Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 176

Revenge Has Interest 176

176. The One Who Waits

2024.01.23.

Leah calmly explained her plan to Richard, a stark contrast to her previous demeanor.

She detailed the necessity of building a department store near the station.

Richard listened intently, eager not to miss a single word. He occasionally nodded, showing his support for Leah’s ideas.

“That’s a great idea. And I have something to add.”

Richard smiled, sharing his own suggestion.

“Romelica is particularly advanced in medicine and engineering. Soon, automobiles, not carriages, will be the primary mode of transportation.”

“Lubeck still relies heavily on carriages. Are you suggesting we import cars as well?”

“Yes, Romelica boasts several car factories, and automobiles are already commonplace there. The Old Continent, however, lacks such facilities. Therefore, let’s begin by importing and selling cars.”

Throughout her conversation with Richard, Leah felt a nostalgic connection to the past.

Since childhood, she had often discussed innovative ideas with her father. These memories resurfaced, filling her with warmth.

Richard turned to Terrence.

“Why don’t you consider it, Duke? Being the first to import cars to the Old Continent.”

“Grace possesses exceptional business acumen, but I’ve spent my life as a soldier.”

“I’m willing to assist you, Duke.”

“Mr. Hamilton will?”

Terrence and Leah exchanged surprised glances. His demeanor had shifted considerably since their meeting at the church cemetery.

Richard explained his business ventures in Romelica. They were even more astonished to learn that he had postponed his departure to extend the offer.

“I’ll contact you as soon as I return to Romelica.”

Richard retrieved a letter from his pocket and handed it to Leah.

“This is my Romelica address. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need assistance.”

“Th… Thank you.”

Leah was taken aback, barely registering Richard’s departure.

Her gaze remained fixed on the letter until Terrence approached and put his arm around her shoulder.

By the time Leah looked up, Richard had already disappeared into the distance.

“A car, how wonderful. I’ll be the first to ride one in Lubeck, even before the Emperor.”

Articles and photographs of cars invented in the New World frequently appeared in newspapers.

Even if nothing else, vehicles were enough to ignite men’s materialistic desires.

He was also pleased that a connection had been established between Leah and Richard, as the opportune moment he had mentioned to Leah would inevitably arrive.

Even after returning to the Duke’s residence, Leah was too excited to open the letter.

Numerous questions raced through her mind. Why had her father’s attitude changed?

At the cemetery, he seemed ready to abandon everything and return to Romelica immediately. Yet, he had left her with a glimmer of hope.

Just then, Sarah entered Leah’s room.

“You’re here? Did everything go well?”

“Yes, but I met Father.”

“The Master?”

“He even gave me this letter.”

“Open it quickly.”

With trembling hands, Leah opened the letter Richard had given her.

But she lacked the courage to read it. It likely only contained his address, but why was she so nervous?

‘No, I have to face reality.’

She resolved to hesitate no longer and unfolded the paper. Finally, she read the words Richard had written.

I do not currently acknowledge the Duchess as my daughter, Leah. Perhaps, just perhaps, if you develop the department store to surpass the Hamilton Trading Company in ten years… If you truly are my daughter, you will undoubtedly possess exceptional business skills. That will be the only proof. I will await that time.

“Huh?”

Leah repeatedly tilted her head, then met Sarah’s gaze.

“Did you happen to meet Father?”

“I met him, but he didn’t believe me at all. I expected it, though.”

“Father is more 냉철 [cold-blooded/rational] than anyone else. There’s no way he would believe you.”

When he relinquished that 냉철함 [rationality] even once, he lost everything.

He had his most beloved daughter and the Hamilton Trading Company taken away, so he wouldn’t readily accept Sarah’s words.

Still, Leah was happy.

“I’m so happy. It felt like I met my old father again.”

“Me too.”

Richard, whom she met at the church cemetery, seemed like someone desperately fleeing, pursued by despair.

But the Richard she met today, though not perfect, still retained his former self.

“Terrence is right.”

“What do you mean?”

“The right time and perfect proof.”

For some reason, she felt a surge of happiness, as if she had a goal to achieve, no, a dream. With this, she was confident that she wouldn’t simply grieve over her separation from her father.

Sarah took a deep breath.

That day, she had stormed out of the hotel cafe, but anger surged when she considered simply leaving. So, she returned to the hotel and pleaded with Richard.

[Master, the Duchess Grace Courtois possesses the Young Lady’s soul.]

[Oh, Sarah! Please, not you too…! You’re not in your right mind.]

[I didn’t believe it at first either. But buying the Hamilton General Store, punishing Allen, and possessing the Master’s necklace were all actions taken by the Duchess. Above all, she knew all the secrets about me, even going down to the villa every summer to play with clay.]

She spoke incoherently, overwhelmed with excitement. Perhaps that’s why Richard’s face was etched with doubt.

[I told you everything. The decision rests with the Master.]

She almost forced him and left without looking back.

But she didn’t know that Richard would postpone his schedule to meet Leah again.

“It’s better this way. Instead of believing you immediately, show him what the Young Lady has achieved later with dignity.”

Leah held Sarah’s hands and cried.

It wasn’t tears of sadness or resentment, but tears of gratitude for her father, who had left her with hope.

* * *

Leah ran to Terrence and hugged him as soon as he entered the bedroom.

“I love you.”

“Huh?”

“You’re right. You’re always right.”

Terrence was puzzled but simply laughed, filled with happiness. For whatever reason, he was simply happy when Leah flew into his arms like a dove.

Leah told him about the letter, and Terrence shared her joy.

“Grace has another huge goal.”

“It’s just another goal, not everything. My only happiness is Terrence and the children.”

She was a woman who also had the talent to make people excited, sending him to heaven with just one word.

In fact, he had been worried that Leah might neglect her family while focusing on her business. He was touched that she reassured him, as if sensing his concerns.

“Do you know what?”

“What?”

“I’m loving you more every year.”

“Me too.”

No more words were needed; their lips naturally met. Hot breaths intertwined, and an urgent desire blazed like a fire.

It was said that couples inevitably experience a 권태기 [kweon-tae-gi, a period of boredom or stagnation in a relationship], or that love has an expiration date.

But that wasn’t the case for him and Terrence. The more time passed, the more they cherished each other.

Terrence hugged Leah and headed to the bed.

Tonight, he would indulge in the thrilling pleasure of 탐닉 [tam-nik, indulging/immersing oneself] in each other’s bodies as before.

Knowing that tingling feeling, a shiver ran down his spine just by looking at her eyes.

Especially when Terrence took off his uniform and revealed his sculpted body, the ecstasy reached its peak. When he looked down at her with deep eyes, a fierce lust filled her.

Leah also hurriedly threw off her clothes.

She was no longer a naive woman who shyly waited for him to undress her. Leah was more faithful to her desires than anyone else.

Before they knew it, the two were facing each other with only their last pieces of underwear left. All that was left was to spend a night of pleasure together.

At that moment, there was a hurried knock on the bedroom door.

Terrence opened the door wearing a gown, and the sound of thunderous baby cries rang out.

“Duke, the babies are crying too much.”

“Are the children sick?”

“No, I think it’s because they didn’t see their mom and dad today.”

This is why habits are scary. The children, who met their parents at the same time every day, had their balance broken like this after skipping a day.

Before she knew it, Leah also put on her clothes and hugged Killian.

“We’ll take them with us tonight.”

Suddenly, Terrence and Leah each held a child in their arms. Then, the children stopped crying as if by magic.

“I thought my heart was going to drop.”

Terrence, who was soothing Ilena, said with a sigh of relief.

He realized that even with four nannies, they could not fill the parents’ place.

“The children must have been anxious.”

“My heart aches for making them anxious.”

“Huh? Shouldn’t Dad be a little stricter with the children?”

Leah pouted and teased Terrence.

“I don’t want to. I hate stern and scary fathers.”

The children were too young to treat them like that.

Above all, just thinking about the memories of growing up lonely surrounded by many employees as a child still made his heart cold. James was the only person he could rely on.

“I want Ilena and Killian to grow up receiving a lot of love from their mom and dad.”

Terrence kissed Ilena’s cheek and murmured in a low voice.

At that moment, Ilena wiggled her small mouth and made a sound.

“뺘아 [Dad].”

Terrence just stared blankly at Ilena and then looked at Leah in surprise.

“Did you hear that? Ilena just called me Dad.”

“She didn’t say Dad.”

“No, she definitely said ‘Dad.'”

Leah shook her head when he insisted. But this time, Killian called Leah.

“맘마 [Mom].”

“Oh my! Did you hear that? Killian called me ‘Mom.'”

“Really? I didn’t hear it.”

The two laid the babies on the bed and waited with their hands respectfully gathered.

They waited for them to call their parents again, but even after a long time, they couldn’t hear the words ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad.’ Only the sound of playful laughter.

“Terrence, I think parents are beings who wait.”

“I guess so.”

The two looked at each other and laughed in vain.