Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 68

Revenge Comes with Interest Episode 68

October 7, 2023

Winter was leaving, and it was the day all the employees of the Duke’s residence undertook a thorough spring cleaning.

The employees were busy cleaning their assigned areas. Meanwhile, James and Luke were engaged in a serious conversation.

“James, shouldn’t we ask the Duke to include us in the Bertan Railroad project? Count Martenpollo mentioned that the Bertan Imperial Family has a great deal of wealth.”

“I’d like to, but it’s top secret. The Count only mentioned it to our Duke, so I feel awkward pretending to know about it.”

“Damn it! What a waste! It’s a golden opportunity to make several times our current profit.”

The employees passing by glanced at them, overhearing their conversation.

“I heard that when Prince Bhutan ascends the throne, they’ll lay railroads all over the vast Bertan continent.”

Luke seemed unable to shake off his regret, constantly lamenting.

“Well, how big is the Bertan continent? It’ll be hard for one company to monopolize it. But our Duke will invest in the most lucrative areas.”

“Exactly! James! What if we pool all our savings and tell the Duke we want to invest?”

“Would people with such small amounts of money like us even have a chance?”

Luke was as excited as a man possessed by money, and even James, usually known for his composure, was agitated. The employees seemed quite surprised by their behavior.

“James!”

It was Leah who interrupted their conversation. Well, they had said everything they needed to say, so there was no need to continue talking.

“I have a favor to ask.”

At Leah’s words, Luke excused himself. He had been away from Terrence’s side for too long and wanted to help with the work.

“What is it, Miss?”

“It’s a bit awkward here. Shall we go to the hallway for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Leah passed through the lobby with James and headed towards the hallway connecting the Duke’s residence’s various buildings.

Finally, when they arrived at the quiet hallway, Leah handed James a box. The box, wrapped in purple velvet, looked luxurious.

“Miss, what is this?”

“Open it.”

James opened the box with a bewildered expression and was startled.

“Isn’t this a pocket watch? And a Lawrence watch at that…!” (Lawrence watches are known for their high quality and craftsmanship.)

He was half lost in admiration as he looked at the watch with its gold chain. It was a watch that every man desired, a masterpiece among masterpieces.

“This is my token of appreciation for James.”

“Yes? Why are you suddenly giving me such an expensive gift?”

“Chanel mentioned that James’s watch was broken, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

As James couldn’t take his eyes off the watch, Leah subtly revealed her purpose in a gentle voice.

However, as Leah’s words continued, James’s expression darkened. It was as expected.

“Miss, that request…?”

“James, it’s true that you received a love letter from Miss Emily Lant, right?”

“Yes, but that’s a matter of the Duke’s privacy, so I can’t just show it to you.”

“Don’t worry about the consequences. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Still…”

James shook his head, not very willing. Leah knew that she shouldn’t push him to help her in such situations.

“Think about it. I’m not asking for an answer right away.”

“Well, then I’ll think about it thoroughly and give you an answer. So, the watch…”

James tried to return the watch to Leah, but she stopped him with her hand.

“It’s a gift unrelated to the request. I’d be sad if you didn’t accept it.”

At her words, James couldn’t refuse any longer.

Leah had anticipated James’s reaction, so she wasn’t greatly disappointed.

Rather, it would have been stranger if he had readily agreed to her request. Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed.

“James.”

Luke seemed to have been looking for him everywhere.

“The Duke is looking for you.”

“Go ahead.”

Leah had said everything she needed to say, so she made way for him to go.

Now, all that was left was to wait for James to answer.

* * *

Leah was about to go for a walk with Terrence.

The snow in the spruce forest had almost melted, making it perfect for walking. Still, the weather outside was cold, so the two of them bundled up in their coats.

Just as they were about to leave the lobby, a servant approached Leah with a large bouquet of flowers.

“These flowers are for you, Miss.”

“For me?”

‘Why now, of all times?’

As soon as he saw the flowers, Terrence’s face turned cold.

Leah glanced at him and awkwardly accepted the flowers. They were pretty, but she was so distracted that she couldn’t even remember the names of the flowers.

Leah looked through the flowers, hoping there wouldn’t be a card.

‘Please, let there not be one…’

But there was one, which was the problem.

Just as Leah was about to take out the card, Terrence snatched it away. He opened the stolen card and examined the contents.

“How cute.”

Leah was even more embarrassed by Terrence’s attitude. If it were as she expected, he would have snatched the flowers and thrown them away.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course, it’s just flowers.”

‘That’s a completely different reaction than when he’s dealing with Allen? Does he think Salame is weaker than other men, so he is reacting this way?’

Rather, Leah was more upset. No, it was better to think that Terrence was responding rationally.

Still, she wanted to ask. Was he really okay, or was he just pretending?

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

“There’s no need to pay attention to it.”

Terrence answered calmly and then offered Leah his arm. Soon, she linked arms with him and went outside.

‘Terrence has received so many flowers and love letters that he’s become desensitized.’

If so, shouldn’t she also not make an issue of the numerous love letters that come to Terrence? But to help Mrs. Armand, she needed the love letter Emily sent.

“The one who holds the jewel must always endure people’s envy and jealousy.”

Terrence stopped walking and looked at Leah affectionately. Leah blushed at his words.

‘Why are you suddenly making me feel touched? My conscience is pricking me.’

Leah’s position, as someone who would have to steal his love letter in the future, had become very difficult.

‘It’s for justice! Conscience, go to hell for a moment!’

“Grace, let’s get married in May.”

Leah, who had been lost in thought, came to her senses at Terrence’s words.

“Okay.”

Leah also knew that she couldn’t postpone the wedding any longer.

She had been wondering for a while how she should live as Grace. Clearly, this body was not hers but Grace’s, and her soul was asleep somewhere inside the body.

So, she came to the conclusion that Grace Vizak’s wishes were more important than Leah Hamilton’s will.

‘Grace will want to marry you as soon as possible.’

Leah Hamilton was not someone who could make hasty decisions about marriage, so it was difficult to say for sure.

However, she was not unaware of Terrence’s eyes, which were filled with jealousy.

She cupped Terrence’s cheeks with both hands.

“Then, the grapes are meaningless.”

“That’s right! They’ll become meaningless! Tonight, we’ll…!”

“No, no!”

Leah shook her head.

“If we get married in May, we can keep the customs. We just have to wait until then.”

“It’s February now?”

“Yes, there are only three months left.”

“Still, we have to finish what we started. And promises are meant to be kept.”

Terrence suddenly changed his attitude. He said that he would get the remaining grape signed and fulfill the promise.

Terrence’s lips gently covered Leah’s lips. Sweet breaths lingered between their intertwined lips, and an urgent desire to want each other madly, even when they were together, leaked out.

‘I’m going to catch and kill all the flies swarming around you. I’ll catch them one by one and crush them.’

Terrence, seized by a hasty lust, endlessly explored her lips. At the same time, he did not forget the revenge against the enemies who were targeting his woman.

‘Terrence, the love letter sent to you will resolve a woman’s injustice.’

And Leah decided to keep it a secret that the plan included revenge on Emily for flirting with her man.

* * *

A few days later, James came to Leah.

“Miss, I will help you.”

“Really? Thank you, James.”

“But I can’t remember where I put those letters. The Duke never read them, so I tied them together and put them away… Ah! There’s a large study in the Duke’s residence. I think I put them in a large cabinet on the right wall when you go inside.”

‘I found it. It’s over now, I guess.’

Leah smiled very contentedly.

And when night came, Leah and Pauline went to the study with a candlestick. It was a slightly remote place even within the Duke’s residence.

Finally, when they opened the door and went inside, they smelled the familiar scent of books.

“Miss, there’s the cabinet.”

Pauline led Leah to the cabinet.

But the problem was that the drawers were very tightly packed from top to bottom. To find the love letter, they had to open all these drawers.

“Let’s find it instead of worrying.”

“Yes.”

The two of them frantically opened the drawers to find the love letter.

James said it was a bundle tied with paper string. They searched every drawer for over thirty minutes.

“It’s not here.”