The price of the Morning Glories fell again. This situation made Duke Eisen desperate as might lose his entire fortune invested in the Morning Glories.
He was determined to win the lawsuit against a mere ten-year-old child.
He thought that if he demanded astronomical compensation, people would believe the Morning Glories were worth that much.
However, the result was contrary to Duke Eisen’s expectations.
As the lawsuit progressed, the price of the Morning Glories plummeted even further. The perception of the market had already shifted. The lawsuit only sped up the process.
Baron Heinrich Fischer testified with fervor as if he were venting his grievances. He used all the evidence he had gathered.
“In other words, the compensation for the Morning Glory bulb does not need to be as exorbitant as Duke Eisen demands. If we set the compensation today, the price will drop further tomorrow. We cannot base it on a dwindling factor. We should take note that the Morning Glory is just a flower, nothing more.”
Although his argument was radical, people found Baron Fischer more convincing than Duke Eisen.
Months later, the intense trial concluded.
The verdict was that Tommy had to compensate Duke Eisen 100 Defars.
“Since the appearance and function of the onion and the Morning Glories bulb are almost identical, it is understandable that the boy could not distinguish between them.”
Duke Eisen could not accept the result.
“Th- This is outrageous! How can my bulb be worth only 100 Defars!”
But worse news awaited him. The city guards had been investigating Tommy’s theft case separately and concluded there was no crime.
After considering all circumstances, they determined there was no intent. The captain of the guards demanded Tommy submit a letter of reflection and be more careful in the future.
Afterward, the price of the Morning Glories began to fall again.
Due to previous continuous declines, most investors had reduced their investments to hedge their bets.
But Duke Eisen was different. He believed the luminous variant would trend again. So, he made a reckless investment.
He had already completed the transaction with Hellas before the lawsuit ended, paying a hefty sum to acquire all the bulbs. But after the lawsuit, the prices were reduced. In his desperation, Duke Eisen wanted a refund from Hellas. However, Hellas had already vanished.
“Your Grace, the trading partners are pressing for overdue payments…”
“The expenses from the manor expansion…”
Duke Eisen buried his face in his hands as he listened to the financial reports.
“I told you to handle those minor expenses! Do I have to manage everything?”
Duke Eisen threw a cup at them.
Instead of the helpless officials, the butler spoke up, “But they are beyond their capacity. The family’s financial situation is dire. You need to take action, Your Grace…”
“They should be the ones solving these! Isn’t that why I feed and clothe them?”
“We can’t even pay the employees’ salaries. The payroll has been overdue for a long time.”
“What?” Duke Eisen glared.
How could the Eisen family fall so quickly?
“Those b*stards must have squandered the money I earned! Find a way to get more funds immediately!”
“Yes, sir.”
The financial officers hurriedly left the office. Knowing there was no solution, their priority was to escape.
The butler worried about Duke Eisen’s lack of foresight.
“Your Grace, you must deal with the debts to the moneylender from the Morning Glories first. The repayment deadline has passed. The manor is collateral…”
“R- Right! That guy!”
Duke Eisen got up from his seat. The butler, thinking his master had finally come to his senses, spoke eagerly, “Yes. Finding a way to settle that debt first is crucial…”
“I’ll ask him for more money.”
“Pardon?”
“He wants to be in my good graces, so he’ll figure something out. I’ll go see him right away!”
The butler watched Duke Eisen’s confident departure with a dazed expression.
‘How could someone be so out of touch with reality? I’ve served the Eisen family for generations, but now it seems the end is near because of that fool.’
The once-great Eisen family would surely fall because of him. Thinking of Jacob as the heir, there was no possibility of revival.
‘If only Prince Brantley were still alive…’
Thinking of Brantley, the butler felt a pang of guilt. He was an exceptionally intelligent boy. Not only was he smart, but he was also very responsible and had an excellent character. He could still remember the brilliance that shone in the boy’s young eyes.
Anyone could discern that he was more suitable than Jacob.
Even though he knew Duke Eisen wanted to kill that young boy, the Butler turned a blind eye. He thought he had to obey his master.
He didn’t believe that the great Eisen family would easily fall just because they had a somewhat lacking master. Although he regretted it later, all he could do now was watch the Eisen family’s downfall.
The butler fell to the ground in despair.
“It’s been a while!” Duke Eisen greeted cheerfully as he entered the moneylender’s office.
The moneylender was not surprised by Duke Eisen’s sudden visit. Even though he was preparing to go out. It was as if he had anticipated Duke Eisen’s visit.
‘Just as Big Bro said, Duke Eisen would come with another brazen request and advised me to leave a bit later.’
Indeed, Big Bro’s prediction was always right.
‘What could my brother possibly lack?’
After appreciating Brantley inwardly, the man hardened his expression upon seeing Duke Eisen approach.
“Were you preparing to go out? It’s fortunate I’m not too late. I have an important matter to discuss.”
“Could you make it brief? I’m quite busy at the moment.”
The moneylender spoke curtly.
Duke Eisen was taken aback. The moneylender, who had always acted submissively, had changed his attitude.
Hesitantly, Duke Eisen spoke, “I need some funds.”
“Are you short on money?”
“N-no! I’ve found a great investment opportunity. This one will surely yield huge profits…”
“I’m surprised you’re not short on money. I thought you’d suffered significant losses from the Morning Glory investment.”
Duke Eisen’s face turned red at the moneylender’s sarcastic remark.
“T-that was just a small amount to me! Do you think a slight drop in the Morning Glory price could affect me?”
“That’s good to hear. It means I can comfortably take over your mansion.”
“Wh- What did you say?”
Duke Eisen thought he had misheard.
The moneylender, with a twisted smile, repeated himself, “The mansion in the capital you put up as collateral. I was preparing to go and take possession of it. My employees are likely there already.”
“Wh- What are you talking about? You’re going to take my mansion?”
Duke Eisen was shocked.
“I’m not taking it; I’m rightfully claiming it according to our contract. You missed the repayment deadline.”
“T-that’s…!”
“We waited past the deadline out of consideration for you, but since you haven’t repaid yet, it means you’re unable to. Therefore, the mansion is now ours as per the contract.”
“W-wait! Are you prepared for the consequences of ruining your relationship with me?”
The moneylender replied mockingly.
“It doesn’t matter. For a moneylender like me, money is what’s important, not a connection with a fallen noble.”
“Wh- What did you say?”
Duke Eisen felt his mind go blank at the moneylender’s changed demeanor.
He had thought the moneylender wouldn’t take the collateral to maintain their relationship, but he was wrong.
The moneylender added one more thing that made Duke Eisen’s heart sink – ‘A fallen noble’.
“By the way, Young Master Jacob also failed to meet the repayment deadline and has handed over all the collateral to us.”
“You mean my land?”
“Including that, even your family’s estate.”
“Wh- What!”
“Master Jacob had many undisclosed debts.”
The moneylender coldly sneered and left the office.
Duke Eisen collapsed as his legs gave out.
He no longer had the energy to get angry or cause a scene.
***
After Duke Eisen hurriedly left to meet the moneylender. People suddenly stormed into Duke Eisen’s mansion. They were the moneylender’s employees whom Duke Eisen had gone to see.
“We are here to execute our part of the contract. The ownership of this collateral has changed as of today.”
They barged into the mansion, showing the contract. Even though it was contractual, this was the mansion of the esteemed noble Duke Eisen!
The Duchess of Eisen came out to stop them.
“What meaning does a contract with a mere moneylender have? Get out immediately!”
The butler and the employees also tried to stop them desperately. But it was futile.
The employees were all burly, looking like they had been mercenaries.
Moreover—
“I understand the employees’ wages have been delayed for quite some time. We will rehire all of you and pay the overdue wages. Of course, your wages will increase after reemployment.”
At these words, the employees hesitated and started to back away.
“What are you doing? Stop those lowly people immediately!” The Duchess of Eisen shouted, but only the butler remained.
“Stop this at once! Do you think this historic mansion will become a moneylender’s property? If we appeal to His Majesty, you will face consequences!”
But no one listened to the butler. Finally, a man with a veiled face broke into Duke Eisen’s office.
‘Not there!’
The head of the family’s office was off-limits to just anyone. Moreover, it contained all of Duke Eisen’s secret documents.
‘Even Jacob, the heir, isn’t allowed to enter freely!’
The butler was appalled as he followed the man into the office. The veiled man was sitting in Duke Eisen’s chair as if it were his own. Strangely, the butler didn’t feel agitated seeing him there.
‘Oddly, that man fits that position well. As if it belonged to him from the start.’
