Chapter 32 The Ambition of Capital Expansion: The Real Bad Guy Is Someone Else...

"This is an insult to you."

After listening to Lilith's account of what happened, Heinrich commented succinctly.

"He knows you have no chance of saying yes, right? You've only met him three times, you're practically strangers. Who would accept such a casual proposal?"

“But I didn’t even know my husband before we got married, while Lorenzo at least met him,” Lilith retorted with a laugh. Although she actually agreed with Heinrich’s point of view, it was fun to deliberately say the opposite and make him look embarrassed and angry.

“I think what Madam said… isn’t entirely unreasonable.” Tata, still in her pajamas, heard that Lilith had returned home and suddenly burst out of the maids’ quarters. “Didn’t Miss Elena hope that Madam could expand the bank? If LC Schmidl could merge with the Condalini family’s bank, Madam wouldn’t have to be so overwhelmed every day…”

"Madam spent a thousand ducats to buy Goldstein's bankrupt bank, not even counting the loans that will have to be repaid later." Heinrich stared coldly at Tata. "If Madam marries Lorenzo, wouldn't the entire bank, along with its people and money, have to be sold off and become Lorenzo's property?"

"If it's a merger, Madam can still retain her shares according to the agreement... And didn't he assure you that Madam will still serve as the bank's manager after the merger?"

“According to the laws of the Republic of Venice, a woman becomes the property of her husband after marriage, and all her property belongs to him,” Lilith casually picked up the conversation, adjusting her reclining position on the sofa. “Lorenzo would rather have Shylock killed than not get his hands on that batch of spices, and then he couldn’t wait to plant his spies in my bank. How could you expect to live off the mercy of such a ruthless man? It’s a joke.”

Tata realized she had said the wrong thing and stood there silently, stunned.

"Go back and rest first," Cecilia said, sensing the mistress's displeasure and reminding Tata to avoid the rest of the conversation. The dejected Gypsy girl could only slink away, closing the door behind her and returning to her room.

“However, mere ruthlessness is not enough to make me despise him so much.” Lilith frowned and bit the rose-patterned silver spoon, continuing from where she left off, “What’s most disgusting about him is that always-smiling, hypocritical face. He’s never respected me, just like any other businessman, but he still puts on an act of being different from everyone else.”

"It's a good thing he came up with such a disgusting idea for you," Heinrich said.

“Isn’t that right? Seeing me wearing a black veil all day, they probably think I’m some pitiful little widow, anxiously waiting for someone to take care of her. Actually, all I care about is making money.” Lilith disdainfully tossed the spoon into the small glass dish of panna cotta and set it aside. “But talking to him did make me realize something. Aunt Elena is right, we must monopolize the market before the Condalini family and steal the merchants and customers from the German trade routes and the Roman tribute route.”

"Have you decided to accept Miss Elena's proposal?"

“That’s right. Although I know that accepting investment to open a branch means giving up some control, I choose to trust Elena. Rather than wasting time on trivial things like spring internships, we should focus our limited resources on the most important things.”

Lilith unfurled a map of Europe, waving a spoon and pointing to Venice's location on the Italian peninsula, then pointing to Zurich and Rome in turn.

“Cecilia,” she commanded, “go and research the routes to Rome and Zurich, the time required for different modes of transport and travel routes, travel expenses, and the situation at each checkpoint. Also, examine the compliance issues of opening branches in those locations and list the relevant risks. Heinrich, use the future cash flow valuation model that Sherlock designed to calculate the specific costs and benefits of opening branches in Florence, Zurich, and Rome. Tomorrow at noon, invite Elena over to discuss the specific itinerary. Tomorrow evening, I'm inviting Sofia to dinner.”

"Would you like your best friend to join us?" Heinrich recalled the enthusiastic chestnut-haired widow who always appeared with a different handsome man. She was a friend from Lilith Convent and the first client of Lilith Bank.

“No, there’s something more important that I need her help with. Someone needs to keep the vault key while we’re gone. Sophia is the person I trust most.”

"We...?" Cecilia, who had remained silent until now, asked with some concern, "Are you also planning to travel?"

“That’s right. We can split up. While Elena takes you to Rome, Heinrich and I will head to Zurich at the same time. This way, we can open two branches as quickly as possible. Since Elena has proposed Rome and Zurich, she must already have trustworthy agents in both places. Our trip there will mainly be to complete the formalities.”

“Isn’t this a bit too risky!” Cecilia exclaimed in surprise. “I’m already very worried about me leaving you and going to Rome alone with Elena… If you stay in Venice during this time, Tata and Ivanka can take care of you, but if you don’t want to take them with you, what can Heinrich do? If you really have to go, Madam, you should at least take Ivanka with you!”

“Without Ivanka, who will watch over the family’s secret stash? She has to stay in Venice,” Lilith calmly retorted.

"And what about Tata? Although she's not very good at housework, at least Tata is a woman..."

“Sister Clara needs Tata’s cooperation to complete the basic transaction. Someone of her status can only stay behind the scenes and cannot personally go to the market to negotiate and gather information.”

"But……"

“Cecilia,” Lilith interrupted her, “I know you care about me. But this trip is a trial and a growth opportunity for you, for me, and for everyone in this bank. I’ve always wanted to leave Venice and see more of the world. Heinrich may not be as attentive as you, but based on everything we’ve been through together, I believe he can at least guarantee my safety.”

“If it were just a trip, we could have made thorough preparations before setting off, instead of rushing like this... After all, you've never traveled this far before... And with so many people suddenly leaving the bank these days, what if something goes wrong…”

“Elena also considered this, which is why she invited Sister Clara to help me. Clara will handle the daily operations, with William and Tata assisting. There's no need to acquire new customers during this period; we just need to maintain the most basic daily operations. You don't need to worry too much; I'll discuss the specific details with Elena later.”

Lilith suddenly grasped Cecilia's hand, pulled her to sit down next to her on the sofa, and embraced the black-haired maid: "I understand your concerns, but please trust my decision."

“Madam…” Cecilia was flattered and pushed her away. “I understand. I will do as you say.”

"Thank you," Lilith said with a smile. "It's late, you should go and get some rest. Heinrich, come to my room with me."

Heinrich followed Lilith down the dimly lit spiral staircase into her bedroom. A woody fragrance wafted through the black curtains, drawn like a veil. The cool moonlight of midnight streamed through the glass window, focusing on Lilith's pillow. A Dutch rabbit doll embroidered with dark circles under its eyes sat quietly on the bedside table, its dark red rose petals scattered in a vase beside it like dried blood flowing from its body.

Lilith opened the walnut wardrobe and pulled out a brand-new black riding crop. Heinrich took a deep breath and knelt on the Persian carpet in the bedroom to cooperate with Lilith in performing a show that she was particularly fond of.

"Owner."

"Is it alright?" Lilith gently stroked the tip of the whip, blushing slightly. "No one will interrupt us this time."

"Of course, if this brings you pleasure."

Lilith bit her lip, said nothing more, and picked up the whip, lashing Heinrich's back. The professional tool was much easier to use than a belt. The first few strikes were tentative, relatively light.

Does it hurt?

"It hurts more than last time, but you can still use more force."

Having received further permission, Lilith no longer restrained her emotions, and with unrestrained joy, lashed Heinrich's back with all her might. The man's back was to her, his face hidden, like a lifeless target, a pure tool for venting her anger. Only his body, trembling slightly with pain, reminded Lilith that she was abusing a living person, yet his trembling brought her unparalleled relaxation and peace. In this moment, she didn't need to think of anything; she simply raised her hand, lowered it, accepted his submission, and wielded her soft scepter to dominate everything.

Lilith stopped whipping the white linen shirt until the red marks on her skin were faintly visible through them, and casually tossed the whip aside.

"Thank you."

She lay down on the bed, panting, and turned her head to observe Heinrich's reaction. She couldn't quite figure out what he was thinking, but she was certain that Heinrich at least didn't resent being treated this way.

“It’s my pleasure. How are you feeling?” Heinrich continued to kneel on the ground, massaging Lilith’s forearm and wrist where she had been holding the whip.

"Very pleasant. The whip is very easy to use, even more so than the last time at Sofia's house."

"That's good."

Why would you let me do this to you?

Lilith suddenly grasped Heinrich's hand, using the leverage to climb out of bed, and stared intently into his eyes. Those deep blue eyes lay quietly in their sockets, like two shimmering sapphires. Lilith was increasingly pleased with her new pet dog; he was not only very useful but also truly handsome. Despite his sharp, strong facial features, he always looked at her with gentle, submissive eyes, far more pleasing to the eye than that pretentious Lorenzo.

"Because I know you don't really want to hurt me, right?"

"Hmm. Would you like to travel with me? Come with me on a business trip to Zurich."

"Of course. I will accompany you wherever you want to go."

Lilith suddenly grabbed Heinrich by the collar and pulled him very close to her: "Don't you think I'm pathetic?"

Why do you say that?

"I have no way to deal with the real enemy, so I can only vent my desire for control by torturing you and then gain a false sense of accomplishment." She smiled bitterly and mocked herself, "It was like this before, and it's still like this now."

“How could ‘Lilith the Lender’ be without options?” Heinrich, having figured out Lilith’s personality, knew what kind of comfort she wanted to hear in this situation, and replied skillfully, “If you were truly without options, you wouldn’t have given me so much work to do. Mauro and Lorenzo, defeating them is only a matter of time. You will definitely achieve final victory and get what you want, and I will always be by your side.”

He released Lilith's hand that was holding his, held it in his own palm, and then, through a lace glove, left a kiss on the back of her hand, a symbol of loyalty and devotion.

"You're getting better and better at sweet talk." Lilith pulled her hand back after he finished kissing her, turned around and hugged the rabbit doll tightly to her chest, yawned, and said, "Go and rest. Get up early tomorrow and get to work."

"Yes, madam. Get some rest. Good night."

"good evening."

Heinrich closed the door for Lilith and hurried back to his room. Without even checking the minor injury on his back, he quickly changed into a set of all-black clothes and hid the briefcase containing a stack of ledgers and applicant resumes under his cloak.

After confirming several times that everyone in the building was asleep, he tiptoed out through the back door and hurried toward the vicinity of the Rialto Bridge.

-----------------------

Author's Note: The next update will be on Wednesday. In the next chapter, Lilith and Heinrich will be going on a business trip (or vacation)!

I lost two favorites immediately after posting the last chapter [poor thing]. Is it because the scene where the second male lead proposes to Lilith was a little cringeworthy? I'm so sad... but I will still keep trying to write!

Thank you for your support!