Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Compensation

A twenty million investment in the Fifth Research Institute, plus another twenty million in compensation for Major General Ares. In just a few sentences, forty million was gone, and that still wasn’t considered sincere enough.

Duke Green felt as if her heart wasn’t just bleeding, but about to hemorrhage entirely.

But with Cecilia making the demand personally, she had no idea how to refuse.

After all, in the Empire, Duke Galli Odello’s status was above all other dukes, a position he had held for many years. Furthermore, because his ancestors had earned great merits, Her Majesty the Queen also treated him with exceptional regard.

However, in recent years, Her Majesty the Queen had stopped making public appearances, and Cecilia was getting on in years. As a result, the Galiodro family was showing faint signs of decline.

But a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. What’s more, the Galiodro family hadn’t fallen into ruin yet, so they were certainly not a family that just anyone could provoke.

Seeing Duke Green’s silence, Cecilia couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on her. “I won’t make things difficult for you. Give my grandson another twenty million in compensation and have your two little female pups make a public apology. Then we’ll consider this matter closed. Surely a grand Duke Mansion like yours can come up with sixty million, can’t it?”

Duke Green could, of course, produce sixty million. But it would be a devastating blow to her finances!

The regret was so intense it felt like it was turning her insides green.

’If only I’d known. If only I’d known, I would’ve just agreed to give Lu Xiao the twenty million for the Fifth Research Institute.’

Now that Cecilia had personally given the order, Duke Green had no choice but to concede. “Then… then we shall proceed as Lady Cecilia wishes.”

“Mother, we can’t do it publicly!” Beina suddenly roared, finding a sudden burst of courage from somewhere. “If we make a public apology, my sister’s reputation and mine will be ruined!”

Duke Green was already reeling from the pain of losing sixty million. Hearing the main culprit still yelling about it sent a fresh wave of fury through her. “You shut your mouth! I’ll deal with you later!”

Having achieved her goal for the visit, Cecilia didn’t care how Duke Green would discipline her own children later. She rose to her feet and said, “It’s no good getting old. To think I have to run around for such a small matter… my body can’t take it anymore. My apologies for the intrusion today, Duke Green.”

“Not at all, Lady Cecilia. If you don’t mind, please stay for dinner before you go.” No matter how much it pained her, Duke Green had to maintain her dignified facade. After all, she had already forked over the money; to lose her composure on top of that would be far too unseemly.

“I’ll pass on dinner, but thank you for the kind offer, Duke Green. In the future, you should do a better job of managing your little pups.” After saying this, Cecilia turned a gratified gaze upon Lu Xiao. “Our meeting today was rather rushed. When you have time, come visit the house. The two of us, grandmother and grandchild, can have a proper talk.”

“Of course, Grandmother. I’ll definitely come to see you when I have time. And thank you for everything today.”

“It was your Father who contacted me. I was supposed to come a few days ago, but my health wasn’t cooperating. I didn’t expect to have to wait until today, but it worked out.” Cecilia chuckled softly, then turned her gaze back to Duke Green. “Don’t forget our agreement. Don’t go back on your word.”

Duke Green forced a smile that looked more painful than a grimace. “Rest assured. I will certainly do as I’ve promised.”

“Good. Lu Xiao, are you two staying?”

“Duke Green just invited us to dinner, and I’ve already accepted. It would be rude to refuse her kind offer.”

Hearing this, Duke Green felt more disgusted than if she’d swallowed a fly.

She knew perfectly well that Lu Xiao was doing this purely to spite her.

’She already got the money, and she still insists on staying for dinner!’

’You can’t just bully people like this!’

’But she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. After all, she’d already paid sixty million. What was one more meal?’

Of course, Cecilia could see Lu Xiao’s motive. She said nothing, however, as she felt Lu Xiao wasn’t wrong to do so. If you’re going to teach someone a lesson, you have to make it a thorough one—one that makes them ache with financial and emotional pain at the mere memory, so they never dare to make the same mistake again.

In that respect, Cecilia felt that Lu Xiao was actually more like a true child of the Galiodro family!

After Cecilia had left, Lu Xiao turned to Duke Green with a sweet, beaming smile.

The corner of Duke Green’s mouth twitched. “I have certainly experienced Earl Lu Xiao’s capabilities today. I’m truly grateful. Earl Lu Xiao has taught me quite a lesson.”

Lu Xiao smiled. “You might not believe me, but my grandmother’s arrival was a complete surprise.”

Duke Green scoffed, clearly unconvinced.

Lu Xiao and Ares ate and drank their fill at the Duke’s family home. It had to be said that Duke Green’s family had an excellent cook; the food was at least better than what was served at Count Ge Wei’s house.

As for how Duke Green chose to discipline her family behind closed doors after they left, that was no longer Lu Xiao’s business.

’Besides,’ Lu Xiao thought, ’sisters like Beixian and Beina really do need to be taught a proper lesson.’

After getting into the car, Lu Xiao said to Ares, “When that twenty million comes in, just keep it for yourself.”

Ares was taken aback for a moment, then his gaze softened as he said, “I don’t need money right now.”

Lu Xiao not only bought him clothes but also gave him a monthly allowance of 2,000, which was more than enough for his daily expenses.

That amount of money alone was enough to make others envious.

“I’m giving it to you, so just take it. Are you afraid the money will burn a hole in your pocket? This twenty million is to send a message: anyone who messes with you will pay the price!”

What Lu Xiao didn’t say was that if Beina had bullied her today instead, she might not have been nearly as angry.

But no, they just had to go and bully Ares.

She had invested so much effort into helping Ares change into the person he was today, and Beina had the audacity to come and trample all over her hard work.

That was practically courting death!

Being defended so fiercely made Ares’s heart swell with warmth. He saw and cherished all the care and protection from his little female, committing it all to memory.

“Xiao Xiao, thank you.”

He had a thousand things he wanted to say, but in the end, they all condensed into a single “thank you.”

Because Ares felt that no words could truly express the sense of fulfillment he found with Lu Xiao.

Hearing him say “thank you,” Lu Xiao couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “You’ve said that so many times. Let me ask you something. Are we a family now?”

“We are.”

“And are we intimate partners?”

“We are.”

“Well then, there you have it. Isn’t it only natural for family to protect each other? You’re always thanking me. I don’t want to hear you say ’thank you’ anymore!”

In response to her words, Ares lifted her hand and pressed a soft kiss against it. “Alright. I won’t say it again.”

The sudden gesture made the tips of Lu Xiao’s ears turn red, but she didn’t want Ares to notice. ’After all,’ she thought, ’I just gave that big, righteous speech. What would it look like if I get all red-faced over a single kiss? I have a reputation to maintain, you know!’

“Ahem, just so long as you know!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep