Volume 7 Chapter 81: Safety Net

Pete stared at Keith before scoffing, "You? Owning a merchant group? Is it some low-tier group, brat?" A younger person declared he was better than him? He was considered a prodigy, being able to run three stores. No one in his age group could compete with him. That was why he was confident that he could rise even further if he married the princess of the Rustchil Household.

Yet the person in front of him tried to get in his way? There was no way he could let this happen.

"You're just a random fourth son from a random house. You think you can marry my cousin?!"

"..." Krystal blinked. From a random household? Wait a moment, do they think he's a baron or something?

As the discussion was about to get heated, a maid entered the room, "Grand Duchess, there's someone who wishes to speak with you."

"Hmm?"

"That would be me. I called the person here." Krystal and Violet were even more curious about it.

"Let them in." Violet gestured. The person who entered was a tall gentleman. He spotted Keith,

"Big Boss, it's a pleasure to meet you!" The person quickly greeted him.

"..." The moment he said that, Keith's expression scrunched up.

"Big Boss?" "Pff." Krystal couldn't hold it in. That was a funny name.

Keith took a deep breath, "Yes, that's me. And this here is the interim head of the Rustchil Duchy. She will be the person you shall be cooperating with." Gesturing, he pointed at Krystal.

"Hello, Miss. My name is John, and my boss told me you wish to open a branch store in the southern region." Coyler had told him there were plans to expand.

"Hmm?" Open a branch shop?

"How dare you come to our turf! Do you know who I am?" Pete couldn't let this go on. Having a merchant group come in like that was a slap to his face.

John frowned, "What merchant group are you?"

"I'm the Scarlet Scar merchant group."

"Scarlet Scar merchant group?" A haughty snort came from John's mouth, "Why would we know of a third-rate merchant group."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Third-rate?" Pete's eyes twitched.

"Let me ask you, have you ever heard of White Owl?"

"White Owl?!" That haughty look Pete had was nowhere to be found. Instead,. It was fear. Any merchant group would hear about it!

"White Owl Merchant Group?!" And it seemed Violet and Rodrick knew about it as they were startled. But they stared at Keith this time.

"I should fully introduce myself. My full name is Keith Freed, the 4th son of Marquis Freed. I'm also the boss of White Owl Merchant Group." Keith grinned.

...

"Aunty, why are you staring at me like that?" Keith was being eyed down by Violet. She circled around him as well. Violet didn't stop as she continued to analyze,

"I'm just wondering how such a young man is the owner of such a large merchant group and a famous bakery." This was indeed a sight to behold.

"Ah, you heard about them?"

"Anyone in the upper nobility has heard about it." White Owl Merchant Group and White Forest Bakery. In the last decade, those two names spread throughout the Solis Kingdom.

White Owl Merchant Group dominated the upper northern regions, leaving no other merchant group to compete against. They have a monopoly over there.

White Forest Bakery was the same as it brought flavors that no one had ever tried. It revolutionalized the bread game.

"I had some bread at the capital. It was delicious." Violet still remembered the taste. It was sweet and delicious.

"Thank you for the praises. But aren't you angry that I'm a Bradley?"

"What? Why would I be angry at that?"

"Aren't Bradley and Rustchil enemies?" The last time he checked, those two had a feud or something.

"Oh, that." Violet chuckled, "I don't consider you my enemy, not after how you saved my family." Keith had done so much for her. There was no way she could consider him to be one.

"Thanks!"

"What are you planning to do?" Krystal questioned. Keith had brought in his own merchant group to the mix. Why would he do something like that?

"Well, I figured you would mess up."

"Eh?"

"Two things would occur when you said to ignore them. That's why I called my merchant group in as a safety net."

"Safety net?"

"Mmhmm. It didn't matter whether you were right with both options; you would be placed in a downward spiral." It didn't matter if they listened or continued; the merchants were corrupt.

The one who would bring the largest benefits to them. That was how those people looked at the internal struggles the duchy had. The only thoughts in their mind was to side with the one with the advantage.

"You need a new merchant group to work with. So hey, why not mine?" He was the one with a merchant group on standby.

"…I feel like I'm being taken advantage of."

"Oh, definitely." Keith nodded. He wasn't going to deny that.

"…" "Pff."

"Don't worry, I promise I will give you guys a fair price." Keith wasn't going to swindle his friends, "If there's nothing else, I will-"

"Also, what's this about me and you being fiancée!" There was something else that needed to be brought up.

"I didn't say fiancée. I said I wanted your hand in marriage. It was just to mess with them even more. It would make Rodrick even more angry."

"..."

"Well, I'm going to go to bed now!" Keith shrugged it off. After hearing all of this, it was time for him to take a nap.

"...Yeah." Krystal sighed while Violet waved, "Good night, Keith."

"Mmhmm." Keith bowed and left the room.

"My daughter is being courted by such a wonderful man."

"Huh?!"

"You still can't see it, huh? Truthfully, a guy like that will be taken away in a heartbeat." Keith had the three things everyone wanted.

Looks? The child was basically stunning on a daily basis.

Coins? He just showed off his wealth.

Personality? He's kind and playful. Definitely full of fun being beside him.

"Plus, he could cook as well. That is a plus 100." Violet definitely had ideas on what she wanted to do.

"…" Krystal really didn't know what to say about this.

"Should I teach you some of my moves?"

"What?!"