought you would go to the Main Palace.”

“I received permission to complete the related work and return to my original duties.”

“Ah.”

With Rianel around, the workload would be cut in half, so it was welcome news.

“Welcome back, Team Leader. Would you like some fatigue recovery potion?”

“I’m fine.”

However, as the saying goes, when you gain one thing, you lose another.

Wilbrin, who left work early, ended up being tormented by family she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Ah, I keep telling you I don’t have that kind of authority.”

“What do you mean you don’t? We all know your direct team leader is the event coordinator. Can’t you at least try asking?”

Actor Kairen, who was currently treated as washed-up but had once made his name known throughout the Empire, was Wilbrin’s older brother.

Lately, he was acutely aware that his position was becoming precarious due to declining appearance fees and rising new actors.

-I’m sending this knowing you have connections with the event coordinator, so don’t think about refusing. Just arrange one spot for me at this event. Whether it’s a role to liven up the atmosphere in front of nobles or attending as a general invitee is fine. You know my circumstances have been difficult lately, right? Just help me this once.

He had sent a letter to Wilbrin.

He thought the upcoming charity event would be an opportunity to improve his image for the better.

Or he might find a noble to become his patron.

But when there was no reply, he came all the way here in person.

“I’m in charge of tax affairs, so this event has nothing to do with my duties.”

“Don’t be so cold.”

Kairen twisted up the corner of his mouth.

Compared to him, she was far inferior and incompetent, but he had come thinking his little sister might be useful for once, only to be coldly rejected.

“I know you dislike me, but as a civil servant, how can you refuse a citizen’s request? You’re really heartless.”

That’s why father dislikes you, because you have no social skills.

Even at Kairen’s words, Wilbrin remained unmoved.

“Saying that won’t make something impossible become possible.”

She didn’t know why Rianel had been assigned as coordinator for something with no job relevance whatsoever, or how she had handled it.

“Anyway, it’s nothing to do with me-, what? Where are you going?”

Seeing Kairen suddenly moving away from her, Wilbrin was shocked.

‘That guy wouldn’t give up this easily.’

Soon Wilbrin realized it was because Kairen’s target had changed.

“Are you Team Leader Vincenheim?”

‘How does he know?’

I didn’t even introduce her.

Wilbrin felt a chill run down her spine.

‘What is that bastard trying to do now.’

But before she could stop him, Kairen approached first and extended his hand.

“You know me, right? You must. There’s no one who doesn’t know the name Kairen.”

Instead of shaking hands, Rianel spoke.

“I know you. You debuted as a child actor and this year marks your 20th year of activity, doesn’t it.”

“Ah, as expected.”

‘Was Rianel someone interested in cultural activities?’

Whether Wilbrin felt an ominous premonition or not.

Kairen acted brazenly as usual.

“Don’t you think having someone with recognition like me attend such an event would increase its profile?”

“I do not.”

Hell’s mouthpiece had launched into action.

“Yes, I thought you’d think that way-, what?”

“Since the event is held for public benefit purposes, we excluded you as you don’t align with that image.”

Because.

“You evaded taxes, didn’t you.”

Seeing Kairen instantly become shabby, Wilbrin quietly clicked her tongue.

Soon followed a bombardment containing 100% pure truth.

“I understand you established a corporate entity to reduce income tax.”

Famous actors are generally high earners, and the Empire’s income tax applies progressive rates.

Since higher income means paying more taxes, those wanting to reduce their tax burden used this loophole to benefit from lower corporate tax rates.

“I didn’t know you knew so much about my situation. Are you perhaps a fan of mine?”

Kairen acted brazenly. It was a tactic to muddy the atmosphere with jokes, but Rianel didn’t care.

“However, it has been confirmed that you misappropriated corporate funds for private use.”

“Wh-what do you mean by that?”

Kairen, who had established the corporation after hearing from an acquaintance that it was a way to save on taxes but didn’t know tax law well, was bewildered as difficult terms poured out.

“Didn’t you purchase personal luxury goods with those funds.”

He protested indignantly, raising his voice.

“That money was earned directly by me. What’s wrong with me spending my own money as I please?”

“This is truly an inappropriate judgment.”

Even if it’s income earned by an individual, from the moment you establish a corporation and report it as company income, that money becomes corporate property, not personal assets.

Using it privately constitutes embezzlement of corporate funds. This was also a part that many high earners overlooked.

“Expenses can only be recognized when directly related to business.”

Luxury goods don’t qualify.

“Accordingly, we plan to recalculate your actual income, and income tax may be additionally collected.”

When purchasing luxury goods personally, the tax bureau considers it as giving yourself a bonus.

This is called bonus treatment, and when caught, it’s considered as omitting income reporting.

“Additional taxes will also be imposed for this.”

This wasn’t the end.

“We also confirmed that you registered your father as a ghost employee of the corporation and paid him salary.”

Since salary was paid to someone who didn’t work, this constitutes a gift between family members.

“This constitutes gift tax evasion. Also, since you falsely recorded labor costs to save on corporate tax, we will collect the omitted corporate tax as well.”

Kairen knew his sister was a civil servant, but didn’t know exactly what she did.

But true to his nature of using anything when needed, he looked at Wilbrin and pleaded.

“I-I am Wilbrin’s blood relative! How can you pursue me so harshly? Does this make sense?”

Besides, I’m not the only one doing this!

Kairen’s voice cracked with indignation.

“Wilbrin, what are you just standing there staring blankly for? You should help me when I’m being humiliated! We’re family!”

Wilbrin’s face flushed red as she sharply turned her head away.

This was the first time she had felt such embarrassment.

‘That person really…’

She hadn’t expected a twist like Rianel’s father where ‘it turned out to be donations, not tax evasion,’ but.

‘There’s no need to be that disgraceful, is there?’

Just then.

Rianel’s mouth launched into action again.

“Before answering that, we need to conceptualize what family means.”

“Huh?”

Kairen’s eyes widened in confusion.

When Wilbrin felt a strange sense of déjà vu and opened her mouth in bewilderment.

“If we define family by blood relations, a logical fallacy occurs. Humanity shares common ancestors. Therefore, the error that everyone is family arises. Furthermore, if family relationships are determined by blood relations, it would mean family relationships could be reformed through blood transfusions, making blood an inappropriate standard for defining family.”

“What the…?”

The unnecessarily detailed explanation robbed him of his intelligence.

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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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