The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 138

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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 138

“Of course I resented it a lot!”

I could hear Vera, Jacob’s wife, speaking while surrounded by journalists. I approached in that direction.

“But when you think about it, it’s not the Young Lady’s fault, and she’s cleaning up a mess someone else made. I thought those people must be having a hard time too, so I decided to just end things well. Actually, I was more angry because of Argos Trading Company’s attitude… But I never expected them to contact us again and show such consideration. Honestly, I was very surprised.”

Vera seemed excited as she went on at length. Her previously stern face had brightened considerably.

Beside her, her husband Jacob spoke with an embarrassed expression.

“Thank you so much, Young Lady.”

“Don’t mention it. It was only natural.”

I replied indifferently, but inside I was pleased.

It seemed I had done my best to handle things within my capabilities.

This much is fortunate.

There was another pleasant development. Duke Carnel spoke loudly as if for everyone to hear.

“You shall manage Argos Trading Company from now on. All the paperwork has been completed.”

“Thank you, Father.”

I grabbed the hem of my dress and showed my respect.

An S-rank trading company that might have been forced to close down to take responsibility for this incident had successfully survived.

Not only that, but our Black Rose Trading Company had absorbed it entirely.

If Argos Trading Company had closed down, the demon processing business that someone would have quickly snatched up was still protected as ours.

How fortunate is that?

I looked around at the people with satisfaction in my heart.

“Congratulations, Guild Leader!”

Benjamin, the greatest contributor to this affair, was also very pleased.

However, as if there was one thing he didn’t like, he pointed to one side with his chin.

“Those bastards were too lucky.”

There stood the gang of 【Daily News】 journalists who had just tried to ask me questions about the carriage accident.

Though they had failed, they still looked relieved to have avoided complete humiliation.

Is that really so?

I snorted and looked at them.

“Not a chance. They tried to mess with me and got caught red-handed, yet they think they can get away unscathed? That’s absolutely impossible in my dictionary. If you do something stupid, you have to pay the price, don’t you?”

“Ah…”

Benjamin’s eyes widened.

“I failed to understand your deeper intentions again, Guild Leader. You were indeed planning to punish them.”

“That’s right. If you’re going to hit, you have to hit where it hurts most. I’ve been glaring at those bastards and thinking of the method. There’s something we need to do first.”

“What would that be?”

“We need to visit the Guild Association.”

I answered.

Now that the successor announcement was over, there would be no problem at all for me to leave.

I left the matter to Duke Carnel and departed from the Ducal Mansion. Then I immediately went to the Imperial Guild Association with Benjamin. It’s the place that handles all guild-related administrative work.

The elderly Association President looked at me with a surprised expression and asked.

“What brings you here?”

“I want to check our ranking.”

I turned to Benjamin.

“What rank did you say we were when we last checked?”

“B-rank.”

Benjamin answered.

Hmph. Still B-rank.

In my heart, our guild had already reached S-rank long ago.

However, according to regulations, you need to achieve top-tier sales for more than two consecutive quarters for your rank to be upgraded. What strict standards.

‘But this time, even the Association won’t have a choice, right?’

I spoke confidently to the Association President.

“Check again. Our Black Rose Trading Company has absorbed Argos Trading Company.”

If guild performance is scored on a 100-point basis, S-rank would be 100 points and B-rank would be around 80 points?

Through this merger, our guild’s performance became 80 points plus 100 points, totaling 180 points. It far exceeds the standard.

‘There’s no way we won’t be S-rank.’

When I wrote the name on paper and put it into the measuring device, ‘S-rank’ indeed appeared on the screen.

“Wow!”

Benjamin was even more pleased than I was.

“I never thought this day would come! It’s the glory of our family!”

It means his future is that much brighter and more secure, so it’s understandable he’d be moved.

‘I should give him a big raise.’

I nodded contentedly and took Benjamin with me as we left the Association and headed to a law office.

First, setting everything else aside, I had to utilize this S-rank status I had obtained.

A short while later.

A complaint was filed against the 【Daily News】 journalist who had questioned me at the successor announcement.

The defendant attempted to damage the honor of Aristina Bianca Rosen and the House of Rosen with unverified information at an official event, causing massive damage to the plaintiff and disrupting business operations…

It was a complaint for business interference against an S-rank guild, demanding substantial compensation for damages.

As evidence, I submitted the torn anonymous information sheet along with testimony that it had actually circulated among the journalists.

That stupid and incompetent 【Daily News】 journalist was very flustered. As soon as he received the complaint, he ran off somewhere.

A short while later.

We learned exactly which aristocratic ladies had leaked information to him.

They were practically shouting it in our ears even while sitting still.

“Benjamin, are you ready?”

“Of course, Guild Leader.”

Benjamin’s informants quickly collected evidence and brought it to us.

Soon after, complaints were filed against those aristocratic ladies as well.

“There’s no need to grab their hair and slap their faces. It would only ruin your nails.”

In front of the law office, I spoke loudly for everyone to hear.

Thanks to upgrading to S-rank, the compensation amount had multiplied several times.

No matter how wealthy and leisurely these noble children were, they would have to argue hard and negotiate repeatedly just to barely afford it.

‘Go ahead and suffer to your heart’s content.’

This would make everyone in the Imperial Social Circle realize once again.

That carelessly touching the villainess Aristina comes with very long and troublesome consequences.

* * *

“Hmm…”

Duke Carnel opened the safe-like drawer of his study desk. Inside were various certificates packed full.

“Here, take these.”

He took them all out and handed them to his daughter.

Life was truly unpredictable.

Who would have thought the day would come when he would personally return the real estate, mine ownership rights, and other properties he had confiscated one by one each time his daughter caused trouble.

“Thank you!”

Aristina received them with great joy and gathered them up. Then she turned around and fidgeted with something.

Curious about what she was doing, he looked and saw she was checking the family’s protective power she had gained from being selected as successor.

‘She’s excited.’

Duke Carnel watched Aristina like that, then turned his head away with a “Hmph…”

Just like during the Eunice incident, his daughter seemed to have known in advance that there was something wrong with Sion.

But despite obtaining such crucial information, she judged that no one would believe her words and responded alone.

That was indeed the most prudent choice she could make in that situation.

Moreover, to personally step forward as Sion’s lawyer to prevent his execution, and even clean up this mess caused by Argos Trading Company.

‘There’s nothing to criticize.’

The Duke unconsciously thought this, then startled at his own guilt.

He unconsciously searched with his eyes for the portrait of his wife who was no longer there, making excuses.

‘No, dear. It’s not that I’m deliberately looking for faults in that child…’

Not now, but there was indeed such a time once.

Old memories came flooding back.

“What kind of state is this? Your behavior is even worse than the maids’ children!”

At some point, whenever he saw his daughter, he would first find problems and scold her.

He himself was tired and exhausted, but he thought that was a parent’s duty.

He only realized much later that it wasn’t a good approach.

‘I thought I had ruined everything.’

Indeed, life should be viewed in the long term? To think such a day would come.

He secretly glanced at his daughter’s back as she remained absorbed in testing her protective power.

‘Besides, it’s not like she’s completely closed her heart to me.’

He had learned this fact recently in the maze.

“Oh! Aristina! You’ve returned safely! I thought I’d lost you forever and regretted so much! Will you forgive this pathetic father?”

In Aristina’s illusion, Duke Carnel was saying such words.

Learning this fact made his heart very complicated.

Even if not such grand words, he could at least say something like ‘I’m glad you returned safely. I was very worried.’

After Aristina safely escaped from the nightmare with the Crown Prince and Second Prince, he actually approached his daughter to say such words.

But how difficult it was to utter the first word.

He just hesitated with “Um…” and wavered, so his daughter looked at him strangely.

Recalling that memory made him feel very pathetic.

‘Let me really try this time.’

Duke Carnel made up his mind.

I’m sorry for all this time. Let’s try to do better from now on.

After practicing the lines several times in his head, he called to his daughter who was absorbed in her protective power.

“Aristina.”

“Yes, Father.”

Aristina immediately turned around.

“…”

The Duke struggled for a moment before saying.

“There’s a moth on your hair.”

“Ah.”

Aristina calmly shook her hair to chase away the moth.

The Duke turned his head to look out the window. His face quietly contorted.

‘What am I doing? Like an idiot.’

Why is it so difficult to break down this wall?

He once even showed killing intent, yet now he’s suddenly changing his approach like this.

He felt like a very incompetent father. That’s why he couldn’t open his mouth.

“Come to think of it, Father dislikes moths, doesn’t he? I should close the window.”

At the sudden voice, he returned to reality.

His daughter was walking toward the window.

Only then did he see it. The bright moon floating in the sky.

“No. Just leave it.”

The Duke said this and looked up at the night sky.

Others seem to raise their children so well. Why is it so difficult for me?

Still, the festival will begin soon.

A time when distant families can grow closer. Isn’t that what festivals are for?

‘Let me somehow try to extend my hand first.’

Duke Carnel resolved this while looking at his daughter.

Aristina was also looking up at the sky.

The Duke suddenly spoke.

“I’m looking forward to this Founding Festival.”

“Yes.”

Aristina looked at her father and smiled brightly.

“It will be a wonderful festival. You can look forward to it.”

Yes. You should enjoy it to your heart’s content too.

The Duke said inwardly.

The moon in the night sky was looking down at such a father and daughter.

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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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