Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 71

Revenge Has Interest 71. Competition Between Two Men (71/200)

71. Competition Between Two Men

October 10, 2023

Terran was locked in a fierce rivalry with Allen over the Bertan railway project bid.

The agents he’d hired were practically armed to the teeth, battling Allen’s team daily with ever-increasing bid prices.

As a result, other bidding companies had already dropped out, and the newspapers were filled with sensational headlines about the head-to-head clash between Duke Terran Courtois and President Allen McDowell.

“Raise Allen’s bid price by 20%.”

“Understood.”

“Instead, add a condition to secure the railway business rights for the entire Bertan region.”

“That’s a condition that McDowell’s company has also stipulated.”

“Is that so?”

Terran tapped the table, lost in thought. From the start, he’d had no real intention of entering the railway business.

Of course, that hadn’t changed. But if he was going to compete, he needed to gain something from it.

“Include a clause for exclusive import rights for Bertan’s porcelain and silk. Then say we’ll raise the bid price by 30%.”

Luke chuckled at Terran’s condition. He felt a thrill imagining Allen’s fury if he knew. Just then, another subordinate brought in crucial information.

“President McDowell is planning to import a large quantity of cotton fabric. If he releases it to various markets across the continent, he can sell it at a lower price.”

“Cotton fabric has no future. Just watch, silk will become more popular than cotton.”

There were countless textile factories in every country on the continent weaving cotton.

If cheap cotton fabric was imported from abroad, would they stand idly by? Their livelihoods would be at stake.

Meanwhile, Allen’s side was also on high alert. Seeing the reports flooding in by telegram, Terran was determined to jump into the railway business.

“What? Raise it by 30% and demand exclusive rights to porcelain and silk? He’s clueless.”

Running the entire Bertan railway business would be far more profitable.

What was he going to do with luxury goods only the upper class used? To make real money, you had to supply what everyone wanted at a low price.

“Mr. President, raising it by more than 30% will exceed the budget.”

The secretary tried to stop Allen. The bid price was already too high, making further increases dangerous. At this rate, it would be hard to turn a profit even if they won the bid. He’d practically be building railways in another country for free.

“What if Duke Courtois only raises the price and then backs out?”

“That’s impossible. That guy wants to beat me.”

Didn’t he understand competitive spirit? If it was such a shallow trick, there’d be no need to bring in experts on such a large scale.

More than anything, he’d heard something from Baron Martin Polo.

“[Duke Courtois is ambitious. The railway business is just a front.]”

“[A front?]”

The Baron clammed up at the crucial moment, and Allen only got an answer after paying him off.

“[The railway business is just a superficial excuse. In reality, he’s trying to make Bertan a vassal state of the Lubeck Imperial Family.]”

“[Colonization?]”

“[President McDowell, don’t forget. Duke Courtois isn’t a businessman, but a politician. And behind him is the Emperor of Lubeck, who dreams of imperialism.]”

Then, by any means necessary, Terran couldn’t be allowed to take the Bertan railway business rights.

Moreover, the media across the continent was closely watching their battle.

Allen clasped his hands together, pondering deeply. How could he subdue Terran once and for all?

The ulterior motives of Lubeck, dreaming of imperialism, had to be crushed.

“Raise the existing bid price by 50%.”

The secretary was appalled. Even when he tried to dissuade him, Allen remained stubborn.

‘I will never lose to that bastard.’

* * *

A few days later, a sensational story broke in newspapers across the continent. Terran wore a satisfied expression as he read the news.

“McDowell Company raised the railway business bid price by 50% to the Bertan Imperial Family?”

He’d finally succeeded in driving up the price significantly. He tossed the newspaper aside and said to his agent.

“Now is the time. Let’s pull out at this point.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

“Instead, make sure to secure the exclusive rights to silk and porcelain.”

“The contract has already been finalized. The McDowell Company didn’t show much interest in silk and porcelain….”

“Well done.”

Terran smiled contentedly and turned to Luke.

“Go to the newspaper and have them publish a plausible article. Say, ‘Duke Terran Courtois kneels before the skill of Allen McDowell.'”

“Shall we cover it as an extra edition?”

“That would be even better.”

Terran imagined Allen rejoicing, completely unaware.

‘You should know that you can’t even follow in Richard Hamilton’s footsteps.’

Terran clicked his tongue.

Luke hummed and left the office, and Leah came to see Terran instead.

She felt awkward when everyone stood up as she entered.

“Am I interrupting?”

“No, the meeting is over.”

He looked at Leah and patted his knee.

It was an invitation for her to sit on his lap. But she only blushed and sat next to him.

“I’m disappointed.”

“What if James comes in?”

It was embarrassing to be seen by others.

“I’m planning to import a large amount of porcelain and silk from Bertan. Have Grace [Leah’s nickname] think about how to market it.”

“I’ve already thought about it.”

She’d decided to make dresses for the women, including herself, for the Gardencia Selection Banquet.

If she made clothes for Vivian and Theresa and offered them as gifts, it would be the perfect promotion.

Anything worn or used by someone envied attracts attention. The desire to emulate often fuels public demand.

“If so…….”

Terran took out a piece of paper from his coat. He wanted her signature on the last ‘grape’ [a metaphor for a promise or favor] at this opportunity.

“This is strictly a public matter.”

“Don’t you like it?”

“This ‘grape’ only reflects Terran and me.”

‘Ha! A clever rabbit is showing off her skills.’

He’d expected she wouldn’t sign it easily. Still, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

“Grace, are you trying to torture me with anticipation?”

“I won’t die.”

“You’ll regret it later.”

“Why would I regret it?”

“Someday, I’ll get to reject Grace.”

“I’m not scared at all. Whatever.”

The two joked and bickered. Terran was impatient that one ‘grape’ remained unfulfilled.

But Leah enjoyed watching Terran’s reaction. Soon, Terran touched her face and whispered sweetly.

“When is May coming?”

“Soon.”

Leah also cupped his cheeks as if to return the gesture.

At that moment, an overwhelming emotion passed between them, too profound for words. All that remained was a kiss. But just as she thought that, they quickly separated at the sound of a knock.

“Your Grace.”

James hurried into the office.

“A message has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”

Terran unfolded the letter James handed him, and his face, which had been bright moments before, hardened.

“James, prepare my uniform. His Majesty has ordered me to the palace.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

Leah was seized by an ominous feeling.

Even if she asked Terran what was wrong, he would only smile as usual and wouldn’t tell her the details.

He would only say that he would tell her after returning from the palace.

* * *

Leah stood by the window, watching Terran and Luke ride their horses out of the mansion.

The weather, which had been clear in the morning, suddenly turned gloomy, and her anxiety increased.

If Sonia hadn’t complained, Leah would have stood by the window all day, waiting for him to return.

“That Adele Wellington. She’s a bookworm, but she doesn’t seem to distinguish between reality and ideals.”

Sonia complained as she read the request.

The reason was that she was deeply impressed by the novel 《Carmen》, so she wanted the dress to wear to the Selection Banquet to be a representation of ‘Carmen’.

“Carmen is a gypsy and a bad woman.”

Leah was also taken aback by the absurd request, but she couldn’t agree with Sonia’s grumbling, so she decided to use a different approach.

“Sonia, it’s just a representation. Who else but Sonia can recreate the lowly gypsy heroine in an elegant and dignified way? It will stand out even more than the young ladies’ uniform dresses.”

Sonia no longer complained at Leah’s encouragement and praise.

Instead, she sketched on paper and asked for opinions.

Soon, Sonia shared her ideas with Marie and discussed how to incorporate the essence of Carmen into a dress.

Even amidst this, Terran’s hardened face remained in Leah’s thoughts. But there was another person like me.

“What should I do?”

Chanel ran outside with a pale face.

Leah and Pauline chased after Chanel.

“Chanel! Where are you going?”

No matter how much Pauline called, she didn’t stop.

Chanel passed through the first-floor lobby and headed to the yard, where rain was pouring down.

Chanel’s words and actions were truly unpredictable. Chanel stamped her feet and cried in the rain.

“Luke oppa [older brother] might die!”

“What?”

At that moment, Leah felt goosebumps all over her body.

“Oppa and uncle are going far away to have a big fight! But they both disappear.”

“What nonsense is she talking about?”

Even as Pauline scolded her, Chanel babbled incoherently.

Pauline dragged Chanel inside, and Leah’s legs trembled, and she couldn’t move.

Then James approached Leah.

“Miss, it’s cold. Let’s go inside.”

“James, why did Terran go to the Imperial Palace?”

“That’s…….”

“Don’t play tricks like last time.”

“That’s what Your Grace ordered.”

James looked embarrassed at Leah’s serious face but soon regained his composure.

“Have you forgotten? Your Grace is a soldier.”

Then that meant Terran and Luke would be going to war soon. Leah feared that her ominous premonition would somehow come true.

“As always, Your Grace will be victorious.”

Unlike James, who felt pride in Terran’s abilities, Leah’s soul was shaken.

She had momentarily forgotten that trials often follow overwhelming happiness.