ODIBY 13

CHAPTER 13

The overly sweet yet cutting voice struck Jean’s eardrums with unexpected sharpness.

He hung his head in despair. Claire shooed him away with a wave of her hand, as if brushing off a bug, and commanded,

“Ron. Open the shop.”

“Yes, ma’am! Everyone, the official sale of Starlight Cream starts now! If you’re interested, come on in!”

As Ron threw open the shop doors and made the announcement, people poured in.

Whoosh. A cold wind swept past Jean, who was left standing pathetically outside.

From now on, only cold winds would blow for the Pierre Trading Company. Once branded, it was hard to shake off the mark.

Watching Jean’s hunched shoulders as he trudged away, Ron whispered quietly,

“Wow, that was satisfying. I feel so refreshed.”

“Yeah, good for us.”

Claire felt the same sense of relief, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

The trading post quickly filled with customers, and Ron moved busily among them.

Claire pushed her slipping glasses back up and headed to the register to help.

Time to make some money.

Starlight Cream, which had narrowly shaken off the stigma of side effect rumors, began to thrive.

It quickly gained popularity among commoners, and soon, faster than the Minerva Trading Company had expected, it spread to the noble class.

Servants working for noble households introduced the cream to their masters, and it became a trend naturally.

Riding the momentum, the Minerva Trading Company released a new version—“Starlight Cream of Dawn”—specifically for nobles.

Though more expensive, this cream not only treated acne and blemishes but also removed scars.

Both the Midnight and Dawn versions of Starlight Cream sold like wildfire.

As sales boomed, so did the wealth of the Minerva Trading Company.

“You’ve worked hard, Ron. The success of Starlight Cream is thanks to your idea.”

Ron blushed at Claire’s praise.

“Not at all, Miss. I didn’t really do much…”

“Pfft, you did a lot. Don’t downplay your efforts. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ron beamed brightly.

Claire was an unusual young lady.

Though younger than him, she had sharp judgment and strong resolve. She sometimes spoke in a stern, almost adult-like tone, but strangely, it never felt unpleasant.

Perhaps it was because she saw people for who they really were.

Ron felt like he’d finally met a true superior—someone he could loyally serve without fear of betrayal, unlike at the Mutant Trading Company.

Noticing Ron’s clearly joyful expression, Claire smiled before turning serious.

“Ron, I’m going to get a lot busier from now on.”

To her, the trading company was just a stepping stone toward a greater goal.

She didn’t plan to stay here forever.

“I want to make you vice-leader of the trading company and entrust you with full responsibility. Are you okay with that?”

“You mean… me, not Mr. Franz?”

Ron asked, surprised.

He had always understood the hierarchy as Claire the leader, Franz the vice-leader, and himself the secretary.

But now she was naming him vice-leader…

He felt it was too much for him, yet at the same time, the idea excited him, and his heart began to pound.

Seeing Ron’s usually half-lidded eyes widen and sparkle, Claire chuckled softly.

“Your trading company became the foundation of ours. Of course, you deserve to be vice-leader. Besides, my dad’s hopeless when it comes to business.”

“Thank you, Miss. I’ll never let you down—I promise to live up to your trust!”

Ron accepted the offer with determination.

“Thanks. But don’t overwork yourself. If it ever gets too hard, just say so.”

“Got it!”

With ample funds and full control of the company, Ron’s face lit up with enthusiasm.

Claire gave his tense shoulders a few pats and then left with Franz, heading for the government office.

They were going to submit the official registration paperwork.

Claire Ravello, daughter of Franz Ravello.

Now that she was legally recognized, she felt something beyond words.

Happy… and also a little sad.

‘So, in the end, my life as Priscilla has completely failed.’

The struggles and efforts of her past self flickered briefly before fading away.

There was no turning back now.

From this moment on, she would live a new life as Claire Ravello—building it on the failures of the past, aiming for something stronger, happier, and more complete.