Duke Alfred was busily signing documents and approving development ns when his cold blue eyes turned to the door as it knocked.


    "Enter."


    At Alfred’smand, the person who entered was a thin man with disheveled hair and scars on his face. His eyes were strangely pure white, a feature that frightened many.


    "Master, I bring news."


    The Duke’s eyes narrowed momentarily in curiosity, then his cold voice echoed again. "Exin. What is the news?"


    The Duke coldly stared at the Spymaster, who bowed with a gesture before continuing. "It is about your daughter, Morrigan."


    "Morrigan?" Duke Alfred set down the documents he was reviewing and looked at the Spymaster. "Is there a problem?"


    Hearing the Duke’s emotionless voice, the Spymaster shook his head, denying it. "I havee to inform you about Lady Morrigan’s financial transaction."


    "How much did she spend?" Duke Alfred asked calmly. The Spymaster ced a document in front of the Duke, whose cold, judgmental eyes scanned the paper.


    "20 million gold..."


    The Duke’s eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of 20 million gold. He then looked coldly at his Spymaster. "Which investmentpany did she give this much gold to?"


    "To a consortium called Morvos, my Lord."


    "Give me the details of thispany."


    "As you wish," the Spymaster said, opening a book he held on his arm and handing a filebeled Morvos Consortium to the Duke.


    The Duke took it and opened it. His eyes immediately narrowed when they saw the word ’moneylender,’ and for a brief moment, his aura red with bloodlust. As the coffee cup cracked and shattered, the Duke’s aura quickly subsided, and his cold eyes became resolute.


    "Moneylenders? Is that who Morrigan trusted?"


    "Despite being moneylenders, they have ceased their activities for the past two days, my lord. It appears they have decided to go legitimate."


    "A moneylender is always a moneylender, Virgo," Duke Alfred said dismissively. Though his eyes did not show anger, the dangerous re of his aura indicated his fury.


    The Duke’s eyes calmly examined the documents for a while. When he saw the name of thepany’s owner, he paused briefly. A man named Jack had taken over all the moneylenders’ properties.


    Even the Spymaster knew nothing about this man. His past, his business dealings, his life, where he was born, or even what he looked like—there was no information at all.


    It was as if he had appeared out of nowhere.


    After a minute, the Duke seemed to have made his decision, setting the papers back on the table before looking at the Spymaster. "Virgo, do you know anything about this man? The one named Jack."


    The Spymaster shook his head in disappointment, looking apologetically at the Duke. "Unfortunately, we couldn’t find anything about such a person. We only know where he lives and what kind of ns he has."


    "Banking, restaurant businesses, and homes for orphaned children," the Spymaster continued. "I don’t think his banks will be active in the capital for at least a week, while his restaurants and homes will likely be operational within a month."


    The Duke rested his hand on his chin, his eyes narrowing coldly. "Contact this Morvos Consortium. Tell them we wish to form a partnership. Also, acquire all the shares."


    "As you wish, my lord. Is there anything else?"


    "I want a detailed report on this Morvos Consortium as soon as possible."


    "Shall we freeze Lady Morrigan’s ount, my lord?" the Spymaster calmly asked, retrieving the file from the Duke’s desk as he awaited an answer.


    "No need for now," the Duke said calmly. "However, prepare thewyers in case there is a problem. I want no mistakes. You may go."


    The Spymaster bowed respectfully and departed after gesturing to the Duke.


    "What are you doing, my daughter?" Duke Alfred leaned back, his eyes turning thoughtfully to the ceiling. "To give so much money to moneylenders..."


    For a moment, Duke Alfred looked unusually tired and sighed. His eyebrow arched as the door suddenly opened without warning, but when he saw who had entered, his eyes grew cold.


    "What are you doing here, Isabe?"


    The woman who entered had long red hair, blue eyes, a fiery figure, and was wearing a seductive, tight red dress. Her legs trembled from drunkenness, and the wine bottle in her hand was half-empty.


    The Duke grimaced at the sharp scent of wine emanating from Isabe and looked at her coldly. "What is your purpose ining here?"


    Isabe only gave Alfred a half-smile. "Can’t I see my husband whenever I want?"


    Duke Alfred gave no reply and remained silent, causing Isabe’s face to scrunch up. Slowly, she stumbled clumsily toward Duke Alfred.


    Her tight red dress, which she had worn to be seductive, moved with each step. She then sensually touched the Duke’s shoulders.


    Instead of responding as many men would, Duke Alfred ignored the gesture and tried to focus on his work. When Isabe’s hand reached for his chest, Duke Alfred coldly grabbed her hand and threw it off him.


    "Stay away from me, Isabe," Duke Alfred said coldly, but Isabe did not flinch and continued to look at him seductively. "Alfred, why are you acting like this? We are a family."


    Sitting provocatively on the edge of the table, Isabe gently grabbed the Duke’s chin and spoke lovingly. The Duke was disgusted by the smell of wine and beer on Isabe’s breath.


    Still, he remained patient, removing her hand from his chin. "I told you to stay away from me."


    Isabe looked at him in disappointment. In a fit of rage, she struck the documents on the table, causing them to fall to the ground. "Why are you doing this to me!? Why!?"


    As Isabe screamed at him, the Duke’s eyes briefly glinted with coldness. He slowly stood up and walked toward her, but Isabe fearlessly looked into his eyes with anger.


    With a swift motion, the Duke grabbed her arm and pulled her coldly, his eyes narrowing with iciness. "If you think that just because I can’t divorce you, you can do whatever you want, you’re mistaken, Isabe."


    The harsh words from the Duke’s mouth startled Isabe, but he continued without concern. "There is no love between us. This is merely a formal marriage. If you disrespect me like this again, I will not forgive you."


    Isabe looked at the Duke with both anger and sadness. When the Duke let go of her arm, her already weak legs gave out, and she fell to the ground. As tears streamed from her eyes, the Duke turned to leave without saying a word.


    "It’s because of that whore, isn’t it!? You’re choosing that disgusting witch over me!" Isabe cried as she sobbed, spewing hatred toward Morrigan. The Duke’s eyes narrowed in fury, and he turned to look at Isabe, who was crying on the floor.


    In a swift motion, the Duke grabbed Isabe by the throat and mmed her against the wall.


    "Guh-" Isabe’s neck began to bruise as the Duke looked more enraged than ever before. His aura red wildly, his eyes glowing blue. "Even after I warned you..."


    "You still do the same thing," the Duke’s voice was calm, but Isabe was terrified, struggling to breathe. The Duke cruelly tightened his grip on her throat. "I don’t know how much longer I can tolerate you, Isabe. You’re like a curse to me."


    "Your damn family and your behavior disgust me," the Duke said angrily. Isabe, suffocating and desperately trying to hit the Duke’s hand to free herself, froze in terror when it didn’t work.


    "I-it hurts..." Isabe whimpered helplessly as she struggled for breath, and the Duke’s anger subsided. He took a deep breath and released her neck. Isabe copsed to the ground, gasping for air.


    Her neck was red and bruised from the Duke’s harsh grip. Crying, Isabey on the floor, too weak to get up.


    "Remember this, Isabe," the Duke said coldly, looking at her as though she were trash. "I don’t want to see such behavior from you again. I will not tell you a second time, understand?"


    Isabe nodded quickly, still crying. Without looking back, the Duke left the room.


    ******


    The next morning, Seth received good news. It seemed that the Merchant Guild had agreed to invest. They had epted a small investment of at least 10 million gold, and if sessful, they would invest another 30 million on the first day of the following month.


    In return, they would receive a 5% share, and from then on, all trade would have to be done with registered merchants from the Merchant Guild.


    Additionally, in the event of the copse of the Morvos Consortium, they would be required to pay the Merchant Guild 14 million gold aspensation.


    Still, it was a good deal, at least ording to Seth and Charlie. For Dave, it didn’t meet his standards.


    Anyway, they now had a total budget of 40 million gold, which was equivalent to a Duchy’s six-month revenue. Yet, it paled inparison to the 400-500 million gold investments made by the Duchies.


    While a Duchy earned an average of 400-500 thousand gold weekly, anypany typically made around 20-30 thousand gold weekly.


    Even so,panies like these could easily receive investments of 400-500 million gold as if it were nothing. The reason for this was the long-term profitability of such ventures.


    After all, Duchies could only make money from the businesses within theirnds. Instead, investing in apany that served the entire nation brought greater profits.


    Take, for example, the Merchant Guild.


    Although it wasn’t founded by nobles, many nobles were registered with the Merchant Guild because it was an influential group across the entire kingdom.


    Companies that were members of the Merchant Guild could easily earn between 1-4 million gold weekly, which was 2-3 times what the Duchies made.


    "This is good. 40 million gold will easily sustain us for a month in the Capital."


    Seth was confident. After all, he had worked in modern corporations.


    As Dave entered the room, Seth looked up. Dave came in excitedly. "I have good news, Jack!"


    Seth raised an eyebrow and looked at Dave calmly. "What is this news?"


    Without exining, Dave ced a letter in front of Seth. "Look at this! The Goddess has truly smiled upon us!"


    Seth signed the agreement and narrowed his eyes. "So, they want to buy the remaining shares..."


    "This is our chance. We can get an investment of at least 50 million!" Dave said hopefully. They could raise the total budget to 100 million gold, or even 200 million.


    Yet, Seth suspected there was more to this. After all, Morrigan’s 20 million gold investment must have reached the Duke’s ears by now.


    Seth smiled. "Good, we will ept."


    He then looked at the letter and the contract again and said, "But they can buy the shares, we won’t ept a partnership. Let’s propose a counter-offer."


    "Alright, however you want," Dave agreed, even though he was eager to ept immediately.


    Considering the Duke’s personality, he would likely try to make many changes within the Morvos Consortium. After all, the Duke was a disciplined and mistrusting man.


    Let’s not forget that there was a stain on the Morvos Consortium’s history, such as loan-sharking. This stain, whether Seth liked it or not, would be a problem.


    "Instead of a partnership, let’s offer them a guarantee. If we fail, we’ll hand over all our assets and property to them."


    "I understand."


    Dave then stood up, making the decisions together with Seth as they submitted the counter-offer.


    Half an hourter, they sent it through the post office.


    Now, all that remained was to receive a response.


    ******


    Author’s note: There will be a 2-week time skip in the next episode.