CH 17

Now that I have money, I should open a newspaper company headquarters on the streets of the capital. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.If we open a newspaper branch in the middle of a busy street, passersby would notice it, and we can obviously see a great promotional effect due to that.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I left the house and walked down the streets of the capital so that Claude could have some fun on his own. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.As I walked around looking for real estate, all I could think about was the first newspaper article that had to be published.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

‘It would be great if I could find something exciting.’

In my previous life, I went around looking for spicy and hot articles. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Now that I was the president of the newspaper company itself, I understood why I was told so. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Why did my employer, who used to be trash in my previous life, ask me to create invigorating articles to be published? It was because mediocre articles didn’t make it good to people. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was all about newspaper sales.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

With that in mind, I arrived at the best real estate in the capital.

“What?! The monthly rent for a small office in this area is 10 gold coins?”

My eyes bulged in surprise at such a high monthly rent. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The place I was looking for was the 2nd floor, not the 1st floor. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It didn’t even matter if it was the 3rd or 4th floor as long as it was a good place. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Why was it so expensive?read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

As I opened my eyes wide without saying anything, the real estate owner clicked his tongue as if thinking of how pathetic I was.

“I mean, hey. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Lady, you seem so ignorant about the world. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Look carefully, this place is located in the center of the city, that’s why it’s a very good location with a large population. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Doesn’t that explain why it’s expensive?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Excuse me. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I work at a newspaper office, so I don’t need this expensive place.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

‘I earn money through the publication of the book, The Red. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.No matter how much I think about it, 10 gold coins is too expensive.’read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there. I was depressed and lowered my voice and asked the owner of the real estate.

“Is it possible? Is there a cheaper place? I hope it’s still in the capital city.”

However, the realtor stuck to his stance.

“Cheap places are troublesome because they are deficient. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.There’s crime, and strange things pop up more than often. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Wouldn’t the customer make a fuss about it later on after you sign the contract?”

“I don’t mind if something that is not human will appear, so I think it would be better to have a place where I can pay a reasonable monthly rent.”

Ghosts were not the problem. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Money was the problem.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The real estate here was so expensive compared to my previous life, I wondered. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.And why wasn’t I born rich in the novel I wrote myself? Ahh, the life of a dirt spoon disturbed by money.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

It seemed that my suffering was viewed as pitiful even to others. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The real estate agent leaned forward and gave me a few words of good advice.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Hey, Miss. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Is this your first time running a business?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“What? Oh, yes.”

“Listen. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’m giving you advice because you look like my daughter. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.What do you think about business, Lady?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Business? It is done to make money. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I wondered what this man was trying to say. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I chose an easily acceptable answer.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Uhm, I don’t know.”

“Business is a bluff, I repeat, a bluff. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Now, look at this.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

He showed me the expensive watch he wore on his wrist. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.At the same time, he pointed at the clothes he was wearing with his hand as well as flipping his hair as if showing off. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The sunlight shone through his thinly-growing hair. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I thought his head was bald because it looked like that, but it turned out not. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The light was reflected from the gem of the ring, which was pinched on the man’s knuckles.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Do you know why I wear expensive accessories and famous designer clothes that’s usually worn only by the royal? It’s the fastest way to gain the trust of strangers.”

I snorted when thinking that the real estate manager’s words were ridiculous.

“Ah, what kind of trust do clothes give? That’s ridiculous.”

Then, he hit his chest as if he was frustrated.

“Oh, really? No, Lady. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Just think about it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.There are two people you are going to trust. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, one person’s clothes look shabby and poor at first glance. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.On the other hand, the other person has just spent money on their slick clothes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Then, who do you think you can trust?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Um… the shabby one?”

“No! He seems like a bad person even from the outside.”

“Why?”

“Think about it carefully. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.How can you trust a poor person wearing dirty clothes when they have to run errands for you now? They might run away with what they’re given.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I think he’s been taking it too far.

“It could be inconspicuous, right? Poor people can be more diligent.”

“No, they’re not. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.People who look rich are even more diligent. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.What do you think they are saving money for?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

While I twisted my head to come up with the idea to refute the uncle’s words, he continued.

“Since you look so attentive, don’t you have time to dress yourself up more? And even if you let them run an errand, he wouldn’t run away with them because he must be wanting to earn his own money.”

“Isn’t that too far-fetched?”

“I mean, someone’s appearance will inspire confidence in their customers.”

That made a lot of sense. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Even if I go to a job interview, I’ll try to gain trust by wearing neat clothes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.When I couldn’t refute the real estate owner anymore, he laughed as he walked around the office with 10 gold coins as his monthly rent.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“So the rent for this building must be high. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Just being here gives people confidence.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“You mean it’s better for promotional effects?”

“That’s right! Oh, Lady, you’re starting to understand now.”

“Hmm. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’ll think about it.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Ugh, I was almost tricked by an old man into signing a contract.

I rushed out of the real estate office. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The man behind me said, “This is a very popular place! When you come again, you probably won’t get anything here!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

That said, the reason for opening a branch in Myeongdong, which was famous for its high monthly rent only in Korea was because of its promotion and advertising effects. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.First of all, this was the strategy of rich companies. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I was just an owner of a small newspaper publishing company.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I was walking down the alley looking for another real estate office whilst thinking that I should choose a place with a lower monthly rent. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The street was very noisy. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.When I approached the place filled with all sorts of noises while wondering what was going on, a couple of people were shouting exaggeratingly on the street.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The woman with grayish hair and wearing a fancy dress seemed to be angry with the man.

“What, was it a waste of money to buy it for me?”

“No, I didn’t say it was a waste…”

“That’s what you clearly meant! I’m going back to the store now!”

“You should have gone on a date with me today. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Where are you going?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“No, I’m offended. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’ll be leaving.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The woman ran wildly and tried not to look back. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, the man held the woman’s arm tightly which stopped her in her tracks.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Hey! I gave you an expensive meal. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Where are you going?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Let go of me!”

“Where are you going? Spit out what you’ve eaten, or go to my house now!”

“Argh! It hurts! Let go!”

People watched their fight with interest, some walked quickly as if they had no interest. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The woman’s wrist, which was held by him, became even red.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

‘Oh? That’s violence in dating.’

I quickly took out the wet plate camera that I placed in the cart and set it up on the side of the road just in case it was what I thought. After pouring the collondione solution onto the glass plate and letting it dry, I attached it back to the camera to observe the situation through the lens, and that was when the man raised his other hand and slapped the woman’s cheek.

Click

Along with the pressing sound of the camera shutter, a woman’s scream followed. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.After getting slapped, the woman fell on the road, then got up again while shouting and started beating the man by swinging her arms and legs.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Hey, this b**ch! Why are you hitting me? Oh! Why are you hitting me?”

The man hit the woman several times and pushed her back as if he was enraged. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The woman sat on the street and cried loudly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Then, the man spat his saliva on the road.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Oh, how unlucky I am.”

Meanwhile, I was taking pictures using the mini blackout camera I had brought along. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The noises from people began to get louder. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.When such an intense commotion arose, a policeman approached them.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“What’s going on?”

The man hesitated for a moment, and immediately started blabbering excuses.

“It’s nothing serious, but this woman is my lover. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Don’t worry about it and you can go on with your business.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The policeman raised his eyebrows and questioned the man again.

“Did you hit this woman?”

“I was also beaten by this woman! This woman suddenly went crazy and hit me. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.So I kept getting hit, and then my hand stretched out without me realizing it, I just pushed her away.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The gray-haired woman shouted.

“You’re lying! This man hit me first!”

The man shouted, staring at the woman with red eyes.

“Do you have any proof? Huh?”

“Everyone here has seen it! Officer, you can call someone and even ask around. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He hit me first.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

When the woman pointed her finger at passersby, the people who didn’t want to get into trouble quickly scattered and disappeared into thin air. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The man saw no one had the intention to help her, while the woman was confused and her pupils fluttered restlessly.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Now it was my turn to step forward.

I approached them and gave the policeman my business card.

“I’m the president of a newspaper publishing company, and I happened to take the picture of this man who hit the woman first with this camera. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.If you need proof, I’ll drop by the Morris police station later. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’ll provide the photos I took as evidence.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The policeman stood there while staring at my business card. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The man who fought earlier asked me as if he was innocent.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“What’s the photo you took that corresponds with it? Did you not record it?”

“Yes, but are you sure, Uncle? You haven’t seen it at all.”

“Oh! See? You’re all on the same team! Hey, police. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.These guys are con artists and they’re trying to scam me. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You must arrest them all!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The man tried to run towards me with his finger pointed at me, but the policeman extended his hand to block the man’s movement.

“Sir, come with me for a moment.”

“Oh! Hey. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’m not guilty at all. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.This isn’t fair!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“We need to go to the National Police Agency and you can make an excuse about it there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Don’t you know that if you hit children and women in the capital, you’ll be fined?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Oh, it’s a two-way attack! I’m the right one here!”

Even while being dragged away, the man showed the police officer the parts of his body that weren’t bruised while crying out that he got beaten up worse, but it was useless. I shook my head and put the camera into the cart and tried to fly away from this place. However, the woman grabbed my arm and pretended to know me.

“You’re Haley, aren’t you?”

I looked at the woman’s deep purple eyes intensely, and for some reason, I felt like I didn’t know her.

“Who are you?”

“It’s me! Emily. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.We met at a bar last time. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You took my picture too, didn’t you?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Oh, that’s when I recalled her. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She was Emily, one of the receptionists at Madam Arete, a bar run by nobles.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Huh? Emily. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I didn’t recognize you earlier.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

This was my third encounter with Emily. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.One when I visited Madame Arete, and the next time was when I did a photo shoot with Emily. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Then we met again by chance today.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

It was just a photoshoot, so I didn’t recognize her because she was wearing a mask. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was surprising that Emily, who usually showed her drunken appearance and being not completely sober, could become such a beautiful and ordinary woman when she decided to dress herself up.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The woman was now standing with her normal and sober mind. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I obviously had never seen her like this before. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Emily seemed embarrassed by the previous situation, so she tried to change the subject.