Chapter 90
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 90
If <Angelic> were truly a harmless medicine, it wouldn't have warranted an investigation in the first place.
According to the reports, however, the drug was driving people to criminal extremes. Users were obtaining proxy prescriptions through those suffering from depression, feigning lethargy to secure their own doses, or even bribing doctors to look the other way.
It was no longer a mere remedy.
“<Angelic> is a narcotic.”
“They say even poison can be medicine if used in moderation. Albert simply twisted that logic to his advantage.”
Cedric let out a low, guttural click of his tongue. As Edgar had said, it was uncertain whether the Emperor would actually move to punish Albert.
“Let’s keep an eye on things for now. By the way, have you checked the raw materials?”
“I’m looking into it, but if my gut is right, there’s more to this. If he were merely trying to monopolize the supply, there wouldn't be such a total blackout on information.” A smirk played on Edgar's lips. “He’s clearly hiding something—which is exactly why he’s being so thorough about it.”
Cedric mentally reviewed Albert’s connections one by one. Since the Kingsley family was a vassal of the Kailas family, most of their affairs were reported to Cedric as a matter of course. However, clandestine dealings of this nature were rarely conducted through official channels. He had no choice but to suspect relationships he wasn't yet aware of.
“Ever since Albert started his pharmaceutical business, he’s been associating with some strange characters, calling them ‘friends.’”
“Aren’t they just ‘sugar daddies’ who got hooked because of the drug?”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not.”
“Hmm... Very well. I’ll dig into those seemingly shallow acquaintances as well.”
Edgar rose from his seat immediately. Though he often appeared lazy, it was a mere facade; he was <Cloud>’s top informant, and he never postponed a task once it was set.
*
Following Howard’s visit, John’s mind raced. He redoubled his efforts to find a look-alike for Harriet.
‘I can’t let that bastard come looking for Harriet at Bella’s engagement party!’
If that happened, it would become nearly impossible to hide the fact that Harriet was living at the Fellon Estate. He had to produce a fake and bring her to Perilas before that happened.
He spent days frantically scouring theaters, back alleys, and brothels for a woman who could shamelessly play the part of Harriet. Finally, after an intense, sleepless search that earned him a few more gray hairs, he found a woman who bore a resemblance to her. It had taken only five days.
“What’s your name?”
“Lily Adler.”
“That sounds like an alias.”
“I’ve forgotten my real name.”
It didn't matter if she knew her real name or not. All that mattered was that she could walk into Asety Bank and introduce herself as Harriet Listerwell. John handed the woman, who had been working in a back-alley bar, a sample of the signature Harriet had used in her youth.
“I’ll give you two days. Practice this signature until you can forge it in your sleep.”
“If I do that, you’ll really give me 50,000 Dirham?”
“Of course. However, if you breathe a single word of this to anyone, I will carve 50,000 Dirham worth of flesh from your bones.”
Even Lily, who lacked a formal education, understood that such a "removal" would result in a slow, agonizing death. It was terrifying, but as someone desperate for money, she couldn't turn down the temptation.
She stayed at the Listerwell Mansion for two days, practicing the signature and mimicking the aristocratic deportment required to pass as Harriet. Since she had occasionally worked as a supporting actress in local theaters, she met John’s expectations surprisingly quickly.
“Good. This will suffice.”
Once Lily could scrawl Harriet’s signature without a moment's hesitation, John immediately ordered a carriage. He was impatient; the stress had kept him from sleeping, and he was desperate to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
He dressed Lily in one of Harriet’s old gowns and set off for Perilas.
‘Finally, that land will be mine.’
The thought made him feel as though the hardships of the past few days were finally being compensated—so much so that giving half to Bella now felt like a waste. The carriage, pushed to its limits at John’s command, reached Perilas in two hours.
“Ugh, I nearly threw up.”
“Keep your wits about you, Harriet. You know what you have to do, don’t you?”
“Yes. I just go in, keep my mouth shut like a dutiful niece, and sign where I’m told.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
John treated Lily as if she were the real Harriet and marched into Asety Bank. Since it was during business hours, several customers were inside, but John ignored them all and called out to Howard, who was seated behind the counter.
“Mr. Scott! I’ve returned, as promised! Haha!”
At his voice, Howard looked up, a peculiar expression crossing his face. “What brings you here, Viscount Listerwell?”
“My reason for visiting is obvious, isn't it? This is rather amusing, as the situation seems to be the exact opposite of our last meeting.”
“Hahaha... And the person accompanying you is...?”
“Oh, Harriet, introduce yourself. This is the President of the Perilas Asety Bank, who traveled all the way to Genoa just to see you.”
Lily bowed her head demurely—or rather, with a practiced air of timid gloom. “Pleased to meet you. I am Harriet Listerwell.”
“I’ve finally brought my niece. I’m sure the President is busy, so let’s sign the documents quickly.”
John tried to rush the proceedings, but Howard merely shook his head, a strange smile playing on his lips.
“I’m afraid I don’t follow, Viscount. Miss Harriet has already claimed the land and the mansion.”
“What?”
John’s eyes darted around as he tried to process the words. They made no sense. “Harriet... signed the documents?”
“Yes. About five days ago, she came down herself, confirmed the estate and the manor, and even opened a new account at our bank.”
“Th-that’s preposterous!” John roared, his face flushing with fury. “That was a fraud! You should have thoroughly verified her identity! What woman dared to steal my family’s land?!”
He was so flustered and enraged that the mask of the "kind and gentle uncle" shattered completely. Howard merely shrugged.
“I don’t understand your outburst, Viscount. We confirmed Miss Harriet Listerwell’s identity through the specific verification procedure established by the late Viscount Arthur Listerwell. What could possibly be the problem?”
“Identity verification procedure?”
John’s hands were trembling with rage. Howard ignored his glare and pulled out a piece of paper.
“The former Viscount Listerwell designated Miss Harriet Listerwell as the sole recipient of this land and mansion. He instructed us to verify two things upon her arrival. The first was whether her signature matched.”
“Harriet! Sign here for him!” John barked.
Howard remained unmoved. “And the second was whether she knew the exact words to fill in the blanks here.”
The paper he held out contained a short, cryptic text. After reading it several times, John realized it was a lullaby.
“This is your verification process? This childish, trivial nonsense?”
“The former Viscount said that if it were truly Miss Harriet Listerwell, she wouldn't get a single letter wrong. And the person who claimed the land got every word right.” Howard pushed the paper toward Lily. “Here is a pen. Please, fill it in.”
Lily, who had received no warning about such a test, could only stare at John, utterly paralyzed. John slammed his palm onto the paper and crumpled it violently.
“I am Viscount Listerwell! My family’s assets should naturally respect my will! What is this nonsense?!”
“I regret to say that Imperial law disagrees. Frankly, you would have no grounds to object even if we reported you for fraud and obstruction of business.”
“What did you say?”
“Miss Harriet was indeed in Genoa,” Howard said, his gaze turning icy. “She left the Listerwell family a long time ago, and her current guardian is someone else entirely. Yet, you kept lying to me.”
John choked on his words.
“Since a fake power of attorney didn't work, did you bring a look-alike to sign falsely? Who exactly is the fraudster here?”
“Ugh...!”
“Honestly, the woman you brought doesn't even resemble Miss Harriet. Did you truly think matching hair color was enough?”
Howard let out a sharp 'tsk' of disapproval. John couldn't find a single word to retort. Every customer in the bank was staring at them, and the atmosphere was turning hostile.
“W-we’ll see about this!”
He spat out a futile threat, turned on his heel, and stormed out of the bank. Lily let out a startled squeak and scurried after him, completing the pathetic farce.