The Villainess Is Annoyed by the Male Leads Again Today - Chapter 2.5

I, too, remained unperturbed, casually crossing my arms and legs.

“Saying you’ll pay a thousand times the 5 million berks, even a passing dog knows that the Helena merchant group isn’t what it used to be, no matter how big it is. You never intended to break the contract from the start, did you? I know, so just tell me. I don’t like repeating myself.”

He pretended to be surprised, raising and lowering his eyebrows, then shrugged.

“You’re different from the rumors, I see. Then I should also ask Lady Lorazie directly. Has the Epine Count’s family received a proposal from the Empire?”

“Since you know me, it should be easy to talk. And what proposal are you referring to?”

This was another new nonsense. I sighed deeply inside.

Outwardly, I responded calmly without showing any agitation, but waves were crashing relentlessly in my mind.

What on earth could that mean? While I was racking my brains, he immediately added an explanation.

“The items that the Count’s family has been buying this time, they’re things you’ve never shown interest in until this year. Aren’t they related to the Asuka Empire?”

“First of all, we haven’t received any proposals from the Empire. Then, does that mean the Helena merchant group has received some kind of proposal from the Asuka Empire?”

“That’s right.”

If so, the reason he called me was obvious. The conversation seemed like it would be easier than expected.

“The content of the proposal must be about securing the supply of dry oak stems and five-colored stones. These two items. Since the Epine Count’s family has bought more than half of the market supply, it’s understandable that the merchant group would be anxious.”

“Impressive, to deduce that far.”

He pretended to be surprised, saying “Oh-” while stroking his chin. I leaned back more comfortably on the sofa, and Casto also crossed his legs leisurely.

However, his obvious struggle not to lose the initiative to me was clearly visible.

I continued speaking with an expressionless face.

“Did you call me to ask for the goods to be handed over? Is the Asuka Empire pressuring you?”

“Half right, half wrong.”

“How about we stop playing word games?”

I narrowed my eyes at him as he kept beating around the bush. Of course, it wasn’t a gentle narrowing.

He seemed to know Lora’s reputation, as he laughed and said, “Yes,” before opening his mouth.

“They’re not pressuring us, but it’s true that I called you to secure the supply of goods.”

“Then why did you insist on seeing me?”

“Haha.”

“What exactly is the problem? If this is just out of curiosity, I won’t let it slide.”

He pretended to be distracted, looking at things like the elephant statue, while my gaze towards him grew increasingly cold.

As the atmosphere became more and more oppressive, he had no choice but to speak.

“Well, let’s say I had a bit of personal curiosity.”

“What?”

“Hahaha.”

To dare to summon a noble back and forth just out of curiosity, he really had extraordinary guts.

Moreover, to even figure out that the actual person in charge wasn’t Dawson but someone else.

‘Well, I guess that’s how he managed to revive a failing merchant group to this extent.’

I was secretly impressed, but admiration was admiration, and being annoyed was being annoyed.

“Dawson, bring the contract.”

“Yes, my lady.”

At my icy expression, Dawson quickly brought the contract and handed it to me. His posture was very respectful and swift.

“Fulfill it. Since you tried to break the contract for a useless reason, pay a thousand times the down payment and terminate it.”

You need to show even bigger guts to someone with big guts.

As soon as I finished speaking, Casto froze with his eyes wide open.

Thud-

I tossed the contract in front of him, and Casto, having regained his composure, carefully pushed the contract back towards me.

“I had no intention of terminating,”

“From the beginning? I guess you thought you could waste my time like this and get away with it? Hand it over. The termination fee.”

“I’m not going to terminate, so I don’t need to pay. Take the port usage rights!”

I quietly looked at him and then pulled up one corner of my mouth.

Then, with an elegant gesture, I opened the contract and pointed to one side of the paper.

“No, look here.”

“What is this…?”

Where I pointed with my finger, there was a faint outline of writing smaller than a grain of rice.

Even if the contract is terminated due to the fault of party B, a thousand times the down payment must be paid.

It was a K-insurance type contract. I had included it despite Dawson’s protest, “My lady, this seems too underhanded,” in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances, and sure enough, it was proving to be very useful.

Casto, who had barely managed to input the sentence into his brain after bringing his face close to the contract, crumpled the paper as if he couldn’t believe it.

“As a merchant, don’t you read contracts carefully?”

“…This is absurd. What kind of contract is this!”

“You signed it. It’s even been notarized by magic. I put it in just in case, and I’m glad I did. You’ll have to pay the price for daring to try such a petty trick on me.”

Casto turned pale as the contract of mana was a law that even gods couldn’t break.

In reality, I had no intention of terminating the contract, but I decided to use this opportunity to firmly establish my superiority over him.

Just then, Damian timely asked a question from the side.

“My lady, what do you plan to do with the Veil Port usage rights?”

“Are there only ports here? With 500 million berks, we could buy five or six ports instead of just renting usage rights.”

As I answered nonchalantly, Casto’s face turned white in real time.

“My lady! Actually, I did have some curiosities, but I called you here because I had to tell you important information that’s crucial for our merchant group!”

He spoke urgently, and I gestured with my chin as if to say ‘Go on’.

“We received a proposal from the Asuka Empire and tried to buy the goods, but the Epine Count’s family took most of the supply by a hair’s breadth.”

“And?”

“We managed to secure some belatedly, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to meet the person in charge in case the Empire made double proposals to our merchant group and the Count’s family, preventing us from meeting the set quantity, and possibly offering a lower price!”

Casto spoke rapidly, and I tilted my head to one side.

“And?”

“Pardon?”

“Is that all?”

“Yes…”

“Hearing it makes it even more ridiculous. If it was something like that, you should have invited me respectfully. You’re hopeless. Transfer the penalty to the Epine Count’s account by tomorrow. Dawson, Damian. Let’s go.”

“Oh, wait a moment! Ouch!”

As I was about to get up and gather the contract, he urgently tried to stop me and hit his knee on the desk. The leisurely appearance he had when sipping tea earlier was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a frantic demeanor.

“What?”

“Then I’ll extend the Veil Port usage rights to 6 months!”

“Not needed.”

“Then I’ll give you a discount on the Veil Port usage rights!”

I waved my hand dismissively.

“Then I’ll sell the five-colored stones and dry oak branches you have at the best price!”

“Hmm.”

“Preferential commission!”

“Alright. Let’s start.”