I Became the Older Brother of a Villainess - Chapter 9.1
“Your Grace! It seems there’s a misunderstanding! I am not a spy!” Ambria pleaded, gripping the iron bars.
I glanced at the black heart for a moment before turning my head towards the butler.
“Do you have any information?”
“I’ve tried to interrogate him, but he hasn’t revealed anything. Pardon my bluntness, but what if we are really misunderstanding the situation….”
I opened my eyes sharply. The butler quickly lowered his head and apologized.
If this status window is false, then the misunderstanding might be correct. However, if what I see with my own eyes is the truth, then that person is indeed a spy.
“Is there no way to get him to talk? What could be the reason for infiltrating here in the first place?”
In my past life, I had tried various occupations, but I had never interrogated a spy.
“How about trying it like we’ve seen in foreign movies? The butler and I can take on roles. I’ll be the good cop, and Alberto can play the role of the bad cop. If he keeps intimidating him….”
“Yes?”
“No, it’s nothing. It’s just something only I know.”
In the current situation, I tried to think of something helpful, but nothing readily came to mind. Using Ambria’s false appeal as background music, I rolled my head back, and suddenly, I recalled the words of my high school teacher. While looking at the small garden we cultivated during life science class, the teacher said something like this:
“Oh, everything here is dead. Not only have the fruits not grown, but the flowers haven’t even bloomed.”
Ignoring those words, and then…
“Time heals. If you wait, the plants will grow again. Your grades, on the other hand, won’t grow back, so let’s return to the classroom.”
Right. Those were wise words. Obsessing over something that cannot be immediately resolved is nothing more than a waste of energy.
Yeah, that’s the right saying. It’s pointless to agonize over things that can’t be immediately resolved. It’s nothing more than a waste of energy.
“Alberto, let’s call it a day.”
I warned the imprisoned spy.
“Feel free to spill your secrets tomorrow. Your plans have been exposed for quite some time.”
Of course, this was a lie.
“Consider the fact that I am merciful. If you become my blade, I might promise you better treatment.”
I withdrew, giving a suggestive hint of proposing a double agent. I had no idea who this guy really was, and I had no intention of using him as a double agent. However, I knew I had to act like I knew something. I couldn’t afford to appear naive.
“But he’s definitely not an assassin. Probably just a rookie spy who hasn’t done a proper spy job until now.”
I climbed up to my study with this positive thought in mind. An old junk dealer once said that people are beings who seek sunlight even in the garbage dump.
Once in the study, I separately received the records of the people I had fired.
“As expected, Alberto. Thank you for organizing this so quickly.”
“I simply fulfilled my duty.”
I called Alberto, who seemed to be retreating. There was still the most crucial task remaining.
“I hope today, for those I let go, we’ve prepared a generous severance pay.”
The butler raised his rounded eyebrows, asking with curiosity, “You ruthlessly laid them off during the day, and now suddenly you want to show kindness?”
“It might seem puzzling. However, I’m no fool. They weren’t so terrible as to be dismissed so haphazardly.”
All the people I had fired were those who disliked Daria. However, they wouldn’t have shown it overtly to the master. Silent Daria would not have scolded me either. It was all but impossible.
From their perspective, it would undoubtedly seem like an unfair dismissal.
Will they speak kindly of their former workplace after leaving?
Highly unlikely.
They’ll likely gather to badmouth the infamous Glutoni family, spreading negative rumors. But such actions are nothing more than refining Daria’s role as the villainess in her life.
My goal isn’t to pave the way for her to become a villainess quickly, but rather to make Daria happy.
“There must be adequate compensation for those who have been driven away.
‘I have deeper intentions,’ let’s just leave it at that. Instead, provide generous severance pay and write recommendation letters for them to find employment in another family. It might be bothersome, but I ask for your cooperation.”
“I understand.”
The butler nodded obediently.
“I’ve been worried as well. Although Your Grace must have some hidden intentions, I was concerned about the possibility of negative rumors circulating about the Glutoni Duchy.”
“Until new recruits are brought in, provide additional allowances. Since Mother has passed away, the budget should be available. I’ll allocate a portion of it to support the current employees.”
“It might be a considerable burden. Didn’t you mention freezing the budget before?”
“Hmm.”
It seemed Cierra had been passive in managing finances in the previous era. Well, his mind must have been quite occupied. The fact that the Duchess embezzled the estate only came to light after her death, revealed to be a substantial sum, enough to influence the country’s economy, as mentioned in the game.
“Later on, it’s the destiny of the estate to be depleted by the extravagant expenses of Daria.
Of course, I want to indulge Daria in a luxurious lifestyle, but to gain something, investments must be made. Just like baiting a hook for fishing to catch a fish.”
“I need to carefully determine the amount to invest. But my intention is clear. I’ll reclaim the assets my mother seized, even if it requires the use of force. Let’s relentlessly retrieve the properties taken by the relatives. The money recovered will be used exclusively for the Glutoni family.”
“I’ll have a lot to do. Understood.”
“It’s for everyone. I’ll count on you. I’ll make sure the chief butler gets compensated, so don’t worry.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s only natural.”
