Chapter 44
Chapter 44. If Good Comes, Evil Does Not; If Evil Comes, Good Does Not (2)
The incident of kneeling and begging for his life in Maple Garden spread far and wide throughout social circles under the name 'Rex's Humiliation'.
It was because the incident had such a great impact.
Since that day, no one looked at Rex with the same eyes of fear and awe as before.
Ridicule and mockery replaced them.
"Krrrgh!"
Drunk Rex ruminated on the humiliation.
No. This matter couldn't be dismissed as mere humiliation.
The power of the 'mafia' didn't come from bloodline or money.
It came only from extreme masculinity and fear.
As soon as the rumor spread that Rex had knelt before a noble lady, half the organization members disappeared.
The Gray Council sent an excommunication notice.
Rex's life as a mafia was now over.
"I'll kill them all."
Even though he had anticipated the result, his insides twisted as if he'd swallowed an entire cactus.
"Right now, that woman..."
But every time humiliation tried to turn into rage, it came to mind.
Red eyes as innocent as a child burning ants with a magnifying glass.
Penelope watching Rex's disgraceful begging for his life on his knees as if it were entertaining.
Every time he recalled those eyes, instead of anger, a chill that seemed to freeze his saliva ran down his spine.
Rex knew what kind of person had eyes like that.
Rex trampled others for money and power.
Penelope was different.
Like a cat playing with a mouse, she was a human who enjoyed crushing others out of interest and took pleasure in it.
"Yeah, fuck, running away is right."
Therefore, Rex was already preparing to leave Nortaris.
At least he wasn't dead yet.
Life wasn't over.
Salisbury Financial was throwing bonds at bargain prices and immediately converting them to cash.
There wasn't time to liquidate all bonds, so he sold off choice pieces that could be recovered short-term or had certain collateral value.
Combined with valuables, gold bars in the safe, and hidden slush funds...
Enough money came out to live lavishly for a lifetime.
He could start anew somewhere else.
"..."
Rex stared blankly at the newspaper.
Since the 3-month contract hadn't ended yet, Berrymix advertisements were still running.
Would something have been different if he hadn't ordered Serena's kidnapping?
No, he shouldn't have touched the beverage business in the first place, listening to Chairman Marcus's advice.
Irreversible regret and lingering attachment pressed down on Rex like a lead weight.
"Boss! Boss Rex!"
"What!"
Without even a moment to be lost in thought, a subordinate burst in.
"B-big trouble! Right now, some guys are gathering inside the mansion!"
"What bastards?"
"Well, um... I don't know! But the atmosphere is strange! You should check directly..."
Sensing something amiss, Rex ran to the lobby.
The heavy main gate was already wide open.
Men in suits stood holding large boxes instead of weapons.
With an indescribable sense of intimidation, his subordinates couldn't muster the courage to block them and were hesitating.
"It's been a while, Mr. Rex."
And one step behind them.
Gideon Belheim entered like a gentleman who happened to accompany them.
Belheim, wearing an impeccably tailored top-quality coat, bowed lightly to Rex with a gentle smile while holding a briefcase.
"A lobby with many fine artworks."
"...Belheim."
Gideon Belheim.
Branch manager of Devon Trust Bank, but in reality, the power holder with greater authority than even the bank president.
Rex had always regarded Belheim as a rival.
He had ambitions to someday steal that position.
"Gideon, did you come to mock me too? With your lackeys?"
"You misunderstand, Mr. Salisbury. Laughing at another's misfortune is not a gentleman's duty. However, today I've come on official business."
As Belheim stepped slightly aside, figures in stiff uniforms entered behind him.
The emblems they wore bore a symbol no one in the financial industry wanted to encounter.
A gold coin engraved with an eye symbol.
The symbol of the Financial Supervisory Service under the Kingdom Treasury.
"Rex Salisbury, we deliver a special directive from the Financial Supervisory Service under royal command."
As Belheim quietly stepped back, the senior investigator came forward.
"Regarding you and all related businesses identified as substantially owned and operated by you, including 'Salisbury Financial.' We are executing a search and seizure warrant for 17 charges including long-term systematic tax evasion, illegal loan sharking, vicious debt collection accompanied by threats, habitual fraud and breach of contract. Your major assets will be frozen during the investigation period. Please cooperate sincerely with all official duties."
As soon as the notification ended, investigators scattered inside the mansion without hesitation.
Devon Trust Bank audit team employees also swarmed in.
Those heading to the office, to the study, to the vault, those cataloging the lobby's artworks.
They were professional as if accustomed to such work.
In 12 hours, they would dissect Salisbury Financial and extract every single charge.
Rex's face turned pale.
"This can't be... I'm sure they said they'd give me three more days..."
"If you wanted to grease palms, you should have done it more thoroughly. Friends got upset because you spent money on useless things like the beverage business, didn't they?"
Indeed, spending too much money on this market share war meant the amount of 'gifts' was less than usual.
However, it was a small gap like the eye holes in full plate armor—it shouldn't have been a problem immediately.
"D-don't be ridiculous... You bastard... This is your doing, isn't it?"
"What are you saying? I'm merely cooperating sincerely with the Financial Supervisory Service's request."
The Supervisory Service targeting the gap so exquisitely was definitely because Belheim had moved.
Belheim had wielded public authority as a sword to strike Rex's already battered neck.
But how?
At least in the financial world, the Financial Supervisory Service boasted omnipotent authority.
"You despicable bastard!"
"Raising your voice at me doesn't seem like a very wise choice. I have no intention of putting personal feelings into this investigation, but I'm human too. If Mr. Rex receives the death penalty, it would be quite heartbreaking."
Rex learned for the first time that Belheim could smile so brightly.
Also that the smile of this man, who had seemed like a polite gentleman, resembled a beast baring its fangs.
"I'll definitely prove Mr. Rex Salisbury's innocence."
Just as Belheim patted Rex's shoulder.
A Devon employee who had run toward Rex's office came rushing back urgently.
"Branch Manager, we found suspicious items in the office safe. Detailed analysis is needed, but it's probably a dark mage's altar."
"What nonsense! An altar! I've never touched anything like that!"
He had recruited a dark mage into the Black Fang Gang.
But what fool would stuff an altar in a safe unless shot in the head?
While Rex couldn't grasp the situation, an investigator brought out something wrapped in cloth that looked like a large insect egg.
An appraisal expert from the Supervisory Service examined the ominous-looking object and said.
"Certain. It's a 'Spiderweb.'"
"This is a frame-up! It's a frame-up! Belheim... You, you..."
Other charges had some loopholes to escape through.
But once a connection to a dark mage was confirmed, execution was inevitable.
"Oh my, what a heartbreaking situation."
Rex collapsed to his knees before Belheim, who clicked his tongue as if regretful.
He could hear the sound of his held hope crumbling.
***
Today, the move was completed.
An independent house on the outskirts of Maple Garden.
None other than a gift from Penelope.
She didn't just provide the house but also interior design and furniture used in the hotel.
'You're also a co-representative, so you can't live in such a shabby place at minimum. What would happen to my reputation?'
Recalling Penelope saying that brought a pleased smile.
She added various excuses, but in the end, wasn't it a gift?
Although he had done much for her behind the scenes, Penelope didn't know that fact.
Nevertheless, seeing her express gratitude in her own way while being unable to be honest was inwardly cute.
Her way of repaying kindness was also satisfying.
"Even at our first meeting, she didn't have that image..."
Actually, Jurgen didn't care much about living conditions, but if there was a part of this house he liked, it was undoubtedly the kitchen.
The latest refrigerator that could keep ingredients fresh and various cooking utensils.
A high-powered stove and ventilation system with ducts.
Seeing such a full-scale kitchen, perhaps she just wanted to get good food.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
"Hm?"
There shouldn't be any visitors at this late hour.
"Good evening, Mr. Jurgen."
"A bit late to call it evening, but come in for now."
"Thank you for the hospitality."
The unexpected guest was Branch Manager Belheim.
They weren't close enough for a housewarming, so naturally it must be business talk.
Jurgen took the premium wine Belheim brought as a gift and sat in the living room.
"I heard you recently moved. It's a nice house."
"Miss Penelope personally selected it."
"I see. I can feel thoughtful consideration everywhere. You have a good business partner."
"You don't seem to be here for housewarming."
"Haha, it's both."
After a brief conversation, Belheim got to the point.
"Your idea to bring in the Supervisory Service was excellent."
"You look quite relieved."
"Of course, it feels like pulling out a hangnail from my fingertip."
Belheim had lent 10,000 Crowns from his own pocket to Y&P Trading Company.
He also provided connections for the 'second stratagem.'
All to attack while Salisbury Financial struggled with investment failure.
"Rex had built more safety nets than I expected. Without the Financial Supervisory Service, going head-on would have made finding gaps difficult."
But the Financial Supervisory Service had strong power even among Internal Affairs subordinate agencies.
No matter how much Devon Trust Bank, it wasn't an organization that could move like private soldiers.
To move them required more certain justification.
It was Jurgen who provided that justification.
"The information you gave then seems to have been very helpful."
"Yes, it was the clincher. I'm glad I believed you."
Jurgen, who visited Belheim, informed him that Rex was connected to the Black Fang Gang, and that the Black Fang Gang had a 'Priest'-grade dark mage.
Moreover, that certain evidence—an 'altar'—would be in Rex's secret safe.
Strictly speaking, the altar in the secret safe was something Jurgen personally placed there under cover of night.
"You believed such words well."
"I'm confident in judging people."
From here was Belheim's gamble.
If he reported that Salisbury Financial was funding the End Order, the Financial Supervisory Service had no choice but to move.
Dark mages were such an absolute taboo in Britannia.
But what if no evidence was found?
'Hey, you bastard.'
'You said there was.'
'Evidence.'
The Financial Supervisory Service, solidly united in elitism and authority consciousness, would have been very annoyed.
They would have reversely thoroughly cleaned out Devon Trust Bank for daring to make them waste a trip.
The result was as seen.
Jurgen's information was true.
He took a bite out of Salisbury Financial much bigger than expected.
Belheim had to admit.
"I was impressed and learned much."
Clean.
A clean and sophisticated way of handling things.
Enough to raise his already high evaluation of Jurgen by about five levels.
"You seemed to be hiding your identity. I'm curious why you opened up this much to me. Whether you had a reason to crush Salisbury that badly."
"Let's see... Let's call it personal animosity."
The reason for removing Rex wasn't because he was Berrymix's spearhead.
He had orchestrated Serena's kidnapping and joined hands with a dark mage.
That was reason enough to endure the trouble of infiltrating Rex's office and putting an 'altar' in the safe.
Moreover, from experience, capable people like Belheim don't just let such favors pass.
Not because Belheim was a good person.
Because they understand that debts must be repaid as quickly and cleanly as possible so interest doesn't accumulate.
"Even so, the calculation doesn't add up. I'm a banker. I need to settle accounts properly to feel satisfied."
He had thought about this in advance.
"I happen to have a favor to ask."
"Please speak."
"Can you continue to side with Y&P Trading Company going forward?"
Regrettably, he couldn't stay for the culinary revolution forever.
This kingdom still had work that only 'Hanbin' could do, not 'Jurgen'.
When he eventually left Y&P Trading Company, Penelope would be left alone.
Penelope was competent and had business sense, but she was still quite lacking.
If she had a strong supporter like Belheim, it would be a great help.
"Oh my..."
Belheim, who seemed ready to grant anything, showed a troubled expression.
"That would be difficult due to circumstances. I'd like to pay the price in a different way."
"Unexpected. I thought it wouldn't be a loss for you either."
"Y&P Trading Company's growth is certainly promising. But there's a variable, isn't there?"
"Variable?"
"Falling out of favor with the Rosemore Count Family would be burdensome for me too."
"Helping Y&P Trading Company means falling out of favor with the Rosemore Count Family?"
Jurgen frowned.
Because he was puzzled.
"More precisely. Maintaining a 'continuously friendly' relationship would be so."
According to Penelope, the family's ostracism would be close to contempt for a 'failure'.
If she proved her ability, wouldn't that contempt disappear too?
Penelope's wish was also 'to remove the incompetent label and get along well with her sister again'.
Belheim, who had been gauging Jurgen's reaction, hesitated.
"I naturally thought you knew... but you didn't."
"Can you explain in more detail?"
Belheim spoke with a more cautious attitude.
"I can't assert my information is certain. But based on circumstances, I judge that active checks and pressure from the family are being applied to Miss Penelope. Probably because of succession structure and inheritance distribution issues..."
A story that there was a dark struggle over inheritance in Rosemore.
If it was the judgment of someone of Belheim's caliber, it wouldn't be off the mark.
"Hmm..."
Belheim, who briefly watched Jurgen lost in thought, rose from his seat.
"You seem to need to think, so I'll excuse myself. I'll postpone the settlement slightly. I'm not saying I'll wipe my mouth clean."
"That seems good."
"Feel free to contact me anytime."
After Belheim left, Jurgen was enveloped in complicated feelings.
Human desire is infinite.
If infinite wealth is before your eyes, desire grows proportionally.
Facing the inheritance of the Rosemore Count Family, one of the North's leading conglomerate families, how great would the desires competing be?
If it were someone else's business, he would have harbored cynicism that wouldn't be surprising.
But.
"I'm worried."
Penelope was Jurgen's business partner.
He thought of her as a 'comrade' with the same goal.
How would she react when she realized the 'reconciliation with her sister' and 'family recognition' she so desired were impossible goals from the start...
Thinking about that didn't make him feel very comfortable.
Just as his worries deepened.
—Ding-dong
The doorbell rang once more.
At this hour, there really shouldn't be any visitors.
"Who is it?"
"Sorry for the late night. Can we talk for a moment?"
Jurgen, opening the door, met a completely unexpected person.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Walter Keystone. Your competitor's representative."
None other than Baron Keystone, who led Keystone Company.