The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 22

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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 22

A public confrontation with an investor?

Everyone looked so dumbfounded that they couldn’t even express such doubts.

“…?”

Zikren also just blinked his eyes.

According to the pattern so far, I should have been desperately trying to secure that contract.

So he probably worked hard to come up with countermeasures in his own way. Though it would probably just be settling things with force anyway.

‘But it’s all become useless now?’

Seeing his bewildered face was so satisfying that I even showed Zikren a haughty sniff.

“Besides, as you saw earlier, His Highness the Second Prince doesn’t want me interfering in this matter. But if I force my way in, would the business really go well?”

I walked along the line with clicking steps while speaking loudly.

“Just because I got some information, I shouldn’t rush in without knowing when to join and when to step back, right? The business I want to do isn’t like that…”

I slammed down my business card on the desk in front of me.

“This is exactly the business I’m talking about.”

That was precisely Queen Aunt’s desk.

That’s right.

The money-making venture I chose was music boxes.

After reading through each of the hot topics of this General Assembly in the pamphlet, I came to a conclusion.

‘This music box is our new cash cow.’

Well, how much could I really know about business? I’m just riding along.

I didn’t need to rack my brains unnecessarily. The model answer already existed.

‘Cash cow business’.

The reason the family had assigned me only those types was probably because that kind of business perfectly suited the Young Lady’s situation.

Even if it couldn’t make big money, it was a business with an already established customer base that could run steadily and stably.

That matched exactly with this music box business.

‘I just need to add my spoon to the results analyzed by the family’s talents.’

For me, who had resolved to just work hard, any other information had no value. Even if it was high-level information from the Imperial Court.

Queen Aunt seemed pleased with my decision.

“Well thought. What do investors know? They only dream of striking it rich. You have to filter their words appropriately. How dangerous are undisclosed bids? Unless you’re greedy to curry favor with the future emperor in advance, there’s no need to hang your neck on that side. This side is the real deal.”

“You speak truly.”

Someone said crisply.

“That side is so fierce that cutthroat bleeding competition is already happening. No matter how much we can form connections with Their Highnesses, for merchants like us, it’s a deal without much substance.”

The one who said that was a certain Noble Lady. An ‘S-rank’ nameplate glittered on her chest.

‘She must be hurt in her pride because only I received praise just now?’

There were quite a few competitors targeting the cash cow. Besides the one S-rank, most were A-rank and B-rank.

“Good. Very good.”

Queen Aunt seemed satisfied with the many applicants.

“Now, come here everyone. Let that side talk among themselves, and we’ll talk among ourselves.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

While following Queen Aunt, I felt a sting on the back of my head and glanced back.

Was it Ruellian? But it wasn’t.

He seemed to have lost all composure after being blindsided by me…

Perhaps because Zikren with abilities was present, he was cautiously buried among the crowd for now.

It was precisely that Zikren who was glaring at me.

He didn’t even answer the questions from contract hopefuls, just silently frowned in my direction.

“Your Highness!”

The Aristocratic Ladies surrounded such Zikren in a circle.

Even if not as much as his brother, the younger brother was also popular. Though outnumbered, their loyalty felt even more fervent.

These were that type too. Their excited voices reached even my ears.

“Your Highness! You must be displeased with that person causing trouble, but they’ll be cleanly eliminated early on anyway!”

“That’s right! That person has ‘cursed hands’ that ruin everything. They even mess up business opportunities spoon-fed from home, so how could they possibly secure a contract?”

“Exactly! Exactly!”

At their excessively loud voices, the people around me flinched.

“Keep talking like that.”

When I muttered, people turned pale as if they’d seen a snake slithering right in front of them.

No, I literally meant please keep talking like that?

Hearing such things makes competitors even more complacent. They’re actually helping me, aren’t they?

‘Louder! More bluntly! That’s right! Well done!’

While cheering on the Second Prince’s enthusiastic fans, I squeezed in among the Guild Masters.

“When will you decide on the contractor?”

At the S-rank’s question, Queen Aunt answered as if she’d been waiting.

“I’d like to decide right now if I could! But as you know, this is my lifelong business and excellent pension, so I plan to decide carefully through interviews tomorrow. Here, there’s the interview location and simple precautions.”

Queen Aunt distributed envelopes containing invitation letters to all Guild Masters.

“Thank you.”

The Guild Masters all rushed out.

‘Right. This is it. I should escape by blending in here too.’

I naturally mixed into the group of Guild Masters and made a run for it outside the Imperial Palace.

It was impossible for the villainess Aristina to engage in group behavior. No one knew I was mixed in there. Even the Guild Masters didn’t know.

“How is everyone planning to prepare for the interview?”

While asking questions and looking at each other, they finally discovered me and startled.

‘What’s this.’

I tilted my head and said.

“There are various types of interviews, aren’t there, everyone? Personality interviews, practical interviews, discussion interviews…”

“Where was the interview location again? Has anyone read the invitation?”

The S-rank pretended not to hear me and asked everyone.

“No. Shall we look now?”

The Guild Masters opened their invitations.

I also tore open my envelope.

“Tomorrow’s interview will be held at noon at Silverpigeon Palace? And…”

Everyone paused there. They had discovered the additional content at the bottom.

As you well know, our workshop handles production, and the guild will handle the rest. First, the most important thing is the ability to procure materials.

Bring a sample of the maple walnut wood we use to make music boxes to tomorrow’s meeting. Maple walnut wood samples can be obtained from nearby lumber merchants. You can dispatch guild staff to receive samples.

Only those who bring proper contracts and samples can participate in the interview.

“To think such a test was hidden! If we had opened this later, it would have been a disaster, everyone.”

When I said that, the Guild Masters looked up at me. One A-rank pretended to be worried and asked.

“Princess, will you be able to continue? You probably don’t have staff to send to the lumber merchant…”

“I do though? Thanks to throwing thousands into maintenance costs every month.”

“Ah, I see. It’s really fortunate that you have so much money, Princess. But…”

The A-rank hesitated for a moment.

“From what I know, the current state of your guild is, how should I put it…”

She pondered deeply, then suddenly said “Ah.” and looked at one spot.

As if she couldn’t bear to say it with words, but had found a very appropriate comparison instead.

The other Guild Masters and I looked in that direction.

Someone’s abandoned handcart was helplessly overturned. The wooden spokes were all rotted, looking like they could never recover.

Why not just say it with words? This feels worse!

Of course, that was probably the intended effect.

“That’s right. You’re correct.”

I smiled brightly at the Guild Masters.

“It’s true that our guild currently can’t roll properly like this handcart.”

“Oh my, Princess. That’s not what I meant…”

“But!”

I cut off her words. Then I slowly approached and picked up a wooden beam from inside the handcart, and the next moment, I swung it hard at the cart wheel.

Crack!

The rotted wheel spokes broke apart, leaving only the circular axle in the center. I struck the wheel on the opposite side in the same way, smashing it to pieces.

Crack! Crack!

Both sides were left with only the round axles. Dusting off my hands, I said.

“Now how are you going to roll away on your own?”

The wheels had become ridiculously small, but when I pulled the handle, it began to move while scraping against the ground with a grinding sound.

“…”

Everyone stared at me like I was crazy.

I didn’t care.

I snapped open a fan I had taken from my bag.

I was planning to fix things up soon anyway, so this worked out well. Those guild bastards must have been living it up while taking advantage of their master, the Young Lady, all this time.

But you know what?

Those good times just ended.

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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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