Chapter 45
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45
He crunched the numbers in silence, occasionally conferring with his aide to verify possibilities before marking up the business plan. Not once did he ask for Harriet’s opinion, and she found herself unable to protest.
How am I supposed to interject when I can barely follow what they’re saying!
It was a business plan she had devised herself, yet watching Cedric expand and refine it left her with a strange, conflicting sensation. She was gratified to have earned his acknowledgment, but the sheer gulf in their capabilities made her stomach churn. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
Finally, Cedric finished his revisions and pushed the plan—now covered in strikes and corrections—back toward Harriet.
"Please, review it."
Harriet flipped through the pages in silence. She had spent every moment until dawn revising the draft, so even a cursory glance was enough to grasp the changes.
He had taken her modest proposal—which she estimated would net 500,000 Dirham annually—and scaled it into a venture worth 2,000,000 Dirham.
This was made possible by a new clause: an additional donation of 200,000 Dirham to the Saint Clarissa Convent to construct a larger Soap and Herb Workshop.
"I asked for an investment, not a donation," Harriet noted.
"As it stands, the convent’s workshop can barely produce a hundred bars of soap a week."
"We’ve agreed to produce at maximum capacity until the launch. We’ll have an ample stockpile secured."
"Considering how long aristocrats take to use a single bar of soap, that won't last. To do business in the capital, meeting demand on time is everything. A slight shortage makes people anxious, but a prolonged stockout is a death sentence for a brand."
Harriet wasn't ignorant of that fact. It was simply that the idea of him incurring a loss on her behalf wounded her pride.
"So, you're saying the cost of expanding the workshop is part of the investment, not a donation."
Perhaps sensing the shift in her expression, Cedric added a remark.
"I’m not donating this specifically for your sake, Lady Harriet. When I visited last year, I wanted to give more, but I limited myself to 100,000 Dirham to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. You can consider this the remainder of that intended amount."
"Don't worry, I’m not under the delusion that you’re doing this for me. I’m well aware it would be more believable to say you’re donating because the convent’s dog is cute."
Cedric let out another soft laugh. "Where on earth do you pick up such expressions?"
"...You find amusement in the strangest things. Regardless, what is my next move? It’s a bit embarrassing to ask, but I must know."
"This is still your business, Lady Harriet. My aide will assist you, but you must be the one to oversee the progress and confirm the details."
After emphasizing her responsibility, Cedric added a softer note to ease her tension.
"That doesn't mean the work will be grueling. Though you might find yourself a bit tired from traveling back and forth."
It seemed that way to her as well.
He suggested they sign the store lease agreement immediately, noting that he would handle the interior design. As for the merchant guild, she would meet with their representative a few times to finalize distribution channels, then accompany Cedric to the convent to introduce him to Catherine and Sophia.
However, Harriet was to be solely responsible for the design and packaging of the soap and herb products. Naturally, Cedric had already recommended a packaging firm.
"Now, let’s discuss profit distribution. The production costs, which will serve as the convent’s operating funds, will be set as fixed expenses. We will determine the distribution ratio for the remaining net profit."
Because this was the most critical part, Harriet involuntarily swallowed hard.
"Until ninety percent of the investment is recouped, the profit distribution will be 7:3. Naturally, my side takes the seventy. After that, the ratio will shift to 8:2—in your favor. Do you have any objections?"
Harriet took a deep breath.
Things were moving so fast it made her head spin, leaving her feeling uneasy. Was this right? Was there some toxic clause she had missed that would lead to her being exploited later?
But for now, no matter how she looked at it, Cedric seemed to be the one taking the short end of the stick.
I thought he’d demand more. Did he go easy on me because the money is going to the convent?
Regardless of her personal feelings toward the man, it was something to be grateful for.
"I have no objections."
"You’ve set the production costs paid to the convent quite high," Cedric noted. "If you lowered that slightly, your personal share would increase."
"I’m not that shameless. I’m merely lending my name to the project; how could I undervalue the labor of those actually making the products?"
"With your face on the brand, it will likely outsell Natarixen’s soap, won't it?"
Harriet shrugged. "That’s only because Saint Clarissa Convent is what made this face."
"True enough. Then let’s draw up the contract accordingly."
The fact that he didn't even offer a polite denial made her realize his true personality all over again. She couldn't quite figure out why that realization left a bitter taste in her mouth.
The contract was drafted right before her eyes. Cedric’s aide, clearly accustomed to such tasks, wrote line after line without a moment's hesitation.
As Harriet checked the details, she decided to add one final condition.
"I’d like to keep it a secret that I am the representative of this business."
"And why is that?"
"You know as well as I do that my involvement would only give people a pretext to attack the brand."
At Harriet’s clear-eyed grasp of her own reputation, Cedric nodded, looking satisfied.
"Very well. Let’s also keep it a secret for now that the Kailas Family is the investor."
"Of course. I told you before—I have no intention of tarnishing the Duke’s esteemed name."
Harriet smiled sweetly. Cedric quite liked that smile, mostly because it possessed a certain innocence; she clearly believed her annoyance was well-hidden.
"Shall we make it appear as though you are visiting the Ducal House to handle Lady Fellon’s affairs?"
"That would be perfect."
"Since we have our excuse, let’s sign."
At the bottom of the contract, where the ink was still wet, the names Cedric Kailas and Harriet Listerwell were written side by side.
The business had begun.
* * *
On her way back to the Fellon Estate, Harriet reviewed the revised business plan and was struck once again by the gap in their abilities.
Of course there’s a difference. He’s been trained for this since he was a child.
She told herself there was no reason to feel wounded. The problem was, she couldn't help it.
Why am I so frustrated?
The business she had conceived was being acknowledged and brought to life. Her heart pounded, and goosebumps rose on her skin. She was thrilled, yet the fact that she hadn't achieved this through her own strength alone stung deeply.
Those two bold lines struck through her timid estimates, replaced by new figures written in his elegant script. As much as the difference in those numbers, it felt like a wall stood between her and Cedric—a wall she didn't yet dare to climb.
Harriet clenched her fists.
Yes, it won't be easy to overcome the advantages of his birth. But there’s no law saying I have to be beneath him forever.
Even as the thought formed, a fierce desire to be his equal rose within her. No—she wanted to surpass him.
Someday, he would look at her business plan, click his tongue in genuine admiration, and tell her there was nothing left to improve before begging her to sign...
...Alright, that’s probably not happening.
Harriet let out a small sigh. Still, for Harriet Listerwell’s first step as a businesswoman, it wasn't a bad start.
As soon as she arrived at the Fellon Estate, she went to find Roxana, as Trisha was still taking a nap.
"Teacher! I did it! I successfully secured the investment!"
As she reported the news, unable to hide her joy, Roxana’s expression was peculiar. It would be more accurate to say she looked stunned.
"From Duke Kailas?"
"Yes!"
"Well, that’s... surprising. I honestly thought you’d fail."
"What? Weren't you the one cheering me on, Teacher? You said if I acted boldly, I could win over an investor’s heart."
Harriet’s eyes widened at the betrayal, but Roxana didn't look the least bit sorry.
"That advice applies to other investors. With Cedric Kailas, it’s a different story. Right now, I feel like I’m watching someone go freshwater fishing for the first time and somehow reeling in a shark. It simply makes no sense."
"..."
"Moreover, the shark is glaring at you with wide eyes, while you’re just beaming, saying you caught a big fish. How can I not be surprised?"
"...Are you saying I’m going to be eaten?"
"Well, that depends on your own capabilities. I just hope you survive."
Her words carried a heavy nuance—a suggestion that it wasn't too late to turn back. But Harriet had a natural talent for being a persistent nuisance to Roxana.
"Teacher, I don't want to be eaten by Duke Kailas, and I don't want this business to fail. That’s why I need to learn even more from you."