Chapter 75
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Violet's First Words - Episode 75
The transfer of the mansion's ownership concluded remarkably swiftly. Afterward, Geoffrey received what amounted to threatening letters. Messages along the lines of "You received the house, so keep your mouth shut" and "My reputation has been ruined, so you, my daughter, are finished too."
Of course, I tore them to shreds and burned them immediately. I had Olive disinfect his hands afterward. I received the property deed merely three days after the trial concluded. My name was unmistakably inscribed upon it. I decided to tour the Everdin Mansion first. Marin happened to visit that morning. She readily agreed to accompany me.
"This place is lovely, isn't it? The location is perfect too."
"You're right. My father was always boasting about how investing in this house was an excellent decision."
"It certainly seems warranted. It's right beside the main avenue, surrounded by shops including high-end boutiques, and since they're upscale establishments that close early, the nights are peaceful. The location is absolutely ideal."
Marin marveled continuously as she toured the house.
"Which room was yours?"
"Over there."
I pointed toward the top of the staircase.
"The third floor?"
"No, the Attic."
Marin fell silent.
"Your family is truly despicable."
Marin said this as she observed that most of the furniture throughout the house remained in place. To be honest, the furniture wasn't particularly necessary. However, Brown proved to be an exceptionally capable lawyer. He mentioned that the antique furniture in this house would likely hold considerable value. So on the day Paula was arrested, he filed for a complete seizure of the entire house. Because of this, Father managed only to move a few pieces of furniture and fixtures from the Study, leaving everything else untouched—even down to the accessories in Paula's and Marigold's rooms.
"Initially, I thought I didn't need items tainted by my family's hands."
"Brown talked you out of it?"
"Yes, he said it would be better for angering Father."
In any case, Brown subsequently connected me with an antique dealer. The dealer assessed that the furniture throughout this house, along with the paintings, possessed considerable monetary value. 'Moreover, I'm set to receive a substantial sum in cash under Father's name.' A full three thousand gold coins. The bare minimum monthly living expenses for a reasonably comfortable middle-class family in the Empire amounted to roughly ten gold coins. Three thousand gold coins meant I could comfortably live for twenty to thirty years.
"I read in the newspapers that you received alimony too. Congratulations."
"Don't mention it. This is only the beginning."
"So you're planning to sell this house? Even just the furnishings seem to have considerable value."
Cyril said I could continue living in my own residence even after acquiring this house. Moreover, if I brought up the subject of living expenses one more time, he seemed genuinely ready to lose his temper.
"Renting it out is also a good option. If you mention it to Brown, he'll help you."
Marin spoke. After a moment's thought, I opened my mouth.
"Marin, what if you used this place as your shop? The first-rate dressmaking studio you mentioned. I heard you've been struggling to find suitable premises."
Marin's body went rigid. Then her eyes sparkled.
"Really? But the fortune I have is just barely enough to open a shop. I don't think I could even afford the deposit...."
"Running a luxury boutique will require substantial capital. It's fortunate you have initial funds."
"Well, and Ash has agreed to invest as well. In any case, I couldn't afford the rent for a building of this caliber."
I smiled.
"That's fine, you don't need to pay rent. Just leave it as is until the shop becomes profitable."
"But wouldn't a location like this normally fetch eighty gold coins a month?"
"Exactly why I'm lending it to you. Honestly, I don't need such a fine house. Besides, I'm planning to find employment anyway."
"But...."
Marin's eyes wavered.
"Instead, once the shop turns a profit, you can pay me rent. Whenever is fine."
"And how much would that be once we're in the black?"
"Hmm... the market rate, I suppose? Though I can't give it away forever—perhaps three years of lending would be acceptable?"
"Are you insane? If you give away everything like this to a friend, how will you survive in such a harsh world?"
"In this harsh world, I've been fortunate enough to exact my revenge and find a good guardian. That much is fine."
Marin fell silent in thought.
"Wait here for a moment."
Marin hurried into the small room on the second floor she'd noticed earlier. That luxuriously decorated room was where Paula used to write letters while savoring the feeling of being a noblewoman. Marin came running back with a sheet of paper.
"What is this?"
"An equity transfer agreement. I'm giving you 24% of the Marin Seize Boutique shares."
"That much?"
"The remaining 24% belongs to Ash. All other shares are mine. In exchange, while I operate the boutique here, I won't accept rent—permanently. How about it?"
I pondered carefully. Marin's clothing was already receiving considerable attention. It would definitely become popular. Besides, waiving rent didn't mean transferring ownership of the building.
"As long as you don't destroy the house, I'm fine with it. Feel free to renovate it however you like otherwise."
Though I said that, ultimately this was an act of goodwill on my part.
"Of course. If the building gets damaged, I'll sell Gran to pay for it. We can even write that into the contract!"
Suddenly I felt sorry for Gran. It seemed Marin and Gran were extremely close.
"Thank you for the excellent deal, Miss Violet Everdin."
Marin grinned like a cat that had caught a fish.
"The pleasure is mine."
"Then while we're at it, let's also establish an exclusive dress supply contract. In exchange, give me portrait rights."
"Portrait rights...?"
"Rights to portraits or photographs, that sort of thing. Your name's already plastered all over magazines and such, isn't it?"
No matter how much I tried to prevent it, journalists would sneak photographs and write articles anyway—so posing for pictures in clothes was hardly the worst outcome. 'Well, it should be fine.' I had my moment of fleeting popularity, but it wouldn't last a lifetime. And if Marin was giving me beautiful clothes, that was a good thing in its own right, wasn't it? Marin said she would need to get notarization through Brown. 'Come to think of it, Uncle specifically told me not to get close to Ash.' Now I was becoming a co-investor with him. 'Father's been in business, and I've seen how co-investors meet quarterly for conferences and such, haven't they?' I felt myself sinking deeper and deeper into a quagmire bearing Ash's name.
"Violet, look at this. Oh, thank the heavens. The entire house was built with only premium materials. There's not even anywhere that needs repairs. These railings, the decorations. Ah, it's magnificent!"
Marin was wandering through the house like a woman possessed.
"Marin, calm yourself. Let me go find something to drink in the kitchen."
I was about to soothe her when it happened. Ding-dong, dong. Chime. Another vision of the future.
【The assets of the purged religious official now belong entirely to Miss Violet Everdin. Countless jewels and artifacts, and an entire room filled with Marin Seize dresses and shoes as well.】 The Veiled Girl spoke. 【Those Marin Seize pieces that all the women of the Empire go mad wanting to possess. She's accumulated quite a collection.】 Violet sat at a table in an unfamiliar Dress Room, swinging her feet idly. 【As you know, every piece from Marin Seize holds tremendous value. It's said to be the most successful boutique in the entire world. They can be sold directly on the black market. It should fetch a considerable sum.】
Violet's eyes snapped open. 'Huh? What?' I had helped Marin with purely good intentions. And yet.... Violet's mouth fell open. Women throughout the future Empire would go mad desiring them? 'The most successful boutique in the entire world?!' Violet Everdin had meant to help a friend, only to stumble into a windfall of fortune alongside her.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org