The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 35

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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 35

Ruellian shrugged his shoulders toward us father and daughter.

“Actually, the purification itself is simple. It’s just that we need to recite prayers once at the beginning and once at the end, so it’s somewhat difficult during the silent prayer period.”

“I understand. That’s why it’s difficult to ask for this favor…”

“But who is the Duke? Aren’t you a VIP of our Order?”

Ruellian looked at the Duke with eyes that thoroughly concealed his true intentions.

“The schedule can be adjusted somewhat. If it’s something absolutely necessary for the Duke’s Family, we can provide this level of convenience.”

“Oh…”

At the cold-blooded beast’s kindness, Duke Carnel was momentarily swayed.

Who wouldn’t be?

When he slightly curves those violet eyes and says pleasant things, it really feels like receiving some tremendous special treatment.

Duke Carnel was also someone who lived with his guard up, but he couldn’t even guess that Ruellian had other ulterior motives.

A person who acts arrogantly while thoroughly hiding his secrets.

To lure such a target, you have to make them believe they’re moving of their own accord.

Like the fairy tale protagonist who picks up cookie crumbs one by one and gets lured all the way to the witch’s house.

‘Ruellian must still think of me as a person of interest. Now he must be curious about what secret orders I received from the Imperial Court.’

He’ll probably get his hands on a clue soon.

-The Princess, Crown Prince, and Second Prince are plotting some secret operation.

After hearing that much, he’ll become even more curious, right?

I thought this while looking at Duke Carnel.

The Duke was giving lengthy thanks.

“To postpone the schedule and provide convenience. The ceremony preparations must already be finished. I’m truly grateful that you’d do this.”

“Not at all. I’ll contact you as soon as the purification is completed as quickly as possible.”

“Ah, it would be better to contact my daughter rather than me.”

“Understood.”

Ruellian smiled and answered thus, then looked at me again.

I quickly said.

“I see your schedule is very busy? Since I’m not exactly a leisurely person either, I’ll have to visit after the silent prayer period ends.”

Instead of answering, he silently looked at me.

His eyes were confident, saying ‘You won’t be able to escape anyway.’

But that’s what I should be saying.

You’re the one who’s going to get caught.

Thinking this to myself, I gave him a bright smile.

“Why? Don’t you like it? You seem very interested in me?”

He calmly retorted.

“Very interested, indeed.”

“I’m quite addictive, you know.”

“Addictive, what nonsense!”

Duke Carnel clicked his tongue.

“Paying respect to Your Grace’s deep heart in trying to save a lost lamb, I’ll make sure to tie this child up and send her to the Order when the prayer period ends. Now, let’s go. Let’s not waste any more precious time with our family’s affairs.”

When the Duke stood up taking me with him, it became an awkward situation to detain us further.

Ruellian reluctantly bid farewell.

“Farewell.”

“Take care.”

After exchanging seemingly peaceful farewells, I followed the Duke outside.

“Phew…”

As soon as I caught my breath in a place with no people, Duke Carnel revealed the puzzled expression he had hidden earlier.

“What exactly is this official business? What is His Highness the Second Prince doing that’s even secret from you?”

It seemed he left his seat even more quickly because he was curious about this.

I opened my mouth.

“Well, actually…”

The first button was safely fastened. Now it couldn’t be undone no matter what. Duke Carnel should know too.

“If I lend that ice crown to His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Second Prince, they’ll probably use it to lure that thief called ‘Black Phantom’ or something.”

“What?”

Duke Carnel was startled. I quickly said.

“Don’t worry. Who are they, after all? The treasure will return to our house without any problems.”

“No, that’s not the issue…”

The Duke frowned and said.

“Why are you involved in this? For things to work properly, that shouldn’t happen, should it?”

Ah, was that the bigger problem?

“His Highness the Second Prince was troubled, so I just offered my opinion. The idea was to hold a treasure exhibition to commemorate the department store opening and naturally lure the thief. It’s not a bad idea, is it?”

“Hmm…”

“Anyway, I just need to lend my name to it. It would be good to earn some points with the treasure rental fee from this opportunity.”

I quickly spoke to reassure the Duke. Meanwhile, I didn’t forget to give instructions.

“For that to work, a surprise reveal would be more impressive, so please keep the fact that we’ve already prepared the treasure a secret. Even in front of His Highness the Second Prince tomorrow.”

“Oh right.”

Duke Carnel raised his eyebrows as if just remembering.

“Come to think of it, His Highness the Second Prince is coming to our house tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. At 3 PM.”

That’s right.

I briefly reviewed my schedule.

‘Thief hunting aside, this matter is also very important.’

My new business was also progressing steadily.

After securing a contract, what comes next? Supply of goods.

To quickly recover his somewhat unstable condition, Aldensis wanted me to promptly begin that work.

So tomorrow. We decided to go to the World Tree Root-Connected Mine and collect the ‘World Tree’s Lullaby.’

In other words, the historic day when our Black Rose Trading Company would collect payment for the first time had arrived.

“I know the Queen Aunt sent you detailed instructions. But since it’s our first transaction, someone from our side should accompany and observe. For example, me, or perhaps me…”

As I was lost in thought recalling Zikren’s somewhat rambling words, Duke Carnel stared at me intently.

“Our family’s troublemaker has suddenly taken on important responsibilities beyond her station, so I can’t tell if this is good or bad. To handle such important work, you’ll need people to use as your hands and feet… If you need even my advisors, tell me. I want to avoid family disgrace at all costs.”

“…”

I looked back at him.

“Yes, Father. I’ll let you know if I need them.”

We rode the carriage back to the Ducal Mansion. Even sitting face to face, we didn’t say a word to each other, but the Duke’s words kept echoing in my head.

‘Being a building owner, he certainly has experience. To point out that what I desperately need right now are people I can use like my own hands and feet.’

Though he did point it out while hitting me with harsh words like ‘family troublemaker’ and ‘beyond her station.’

‘But he even offered to lend me his precious advisors. That cold-blooded Duke…!’

This was really a good proposal. When would I get such an opportunity again?

But…

Unfortunately, it was pie in the sky for me. If I borrowed the Duke’s people, everything I did would obviously reach the Duke’s ears.

What I was about to do from now on must not be known to anyone.

Therefore, I needed workers who would keep their mouths shut and be loyal only to me.

‘Whether in terms of ability or accessibility… the maids are perfect.’

It was about time to start recovering relationships. It was time to recruit at least one of the maids to my side.

So I had pulled some strings in advance.

‘I have no talent for winning hearts, and all I have is money.’

First, I decided to find the maid in the most financially difficult situation and reviewed all the interview documents from when they were hired.

As a result, a maid named ‘Sophie’ was selected as the first candidate.

Name: Sophie Linden.

Applied position: Young Lady’s makeup assistant.

Application motivation: Paying interest on loan (100 million).

There were several maids who were forced to work because of debt, but among them, Sophie’s debt was the largest.

‘What circumstances could have led her to take out a loan of 100 million?’

It was an enormous sum for an ordinary maid. There must be some story behind it. But even if I asked her directly, she obviously wouldn’t tell me.

And casually asking some of the employees who were known as the social hubs of the Ducal Mansion…

‘There’s a high chance that conversation would reach Eunice’s ears.’

In that case, it would be better to use an outsider who has nothing to do with it.

Fortunately, I had gained one trustworthy person in the meantime.

None other than… Benjamin, the sole employee of our guild.

I decided to entrust this task to him. So when I visited the guild office, I casually mentioned it mixed in with other business.

“Understood, Merchant Guild Leader.”

Benjamin answered readily. And true to his word, he promptly handled that task along with the other matters.

After receiving a reply that the investigation results were ready, I headed to the meeting place to hear the findings.

“Merchant Guild Leader, have you arrived?”

True to his diligent and sincere nature, he had arrived early and was waiting before our appointed time.

Come to think of it, with that round beret on, he looked somewhat like a busy hamster.

“Benjamin.”

I approached him while pulling my wide-brimmed hat down even further.

“Why did you come so early? Have you been waiting long?”

“Not at all. I just arrived and sat down a moment ago.”

Benjamin said while looking around.

“By the way, this is quite an unusual meeting place for a young lady of a great noble family to choose. The middle of a park.”

“I like places like this. Open, crowded, where someone is constantly patrolling. It suits my taste perfectly.”

“I see. Personal preferences are important.”

Benjamin nodded knowingly as he handed over a file folder.

“Anyway, here are the investigation results you requested.”

“Oh, good.”

I quickly took it and opened it. Who on earth did my maid owe 100 million to? I was curious and hurriedly opened the file.

But…

“Let me see.”

My eyes suddenly froze as I scanned through the file.

“What is this?”

The name of the creditor that Benjamin had noted down was completely unexpected.

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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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