The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 61

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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 61

‘What…?’

If the stairs and chandelier had eyes and mouths, they would all be averting their gazes and keeping their lips tightly sealed.

Even the servants, who would normally encounter at least one person on the stairs or in the corridor, were nowhere to be seen throughout my journey up to my room.

The cause of the strange silence and tension that had settled over the entire house became clear the moment I passed Father’s study.

Though it was a thick door that required my young self to put all my weight into pushing it open, dark and negative energy was flowing out from within the room.

What on earth is happening in there? Just as I was carefully about to put my ear to the keyhole.

“Jean-Pierre Laurent! I am truly disappointed in you. I don’t want to see your face for a while, so leave the estate immediately!”

…Was that just now Father’s voice?

Father raising his voice like that to someone other than Uncle? Wait, listening carefully, the target was even Monsieur Laurent.

But why?

“Thank you for everything up until now.”

After a brief silence, Monsieur Laurent’s calm farewell followed, and I could hear footsteps approaching the door.

I hastily moved away from the door and acted as if I had coincidentally happened to pass by that spot by chance.

“…”

Judging by Monsieur Laurent’s expression, it didn’t seem to have much effect. Tch.

“I apologize for letting you hear such a shameful scene.”

Monsieur Laurent briefly bowed his head in apology. There was no need for such confirmation.

“Did something happen with Father?”

I wasn’t asking if they had fought. To my question about what caused the fight, Monsieur Laurent didn’t answer immediately and hesitated.

Even so, speaking ill of a father to his daughter would be inappropriate, wouldn’t it? Then shall I offer some options from my side first?

“Does Monsieur Laurent also think our Father has been strange lately?”

“Miss. Your father is simply troubled over what would be the best choice…”

“The credibility that comes with the Royal Family’s name is tremendous, isn’t it?”

As if I had hit the mark, even Monsieur Laurent’s statue-like stoic expression cracked with a flinch.

“Where did you learn about that… No, that’s not important. What matters now isn’t the source of information. Could you spare me some time?”

Gladly, by all means. I guided Monsieur Laurent to a secluded study.

As soon as we sat down, Monsieur Laurent got straight to the point.

“They brought ginseng.”

“Ginseng… you mean the raw material for Hong-sam?”

“Some investors questioned whether there really was a cure-all medicine. Then they showed them ginseng, calling it a sample.”

“So the identity of the cure-all medicine is ginseng… That wouldn’t be wrong. And it’s not like Father, of all people, wouldn’t recognize ginseng.”

Where on earth did they get ginseng from?

No, that’s not what’s urgent right now. Whether it’s ginseng or Hong-sam, importing it wouldn’t be entirely impossible.

What’s important is what comes next. Father now firmly believes in Uncle and the company behind Uncle, so then what follows is…

“Don’t tell me Father promised additional investment?”

“…I’m ashamed.”

Good heavens. A sigh escaped me without my knowing.

“They say they’ll be participating in an Eastern art auction soon.”

“Art… As long as intellectual vanity and pride exist in people, it’s the easiest field to make a quick fortune from.”

The moment you doubt it, they’d obviously attack with: How dare a nobody like you deny artworks recognized by distinguished high nobles and even royalty? Aren’t you just an ignorant country bumpkin who knows nothing about art? How dare you try to deny my aesthetic sense and, furthermore, myself?

Ah, was that too blunt? Monsieur Laurent’s gaze toward me seemed to become somewhat uncomfortable for a moment.

“Ahem. Anyway, since the appraiser is also from the Academy, I understand why he trusts them so much.”

“Then why does Monsieur Laurent oppose it?”

You understand but oppose it? Now that I think about it, that doesn’t make sense. At my question, Monsieur Laurent’s brow furrowed very slightly.

“All the conditions align too perfectly, and the process is flowing too smoothly.”

“Wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“In my experience, such cases are usually fraud. It’s a very nasty method that makes you believe good results are due to your own ability, causing you to ignore sincere advice or counsel from those around you.”

His tone suggested he was quite irritated.

“Is there no concrete evidence besides experience?”

“…That’s exactly why he was furious.”

Now I noticed that Monsieur Laurent’s shoulders had somehow sunk about a span. A lawyer arguing based on intuition rather than proper evidence—considering his usual personality, Monsieur Laurent would be more disappointed in himself than anyone else.

“Could I possibly know the name of that appraiser?”

“The appraiser? I actually looked into the appraiser as well, but he was a real appraiser who even possessed an Academy graduation certificate.”

“What proof is there that the certificate is real?”

“Miss.”

Monsieur Laurent subtly warned me. But even under his reproachful gaze asking how I could dare doubt the Academy, I didn’t withdraw my suspicion.

The Academy’s prestige and authority rivaled that of the Royal Family. Considering that most of the teachers who taught royalty were Academy graduates, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they were the only existence that didn’t need to bow before royal authority.

To dare doubt such a place? It was unthinkable by ordinary people’s common sense.

“Miss Adelaide. It’s not that I don’t understand your feelings. But that was definitely the Academy’s seal.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. A seal is ultimately just an elaborately made pattern, and even Monsieur Laurent is thinking it couldn’t be possible just because of that one pattern.”

But I wasn’t an ordinary person. The common sense of this world applied to me even less.

Monsieur Laurent, who had been clearly displeased as if his own background had been questioned, seemed to notice this loophole as his eyes suddenly changed.

“…I see. You’re absolutely right, Miss. I apologize. I’ve shown you a shameful side.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me. I happen to know someone at the Academy… but that person hasn’t been enrolled long, so it would be good to have more people to ask for help. Do you happen to know any Academy students or graduates?”

The moment I spoke, I regretted it with an ‘oh no.’ Monsieur Laurent was of commoner origin and had graduated from a regular university’s law department, not the Academy.

In both the original story and my previous life, he often treated the fact that he hadn’t attended the Academy like a complex. What if my words hurt his pride or made him uncomfortable?

But contrary to my worry, Monsieur Laurent looked quite peaceful. No, he was even smiling faintly.

My goodness! So those corners of his mouth could move upward, not just downward?

“Miss Camille was at the Academy.”

“Camille?”

That’s the first I’m hearing of this? I knew Camille had attended a girls’ school, but I had no idea she’d even attended the Academy. Wait, so Mother hired someone who graduated from the Academy as a nanny? What a waste of talent…

…Hold on.

I was continuing my thoughts when a question suddenly flashed through my mind.

Monsieur Jean-Pierre Laurent.

How did Monsieur come to know that fact that even I don’t know?

“…Ahem.”

Huh? Huh huh? Why are you avoiding eye contact? What’s with that clear and definite smile that’s practically explosive laughter by Monsieur Laurent’s standards! And why are your earlobes turning red!

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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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