Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 147
With such lacking social skills, Cecilia had wondered where and how he made friends, but…
“You’re working, Ulysses.”
“Yes. I also cover my living expenses when I’m at the academy.”
“……”
As Cecilia fell silent, he shook off his hands from unpacking and walked toward her. He pulled down his rolled-up sleeves and said,
“Why aren’t you mocking me for once?”
Normally, she would have mocked him for anything he said. But labor was not something to mock. Cecilia, who had married the grandson of a merchant, knew the value of money earned through hard work.
Labor is a noble thing. Anyone who tills their own life deserves respect.
But she didn’t want to tell Ulysses that she respected him.
So, she simply denied it.
“It wasn’t really a funny story.”
Ulysses leaned his head against the door and said,
“That’s disappointing.”
“What is?”
“I thought you would laugh.”
Cecilia twisted her lips.
“You’re not talented at being funny.”
Ulysses admitted his lack of humor matter-of-factly.
Cecilia took in the sight of his old books, clothes, and writing tools one by one.
‘I get it.’
The second son does not inherit the title and estate. They usually receive their inheritance early to start a business or immerse themselves in academics to obtain a professional career.
Ulysses had chosen the latter. And his decision to enter the academy was practically a declaration that he had no intention of inheriting the title.
‘This must be why Guinevere was tight-lipped about Ulysses going to the academy.’
To Guinevere, Ulysses attending the academy wasn’t a point of pride. It was likely her stubbornness that led to not supporting him.
‘The parent and child are just so different from each other.’
Then she realized she was no different. Considering her relationship with her own father, Guinevere and Ulysses seemed quite close.
Guinevere and Ulysses only antagonized each other, while Cecilia viewed her father as a target for revenge.
‘It’s about time for Diana’s fake identity to spread as a rumor.’
Under the name of ‘investment expert Dan’, she had leaked some investment information in a column. She left out the most sensitive matters and only included those that could yield modest profits.
However, since newspapers were public media that anyone could read, many trusted Dan’s accuracy.
After that, she refrained from sharing any more information and instead posted contact details. Letters flooded into the mailbox of the empty house set as the address.
Among them, there was no letter from Adam Lasphilla.
‘Father wouldn’t take such trivial bait.’
But at least he would know the name ‘Dan’.
She sent replies to families in the central region who had connections with the Count of Lasphilla. Not as an individual named ‘Dan’ but under the name of ‘DH Investment Trust Company.’
She provided Diana with 100% accurate information, and Diana selected those with about 20% profit potential to provide to them.
Soon, they entrusted some of their assets to this entity without form, having been convinced by the high accuracy rate. Since high accuracy isn’t everything in investments, the initial trust funds weren’t substantial.
However, those influenced by the consistent rate of return were eager to invest more. DH Trust Company declared that they would not accept additional funds beyond the initial capital.
‘The goal is not money but the rumors spread by people.’
She had no intention of angering the top asset managers by stealing their clients. The means would remain a means, and not to an end.
Since Diana had performed her task excellently, it was now time to expand the plan.
The name of Dan would be known in the capital.
The mission, named after Diana’s full name, would gain fame not only in the central region but throughout Caswick.
All this was now Cecilia’s responsibility while staying in the capital.
“Ulysses.”
After finishing her thoughts in an instant, Cecilia asked him.
“Can you introduce your friends to me? It’s my first time in the capital.”
The more connections in the capital, the better. Invitations from connections outside her domain would give her the freedom to move beyond her territory and increase the chances of her revenge’s success.
“……”
Ulysses looked at Cecilia as if scrutinizing her. Finally, he responded with a twisted smile.
