Interest Compounds on Revenge - Chapter 71
Terran is in a battle of nerves with Allen over the bidding for the Bertan railway project.
His hired agents, though not carrying guns, competed daily with Allen’s side on bidding prices.
As a result, other bidders had already dropped out, and the newspapers’ front pages were filled with sensational articles about the two-way battle between Duke Terran Courtois and President Allen MacDowell.
“Raise the bid by 20% from Allen’s offer.”
“Understood.”
“But demand the condition of rights to the railway project for the entire Bertan region.”
“That’s also a condition put forward by the MacDowell company.”
“Is that so?”
Terran fell into contemplation, tapping his fingers on the table. He never had any intention of getting involved in the railway business to begin with.
Of course, that thought hasn’t changed even now. But if he decided to compete, there should be some gain.
“Add a clause for exclusive import rights to Bertan’s pottery and silk. Then say we’ll raise the bid by 30%.”
Luke chuckled at Terran’s conditions. Just imagining how furious Allen would be was exhilarating. At that moment, another subordinate provided some crucial information.
“It seems President MacDowell plans to import a large amount of cotton textiles. Because he can sell more at a cheaper price in various continental markets.”
“Cotton textiles have no chance. Just wait and see, silk will sell better than cotton.”
There are countless textile factories producing cotton in every country on the continent.
Would they stand idly by if cheap cotton textiles were imported from abroad? Their jobs would be at stake.
Meanwhile, Allen’s side was also on edge. Judging from the situation constantly arriving via telegram, Terran had jumped into the railway business with determination.
“What? Raise it by 30% and demand exclusive rights to pottery and silk? He’s completely out of touch with reality.”
It would be far more profitable to just do the railway project for the entire Bertan region.
What’s the point of importing luxury goods only used by the upper class? To make big money, you need to supply what everyone wants at a cheap price.
“Sir, if we raise it more than 30%, we’ll exceed the budget.”
The secretary tried to dissuade Allen. The current situation was already too risky with the bid price raised so high. At this rate, it would be difficult to make a profit even if they succeeded in winning the bid. They might end up laying railway tracks in another country for free.
“What if Duke Courtois just raises the price and then backs out?”
“That won’t happen. He wants to beat me.”
Why wouldn’t he understand that competitive spirit? If it were such a shallow tactic, there would have been no need to bring in experts on a large scale.
Above all, there was something he heard from Viscount Martinpole.
[Duke Courtois is ambitious. The railway project is just an excuse.] [An excuse?]The viscount had kept his mouth shut at the crucial moment, so Allen had to give him a promissory note before getting an answer.
[The railway project is just a superficial excuse. In reality, he’s trying to make Bertan a vassal state along with the Lubeck Imperial Family.] [Colonization?] [Mr. MacDowell, don’t forget. Duke Courtois is not a businessman, but a politician. And behind him is the Emperor of Lubeck, who dreams of imperialism.]If that were the case, he absolutely couldn’t let Terran snatch away the rights to Bertan’s railway project.
Moreover, the press across the entire continent was showing keen interest in the victory of these two men.
Allen pondered deeply with his fingers interlocked. What would be the way to subdue Terran in one go?
He needed to completely shatter Lubeck’s imperialistic intentions as well.
“Raise it by 50% from the current bid.”
The secretary blanched at Allen’s words. Even when told it shouldn’t be done, he was adamant.
‘I absolutely won’t lose to that bastard.’
* * *
A few days later, breaking news hit the daily newspapers across the continent. Terran read the newspaper with a very satisfied expression.
“MacDowell company raised the railway project bid to the Bertan Imperial Family by 50%?”
He had finally succeeded in dramatically raising the price. He tossed the newspaper aside and spoke to his agent.
“Now’s the time. Let’s pull out at this point.”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
“Instead, make sure to secure the exclusive rights for silk and pottery.”
“We’ve already finalized the contract. Since MacDowell company showed little interest in silk and pottery…”
“Well done.”
Terran smiled triumphantly and shifted his gaze to Luke.
“Go to the newspaper and have them write a plausible article. Something like ‘Duke Terran Courtois Bows to Allen MacDowell Company’s Expertise.'”
“Shall we make it an extra edition?”
“That would be even better.”
Terran imagined Allen rejoicing without knowing anything.
‘You should know that you can’t even follow in Richard Hamilton’s footsteps.’
Terran clicked his tongue.
Luke left the office humming a tune, and Lea came to meet Terran instead.
She was flustered to see everyone stand up when she entered.
“Am I interrupting?”
“No, the meeting is over.”
He patted his knee while looking at Lea.
It meant for her to come and sit on his lap quickly. But she only blushed and sat next to him.
“I’m disappointed.”
“What if James comes in?”
It would be embarrassing for others to see.
“I plan to import pottery and silk from Bertan in large quantities. Have Grace think about how to sell them.”
“I’ve already finished thinking about that.”
She thought about making dresses for herself and other women to wear on the day of the Galdensia selection banquet.
If she also made and presented a dress each for Vivian and Teresa, it would be the perfect promotion.
Everything that the objects of admiration wear, carry, and apply becomes the focus of people’s attention. The feeling of longing often becomes a catalyst that stirs up the desires of the masses.
“Then…”
Terran pulled out a paper from his breast pocket. He had to get a signature on this last grape without fail.
“This is clearly an official matter, isn’t it?”
“Don’t you like it?”
“This grape should only reflect Terran’s and my matters.”
‘Ha! The clever rabbit is showing off its skills.’
He had expected that she wouldn’t sign it so easily. Still, he couldn’t help but find it annoying.
“Grace, are you trying to torment me to death?”
“You won’t die.”
“You’ll regret it later.”
“Why would I regret it?”
“As we live, there might come a day when I play hard to get with Grace.”
“I’m not scared at all. Whatever.”
The two bantered and bickered. Terran was getting impatient that one grape wasn’t being filled easily.
But Lea found it amusing to watch Terran’s reactions. Soon, Terran touched her face and whispered sweetly.
“When will May come?”
“Soon.”
Lea also cupped his cheek with her hand in response.
For a moment, an overwhelming emotion that couldn’t be expressed in words passed between the two. All that was left was the finishing kiss. Or so they thought, but just then a knock sounded, and the two quickly separated.
“Your Grace.”
James entered the office urgently.
“There’s a message from the Imperial Palace.”
Terran unfolded and read the letter James handed him, and his face, which had been beaming just moments ago, hardened.
“James, prepare my uniform. His Majesty has ordered me to enter the palace.”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
Lea was seized by an ominous premonition.
Even when she asked Terran what was going on, he only smiled as usual without giving any details.
He just said he would tell her after returning from the palace.
* * *
Lea stood by the window, watching Terran and Luke ride out of the ducal residence on horseback.
The weather, which had been bright in the morning, suddenly turned gloomy, amplifying her anxiety.
If Sonya hadn’t grumbled, Lea would have stood by the window all day waiting for him to return.
“It’s about Miss Adele Wellington. They say she’s a bookworm, but it seems she can’t distinguish between reality and fantasy.”
Sonya complained while reading the request form.
The reason being that she had been deeply moved by the novel ‘Carmen’, so she wanted the dress she would wear to the selection banquet to ’embody’ Carmen.
“Carmen is a gypsy and a bad woman, isn’t she?”
Lea was also taken aback by the outrageous request, but unable to agree with Sonya’s whining, she decided to take a different approach.
“Sonya, it’s just embodiment, as she said. Who else but you could recreate the lowly gypsy heroine in an elegant and dignified way? It will stand out more than the ladies’ uniform dresses.”
With Lea’s encouragement and praise, Sonya stopped complaining.
Instead, she started sketching on paper and asking for opinions.
Soon, Sonya was discussing with Mary how to embody Carmen’s atmosphere in a dress.
Even in the midst of this, Terran’s hardened face wouldn’t leave Lea’s mind. But there was someone else like her.
“What’s going to happen?”
Chainer ran out with a pale face.
Lea and Pauline chased after Chainer.
“Chainer! Where are you going?”
No matter how much Pauline called, she didn’t stop walking.
Chainer passed through the first-floor lobby and headed to the yard where rain was pouring.
Indeed, the problem was that Chainer’s words and actions were unpredictable. Chainer stomped her feet and wailed in the rain.
“Elder brother Luke might die!”
“What?”
For a moment, Lea felt chills run down to her head.
“Elder brother and uncle are going far away to have a big fight! But they both disappear.”
“What nonsense is this child spouting?”
Even as Pauline scolded her, Chainer rambled on incoherently.
Pauline dragged Chainer inside, and Lea couldn’t move, her legs trembling.
At that moment, James approached Lea.
“Miss, it’s cold outside. Let’s go in.”
“James, what business did Terran go to the Imperial Palace for?”
“Well…”
“Please don’t joke around like last time.”
“That was on the Duke’s orders…”
James wore a troubled expression at Lea’s serious tone, but soon regained his characteristic composure.
“Have you forgotten? The Duke is a soldier.”
Does that mean Terran and Luke will go to war soon? Lea was scared that her ominous premonition might somehow come true.
“As always, the Duke will be victorious.”
Unlike James, who felt pride in Terran’s abilities, Lea’s soul was shaken.
She had momentarily forgotten the fact that trials follow overwhelming happiness.
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
Link to read
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