Revenge Comes with Interest - Chapter 71

Terran was engaged in a tense psychological battle with Allen over the Bertran railway project. The agents he hired were locked in daily bidding wars with Allen’s side, a conflict that was a war in everything but name. As a result, other bidders had long since dropped out, and provocative articles decorated the front pages of newspapers, describing the race as a two-way showdown between Duke Terran Courtois and President Allen McDowell.

“Raise the bid by 20% over Allen’s proposal.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

“In exchange, include a condition demanding the exclusive railway business rights for all of Bertan.”

“That is a condition the McDowell Company has also put forward.”

“Is that so?”

Terran tapped his fingers on the table, lost in thought. Initially, he hadn’t the slightest intention of entering the railway business. Even now, that remained true. However, since he had decided to compete, he intended to walk away with a profit.

“Add a clause for the exclusive import rights of Bertran ceramics and silk. Tell them we will raise the bid by 30% if that is included.”

Luke chuckled at Terran’s conditions. It was gratifying just to imagine how furious Allen would be once he found out. Just then, another subordinate provided a piece of vital information.

“It seems President McDowell is planning a large-scale import of cotton fabrics. He intends to sell them cheaply and in high volume across various continental markets.”

“Cotton has no future. Just watch; silk will prevail over cotton.”

Terran knew that every country on the continent had more than one or two textile factories. Would they sit idly by while cheap foreign cotton flooded in? Their livelihoods would be at stake.

Meanwhile, Allen’s camp was equally on edge. Looking at the situation reports that arrived via telegram, it was clear Terran had jumped into the railway business with a vengeance.

“What? Raising it by 30% and demanding exclusive rights to ceramics and silk? He knows nothing of the world.”

Allen believed it was far more profitable to secure the railway business for the entire Bertan region. Why bother importing luxury goods favored only by the upper class? To make big money, one had to supply goods everyone wanted at a cheap price.

“President, if we raise it more than 30%, we will exceed our budget.”

The secretary tried to stop Allen. They had already raised the bid too far; going further was dangerous. At this rate, even if they won the bid, it would be difficult to turn a profit. They risked laying another country’s railway for free.

“What if Duke Courtois raises the price and then pulls out?”

“He won’t. That man wants to beat me.”

Allen was certain of Terran’s competitive nature. If it were a shallow trick, Terran wouldn’t have brought in a massive team of experts. Most of all, Allen recalled what he had heard from Viscount Martinpolo.

[Duke Courtois is an ambitious man. The railway business is merely an excuse.]

[An excuse?]

Because the Viscount had kept his mouth shut at the crucial moment, Allen only received an answer after handing over a check.

[The railway business is just a superficial excuse. In reality, he plans to make Bertran a vassal state along with the Lubeck Imperial Family.]

[Colonization?]

[President McDowell, do not forget. Duke Courtois is not a businessman, but a politician. And behind him is the Lubeck Emperor, who dreams of imperialism.]

If that were the case, Allen couldn’t let Terran take the Bertan railway rights no matter what. Furthermore, the media across the continent was focused on their rivalry with intense interest. Allen sat with his fingers interlocked, agonizing over the decision. What was the way to suppress Terran in one move? He had to crush the Lubeck plot for imperialism entirely.

“Raise the bid by 50% over the existing price.”

The secretary was aghast at Allen’s words. Even as he tried to intervene, Allen remained stubborn.

‘I will never lose to that bastard.’

A few days later, a scoop broke in daily newspapers across the continent. Terran wore a very satisfied expression as he read the paper.

“The McDowell Company raised the Bertran railway bid by 50%?”

He had succeeded in driving the price up significantly. He tossed the newspaper aside and spoke to his agent.

“Now is the time. We’re pulling out.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

“However, make sure we secure the exclusive rights for silk and ceramics.”

“The contract is already finalized. The McDowell Company showed little interest in silk or ceramics, so…”

“Well done.”

Terran wore a triumphant smile and turned his gaze toward Luke.

“Go to the newspaper and have them run a plausible article. Something like, ‘Duke Terran Courtois Kneels Before the Sophistication of President Allen McDowell.'”

“Should I have it handled as an extra edition?”

“Even better.”

Terran imagined Allen celebrating, unaware of the truth.

‘You should know that you can’t even reach the heels of Richard Hamilton.’

Terran clicked his tongue. Luke left the office humming a tune, and Lea arrived to see Terran in his place. She was flustered as everyone rose from their seats upon her entrance.

“Am I interrupting?”

“No, the meeting is over.”

He looked at Lea and patted his knee. It was a signal for her to come and sit on his lap. Instead, she just blushed and sat in the seat next to him.

“How disappointing.”

“What if James walks in?”

She felt it was embarrassing for others to see.

“I plan to bring in ceramics and silk from Bertran in large quantities. Grace, start thinking about how to sell them.”

“I’ve already finished thinking.”

Lea intended to make and wear dresses for herself and the other women for the day of the Galdensia selection banquet. Adding a dress for Vivian and Teresa would provide perfect promotion. Everything worn or used by an object of envy drew public attention; a heart filled with admiration often becomes a catalyst for public desire.

“In that case…”

Terran pulled a paper from his coat. He was determined to get the signature for the last remaining grape.

“This is strictly a matter of business, isn’t it?”

“Do you dislike it?”

“This paper only reflects things between Terran and me.”

‘Ha! This clever rabbit and her tricks.’ He had expected her not to sign so easily. Still, he couldn’t help but find her a bit spiteful.

“Grace, are you trying to kill me with this suspense?”

“You won’t die.”

“You’ll regret this later.”

“Why would I regret it?”

“In life, there will come a day when I’m the one playing hard to get with Grace.”

“I’m not scared at all. Really.”

The two bickered playfully. Terran was impatient because that last grape remained empty. However, Lea enjoyed watching his reaction. Soon, Terran touched her face and whispered sweetly.

“When is May coming?”

“Soon.”

Lea cupped his cheek in response. In that moment, an overwhelming emotion passed between them that words couldn’t fully describe. All that remained was a finishing kiss—or so they thought, until a knock at the door made them jump apart.

“Your Grace.”

James hurried into the office. “A message has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”

Terran unfolded the letter James handed him, and the color that had been in his face just moments ago vanished, replaced by a stiff expression.

“James, prepare my uniform. His Majesty has ordered me to the palace.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

Lea was seized by a sense of dread. Even when she asked Terran what was happening, he only offered his usual smile and didn’t give her the details. He only said he would tell her after he returned.

Lea stood by the window and watched Terran and Luke leave the mansion on horseback. The weather, which had been sunny in the morning, suddenly turned gloomy, further amplifying her anxiety. If Sonya hadn’t been grumbling, Lea might have stood by the window all day waiting for his return.

“About Miss Adele Wellington. They said she was a bookworm, but it seems she can’t distinguish between reality and fantasy.”

Sonya grumbled as she read the request form. The reason was that the client had been deeply moved by the novel Carmen and wanted her dress for the selection banquet to embody the character “Carmen.”

“Carmen is a gypsy and a ‘bad woman,’ isn’t she?”

Lea was also taken aback by the absurd request, but since she couldn’t just join in on Sonya’s complaining, she decided to take a different approach.

“Sonya, she said ’embody.’ Who else but you could recreate a lowly gypsy protagonist with such elegance and dignity? It will stand out much more than the carbon-copy dresses of the other ladies.”

At Lea’s encouragement and praise, Sonya stopped grumbling. Instead, she began sketching on paper and asking for opinions. Soon, Sonya and Marie were agonizing together over how to embody the atmosphere of Carmen in a dress.

In the midst of this, the image of Terran’s stiff face wouldn’t leave Lea’s mind. But there was someone else just like her.

“What do I do?”

Chenera ran outside with a pale face. Lea and Pauline chased after her.

“Chenera! Where are you going?”

No matter how much Pauline called, she didn’t stop. Chenera passed the first-floor lobby and headed into the rain-soaked yard. Truly, the problem was that Chenera’s words and actions were unpredictable. Chenera wailed as she stamped her feet in the rain.

“Brother Luke might die!”

“What?”

Lea felt a chill run up to her head.

“Brother and the Mister are leaving for a long way to fight a big battle! But both of them disappear!”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Even as Pauline scolded her, Chenera rambled incoherently. Pauline dragged Chenera inside, while Lea’s legs trembled so much she couldn’t move. Just then, James approached Lea.

“My Lady, the day is cold. Please go inside.”

“James, why did Terran go to the palace?”

“Well…”

“Don’t play games with me like last time.”

“That was an instruction from the Duke.”

James looked troubled by Lea’s solemn face but soon regained his usual composure.

“Have you forgotten? The Duke is a soldier.”

Did that mean Terran and Luke were going to war soon? Lea was terrified, feeling as though her ominous premonition was coming true.

“As always, the Duke will be victorious.”

Unlike James, who felt pride in Terran’s abilities, Lea’s soul was shaken. She had briefly forgotten the fact that trials follow overwhelming happiness.

Support Revenge Comes with Interest