Uncover the Death of the Villainess - Chapter 6

“Ah, if it seemed that way, I apologize. I too… regret that my fiancée left like that.”

That’s not the expression of a sad person. It’s an expression of relief.

Usually, when someone you love dies, you should be listless for days, no, months. You should be so sad that you can’t even get out of bed. That’s the proper respect for the deceased!

Even I, when I received the news that my father had died on the battlefield, when my mother threw herself down in front of me, I was so sad that I could barely keep my senses. Back then, I barely endured, feeling as if all the nerves in my body were being cut off.

“You’re really out of your mind. I have nothing more to say, so I’ll be leaving now.”

“I’ll give you the perfect street behind Liv Department Store, complete with sewers, sidewalks, and gas lamps, at a price lower than market value. Whenever it’s convenient for you, just show your face a few times a week and keep my sister company. Come and say ‘Enjoy your meal,’ ‘Sleep well.’ It’s fine if you just say these words and leave.”

Michael poured cold water on my heated temper.

‘So how much cheaper than the market price are you offering?’

That thought crossed my mind at that moment. Even while thinking about how difficult Laura’s heart must have been, my utterly materialistic self was ultimately caught by his words.

But I have my pride. In negotiations, one shouldn’t appear easy. I glared at Michael.

“Do you know how much annual income I make from the department store?”

“I know you’ll need more investment capital to acquire my land and buildings. I’ll provide as much support as you need for that too. You can measure the price of my shares that will arise from the investment as you see fit.”

That means he’s practically giving me the land and buildings for free!

I bit my lower lip in frustration. But I know very well that it’s hard to find an investor as excellent as Michael in this capital.

“I’ll come back tomorrow. I’ll write down exactly what you just said in the contract and bring it, so be ready to sign.”

The Paine family is wealthy.

He, who inherited diamond mines for generations and even runs a very large hotel in the city center, now said he would invest in my business.

If I receive an investment from him, I no longer have to force a smile at the dirty tricks of unmarried nobles targeting me with investment money as bait.

‘Sorry Laura. I’ve changed a lot while doing business.’

I’ve become an excessively materialistic person. Still, after getting close to that man, I’ll seize the opportunity to find out what happened to you. If there were things that made you feel upset or wronged, I’ll make sure to confront your fiancé about them. I’ll definitely uncover the truth about your death.

So when we meet in heaven later, scold me then. I’ll listen as attentively as I can.

Until then, I’m determined to uncover what happened to you.

***

When I returned to the department store, Cedric was waiting for me without going home. Because of the strange dream I had the night before, it was hard to look at him directly. Avoiding his gaze, I told him everything about the conversation with the Marquis and ordered him to find a lawyer to create a perfect contract.

“Did Marquis Paine really say that?”

“Yes. So it’s urgent. Quickly go and create the contract first.”

It’s so hot in here. I need to open the window and get some air. I could still see his n*ked body from the dream flashing before my eyes. Trying to suppress my delusions, I said to Cedric,

“Ah, don’t forget to undercut the price of the land and buildings compared to the market price.”

Cedric seemed lost in thought, placing his hand on his chin. He’s being lazy when he should be rushing around busy right now. And in front of me, the boss, no less.

Maybe because of the dream I had yesterday, hot liquid flowed between my legs. Sigh, what an embarrassment inside the department store. I’m afraid he might notice this state of mine. I need to send him away quickly.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you moving?”

“By any chance, Boss.”

“???”

“Could it be that Marquis Paine……”

What is he trying to say? I tend to hate it when people drag out their words, as I have an impatient personality. Without realizing it, I shouted at him. I was anxious that he might notice my completely wet underwear.

“Speak quickly! I’m already going to be late leaving work because the afternoon schedule is backed up from attending the funeral.”

Cedric spoke to me with a serious face.

“Could it be that Marquis Paine is targeting you as his next fiancée?”

Ha! What nonsense. I couldn’t help but laugh as soon as I heard it.

“Am I crazy? As if there are no other men around, why would I steal my dead friend’s fiancé.”

“But you like that type of face.”

I almost nodded without realizing it while signing documents. I’m perplexed.

“No, I don’t?”

My voice cracked as I answered. The perceptive Cedric let out a small sigh.

“Come to think of it, Marquis Paine has a good body and is tall. The age difference between the two of you is just right too.”

“I’m telling you, he’s not my type.”

“You joked at Mrs. Roland’s party last time that you’d be willing to meet even an 80-year-old rich man as long as he’s alive. You even added that you prefer men with lots of money and short life expectancies. But Marquis Michael Paine has quite a good appearance and a lot of wealth, doesn’t he?”

Cedric, who usually doesn’t act like this, suddenly started snapping at me as if he had become a different person. What does he want me to do? Faced with his expression urging for an answer, I burst out without realizing it.

I, standing in front of Cedric, felt like I was a husband who had come home after having an affair without his wife knowing. Feeling oddly guilty, I start making excuses.

“That was a joke! How can a person fulfill everything they say?”

“This department store, you’re the one who grew it this big, right Boss? You’re someone who fulfills every word you say.”

I think I’ve nurtured Cedric too much. This sharp-witted guy keeps climbing up. It’s natural for a person to have a left arm if they have a right arm.

I smiled at him.

“Let’s hire one more person. Are you on edge these days because you have too much work, Cedric? You keep showing interest in things other than the department store work.”

With a stiff expression, he pouted and retorted.

“It’s true that I have a lot of work, so I’d be grateful if you hired another secretary.”

I gladly increased his workload.

“Pick out a few good candidates from among the capable employees and submit a list.”

“Yes, I understand.”

He didn’t rush off to the lawyer but still lingered in front of me.

“Do you have something else to say? Usually, you leave your working boss alone and go home by yourself. Why are you acting like this today?”

Could the erotic dream I had yesterday have been a premonitory dream?

My body heated up with unnecessary expectation. Pouring cold water on that, Cedric took out an envelope from his chest and placed it on my desk.

“Another letter came today. It’s the same color envelope. Come to think of it, this color and pattern are mainly used by the Paine family. It’s hard to find elsewhere.”

A deep navy blue envelope.

Judging by the quality, it’s imported from abroad. It’s paper that’s hard for others to obtain in the market as the Paine family almost monopolizes it.

The great nobles have a strange psychology. The desire to monopolize good things for themselves. Even with a simple letterhead, they want to show off their superiority in front of others by using colors or patterns that only they can use.

‘Could this also be something Laura wrote and sent before she died?’

The handwriting on the envelope was definitely Laura’s.

“Did you mention the letter to the Marquis at the funeral today?”

“Do you think I’m a fool? Of course I kept it hidden.”

“You did well.”

He still seemed to want something, since he’s standing there blankly without moving.

“Ah, what now?”

Cedric’s eyes moved towards the letter.

He’s boldly demanding to see a personal letter that came to his boss. What an impudent employee.

“What? If you were curious about the contents, you could have opened it and checked first without me knowing.”

“I don’t like that. Then I’d have a secret from you, Boss. I always want to be an honest and trustworthy man to you.”

“It’s no use just saying things that sound good to my ears. I can’t promote you any further here. You’ve already become the most successful employee in the department store in a short time, Cedric.”

Cedric’s mouth closed tightly. Something seemed to displease him as the area under his gray eyes trembled slightly.

Sigh. Seeing him act like this, he must be really curious about the letter’s contents. If our Cedric can’t sleep because of this and comes in looking haggard tomorrow, it’ll end up being my loss. Won’t it cause problems for the department store work?

“Alright. I’ll open it now. I’ll read it first, then you can see it too. If you’re that curious.”