The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 136

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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 136

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“It’s delicious!”

Serene’s sapphire eyes widened.

What was piled on the plate in front of us were honey lemon cupcakes. A small gift I had brought for Serene.

After defeating the evil Building Owner yesterday and recharging my energy, I visited Serenity Salon early today.

It was to thank the unfortunate protagonist who had taken on the group project all by herself.

“Even though everyone else ran away, you worked so hard directing the Imperial Tournament preparations alone, Serene. I heard that since there was no one to consult about imperial protocol or religious ceremonies, everyone came to you with questions?”

“No, that’s not something I’d call hardship.”

Angel-like Serene comforted me instead.

“Compared to the ordeal Aristina went through, it’s really nothing at all. To enter that eerie maze in the other world, confront a dark mage controlled by evil forces, obtain the legendary sword, and rescue the Princess.”

“…”

Hearing it like that, it really did seem like doing the group project alone would have been better, as Serene said. I lamented.

“Being a successor is really hard.”

“Still, thinking of the Rosen Family, it’s really fortunate. Who would have known Sion would betray us like that?”

Come to think of it, in my memory there were many scenes of Serene smiling brightly at Sion.

She almost got backstabbed too if things had gone wrong.

“I reflected a lot this time. I realized my eye for people is still far from adequate. I can’t become a great person like Aristina with that.”

Serene looked at me with sparkling eyes.

“To recognize a competitor’s true nature early and completely subdue them to receive a loyalty oath. When will I ever reach the level where I can make an opponent voluntarily take poison? It seems impossible even if I died and came back to life.”

That’s not true. If you died and came back to life, it would be possible.

Since Serene seemed like she would really listen seriously and study it, I swallowed those words to myself.

The budding villainess was diligently moving forward step by step today as well. While steadily building her bond with me.

After giving Serene some advice that might help her, I asked about something I had been wondering about.

“The Hyperion Family does business using spirit magic, right? I heard they’re particularly interested in charity work and rehabilitation projects, including devices to help people who have lost body parts. Is that correct?”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Serene nodded.

“If you use spirit stones well, unlike magic, you can create small devices that move permanently. Father researched it almost to the final stage, but then stopped. He said spirit stones are too expensive to be practical for ordinary people.”

“I thought so.”

Everything I had looked into was correct. I suggested happily.

“Then could I invest all the costs for a certain person, so that person could be selected as a test subject? Could you ask the Duke about it?”

“Pardon?”

Serene was surprised.

“If it’s Aristina’s request, Father would definitely consider it positively. But who is this person?”

“Ah…”

I briefly explained to Serene about the accident caused by Argos Guild.

The victim’s family had eventually softened to our apology and accepted the compensation.

But the sight of the victim’s back, limping so severely that one side of his body tilted, wouldn’t leave my mind.

It was because of the very words I had said myself.

“That doesn’t change anything from the victim’s perspective. The pain is the same.”

If I know that, I shouldn’t just end it with compensation money.

I have wealth and connections, so couldn’t I try a bit harder? I should do my best. Everyone’s best is different.

When I said that, Serene was impressed.

“As expected, Aristina is thorough in everything. With such a story, Father would be even more in favor. I’ll handle all the necessary procedures in between so we can prepare quickly.”

“Thank you so much, Serene.”

“Wait a moment. It’s not free.”

Serene said quickly.

“Aristina taught me earlier too. You said I shouldn’t give favors for free. In exchange for handling this matter quickly, there’s one price I want to ask from Aristina.”

“Not bad.”

I was impressed.

“What is it?”

“This.”

Serene smiled brightly and pointed to the plate.

“Please supply these honey lemon cupcakes to my salon too. I want to make a formal contract and sell them. Then Aristina will visit my salon more often.”

Then she quickly added.

“Of course, I want to see you often for study purposes.”

“So diligent!”

When I praised her, Serene was very happy.

I could almost see the illusion of a large dog’s tail wagging left and right from behind her dress.

I had taken care of the unfortunate protagonist who got stuck with all the work, and made a good contract too.

I bid farewell to Serene with a refreshed heart and left the salon.

But…

Just as I was about to get into the carriage, someone approached with large strides.

“President.”

A slightly hoarse voice. Gray hair visible under a bowler hat. A monocle. A coat with the collar turned up.

It was Melissa Gremory, the Editor-in-Chief of my newspaper company.

“Well, look who it is?”

I put my foot back down from the step.

“I was actually planning to visit the newspaper company. I heard you ended up giving Benjamin information about the victim’s family? You acted like you wouldn’t listen to my request. I’m so grateful I don’t know what to do.”

I expressed my gratitude rather dramatically, but her face remained stiff as ever.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

Gremory Editor-in-Chief said that while pointing to a quiet tea house right next to us.

What was bound to come has come.

I silently followed Gremory inside.

Though I had said in words that she could quit anytime, now that I thought the moment had come, I wasn’t pleased.

Please bear with me a little. I brought you a scoop too. Ruellian said he wants to work with you guys, so I can bring you more.

I sent that mental message, but it didn’t seem to reach her at all. The Editor-in-Chief said with a blunt face.

“I hate vulgar nobles who act up just because they have power the most. Especially young ones who show off just because their family has some money. So after much deliberation, I’m telling you this…”

While saying that, she put her hand in her coat and pulled out a white paper.

Here it comes. The resignation letter technique.

Before that paper could unfold, I quickly reached out and tore it to shreds. Then I shouted.

“Oops! Sorry. I have a habit of tearing napkins whenever I sit in a tea house.”

“…”

The Editor-in-Chief froze, looking dumbfounded.

Soon a lion’s roar burst out.

“Why did you tear this! This was precious information I showed you after so much internal conflict!”

“Information?”

Wasn’t it a resignation letter?

Only then when I looked closely, I could see words like ‘Rosen’ and ‘Argos’.

Huh?

I hurriedly pieced the paper fragments together.

“What is this paper?”

“Information. It’s an anonymous information sheet circulating among journalists. Usually 99 percent reliable. This one was about something big happening to the Rosen Duke’s family.”

The Editor-in-Chief explained with a sour face.

“As the President knows, I did some background investigation to write an exposé article about the Rosen Duke’s family. That’s when I found out there are quite a few enemies secretly grinding their teeth at you, President. Rich Aristocratic Ladies with plenty of time.”

Of course such people wouldn’t be nonexistent.

Like the Young Ladies who approached to pick fights at the Guild Leaders’ Assembly, or the Young Lady who spread rumors at Serene’s salon.

While there were Young Ladies like Lilibeth who became close to me, there would still be those who quietly burned with hatred from afar.

Those who were going to fall would have all fallen by now, leaving only the core forces tightly united.

“They spread money everywhere and commissioned exclusive detective agencies for Aristocratic Ladies to keep trying to find your weaknesses, President. They’re all clever in bad ways, so they bribed people here and there and even used threats to finally get a rough idea about that carriage accident.”

The Editor-in-Chief showed me a hastily compiled information sheet.

“Since Sion Michael was captured, Duke and President must take full responsibility in his place. Argos is an S-rank trading company that deals in expensive magical beast processed goods for the wealthy.”

A fluent analysis followed.

“When harsh criticism arises, everyone will compete to cancel their deals. A trading company that was well-nurtured under the family will disintegrate overnight. No matter how wealthy the family is, paying all the penalty fees will cause quite significant damage. To make all this deal the biggest blow to President, they plan to expose this incident right after President was selected as the successor.”

“How could they do such a thing!”

When I shouted, the Editor-in-Chief clicked her tongue as if to say ‘see what I mean.’

“Calm down, President. There’s still time to handle this.”

“No, that’s not it….”

I opened my bag and rummaged through papers. These were materials I had gathered to show Duke Carnel.

“I already fired all the related parties within Argos Trading Company, apologized, and paid compensation. And I just met Serene and even obtained the opportunity to install a walking device on the victim’s leg. Since that family would chase away anyone asking questions by throwing eggs, everyone probably didn’t know, but it’s already been resolved amicably.”

What now?

The Editor-in-Chief gaped with that kind of expression.

“Then why were you so surprised earlier?”

“Because you were beating a dead horse too severely.”

I retorted.

Are you all slugs? Why do you all lack information? How do you plan to survive in the Imperial Social Circle with that kind of preparation?

Since everything ended amicably, there was no damage at all.

What was truly surprising wasn’t that.

It was that the ruthless Gremory Editor-in-Chief had tipped me off about this fact, me who is ‘young and green, showing off just because I have some family money’ as she put it.

‘Why did she bother to inform me of such information?’

Being so curious about that, I stared intently at her face.

“Did you perhaps help me, Editor-in-Chief?”

I could see Gremory flinch.

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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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