Chapter 116
“Congratulations. You’re now a rich girl.”
“…Huh, what?”
“I said you’re rich now, darling.”
It was a very arrogant crow. It let out an annoyed-sounding caw now and then, almost like swearing, but its glossy feathers looked extremely elegant. Iora was more interested in why the crow’s feathers were so sleek than what it was actually saying.
The crow opened its beak again, clearly annoyed by the lack of response.
“I made you filthy rich. A little gratitude, please.”
“……”
“What’s with that reaction? Don’t tell me you don’t believe me?”
“It’s not that, it’s just… hmm.”
If she so much as joked about not believing him, he looked ready to drop a vault of gold in front of her and ask, “How about now?”
Iora gave a slow nod instead. Even after seeing it multiple times, she still wasn’t used to Vigros showing up as some random animal. He could appear in the blink of an eye, so why a creature?
And of all things, a bird.
“Lake’s patent went through without a hitch, and now money’s just going to pour in while you sit still. Enough to burn through wastefully for the rest of your life and still not run out.”
Iora blinked, slowly. Rich. She’d once dreamt about winning the lottery, but even then, it hadn’t felt like this. Just… blank.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. Maybe because it still doesn’t feel real?”
The crow chuckled. Actually chuckled. A real, wheezy kek-kek kind of laugh.
“That’s normal. Getting rich overnight feels like that. I was the same when I bought out the Black Market.”
“That was… also Mr. Lake’s doing?”
“Yeah. Just listening to that guy is like printing money in your sleep.”
Wasn’t this the kind of thing that only happened in dramas? Suddenly becoming the heir to a fortune, or finding out you were actually the long-lost daughter of a rich family. Or maybe—
Her spiraling thoughts were neatly severed by Vigros’ voice.
“And you. You’re planning to stop rolling around like a grub and finally start moving, right? After everything I did for you?”
She flinched a little at the sharpness of his tone. It was true she’d been living indulgently the past few days. Especially with the ice cream.
“Calling it grub behavior is a bit much… I was making preparations, you know.”
“Sure you were. Word is you’ve been doing nothing but eating ice cream.”
He saw that too? Iora shot him a sidelong glare.
“That was strategic. I was making it clear I have zero interest in sainthood.”
“Sure you were. More like you were trying to complete some personal challenge to devour every flavor of street ice cream in existence.”
Iora gave a triumphant little smile. What she held wasn’t just scribbles — it was a legally binding affidavit that listed the financial assets and profits under her name, meticulously drafted with Lake’s help. She ran a hand over the pages, a flicker of regret passing over her face.
Each line landed like a blow. And this was her now, reading it. If her past self had seen these words, she might’ve just collapsed and sobbed right there on the spot.
Her body still remembered the pain from before she turned time back. The mind had moved on, but the body hadn’t caught up. It was like a ghost clinging to her bones.
Iora reached up and grabbed the crow hopping around on her head.
“Don’t jump on my scalp. If my hair falls out, I know you’re not paying for the treatment.”
The black beak opened and snapped shut. Kaaawk.
“You’re too relaxed. Your father’s not the kind of man who lets things go.”
“True, but he won’t be able to catch me. Lake’s… sharp. Sharp enough that you’d rather die than make him your enemy.”
The crow gave a snort. A real snort, somehow.
“Yeah. He’s a bastard so ruthless you can’t even curse him properly. I mean, I tried — frothing at the mouth, swearing like a madman — and even then, I’ve never seen a lunatic scarier than that lunatic. Honestly, what else do you call a guy who works that hard under my nasty temper, if not a full-blown pxrvert for suffering?”
“…Can’t really argue with that.”
To be fair, Lake was a strange one. Especially when his eyes would flare red every time her sales spiked, so thrilled it was almost unholy.
‘Sorry, but you looked genuinely unhinged.’
Iora nearly nodded along before catching herself just in time. You don’t badmouth the person who just went all-in to help you. That’s basic manners. She swatted at the crow’s wing and muttered under her breath.
“But really. How long are you planning to stay like that?”
Kaawk. The crow, who’d been speaking fluent human moments ago, suddenly pretended not to understand.
“You brought me something tasty again today, didn’t you? Come on, fork it over.”
The crow cawed again — short and sullen. Kak.
But he didn’t deny it.
Iora smiled. If there was one more thing she’d learned about the man behind the dark mask, it was this: He was easily embarrassed.
And that…was kind of adorable.
Discussion
1 CommentIce_Vulpix