Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

This little brat he throws a fit even when praised.

Grinding his teeth internally, Dwayne managed to maintain a smile on his face.

The crucial discussion was about to begin, and there was no way he could let one comment ruin it.

The recent hardships of the family make the sum of 3 million gold akin to a much-needed rain after a drought. Thanks to your lordships ingenuity, the family can finally take a deep breath.

He practically wanted to say, Well done. Now hand over that money but instead, he spoke politely, wrapping his true intentions in a facade of adult composure.

Why do you say the family can breathe easy? Its my money, isnt it? Didnt you hear what my father said yesterday?

The thoughtless comment of the spoiled brat left Dwayne feeling dizzy once more.

I cant believe its really happening

Though his face twitched as if it might cramp up, now was not the time.

Dwayne struggled to control his expression. Twenty years as MacLaines Financial Officer meant he was well practiced in maintaining a servile expression.

I need to cajole him gently very gently

However, before he could even speak, his subordinates started creating a commotion.

Impossible, my lord!

Youd spend all that money by yourself?!

What blasphemy!

The young lords complexion turned icy in an instant.

What are you doing! How dare you! Get out, all of you!

Dwayne, with a face possibly more rigid than Logans, was the first to shout angrily.

The officials looked as though they had bitten into something distasteful, but upon realizing their mistake, they quickly turned away with the look of defeated soldiers.

Dwayne, lets start with the food situation.

No, its the management of the walls.

The equipment of the soldiers

Their hopeful gazes locked onto Dwayne, their last bastion.

Ill give it my all.

Left alone, Dwayne locked the door to his room with a resolved expression and bid them farewell.

Ha ha ha. My lord, my subordinates have been quite rude. They are not usually so senseless, but given the dire straits of the family Ha ha.

Is the family really in such dire straits?

There we go!

Though mindless, his subordinates had yielded an unexpected result.

Suppressing the strength in his fist, Dwayne opened his mouth with a slightly sad expression.

You may not be aware, but we owe 3 million gold to Coopers Bank. The interest alone each year is

150,000 gold.

You knew?

Yeah. I heard it yesterday at Coopers, after depositing the 3 million gold.

Dwayne once again gulped down his saliva upon seeing the deposit slip casually waving in the profligates hand.

Then this simplifies matters. With the interest payment due, repaying that amount would ease the familys woes for many years to come

Its the harvest season, isnt it? Paying the interest should be doable, right? And the maturity date can be extended automatically.

How does he know so much? Even the head of the family isnt familiar with the banking details

Dwayne was momentarily flustered but quickly composed himself. That wasnt the matter at hand.

Ha ha. Managing a territory always involves expenses, and our funds are always tight. If you could just help out a bit

Dwaynes original plan was to get his hands on the entire 3 million gold, but now his ambitions had been significantly lowered without even his own realization.

Are you asking me to contribute to the territorys management funds?

Yes, exactly that!

It seemed as if his persuasion had worked!

Just as Dwayne was on the verge of rejoicing internally,

Sorry, but no.

The calm voice shattered his elation as if he had been soaring to heaven only to be dragged back down.

Why not?!

Dwayne roared without realizing.

The chilling glare of the young lord made him shrink back momentarily, but he gritted his teeth for the good of the family. He could not let the fortune of 3 million gold scatter meaninglessly into the air.

Why? I thought you were standing up against the lords opposition for the sake of the territory?!

Thats right, I am.

See? Thats What?

I will use this money for the good of the family. But certainly not for something as fleeting as immediate management funds. We have to think more long-term.

Though unexpected, this answer did not soothe the anguish raging within the officer.

What do you know to be making such decisions! Just leave it to me!

Dwayne forcefully suppressed the truth rising to his throat and caught his breath.

Long-term?

Yes. Say I use the money now to resolve the debt. How much would the condition of the territory change?

Well With a larger budget, the financial operations would be more comfortable for at least a few years. It buys us some breathing room.

A chuckle.

Logan let out a derisive laugh at Dwaynes response, which was exactly as he had expected.

And after that?

Excuse me?

Well just end up in debt again, right? We have no special products or anything like that. Its a vicious cycle.

Ahem. Thats

Im trying to break that vicious cycle. So Ill use the money according to my plans.

Ah, is this really the great lord I knew? That degenerate?

Were these signs of a deeper side to the lord? For once, Dwayne was at a loss for words, having been faced with such a calm analysis of the fundamental problem.

Regardless, there was one thing he needed to confirm.

Ahem, then, if you plan to use it for the good of the family, may I inquire about your plans?

Dwayne asked, circling around the question with all the finesse he could muster.

You dont need to know.

Ugh.

That one phrase pushed Dwaynes patience to its limit.

All this talk of the family is rubbish. This brat is just mocking me. It has to be.

You

Just as Dwayne was about to lose his composure and erupt in anger,

I will show the results through action.

The unwavering red eyes forced Dwayne to cling once more to the thin threads of his rationale.

Somehow, I will save it. No matter what it takes.

It was as if these vague mumblings werent meant for Dwayne, yet Logans eyes, deeply sunken by determination, seemed to betray an intense longing.

Whats going on?

That gaze seemed far more desperate than that of Dwayne, who was worried about his own suffocating immediate monthly budget.

Why?

What could possibly make the noble son, who just came into a fortune, appear so anxious?

Different

The look in his eyes when pointing out the fundamental problems of the territory, it was as if this was not the Logan he knew.

Observing Dwaynes conflicted expression, Logan let out a bitter laugh.

Although Dwayne had come with the intent to milk him for money, he was recognized by all as a loyal servant of the MacLaine family.

Logan felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness once more at having even more things he couldnt share with such a person.

However, there was no time to be lost in such emotions.

Now that its come to this, Ill have to entrust this task to Dwayne. Give him some money too

The idea that came to him on the spur of the moment seemed impromptu, but not a bad one. And with that thought, it became his words.

Ah. With this in mind, I do have a request for Dwayne. For the good of the family.

What is your request?

If you comply, I could also contribute a bit to the territorys management funds.

Gulp.

Please, speak.

Could you gather some mercenaries under the familys name?

Mercenaries, you say?