The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 16

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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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“Would you like to check it?”

What I took out was none other than the silver coin pouch that Hugo had thrown to me.

The very pouch he had rummaged through to pull out gold coins.

‘As expected, money shouldn’t be thrown away.’

When I handed over the fingerprints I had copied in advance from the silver coins, the bank clerk nodded with a bewildered expression.

While the bank clerk went to get the records, I fell into thought.

‘The Rionet Family members must have investigated Grandfather’s account in this same way.’

Grandfather’s seal is in my hands.

But I wondered how they managed to access the account without the seal, and this was their method.

‘Since the assets were far less than they expected, they came to find Grandfather to interrogate him directly about whether he had hidden anything somewhere.’

In the end, this was the beginning of the terrible ordeal I experienced in my previous life.

‘But well, do they think I can’t do the same?’

Then the bank clerk returned and handed me the documents.

Then the bank clerk returned and handed me the documents.

“With voice, fingerprints, and power of attorney, only account inquiry is possible. If you wish to withdraw deposits, you’ll need to bring the seal.”

“That’s fine, I only need to check the records. Thank you.”

My goal wasn’t to steal Hugo’s meager few coins anyway.

Returning to the pawnshop, I checked the transaction records.

‘As expected.’

It was just as I thought.

‘This bastard Hugo doesn’t have much money.’

Just by checking the account, I could learn many facts.

‘But there are many transaction records. Sometimes large sums come in, but almost all of it flows to his sister.’

From small things like what food he enjoys eating, to big things like how the Hugo siblings make their money.

‘Ah, so Baroness Rosaline is using Hugo for money laundering?’

The people who deposited large sums to Hugo were all different, but the bank branches were similar. Then?

I took out a map of the capital city and started drawing lines. Places near the branches where large amounts of money would circulate.

There was only one place where the lines intersected.

“Here it is.”

[Philosophie Auction House]

The auction house was a familiar place to me too.

Grandfather often went there to dispose of items he had purchased. Of course, he never took me along, so I only heard about it through stories.

It was also a very suitable place for the Rionet people to carry out their ‘shady business.’

“In other words, that means it’s also a good place for me to set a trap.”

The waiting was over now.

It was time to move.

“Perfect, there’s a night auction today. I can go after finishing work.”

I checked The Forest of Cologne that Hugo had sent. It was authentic.

Just as I finished repackaging the items to put up along with the painting, rain began pouring down with perfect timing.

‘Usually we get more customers on rainy days and cloudy days.’

Perhaps it’s because of the guilt of disposing of cherished items for money?

We tended to get more customers when the weather wasn’t particularly good.

But today, even though it’s raining, it’s raining far too much.

‘Geez, is the roof going to cave in?’

Perhaps because of that, there are no customers, let alone any passersby on the street.

The candy shop across the street closed early altogether.

But the pawnshop had to stay open whether there were customers or not.

Opening and closing at precise times was Grandfather’s iron rule.

“I’m not sure if it’s fortunate or unfortunate that there’s work to do even without customers.”

I decided to organize the business cards.

I looked through the business cards I had already organized again.

It wasn’t just for organizing purposes. I was looking for collaborators.

‘Grandfather had a lot of knowledge and experience, so he could appraise everything on his own, but I have weak areas.’

I needed external experts.

‘I’m a bit clumsy with luxury items like alcohol and cigars, and weapons. I know a little about ancient documents and magical tools, but it would be good to have advisors.’

It’s wise to admit what you don’t know.

Wouldn’t it be much better to seek help from appropriate experts rather than pretending to know and ruining things?

“Even if I ask Emma for magical tools by paying her a commission, who should I get help from for other things?”

As I was flipping through the business cards, I stopped at one place.

A navy blue business card belonging to someone named Alter.

“Hmm….”

Of course, I wasn’t considering asking that lunatic for help.

I flipped the business card over.

What caught my attention was his affiliation with the ‘Information Guild.’

“Should I go there? To ask if they can connect me with some experts.”

Since it’s supposedly an information guild, wouldn’t they recommend from a better talent pool than my narrow network of connections?

“While I’m at it, I’ll also ask if that person is really from the Information Guild.”

He could be someone impersonating an Information Guild member, so if I give them a heads up, they’d be grateful too, right?

While I was thinking, I heard footsteps.

A customer? I quickly put down the business card and put on my business smile.

The owner of the footsteps was someone wearing a raincoat. Judging by the height and stride, it was a man.

Just as I was about to smile even brighter at the man walking over with seemingly welcoming steps.

‘What?’

When our eyes met, the man stopped abruptly.

Then he slowly started backing away.

‘What?’

He stopped backing away and stared at me intently.

And then….

‘What the hell…?’

He came closer again.

What is this? Some new form of performance art? A dance performance in the rain?

Whether he knew what I was thinking or not, the man suddenly asked.

“You’re Michele’s granddaughter?”

At least I understand one thing.

Unless this performance artist has very poor eyesight.

“You look so much like Michele!”

This person is a liar.

“You think Grandfather and I look alike?”

This was truly the first time I’d ever heard such a thing.

Except for our eye color, we had no resemblance, so everyone was always asking if I was really his granddaughter.

The merchants, including Helena, were initially suspicious for that very reason, so what on earth is he talking about?

“Yeah. I could tell just by looking at you. Michele told me a lot about you.”

“For someone who heard a lot about me, you were backing away just now, Customer?”

“Cough, I got caught in the rain and it’s so cold. May I come in?”

Isn’t he changing the subject a bit too obviously?

Whether I was dumbfounded or not, the performance artist slash liar entered the shop and pulled back the hood of his raincoat.

Silver hair dampened by rain was revealed.

“…I’ll give you a towel.”

“Wow, you’re incredibly kind. If it were Michele, he would have told me to just talk from outside since I’m dripping water.”

“Yes, you can dry your hair and wipe the floor with that towel before you leave. Or you could take off that raincoat that’s dripping wet.”

“I’m quite shy about undressing when we’ve just met for the first time.”

“But you were flipping your hood back and forth just fine. I guess you’re not confident about your body but quite confident about your face?”

“Oh, um, now that you put it that way, I’m actually starting to feel embarrassed.”

The man who had put the towel over his head grinned.

“Thank you. This is the first time I’ve received a towel instead of a handkerchief from someone.”

“If you prefer, I could exchange it for a handkerchief.”

“You know that handkerchiefs are usually given with the meaning to keep it and think of the person, right? Would it be okay for me to take such a handkerchief?”

“Of course. As long as you pay the fee, it’s available for rental anytime.”

When I responded with a smile, the man stared at me intently.

I didn’t avoid his gaze. There’s no better time to observe than when you’re being observed.

The eyes visible between his damp silver hair were a clear, vivid light green.

Once the playfulness faded, his facial features were surprisingly sharp and defined.

‘He was talking about handkerchiefs, but he does have the kind of face that would be popular.’

Was there someone with this appearance in the ledger?

While I was reminiscing about appearances and whatnot, trying to recall memories, the man who had turned his gaze away cleared his throat.

“Ahem, what about Michele?”

“He handed over the shop and is currently traveling.”

“Huh? He handed it over? Completely?”

“Yes. You can tell me what you need.”

“Huh.”

The man’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Anyway, you can appraise items, right?”

“It depends on what you’ve brought. There are some areas I’m not familiar with.”

“For example?”

The more we talked, the clearer it became.

This performance artist definitely has some ulterior motive.

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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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