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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Starfall]
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Chapter 9 : The Broken Engagement Is Separate, The Trade Is Separate
The onlookers’ attention was drawn as the attendant announced her arrival.
“Selina Arsene, the eldest daughter of the Count Arsene family, greets the heads of the two families and the participants of the family council.”
With a graceful bow and a smile, she exuded an air of tranquility, as if the situation at hand was of no consequence.
The Patel family, who had been tearing into her reputation moments ago, were momentarily silenced by her calm and elegant demeanor.
“First, I would like to apologize to the Arsene and Patel families for causing such an unpleasant situation. It was my negligence. I should have been more attentive to prevent this kind of meeting from taking place.”
Her straightforward and sincere apology made those who had been raising their voices feel somewhat embarrassed.
As the atmosphere seemed to settle, Selina got straight to the point.
“Using this opportunity I would like to ask again. Is the Patel family’s intention to break off the engagement concrete?”
As she asked the question, Selina wiped the smile off her face.
‘Starting now, it’s a head-on battle.’
Selina’s expressionless face appeared cold and haughty, like a well-sharpened dagger.
The Patel family, momentarily flinching at her expression, raised their voices as if not to be outdone.
“How can we even consider a union between our families when Lady Arsene’s reputation has fallen so low?”
“Even if Lady Arsene were to formally apologize to Lady Hazel and restore her reputation, Morgan says he cannot accept it.”
“We can’t force someone into a loveless marriage.”
As the commotion seemed to escalate again, Selina stepped forward and said,
“Enough. I understand your opinions. Let me ask again.”
After making eye contact with each member of the Patel family, Selina asked,
“Is there anyone who equates this broken engagement with the termination of the joint venture?”
“What are you talking about? Would we continue trading together if we don’t have a family alliance?”
“Of course, we should consider them together! What benefit would we gain from partnering with someone with a tarnished reputation?”
“It seems like you’re the one responsible for all this, Lady Arsene. What makes you think you can stand here and speak so boldly?”
“I can’t just sit here and listen to this anymore. If you have any evidence that the young lady has done something wrong, bring it forward and take her to court!”
As the room became noisy again, Selina gestured to Count Arsene.
“Silence! Everyone, be quiet!”
“Please listen carefully to what I have to say. I ask that you present your opinions after hearing everything I have to say. Do you understand?”
As everyone seemed to agree and quiet down, Selina spoke calmly.
“You’ve been talking about my reputation this whole time, but this is a business between families, so my personal issues cannot be held responsible for the whole. In fact, the current head of the family is my father, not me. You don’t have to worry about me being given the position of family head right away.”
“But, still, as the acting head and the future successor of the family…”
The person who interrupted was silenced by Selina’s quiet but sharp gaze.
“And about my reputation… It’s not difficult to restore it. But the easiest way to restore it is… Yes, this would be the fastest. It’s for Morgan Patel and me to break off the engagement. And then, for the benefit of both families, we seize a bigger opportunity. What do you think?”
“No, how can we possibly…”
“So, you’re saying you want to break off the engagement now?”
“Yes, you said you wanted to break it off. So, I’ll do it.”
In truth, the Patel family was dissatisfied with their lower profit share compared to the Arsene family in this trade venture.
Therefore, they used the broken engagement to put pressure on the Arsene family and renegotiate a more favorable deal.
No matter how much Morgan objected, in the end, marriages among nobles were more about profit than love.
For the joint venture between the two families to succeed, a strong bond through the marriage of Morgan and Selina was a given.
The Patel family had played the broken engagement card to gain the upper hand, assuming the marriage would happen anyway. However, Selina’s acceptance of the separation left them speechless.
“Selina, what are you doing?”
Count Arsene asked, bewildered.
“Father, I have many good connections from the academy. Although they are from military noble families and their social activities are limited, they are friends who sincerely support me even in this unfavorable situation. If you tell me the family you prefer, I will immediately arrange a meeting to discuss the engagement. We have a few military items among our main products, right? Wouldn’t that be helpful?”
“Well… yes, but…”
“So you’re saying you’re going to break off the engagement with the Patel family just to benefit the Arsene company?”
When the Patel family questioned in disbelief, Selina asked back with an innocent face.
“Didn’t the Patel family just say that it would be a loss to work with the Arsene family, which has someone with a bad reputation like me, and mention breaking off the engagement along with the contract? Did I misunderstand something?”
“No, but still, to say that you’re going to decide on your next marriage right in front of us…”
“The Patel family brought up the broken engagement first, so I just agreed.”
The Patel family was speechless at Selina’s expression, as if she didn’t know what was wrong.
After watching them for a moment, dumbfounded and muttering, Selina continued.
“But I think the joint venture and the broken engagement of the two families are separate issues. If our Arsene family forms a relationship with a good family, it will be a great help to you too, our trading partners. To that end, I will get engaged to a bigger family after this matter is settled.”
‘So you’re saying only your profits will increase!’
Unable to say those words out loud, members of the Patel family bit back their tongue.
“I understand that Young Master Morgan Patel detests me, is that not true? He even came to me and told me so himself.”
“What? He said that openly?”
Count Arsene’s face hardened at the thought of his only daughter being spoken to in such a way.
“He just listened to social rumors and left, telling me to live a good life without even confirming the facts.”
Count Arsene’s expression grew even grimmer at Selina’s words, while Count Patel, Morgan’s father, turned pale.
“He said it so confidently. That this broken engagement was also the will of the family elders. At this point, shouldn’t I be thinking about my own happiness after marriage too?”
Seeing Selina smile softly, the Patel family realized that this was not going as they had planned.
“No, did he really say that?”
“How dare he be so rude! What does he take our family for?”
“Please, be quiet.”
At Selina’s words, the Arsene family fell silent.
“As I said before, I believe that trade and engagement are separate issues. Even though we are breaking off the engagement because of my reputation.”
‘We haven’t said we’re breaking off the engagement yet! We haven’t even exchanged tokens of separation!’
The Patel family was frustrated but couldn’t say a word.
“I will make sure to form a relationship with a good family and restore my reputation quickly so that the Patel family won’t be disappointed any further. Then you will have no complaints about the joint venture, right?”
“No, if Lady Selina were to restore her reputation, we wouldn’t have to break off this engagement…”
“Father, please give me that.”
“Ah, yes.”
At Count Arsene’s gesture, the butler, Ben, brought a jewelry box.
“No, Lady Selina. This is too hasty…”
“You will recognize this jewelry box. Yes, it contains a pair of gold bracelets, the engagement tokens of the Patel and Arsene families.”
Selina opened the jewelry box and showed the men’s and women’s bracelets inside.
“Let’s finalize the separation here and now.”
Selina immediately picked up the two bracelets, hooked them onto the end of a poker, and skillfully melted them until only half of each bracelet remained.
“I return these bracelets to you.”
The Patel family was left holding the tokens of the broken engagement in a daze.
“I understand if you don’t want to proceed with the trade agreement if I don’t restore my reputation within three months.”
The Patel family could not say a word in front of Selina, who smiled confidently.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Starfall]
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