The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 66

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Villainess Establishes a Department Store

Chapter 66

“My parents.”

That was the first thing he said as soon as he sat down.

“To be precise, I should say the people who raised me.”

Despite his casual shrug and nonchalant tone as he spat out those words, the atmosphere in the shop was somehow tense.

The cause was the other employees who crossed their arms with clearly displeased faces or tilted their heads sideways while looking down at him.

“Things have come to this point, so what more is there to hide. Yes. I, Bastian Belluer, am an orphan from the slums, and the parents who raised me are trash. It’s a family history that doesn’t even qualify as tragic by slum standards, so there’s no need for sympathy. I sincerely apologize for causing trouble to the customers and all of you in various ways. I’m sorry.”

“This isn’t something Bastian needs to apologize for, so lift your head.”

As Monsieur Dubois said, Bastian had done nothing wrong. But it seemed the fellow employees thought differently.

“If we continue to employ that guy, our shop’s dignity will decline.”

“There’s no guarantee they won’t come back again!”

“I heard there are cases where people holding grudges sneak around and dump trash in front of shops…”

Seeing them all speak up to tear him down as if this was their chance, it was clear what kind of treatment Bastian had received among his colleagues.

Originally, people who are too outstanding receive as much envy as admiration. Especially since I had brought Bastian in unilaterally, he might have been a thorn in the side of existing employees who had gone through proper hiring processes.

To think of this only now! While I was grinding my teeth in self-resentment, Bastian continued to confess what had happened.

“They’ve been sending letters demanding money for a while now. I thought if I gave them some money and ignored them, it would be fine… I never expected them to come in person.”

Bastian paused for a moment and twisted his expression.

“Even if you kick me out, it would be a perfectly reasonable decision. No, I would do the same if I were you.”

“Why?”

I couldn’t help but interrupt. Listening quietly seemed endless.

“…Well, because if I stay at the shop any longer, I’ll only cause more trouble for the shop.”

“So why are you trying to take responsibility for that? Preventing such people from coming is what the Pearl Gallery security guards are supposed to do.”

“…”

“I’ll protect you. Even if I have to hire guards exclusively for our shop with my own money instead of gallery security guards, I’ll make sure they never come again.”

“Why?”

This time Bastian asked me a question. Why would I go that far?

The answer was simple.

“Do you think finding an employee like you is easy? Do you think there’s another employee who’s as passionate, smart, and pretty enough to be the shop’s symbol? It’s cheaper to hire personnel than to find such a person and teach them from scratch again. That’s all.”

Then I turned around and spoke to Monsieur Dubois and the employees.

“Monsieur Dubois. Could you take a look at Bastian’s shoes?”

Bastian was flustered when everyone’s gaze suddenly focused on his feet. Regardless, Monsieur Dubois’s sharp eyes seemed to understand what I was trying to say as he stroked his chin with a “Ho.”

“The heels are quite worn out. I’m sure we provided new shoes to him at the same time as the other employees.”

At those words, the employees each lifted one foot to check their own shoes. No one had heels as worn as Bastian’s.

“That’s because he walks around so much. And… Bastian, could you show me your notebook for a moment?”

“Th-that’s…!”

“If you don’t want to, you can just show it to Monsieur Dubois. Monsieur Dubois, Bastian is an essential talent for this shop. Once you see this, you’ll have no choice but to agree.”

Unlike his dignified attitude saying he had nothing to complain about even if he was kicked out, his true feelings seemed different as Bastian handed over his notebook with trembling hands.

Monsieur Dubois took out his glasses and began examining it carefully.

With his characteristic gentle expression until the end, he thoroughly checked from the front cover to the back cover, then returned the notebook to Bastian with a bright smile.

“Bastian.”

“…Yes, Manager.”

“You don’t need to come to the store from tomorrow.”

Bastian bit his lip. He pressed so hard that his lower lip turned white. I also covered my mouth with both hands.

While the employees exchanged glances, Monsieur Dubois placed his clasped hands on the table and continued.

“Not the store, but report directly to my office.”

“Yes, yes?”

Bastian’s eyes widened. I was equally dumbfounded. The employees’ reactions went without saying.

An employee who had only been handling customer service in the store was suddenly elevated to a position where all store matters except customer service were discussed and decided.

From product purchasing to employee personnel management.

No. It definitely wasn’t overnight. Bastian’s worn notebook and shoes had just proven that.

“Please take care of me from tomorrow. There will be much for me to teach you, and much for me to learn as well.”

“B-but Manager! Bastian is still too young!”

“That’s why I just said it, didn’t I? That there’s much to teach Bastian. Don’t tell me you were worried about getting fired over this young man’s signature?”

“That’s…!”

Look at him unable to say no and just turning red in the face.

Monsieur Dubois extended his hand to Bastian first.

When he tapped the completely frozen Bastian’s shoulder, he jumped up from his spot and barely managed to clasp hands.

“I-I-I’ll work… I’ll work hard!”

And he shouted in a completely choked voice. Not missing that opportunity, I began clapping as loudly as I could.

What are you doing? You should clap too, right?

When I glared at them, the employees who had been envious of him due to his suddenly reversed fate had no choice but to clap one by one.

Abuse of power is the best!

* * *

The employees returned to the store and Monsieur Dubois even showed him the office seat he would use from tomorrow, but Bastian was still dazed until then.

I was wondering if he could find his way to his seat tomorrow when acting like that.

“Bastian!”

“…You’re saving me again this time.”

Strong, warm arms suddenly pulled me into an embrace. He whispered in my startled, stiff ear.

“Thank you so much.”

And with those final words, he stepped away from me as if nothing had happened. While I was just opening and closing my mouth, not knowing how to react to what happened in an instant, Monsieur Dubois, who had gone to report to Mother returning from her walk, came back.

“Bastian? Did something happen? Your face is red.”

“No, the tension seems to be finally releasing.”

Bastian played innocent. I was about to say something but decided to let it go. Good things are good things.

“Oh right. Monsieur Dubois, could I borrow Bastian for a bit?”

“Pardon?”

I almost forgot. This was what I came to say from the beginning.

“I’m planning to tour the Hedebeau Trading Company Warehouse with Bastian. Guillaume also gave permission, but if the shop has urgent business, it can’t be helped…”

Fortunately, Monsieur Dubois readily agreed. He even seemed to welcome it.

“Is that so? That works out well. I was just thinking of giving Bastian a short vacation while the shop atmosphere settles down. Bastian, it’s a valuable opportunity, so see and learn a lot.”

Bastian nodded with the brightest face I had ever seen.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————