The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 40

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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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The Villainess Establishes a Department Store

Chapter 40

“So when a pretty young lady from a wealthy family shows interest in you on the street, use me.”

Bastian was silent again.

Seeing his serious expression, it seemed like he was retracing his steps to see if he had unknowingly saved my life at some point.

“Oh my. Just think of it simply. You lived virtuously, so good fortune came your way.”

“…Me?”

Bastian instantly scrunched up his face in bewilderment, like someone who had just heard the most unfunny joke in the world.

I too cleared my throat awkwardly in embarrassment and looked up at the sky for no reason.

Just from what I had witnessed of Bastian’s track record so far, there was bread theft, handkerchief pickpocketing, verbal abuse as a daily routine, and just moments ago, physical assault was added to the list.

…I’m grateful that Bastian at least has a minimum amount of conscience.

“You’re working honestly just like I told you to, aren’t you? You could have just ignored it, and no one promised you any reward.”

“So you’re saying you’re my good fortune?”

“Don’t you like it?”

Answer well. I stared intently at Bastian with a warning look in my eyes.

Bastian didn’t affirm it to the end. But he didn’t deny it either.

“…Then let me ask you just one thing.”

“As much as you want.”

“How much is this good fortune you’re talking about? If I asked you to open a shop for me with that surplus money, would you do it?”

“Do you want it?”

I looked straight into Bastian’s eyes. He didn’t avoid my gaze either.

A thin flame flickered restlessly within his red pupils.

If you want it, as much as you need.

Even though the beginning and process might be slightly different, I had not the slightest doubt that he would create a department store, so it was a question that didn’t even require consideration.

But Bastian seemed to think differently.

“Forget it. I’ll do it with my own strength.”

“What?”

Bastian smirked and shrugged his shoulders as if nothing had happened.

The tense atmosphere instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.

“Whether I struggle or become spoiled by luxury, it’s my life. It’s something I created and a result I’ll obtain with my own hands. Whether it’s help or hindrance, I’ll never let anyone who interferes with that get away with it.”

His face was so serious it was almost eerie, sending chills down my spine.

However, unlike my frozen body, an irrepressible smile was spreading across my lips.

Yes, this is the Bastian Bellueur I know.

“I knew you’d say that.”

“Of course. What, did you think I’d have no pride just because I’m poor?”

“It’s not like that. I never intended to insult you. I’m sorry. But do you really not regret it?”

“Yeah.”

A firm answer was followed by a subtle silence. Bastian looked me up and down once, then added as if driving in a nail.

“Right now is enough.”

“Really?”

As an extremely ordinary modern citizen and former fallen aristocrat, I couldn’t understand Bastian at all.

He would know better than anyone that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No matter how much pride was at stake, if he just swallowed it once here, his life would change.

But if he chose to cultivate the rocky field himself, I had no choice but to respect that.

“Alright. You won’t regret it?”

“Well… if you insist, maybe buy me a pair of shoes or something.”

The one who had been serious just moments before scratched his cheek and played coy again.

I smiled and gladly took him to a shoe store. I offered to let him ride in the carriage with me, but he refused with his characteristic blunt attitude.

“No thanks. No need to get mold on the cushions.”

Then he quickly claimed the seat next to the coachman.

When we arrived at the store, Bastian carefully examined the shoes for a while before picking up a pair. They were the most plain shoes without even the common brogue decorations.

“Are you really okay with these?”

“I said they’re sufficient. Think about it – worn clothes but shoes shining like mirrors. Nothing would look more mismatched, right?”

That’s true.

But I stubbornly paid for another pair of oxford shoes without brogues in the same size.

“Keep them well.”

“I said I don’t need them…”

“You’ll definitely have an occasion to wear them soon. Clean clothes and shoes have a way of inviting their owner to places that suit them.”

“What are you, some fairy godmother from a fairy tale?”

Bastian looked bewildered but hugged the shoe box in his arms even tighter.

I guarantee he’ll definitely sleep hugging it tonight instead of a teddy bear.

* * *

The Guillaume Company building located near Nantes Port boasted a height and grandeur rivaling any cathedral, befitting the company’s prestige.

Unlike the owner of cathedrals who never responded to earnest prayers and donations, Guillaume Company guaranteed solid results for contracts and investments, so to merchants, that place was no different from a cathedral.

Damien Reeves headed to the conference room where his colleagues were waiting with the reverent heart of a priest before worship.

Under his arm was a thick report that would substitute for scripture.

The massive profits and figures written there were today’s topic and gospel.

Today’s meeting was to discuss the composition of trade goods for the next eastern voyage while reporting on the progress of the passage construction.

“Oh, you’re here.”

“Sorry I’m late.”

Charles welcomed Damien with a warm attitude.

When he personally pulled out a chair for him, Damien was flustered and kept bowing his head before taking his seat.

Even though he had known Marquis de Charmeuze for quite some time, he could never get used to the marquis’s informal behavior.

The conference room was already filled with big players from various fields.

Textiles, steel, construction, food…

Damien clicked his tongue. He could feel Guillaume Company’s status anew.

“If someone set off a bomb in this conference room, Loire would have to starve starting tomorrow.”

“Marquis…!”

Unlike Charles who was giggling, Damien turned pale and looked around.

Fortunately, people seemed too busy greeting each other to have heard their conversation.

Then the door opened and Guillaume, the company owner, finally appeared.

“Then let’s begin the regular general meeting.”

Guillaume skipped the grand opening remarks and went straight to the main topic. The audience seemed accustomed to his way of doing things.

“Next is the report on the progress of the passage construction.”

Damien cleared his throat and stood up from his seat.

Even in front of numerous gazes, he didn’t shrink back but instead showed a confident smile, allowing the audience to guess the progress before he even opened his mouth.

“Contrary to concerns that providing meals would make workers lazy and only aim for the food, the construction workers are working on the passage construction more enthusiastically than ever. We’ll be able to finish much earlier than the expected completion date.”

“That’s welcome news to hear. But I noticed the workers’ meal budget has been decreasing lately. Did something happen?”

“Ah, it’s not a big problem. There’s a kid who delivers lunch boxes, and the workers prefer lunch boxes over the provided meals.”

“Lunch boxes?”

“The provided meals have limited menu options, after all. For us, it’s actually a good thing since we can save on the budget.”

Only then did the merchant who had raised the question nod as if he understood.

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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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