Chapter 60
Yulkes clicked his tongue in disgust.
“Who do you think gave you this store? Did you build it with your own power? No—you used my money. Your so-called success started with my help.”
“That’s exactly why I’ve been working so hard! So you wouldn’t regret investing in me—!”
“Then what about the investment I made in raising you?!”
“…What?”
“Your clothes, the food you ate, everything you enjoyed! Do you think I gave you all that for free?!”
Jane felt as if her breath had stopped. In the face of Yulkes’ inhuman tirade, whatever last shred of affection she had left vanished.
This wasn’t about business investment. This was a declaration that his investment had been in her, as a person. He saw her as a product.
“If you’d just done as you were told, everything would’ve been fine. Success? Effort? Don’t make me laugh! If you weren’t my child, do you think you’d even have the privilege to work in such a blessed environment? Look around you. There are kids out there who can’t even afford a pushcart! Your success is thanks to me. That gives me every right to demand repayment!”
“T-That’s…”
How absurd. There was no logic in Yulkes’ words. Her head spun.
“If you have even a shred of conscience, come back. Clean up your behavior and learn some proper manners! That’s all you need to do!”
“N-No… I still have things I need to—”
“So you’re going to keep rebelling!”
Yulkes stormed toward the shop door.
Bang!
As he threw the door open, waiting attendants rushed in from outside. Among them was one of Jane’s own employees, who looked away with a guilty expression.
“Looks like words aren’t enough. You—start clearing this place out!”
“…Yes, sir.”
The attendants began moving merchandise out of the shop.
Panicked, Jane rushed to stop them, but they didn’t budge.
“W-Wait! What are you doing?! Billy! Neir!”
“I’m sorry, Manager.”
Even her former employee only offered a half-hearted apology while continuing to work. At Yulkes’ sharp glare, they even corrected how they addressed her.
“…I mean, Miss.”
“Father—!”
She desperately called out, but Yulkes only gestured with his chin for them to continue.
They carried out everything—from merchandise to drawers, desks, and chairs—and loaded them onto a large cart bearing the Goldrail crest parked outside.
“Sir, what should we do with these documents…?”
“Take them.”
The attendants had even found her contracts. They packed up the documents related to the Chellosi restaurant and the Goldrail family agreements.
“Ugh—stop it already!”
When an attendant approached a box of mushrooms about to be packed, Jane threw herself forward to block him.
“Those are for the Grand Duchess! You can’t touch them without permission!”
“It doesn’t matter. The contract was made under the name of Goldrail, not yours. As long as we deliver it, it’s fine.”
When Jane refused to let go of the box, the attendant looked to Yulkes, visibly troubled.
“Miss, please…”
“If you break the contract like this, it’ll damage Goldrail’s reputation! The other party won’t accept it if it’s handled this way!”
“Tch. So stubborn…”
As the standoff continued, Yulkes approached her. Jane glared up at him, expecting another threat.
Smack!
Her vision dropped to the floor.
“…What?”
She blinked in shock at the burning pain on her cheek. Instead of Yulkes’ angry face, she saw the floorboards of her store.
She touched her face slowly in disbelief. The heat where his palm had struck throbbed violently.
“You really don’t know fear. This is why proper educators are necessary. The Academy’s tutors are too soft.”
“S-Sir…”
“What are you standing around for?! Keep moving!”
Her parents had struck her before. Even the academic tutors wielded a switch.
But this was different. This was violence without care, without affection. It wasn’t discipline—it was rage.
It was then Jane truly realized: her father, the head of the merchant group, had no intention of accepting her.
She sat in a daze, watching the attendants move busily.
If they take that contract, I’ll be in trouble tomorrow.
They carried out her office desk.
That flour is for the Grand Duchess. The delivery man’s coming soon.
The goods, which had to be delivered by noon, were loaded onto the cart.
The sales ledger… I need to fill it out now to have the monthly report ready.
All the proof of her work was disappearing.
Unable to stand, Jane finally spoke.
“…Father.”
“What?”
“Please… I’m begging you.”
She didn’t even realize she was crying.
“Please give it back. It’s mine.”
Even though his daughter was crying, Yulkes responded with a cold, dry voice.
“Nothing was ever yours. Foolish girl.”
He had never once called her by name.
And just like that, he took everything from her.
When asked what to do with “the young miss,” Yulkes replied, “She’ll come crawling back,” and left.
The store was left empty. The broken door, the toppled shelves, and the flour-streaked floor remained.
And Jane—was left alone in it all.
Bilhelmina arrived half a day later.
Once the attendants began clearing the store, there was nothing Johan could do.
And since this was a Goldrail family matter, even the city guard couldn’t intervene.
So Johan ran straight to the ducal estate.
He believed that the noblewoman Jane had mentioned as her benefactor would surely help her.
Upon reaching the annex, he turned to Anna.
“Someone’s robbing Jane’s shop!”
He was terrified of nobles, but his desire to help Jane pushed him forward.
Worried he might be punished for coming uninvited, he trembled—until the person who stepped out was none other than the lady he met in the garden every week: Bilhelmina.
“Huh? Why are—”
Before he could even ask why she had appeared, Bilhelmina’s face hardened.
“Explain. Quickly.”
“U-Uh…”
Startled by her sharp tone, Johan hesitated, but quickly explained the situation clearly and logically.
He chose not to embellish anything and repeated the conversation between Yulkes and Jane exactly.
After hearing the full story, Bilhelmina’s brows furrowed. When he mentioned Jane being slapped, she audibly ground her teeth.
“You did well to come to me. Go rest now.”
“Y-Yes…”
Bilhelmina immediately summoned a carriage and left the annex.
As the carriage sped away, Johan stood there, filled with a mix of fear, hope, and concern.
Could it be…?
The carriage raced toward the city.
Inside, Bilhelmina frowned as she stared out at the gloomy weather.
Dark clouds gathered, threatening rain or snow at any moment.
Sir Nata, her escort, spoke cautiously.
“Wouldn’t it be better to go to the Goldrail headquarters?”
“…We have no grounds. He may be scum, but he’s still a noble.”
“Then…”
“I could use my status. Make a scene. But—”
Her navy-blue eyes turned toward Nata. They were heavier now—charged with a sharp hostility.
“That would just be me venting. It wouldn’t be for Jane.”
Nata understood and fell silent.
The carriage rolled quickly down the road.
By the time they arrived near the market, heavy rain had begun to fall.
It was a brutal spring rain—cold and pouring like a summer monsoon.
The market cleared as people fled from the sudden downpour. The carriage stopped at a quiet corner—before Jane’s shop.
Jane stood outside.
She moved slowly, cleaning the area around the store.
She gathered the broken door off to one side and carried out the shattered remains of furniture.
Rain drenched her completely, but she continued to work silently.
Bilhelmina, watching for a moment, extended her hand.
“Sir Nata, the umbrella.”
“I’ll hold it for you.”
“No, I’ll go alone.”
“But…”
“If you’re worried, wait in front of the carriage.”
