SMR | Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Hidden Deals and New Plans

In public, the Cheslow Count and Countess spoke proudly about welcoming the beautiful and graceful Bella as their future daughter-in-law. But the truth behind the polite smiles was very different.

They were deeply disappointed in their son. He had broken a long-standing engagement and chosen a woman from a family of lower rank. Since they couldn’t change his stubborn mind, they reluctantly gave permission for the marriage — but their eyes always showed thinly veiled contempt whenever they looked at Bella.

Do I have to endure that scorn for the rest of my life? she thought bitterly.

Even if she bore Cedric’s child and became the Duchess of Kailas, she probably wouldn’t be treated much better — but between being ignored as a countess or as a duchess, the latter certainly sounded more satisfying.

Besides, James’s constant habit of comparing her to Daphne only made her angrier.

One day, when we fight, he’ll say he should have married Daphne instead. And if Daphne stays single, he’ll probably cheat with her.

Fragments of those fears spun wildly in Bella’s head.

Was being the Countess of Cheslow really such a prize that it was worth all this?

No… It’s nothing compared to being the Duchess of Kailas.

Her green eyes glimmered with new determination as she looked across the table at Albert.

“Could you arrange a meeting with Duke Kailas for me?”

Albert blinked in surprise. “What? Are you really planning to try?”

Instead of answering directly, Bella lifted one of the Anghelic packets and shook it lightly.

“If he ends up liking this, it benefits you too, doesn’t it? So I hope you’ll provide some of it for free — enough for when I meet him.”

Albert chuckled loudly. “Of course! If you can turn Cedric into one of Anghelic’s customers, you’ll get more than free supplies — I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded!”

“That won’t be necessary. If I succeed, I’ll be the Duchess of Kailas, won’t I?”

Albert laughed awkwardly. “Ha-ha! Of course, of course! Forgive me for not recognizing the future Duchess herself.”

He kept laughing, but inside, he was startled.

So Leslie was right — a woman really does know how another woman thinks. This one took the bait exactly as she said.

Leslie had warned him not to directly invite Bella to help drug Cedric.

“You have to provoke her ambition and pride,” Leslie had explained. “Tell her no woman has ever conquered Duke Kailas — and that whoever succeeds could become his wife. Say it jokingly, as if it’s just gossip.”

Albert had doubted it. “I don’t think Bella Listerwell would fall for something that simple.”

“What you see isn’t all there is,” Leslie had replied with a smile. “And mention that if she ends up pregnant, her social rank would rise instantly.”

He had thought Bella’s cool, distant attitude during her past visits came from embarrassment — after all, buying such a scandalous stimulant could be awkward. But now, seeing the fire of greed and competitiveness in her eyes, he realized Leslie had been completely right.

Well, this just got interesting.

The social season’s most admired beauty had willingly joined his scheme — and he had nothing to lose.

If she succeeds, perfect. If she fails, it costs me nothing.

Albert grinned and set up another meeting with Bella. He promised that at that time, he would arrange for her to meet Cedric in person.

***

Meanwhile…

A man dressed in his best clothes sat nervously in a grand drawing room, clearing his throat over and over again. He tried not to show how anxious he was, but his fidgeting made it obvious.

He had never imagined that one day he’d be a guest in such a luxurious place.

He took a sip of water from a glass a maid had given him, just as the door opened.

“Welcome, Mr. Morris!”

The woman who entered greeted him with a bright smile and an extended hand — Harriet Listerwell. They had first met about a month ago at a café.

“H-hello, my lady!”

Morris stammered, but Harriet only smiled warmly and invited him to sit.

All his worries — that he might be turned away at the door — melted into relief and gratitude.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“I’m sorry for being late. I wanted to revise the plan carefully before showing it to you.”

“That’s perfectly fine. I value thoroughness more than speed.”

A maid entered with a tea tray, and while she poured the tea, Morris fidgeted, eager to show his work. But Harriet shook her head slightly, signaling for him to wait until the maid had left.

He obeyed, folding his hands on his knees awkwardly.

When the door finally closed behind them, Harriet spoke again with her gentle smile.

“I apologize, but this project requires secrecy.”

“Secrecy?”

“Yes. And I’d like you to keep my involvement as a private investor.”

“Of course.”

He didn’t understand why, but he nodded anyway. Harriet, however, had good reason to be careful.

Recently, she had discovered that some old documents had gone missing from the bag she took to the Saint Clarissa Monastery. She had never imagined that someone inside the Pellon mansion might have gone through her belongings — and that realization frightened her.

I don’t know who’s spying on me in the mansion. I have to be cautious.

If word got out that she was investing in a ship-recovery business, Bella and John would surely try to sabotage her.

“So, shall we take a look at your updated plan? Did you fix everything we discussed last time?”

“Yes, my lady. I’m not much of an artist, so the drawings are rough, but I’ve added detailed explanations beside them. Please ask about anything unclear.”

Harriet opened the pages carefully.

The project — to recover sunken trade ships and claim their lost cargo — had begun as a dream, but Morris had developed it with surprising logic. It wasn’t flawless, but it wasn’t ridiculous either.

According to his plan, raising medium-sized ships from shallow waters was entirely possible.

“How will you handle the coral and rocks near the coast?”

“When ships sink, tides often push them off the reefs and into deeper sandy areas over time. We’ll work there instead — much safer.”

His confident tone showed he had done plenty of research. He spread out a map, pointing at the empire’s western coastline.

“Our divers can stay underwater for about two minutes on average. That’s not enough for Fenakstone, but we can manage at Ulliden or Bartel Bay.”

“Are there really many wrecks at that depth?”

“There are two we know of, both in Bartel Bay’s shallow waters. If we succeed in lifting them, we can sell the recovered goods and use the profits to develop an air-supply device for deeper dives.”

He showed her another set of plans — for an iron, bell-shaped chamber connected to rubber hoses. Divers could rest inside it and descend deeper under the sea.

“Still,” he added, “when the water’s murky, visibility drops, making it hard to hook the right spots.”

Harriet nodded thoughtfully. “And even if you succeed, there’s another problem — there aren’t many wrecks left to salvage.”

Indeed, historical records showed few sunken ships around Ulliden or Bartel Bay.

Even if he recovers them all, then what? she wondered.

Morris laughed heartily. “If deep-sea air-supply technology still doesn’t exist by then, I’ll just start a new business.”

“You’d give up the salvage work?”

“Why not? You can’t force something impossible to work. There are always other ways to make money.”

Harriet blinked, then chuckled with him. His simple logic made sense — and it humbled her a bit.

She realized she had learned something important: starting a business didn’t mean she had to cling to it forever. When an idea stopped being profitable, she could let go and move on.

And now she also understood what Roxana had meant — that investors are drawn to entrepreneurs who are confident and bold.

“Alright,” Harriet said at last, “I’ll invest in your business. And I’ll see if I can find others willing to invest too.”

“Truly?”

“Do you think I’d invite you here just to joke around?”

Harriet smiled brightly. Morris looked overwhelmed with joy and pressed both hands over his heart.