It must be because of the food storage container Cloe made. Even though the official announcement of her being the inventor had not been made, the information would come out if inquiries were made.

Upon reaching the study, she dismissed everyone around. Even the maid who had just boiled the teapot was left without a destination.

As soon as she entered the reception room, she faced Calis, who was standing. Perhaps due to impatience, the other couldn’t even sit down but paced around.

“Please sit.”

There was no need to be excessively courteous to the unresponsive counterpart. After a brief courtesy, Cloe sat down.

The hesitant counterpart took a seat across from Cloe. For some reason, he nervously shook his legs.

“Please get to the point quickly. Since it’s an unexpected visit, we shouldn’t waste the other party’s time, should we? Should I teach etiquette to the Duke of the Kingdom?”
In the prolonged silence, Cloe frowned. Only then did Calis raise his head to meet her gaze.

The once greedy eyes that sparkled brightly during the avaricious days were now gone. Clouded irises sought sympathy from her.

“Cloe, why are you doing this to me?”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“After disappearing for months, why are you showing up again like this? Isn’t it unnecessary now? You’re living well, trembling beside His Majesty the Emperor! Why… why are you bothering us again?”

Unable to contain his anger, Calis slammed the table with his fist.

“Why are you doing this… what did I do?”

In response to Cloe’s counter-question, he defiantly took out a paper from his pocket and unfolded it. It was a flyer announcing the storage container she had created.

“You’re deliberately trying to ruin my business, aren’t you?”

“Ruin? It’s progress.”

“Progress? This is infringement! You just copied my stuff!”

“Infringement? That’s an exaggeration. If using someone else’s idea is considered infringement, then the Duke’s use of the principle of a wine bottle would also be infringement. Fortunately, Shato Pange did not file a lawsuit.”

Calis had nothing to say in response to Cloe’s argument.

To him, who had blatantly used the design of a wine bottle, the wine company had imposed no sanctions. They recognized Calis’s product as a separate invention.
“Don’t be angry. I simply adapted to the growing demands of consumers. Shouldn’t we prioritize the convenience of the people? I just saw aspects that the Duke overlooked.”

This implied that if he had addressed the shortcomings first, it wouldn’t have come to this. Her humility unintentionally scratched at Calis’s feelings.

Calis, rising from his seat, approached Cloe. His unassuming steps revealed his emotions.

Cloe remained silent, facing a non-threatening opponent.

“Please, Cloe.”

At that, the man knelt down.

To be more accurate, he bowed down on his knees.

“Please spare me.”

These knees didn’t flinch even when begging to stop the divorce proceedings.

Perhaps realizing that the apology from that time wouldn’t work, he became even more submissive.

Responding with an indifferent gaze, Cloe spoke.

“It’s not a big deal. Stop making a fuss. You have savings, and there’s also the penalty given by Duke Sahir. Use that to pursue another business.”

“That, that’s…”

Calis pondered for a moment.

In truth, before coming to find Cloe, Calis had already sought out the buyer of the land and demanded the cancellation of the sale.
Even during the contract, the seller, who was always sly, chased him away as if saying, “When did this happen?” As specified in the contract, they had agreed to prohibit cancellation in exchange for disposing of the land at a lower price than the original. If Calis bought the land and built a factory, Jorv, the landlord, would also become aware of the situation. He would likely view Calis, who tried to monopolize everything without acknowledging the favor he received, unfavorably.

“Anyway, give me some time. Please, can you delay it even a little? If not, at least a year! Please… I’m begging you.”

“You’re making truly ridiculous requests. I have no obligation to grant that, so don’t expect it.”

Even with the repeated requests, Cloe remained unyielding.

Facing the firm refusal, Calis now bowed his head. With his hands and forehead touching the ground, he pleaded.

“Helena… is pregnant.”

“What did you say?”

“Don’t be callous to a pregnant woman, okay? That woman, she only looked at me. She’s the one who gave birth to my child. Even in difficult situations, she always waited for me. She’s pregnant now, and I don’t want to be an incompetent husband who can’t do anything. Please, let her have the child. Please, so I can become a good husband and father….”