LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 9
“I’ll assign you a new maid soon. You must be hungry, so have a meal brought up.”
Winston and Adrian chuckled as they left the room.
‘Did Brody lie? For me?’
Cornelia was bewildered and couldn’t comprehend it. It was undeniably a lie to spare her from punishment.
‘After coldly abandoning me, why…?’
Has his feelings changed? The sudden thought drained the color from her face.
‘No! This can’t happen!’
What if this jeopardized the annulment?
‘I must stop it.’
Now that she was free, she’d roam as she pleased and systematically avoid the male leads… before Brody got any foolish ideas.
✿
Imperial Central Bank
Someone appeared in the dazzling bank lobby: Cornelia, clad in a poised, mature purple dress… a stark contrast to her usual garish pink and yellow outfits adorned with clownish decorations.
Yet, the reactions were unchanged.
“Argh! It’s Cornelia!”
“Get away, quick!”
The crowd still treated her like vermin.
‘Ugh…’
Her image makeover had a long way to go.
Even the bank clerk scowled.
“Miss Cornelia, we can’t approve further loans. Your father and brother have already borrowed massive sums in your name—”
Cornelia silently handed over the check from Ethan.
“Use this to settle all debts under my name. And ensure no one borrows in my name without my consent.”
“A check?”
The clerk didn’t even glance at it.
“What if it’s forged?”
‘Ugh, Cornelia’s reputation strikes again.’
She narrowed her eyes.
“And if it’s genuine?”
“How could it be?”
The clerk scoffed, as if doubting the sun would rise in the west.
Annoyed, Cornelia snapped.
“If this is real, you’re the idiot mutt who ignored a 100,000 Loran check.”
“Idiot… what?!”
“Go verify it.”
Grumbling, the clerk took the check and vanished… only to return moments later, flustered.
*”It’s… it’s real!”*
“Told you.”
“Where’d you steal it?”
“…”
‘These jerks!’
Cornelia glared.
“The signature’s there… Ethan Trading. Verify it yourself.”
Just then, the bank manager rushed out, mustache twitching.
“No theft reports from Ethan Trading or the guards!” He bowed.
“Shall we continue in the VIP room?”
‘Money really does change everything.’
Even for Cornelia.
The power of wealth!
Vowing to earn even more, she rose gracefully. “Very well.”
The VIP room was opulent… as if the bank had spent all its money there. Cornelia considered crossing her legs on the plush chair but opted for a poised posture instead.
“Miss Cornelia, after clearing your debts, over 90,000 loran remains.”
“I know. Cash out 10,000 and convert the rest to checks under my name.”
“No.”
The manager’s sudden firmness startled her.
“Excuse me?”
“Have you heard this? ‘Money makes money.’ Even while you sleep, your money should work.”
“What’s your point?”
“Invest the full 90,000. I recommend an excellent product.”
He slid her a pamphlet:
“High-Yield Guaranteed! Elabosta Bond Fund!”
“No financial product offers higher returns. Perfect for you.”
The world had all kinds of hunters… for game, fish, and suckers.
‘And I’m the sucker.’
Cornelia gritted her teeth.
Buried in the fine print: “Principal not guaranteed.”
This fund had already bankrupted countless people.
‘He’s pushing this on me? That bastard—!’
Then she froze.
‘Wait… Elabosta Bonds are from Trapped in His Majesty’s Bedroom!’
Though primarily a steamy romance, the novel included political subplots. The emperor, Hayden, later resolved this scandal, showcasing his benevolence.
‘My hunch was right. The worlds are merging.’
The realization left her dizzy.
‘Even with knowledge of all three stories, the plot could spiral unpredictably.’
Misreading her silence, the manager pressed, “Just sign here. It’s safe, high-return—”
“It’s high-risk. No principal protection.”
“The returns outweigh—”
“And I need this money for other debts.”
She cut him off with a sweet smile, though her mind churned.
✿
“500 loran!”
“Sold!”
Cornelia lowered her paddle, satisfied. Another smooth win.
“Cornelia again.”
“Tch, buying trash as usual.”
Whispers followed her.
‘Fools. That’s not scribbles… It’s a replica of an ancient tablet.’
Undecipherable now, but invaluable later.
‘That’s all for today.’
Yet, she felt unsettled.
‘Ethan said he’d meet me, but he’s nowhere.’
She needed closure on their deal.
When he never appeared, she waited outside.
As the crowd dispersed…
“Waiting for me?”
Ethan materialized. Cornelia frowned.
“You kept me waiting.”
“My apologies. I wanted a private meeting.”
His odd tone disarmed her anger.
“Still, you waited. You’re a woman of your word.”
“Of course. Breaking promises risks home visits. I’d rather wait.”
“Ah, not honor but aversion.”
He chuckled.
She handed him the final page of their deal.
Ethan examined it with uncharacteristic gravity, then smiled… almost euphoric.
“Exceeds even my expectations.”
‘Did he recognize it’s the last page of the imperial chronicle? A mere merchant with such insight?’
Noticing her stare, he smirked.
“I know what you’re thinking. In my trade, one develops an eye for value.”
She coughed awkwardly. He continued,
“I’ll buy your other acquisitions today, too.”
“You don’t even know what I bought.”
“I trust your eyes. You’d only pick worthy items.”
“Shouldn’t it be your eye you trust?”
“Let’s say both.”
His casual reply masked something.
‘How could he know? Did he spy on the auction?’
As a trade magnate, he might’ve sent proxies.
Suspicious, she probed, “Why use me as a proxy?”
“Securing a partner with your discernment is valuable. Had I bid against you, you’d refuse to collaborate.”
“True.”
His smile softened, as if doting on a younger sister.
Then he stepped closer.
“Deal exclusively with me from now on. Only me.”