Chapter 131
Delani and Axel were locked in solitary confinement, while Arnold was imprisoned in the underground dungeon awaiting for his punishment.
“Axel will be released soon.”
“Well, he wasn’t guilty for being born, after all.”
Though he did torment Didi.
His revenge on Delani and Somerset had been more for his own satisfaction, but since it hadn’t hurt us, I decided to just keep an eye on him rather than forgive him.
“What does the Grand Duke say?”
“He told me to do whatever I want. He said I could use his name as I pleased.”
“Then let’s use it to the fullest. Are we taking down the Grand Duchess too this time?”
He nodded.
“But I’m not releasing the evidence just yet.”
“Why not? Is it still lacking?”
“It’s more than enough. We even have a statement from Mary, and Arnold’s evidence is solid on its own.”
“Then why wait?”
“Because it’s not the right time yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“When it’s time to avenge my mother.”
Ah…
I finally understood. This revenge wasn’t just about me and Dedrick.
Amelia came first. She was killed by Delani right in front of Dedrick without doing anything wrong.
“It’ll be hard to find proof or witnesses now that could confirm she was the one who killed Mother. Gemma, being the Grand Duchess’s loyal servant, won’t testify. Even if someone did, the punishment wouldn’t be harsh.”
After all, Amelia was never officially recognized as a Grand Duchess.
Though she was the second wife, she wasn’t treated like one, and that would lessen the severity of any punishment.
“So we’ll take revenge another way. She won’t die easily.”
“Exactly!”
Delani should die more cruelly, betrayed and miserable, just as Amelia had died unjustly.
“But first, I’m going to take care of the Head of House Aulus.”
“He’s still alive?”
“Unfortunately.”
He sure lives long, that old man.
When I muttered a slight insult, Dedrick laughed, kissed me, and left.
It was time to cut off the biggest supporter of Delani and the one most responsible for what happened to us.
***
Dedrick, Pavle, and Milos arrived at a mansion and stepped out of the carriage.
They were greeted by Bryan, the second son of the Head of House Aulus.
“It’s been a while, Marquis Dedrick.”
Bryan led them inside, chatting.
“Father is in his office. Do you have the documents?”
Pavle gave a subtle nod. Bryan guided them to the office and respectfully bowed.
“Please take care of this matter. If it goes well, the Aulus family will support you fully.”
He opened the door for them himself. Dedrick, Milos, and Pavle entered.
Seeing unannounced guests, the head of the Aulus family stood up in anger, but then recognized Dedrick and scowled openly.
“To enter without knocking! I suppose, given your bloodline, you weren’t taught manners! Where is everyone?!”
Milos was about to speak up, but Pavle stopped him and handed documents to Dedrick, who walked up to the desk and dropped them heavily.
“I don’t want to waste time with someone like you, so I’ll be direct.”
“How dare—!”
The old man was clearly annoyed but stumbled under Dedrick’s cold demeanor.
“You made shady financial deals with the Grand Duchess.”
His pupils shook, and his face twisted.
“You mean the Herba Academy investment? That’s—”
“You poured a massive amount into the development of the commercial district.”
Though not a crime itself, the nervous reaction showed he had secrets.
And one of those secrets was his greatest weakness.
“You didn’t notice that the people managing the construction were embezzling money?”
“Well, that’s—!”
“How careless. What a disgrace. Don’t you agree?”
The old man clenched his jaw and glared at Dedrick, who continued calmly.
“To cover it up, you followed the Grand Duchess’s orders in exchange for money. You borrowed hundreds of millions across various places. That wasn’t enough, so—”
Dedrick looked at the documents and spoke coldly.
“You partnered with the Leon Trading Company for tax evasion. The amount is substantial. And when the debts kept growing, you finally resorted to human trafficking.”
The list of crimes made the old man tremble. He hung his head in defeat.
“Tax evasion and human trafficking are no small offenses.”
Human trafficking was a serious crime in the empire. Even people connected to it could be punished severely.
He was now facing the collapse of his family.
Dedrick looked down at him and pointed at the papers arrogantly.
“If you want to protect your family, you’d better obey.”
The old man didn’t answer right away, his pride holding him back.
Dedrick laughed at that pride.
“You know how Somerset lived after being kicked out. If you don’t want the same, you’d better listen.”
Eventually, the old man bit his lip in defeat and said,
“Tell me what you want.”
“Not the right tone.”
“……”
The head of House Aulus dropped to his knees.
“Step down and give the headship to Bryan Aulus.”
That meant he’d lose any say in future family meetings about successors.
He jumped up in protest.
“You’re interfering in our family’s matters?! I already chose my first son—!”
“Then the deal’s off.”
Dedrick turned to leave with the papers, but the old man grabbed him in a panic.
“W-Wait…!”
Dedrick icily yanked off his sleeve.
“You have three days. After that, I will send documents to Her Majesty.”
The man clenched his teeth in humiliation as Dedrick added:
“And… you might want to take a vacation soon. Can’t let an illegal trading company continue to operate, can we?”
In other words, disappear if you don’t want to get caught.
“… I understand.”
The man bowed deeply. Dedrick left the office.
Outside, Bryan was waiting. Dedrick motioned to the office.
The old man was still bowing.
“Thank you, Lord Dedrick.”
Dedrick handed him the documents.
“If you become head, deliver these to the palace. Your father’s going on a trip soon, I hear.”
Bryan whispered back,
“I’ll make sure he ends up working in a desert labor camp for the rest of his life. Don’t worry.”
Dedrick nodded.
This wasn’t a deal.
The man who exiled him to the Herba Academy and tore him from Marilyn deserved no forgiveness.
Dedrick left the Aulus mansion. Pavle smiled in satisfaction. Milos stretched, refreshed.
“That old man will never know we messed with the investment, huh?”
Pavle responded lightly,
“Even if he did, there’s nothing he can do.”
“True.”
Milos grinned.
From the investment to the failure, everything had been a trap set by Dedrick and Pavle. The old man walked right into it, piling on massive debt.
No one expected him to fall so low as to resort to human trafficking, though.
In short, Dedrick had taken all the money he invested.
It was the price of daring to cross him.
If Bryan became the new head, Dedrick would return that money.
Bryan had helped Dedrick, after all.
“But master, that’s not the way to the Grand Duke’s castle?”
“I’m stopping by the dessert shop.”
“Did Lady Marilyn ask for something?”
“I want to get her the new dessert. Mary can’t go out, so I’ll get her something too. Maybe some gifts.”
“Oh, right! Lady Marilyn said she wanted some comfortable shoes—oof!”
Pavle quickly covered Milos’s mouth, but it was too late. Dedrick’s aura turned dark.
“How do you know that?”
