“Damn it, I’m going crazy.”

The Grand Duke grabbed his forehead.

He had been staying up for several nights in a row, organizing the things Lloyd had done one by one.

He couldn’t believe where it all went wrong.

He thought there might be some issues, but he never imagined it would involve the family’s fortune.

‘What would have happened if this became known to the world?’

The Grand Duke clicked his tongue as he examined the documents his subordinate had submitted.

He was even more irritated by the pile of unread papers still remaining.

Imagining what would have happened if someone other than Admund had found out, his brows furrowed and a sigh escaped simultaneously.

‘I should be grateful to His Highness the Crown Prince. If it weren’t for him, our family would have faced the crisis of extinction.’

Even for a family respected by people, the moment they became associated with Curtis’s side, views changed overnight.

Their status could fall to the ground, and they could be branded as being involved in crime.

What had been passed down for generations could suddenly be ruined overnight. So the Grand Duke had to be grateful to Admund.

The Grand Duke, who knew gratitude, was willing to grant whatever Admund demanded.

But Admund came up with a truly unexpected request.

“Have you done well what I told you to do?”

“Which one are you referring to?”

Aware that there wasn’t just one or two tasks assigned, the Grand Duke pinpointed accurately.

“I mean the matter related to Clea.”

“There were complaints from the collateral branches, but that part has already been taken care of.”

“This alone shows how poorly I raised Lloyd. Just because I said I would bring in another child, those rats dare to raise objections.”

The Grand Duke clicked his tongue.

The fact that the collateral branches expressed dissatisfaction alone revealed how they viewed Lloyd.

They were the collateral branches who had always shown a kind and loyal appearance on the surface.

Especially, whenever they met, they would bring up words about being loyal to Lloyd.

But the moment Lloyd would succeed to the Grand Duke title after his death, their intention to somehow shake things up and swallow the entire Grand Duke family was revealed.

Generally, at a point where there’s already a legitimate successor, it wouldn’t go according to the collateral branches’ thoughts, but…

‘If such a foolish one becomes the head of the family, even I would look for an opportunity.’

Even to the Grand Duke, Lloyd becoming the next Grand Duke was no different from a golden opportunity for them to take over the family. He was not only incompetent but also easily swayed by others’ words.

In this situation, showing strong opposition to the intention of adopting another child was like revealing what they harbored inside.

“I should reorganize the collateral branches as well. I need to discipline the internal affairs too.”

“You have been too lenient, sir.”

As the Grand Duke was getting older, the time for retirement was gradually approaching.

With retirement as the starting point, Lloyd would succeed, so he left things alone trying not to interfere too much, which was now all regrettable.

Looking at the ruinous internal affairs he had brought about, he let out a sigh.

“Have you located Lloyd’s whereabouts?”

“Yes. Shall we bring him in?”

He was dumbfounded by the news of his son living peacefully after leaving home, having caused things to come to this state.

He no longer thought of Lloyd as his son.

He was just thinking about capturing Lloyd to prevent him from doing any more strange things and confining him somewhere like a warehouse.

The retainer must have had the same thought, as he was ready to capture Lloyd immediately upon order.

But the Grand Duke shook his head.

“Leave him be.”

“Is that alright?”

“I don’t want to worry about that guy anymore.”

“But it seems the Grand Duchess wants him confined.”

“Even if we confine him, he’ll try to escape several times like before.”

The Grand Duke had decided not to care for his wayward son anymore.

In the first place, Admund had already given a warning.

Whether to take on the son and perish along with the family, or to draw the line and preserve only the family.

Although his only son was important, he was in a position to take care of hundreds and thousands of people.

“And if we grant what he wants, won’t he come back on his own?”

Looking at the letter stamped with the Hersher Duke family’s seal, the retainer clicked his tongue.

Although the shock was less as he had already heard the contents from the Grand Duke, it still didn’t make sense.

“I don’t understand the Hersher Duke either. To try to marry off his preciously raised daughter to our side.”

“The picture looks good. Externally, they’re two people who get along well, so even without His Highness, it would be quite understandable.”

The picture shown externally was quite decent.

Right now, in a state where he had fallen out of Admund’s favor, the next best candidate was only Lloyd.

That is, if you only look at the point that he would succeed to the Grand Duke title.

But there was one part that the Hersher Duke failed to observe, namely that Lloyd would not be able to succeed to the Grand Duke title.

“When do you plan to announce the revocation of his successor status?”

“We wait until His Highness’s order comes down.”

He was planning to mercilessly expel Lloyd from the family once Admund’s order came down.

Even if Lloyd were to change his mind by then.

‘I’m also guilty for raising him wrong, so I must be a sinner too.’

He looked up at the ceiling with a sense of emptiness.

* * *

The time Clea opened her eyes was two days later.

When she woke up after sleeping for two straight days, those around her advised her to rest more.

As her physical health was not yet good, they said not to overexert herself and to rest.

She hadn’t slept for a week straight and hadn’t even drunk a sip of water.

She too thought it might be better to rest, but.

‘The things I need to do start now.’

As she was quietly enjoying her rest, a knocking sound reached her ears.

“Viscount Rockin has arrived.”

“Come in.”

As per her words, the door opened.

There stood Barwin with neatly dressed blonde hair.

The atmosphere was a bit different from when she last saw him.

If he was just cold then, now he seemed to be enjoying himself.

“I will get up.”

“No, you can stay together.”

“Won’t you be having an important conversation?”

“You’re my person now, so you should listen together.”

Stopping Rupia who was trying to get up, she greeted Barwin with her eyes.

Barwin didn’t seem to mind much as he just received her greeting and came inside.

His bright golden hair meeting the sunlight seemed even brighter, dazzling to the eyes.

“May I ask why you called for me?”

Clea was still not used to his smile.

Even in the original work, perhaps because his family had once been ruined, it was shown that he never once displayed a bright expression.

Still, thinking it must be because his family was safe this time, she moved on to the main point.

“I called to hear an interim report.”

“As the tasks you ordered are diverse, which one would you like to hear about?”

“Everything that happened while I couldn’t move due to my period of penance.”

At her words, Barwin Rockin’s gaze turned towards Rupia.

He was still smiling, but his eyes were full of caution.

“She’s my person, so I’d like you to refrain from such pointless caution.”

“I will do so.”

But at Clea’s words, he completely erased his cautious look and asked.

“Then what should I start with?”

“Let’s start with the business first.”

What she was most curious about was how the business she had asked to be taken over was progressing.

It would soon reach a turning point.

Information that Grit’s business would be a complete success would start spreading here and there.

At this point, when the relationship with the Grand Duke’s family was completely severed, the public interest in the Odoi Duke family’s business was at its lowest.

“The business is progressing smoothly. The Duke will soon hand over all business rights.”

“Is there a reason for your confidence?”

While Clea also knew well that the Odoi Duke family’s financial state was quite bad, there must have been a reason for him to be so confident.

“We left debt to the Odoi family.”

“Seems you handed them a poisoned apple.”

“I’m glad you understand right away.”

At the point where they had completely lost the backing of the Percy Grand Duke family, the Odoi family’s ability to secure funds had completely fallen.

In such a situation, if they borrowed money, the interest would naturally be very high.

It was easy to guess that the one who lent the money here was Barwin. She smiled at the clever scheme.

“Please buy up the business rights at whatever price they ask. I’ll pay you soon.”

“You don’t need to pay me. We’ve already received more than enough grace by helping our family survive safely. However, may I ask for one favor?”

It was welcome news for Clea.

She preferred trading like this rather than receiving one-sidedly.

“I was wondering if our family could participate in the investments you’re making.”

The content of Barwin’s request was exactly the same as Hayden’s.

At this point, Clea was curious.

No matter how much she had saved the family from crisis, how much could they trust her to want to invest in a business that no one else welcomed.

Or perhaps as a businessman, he too was aware of the possibility of this business’s success.

Thinking this, Clea shifted her gaze from Barwin to Rupia.

Barwin also followed Clea’s gaze and looked at Rupia.

One might be flustered when suddenly becoming the focus of attention, but Rupia wasn’t flustered at all. Rather, she showed an even more composed attitude than before.

Clea smiled at Rupia’s appearance and said.

“I’m going to entrust all business-related talk to the person here. So you can talk to this person.”