TPES 40

Chapter 40

“So, when will you pay the compensation?”
The Duke lowered his posture as much as possible while looking at Espin, who was arrogantly lounging on the sofa. The moment this woman told people that Melchasky’s work was a forgery, he could be dragged to the knight order.

“You guaranteed this piece, didn’t you? Five times the amount.”
Espin annoyingly held out five fingers.

Why did that Babin woman have to come find him and make things like this? His blood was boiling.

“Lady, if what I just told her were a lie, could you trust me?”
The Duke asked with a casual smile, hoping the unaware lady would take the bait.

“Of course not,”
Espin replied, looking incredulous.

“You showed me the evidence yourself earlier. Don’t tell lies like every Melchasky work has the same signature—at least not before I go to the palace and check.”

Seeing that Espin wouldn’t budge, the Duke let out a long sigh.
It was all ruined. Darkness seemed to fill his vision.

“You’ll need to give me 1,500,000 litas.”
“The truth… I don’t have that much money.”
“Then how much do you have?”
“I only have 500,000 litas right now…”
“No, that can’t be right.”

Espin immediately saw through his lie.
In reality, the money earned from this scam alone was 750,000 litas. Before that, selling off the family’s liquid assets and some artworks added another 150,000 litas.

“This mansion exists, and so does the Monzas family business.”
“I bought this mansion for a low price, and it was all on debt.”

Given the situation, he had to choose a way to keep as much money as possible.
The Duke began to act, his voice trembling with feigned emotion. He had to appear pitiful at all costs.

“The truth is, our family has had some misfortune. My father was scammed by a woman. She left, taking the family fortune but leaving only her child behind. I’ve raised that child as my own sibling all my life.”
“That must have been difficult for you.”
“Yes. That’s why we don’t have much money.”
“Right… and?”
“Yes… so we don’t have enough to pay the compensation.”

Espin stood up, as if there was nothing more to hear.
“Then I have nothing more to say. I’ll report this to the knight order. And let others know.”

“W-wait a moment!”
The Duke had no choice but to say what he had been dreading.

“I’ll pay the money.”
“Really?”

Yes, if he promised to pay and ran away, it would be over. The most important thing was to prevent this rumor from spreading before the auction day. He had to finish the remaining auction and then escape. If this leaked, he wouldn’t even get out of the empire; the knight order would drag him straight to prison.

“Yes, I’ll pay. But I don’t have that much cash right now, so please give me a week.”
“Ah… that won’t do. If you run without paying, it’s over.”
“Then… I’ll give a portion now and the rest in a week.”

“How much now?”
A smug smile appeared on Espin’s lips. She held all the cards.
The Duke felt sweat trickle down his back, trapped.

“Now, 300,000 litas…”
Espin fiddled with her nails, clearly uninterested. It wasn’t the amount she wanted.

“500,000 litas…”
“Ha… 300,000 of that is mine.”
“700,000 litas! That’s all I have.”
“Really, none more?”

She was like a ghost, reading his safe as if she already knew the exact amount.

“…900,000 litas.”
The Duke had no choice but to reveal all the money he had.

“With all my jewels and cash, it totals about 900,000 litas. I’ll give you that.”
“Oh-ho.”

It was everything he had in his safe. But he had to hand it over to shut her up.

“There’s a condition, though.”
“What condition?”
“You cannot tell anyone about this until I give you the remaining 600,000 litas in a week.”
“Why?”
“For my reputation.”

After a long moment, Espin lightly nodded.
Fortunately, this meant the next auction could go smoothly.

The Duke’s mind raced: should he have Orson paint another picture, or recruit more people for the ruse?

“After a week, I’ll give 1,100,000 litas, bringing the total to 2,000,000 litas. Lady, wouldn’t it be better if you secretly had as much money as possible without the count and countess knowing?”

Knowing basic noble psychology, he said it confidently.
Countess Leon, whom he had met before, was greedy and would not be easy on Espin, who was not her daughter.

“Hmm, that’s true.”
The Duke smiled knowingly. Even if he gave Espin 900,000 litas now, he could earn it back through a new auction. That way, he could leave the empire before the knight order caught him.

“But you must keep this a complete secret.”
“Of course. A secret like that is reasonable for receiving more money.”
“Good decision.”

The Duke looked at Espin, who smiled expectantly, silently holding out her hand for the money.

“Quickly, 900,000 litas.”
“Some are in jewels; I’ll convert them to cash later.”
“I’ll do the conversion, just give it to me.”
“It’ll be heavy to carry. Shall I have it delivered?”

He wanted to give it, but it pained him too much. How had he collected this money? He couldn’t hand it over easily.

But Espin had no intention of backing down, already opening a bag she had somehow brought.

“Ha… Butler.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Bring all the cash and jewels from the safe.”

He nearly cried. How had he collected all this? And now he had to give it to this woman?

The butler brought everything from the safe. One by one, the Duke’s assets went into her bag—a total of 900,000 litas.

“Good. I’ll keep this painting then.”
“Yes.”

At least he could sell that painting again and earn at least 300,000 litas. If he added a dot and claimed it was part of the series sold for 300,000 litas last week, he could get even more.

“I’ll tear up this contract. Let’s pretend I never won the auction.”
“Yes. Thank you, Lady. And once again, do not tell anyone. If you do, the rest of the money will be hard to get. Understand?”
“Of course. I need money too, so I won’t tell anyone. Don’t worry.”

Espin left the mansion with a sly smile.
The Duke looked at the emptied safe and could only laugh bitterly.
It was all because of that Babin woman.

“You’ve secured her, right?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t give her food or water. She’ll end up dead in this house anyway.”
“That’s…”

The Duke glared at the butler.
“Oh, sorry.”
“And move that painting to the parlor.”
“Yes.”
“And tell Orson to paint one more picture. By the day after tomorrow.”

By the day after tomorrow. Just one day.

That day, he had to gather every last coin he could.