The Elder Sister Who Ran Away After Being Cheated by Her Fiancé and Younger Sister - Chapter 16:

Feeling thoroughly exasperated by Patrick’s consistently confrontational tone, Estelle finished asking the necessary questions.

Being told about his dreams was indeed troublesome.

This wasn’t school. She wanted him to achieve actual results before coming here.

He probably wanted to use the military as his achievement, but the scope and scale were far too large.

—If you want to make a big gamble, you should first build up your own credibility and establish trust with the other party. But starting with the worst possible impression; what were you thinking?

Moreover, Estelle knew the inner workings of Heinny Trading Company well. If the company had dramatically improved its performance since she left home, that would be one thing, but from the documents, it was clear they were maintaining the status quo.

No, actually, their performance might have declined slightly in recent years. But looking at the long term, businesses go up and down and average out. That was the kind of business Heinny Trading Company had always been.

Even though they were considered a major trading company, it was only by frontier standards. Still, they had maintained that position for many years, so they were definitely producing results.

Estelle respected her parents as merchants.

—But you’re no good, and your plan is no good either.

Estelle glanced at the young man sprawled arrogantly on the sofa before her.

He probably wouldn’t understand unless she spoke clearly, so Estelle pointed it out with the tiniest shred of sibling affection she could muster.

But just as expected, Patrick’s face turned red with anger.

“Because you selfishly ran away from home, I’m forced to inherit that old-fashioned, oversized country trading company! If you had any human decency, you’d normally feel bad about that. I came all the way to the capital to give you a chance to make amends, and this is how you act? Really, every single Heinny woman is unpleasant, stupid, and has a terrible personality. No wonder Father seeks comfort in Mother.”

“Then why don’t you just not inherit it?”

“Hah? Are you stupid? There’s no way I can do that. Think a little. Have you been using only your body in the military and not your head? Really, all my sisters are useless.”

Estelle had already stopped properly listening to her brother, but she thought, “Oh?”

When he said “all my sisters,” did that mean Clara was also in the “useless” category in Patrick’s mind?

…Well, the reality was that she was indeed useless, but it seemed he hadn’t been fooled by her appearance and joined her followers.

She thought that, but that was all.

“Our meeting is concluded for today. Thank you for coming.”

Estelle neatly tapped the documents into order and put them in her folder.

“Huh? We haven’t signed the contract yet. Hurry up and do it.”

“We won’t be. Although you’ve been insulting me this entire time, even setting that aside, we’re nowhere near the contract stage. I explained that, didn’t I? I won’t repeat myself.”

“Wha… Is this harassment? You really are a twisted woman.”

“This isn’t harassment. Please visit again if you have another promising proposal.”

She would keep him on the list for now, but what were the chances?

It wasn’t that there was no potential, but she had no obligation to tell him that.

To begin with, Heinny Trading Company could continue doing well in the frontier without taking the risk of coming to the capital to contract with the military. And if they wanted to expand their market, she thought their approach was wrong.

While Estelle was lost in thought, Patrick continued making a scene, but soon heavy footsteps approached, and the door opened quietly.

“I heard there was someone insulting our military officers and interfering with their duties.”

After the giant military police officers left, the room fell silent.

Unless an extremely attractive proposal came along, she probably wouldn’t be meeting with Heinny Trading Company again.

“Well, at least I learned my brother’s name,” she thought.

Everything else had been a waste of effort.

Estelle checked the clock. It was exactly noon.

She would eat something delicious and change her mood.

◇

After organizing some documents, Estelle went to the cafeteria a bit late and found Fretes there.

How unusual.

Fretes and Valken were constantly moving around the territory.

They spent little time at headquarters, and when they were here, their schedules were packed solid. If she ever saw them, it was during meetings or late at night after work.

But she wanted them to rest properly at night, so Estelle never forced herself to approach them.

To Estelle, they were precious comrades-in-arms, but to them, she was just one of many people they supported.

Thinking that far, she remembered Fretes’s lover.

For this matter alone, maybe she should ask Valken to make some time, even if it was imposing.

Perfect timing. Thinking she’d ask Fretes to pass along a message, Estelle headed toward Fretes’s table.

“Good afternoon.”

“Oh, Miss Estelle! What a coincidence.”

“Indeed. So, you’re at headquarters.”

Estelle sat in the seat next to Fretes.

Sitting side-by-side was better than facing each other when speaking in lowered voices.

“I’m being transferred, right? There’s all sorts of handover work and such.”

“I see.”

Now that you mention it, that’s right.

Would their regular meetings end too, then?

If so, she probably wouldn’t meet Fretes privately anymore. Especially if he was returning to the homeland.

That’s a bit lonely, Estelle thought.

“Did another troublesome visitor come?”

“I wonder. I get nervous no matter who visits.”

How did he know?

Estelle tilted her head inwardly.

It would appear in the military police records later, but this just happened.

So, she asked frankly.

“Were you at the Supply Department?”

Fretes and she were on the same side. There was no need to probe.

“Ah, well. Something like that. With Lieutenant Colonel Kautny.”

“Ah, I see.”

Considering Fretes’s duties, it might have been about her work situation or something along those lines.

Ah. Could it be…

“You heard?”

“I did.”

Fretes made a bitter face. She understood.

That kind of incomprehensible nonsense was unpleasant even when directed at someone else.

“That was offensive to the ears. Though it feels strange for me to say that.”

“Indeed. Miss Estelle was the victim.”

Fretes spoke gently, as if comforting her.

His voice, tone, expression—everything felt genuinely filled with compassion, and Estelle admired his skill.

She wished she could control herself that freely someday.

Fretes was a good model for her in the art of self-presentation.