Thirty-Seven Percent

Early in the morning, the gates of the Viscount's mansion were already filled with all the nobles from Nafu City.

"Greetings, Lord Viscount!"

"Greetings, Lord Viscount!"

Claire smiled and greeted them back, "Good morning, everyone. Please, have a seat."

After the nobles sat down, the maids placed fruits and desserts on the tables. However, these were merely decorative. Apart from children like Melly, no one paid them much attention. Their main reason for coming was the message Steward Frank had delivered yesterday.

Baron Eugene got straight to the point, "Lord Viscount, I heard from Frank that you are willing to help us raise troops to deal with those bandits. Is this true?"

"Of course," Claire replied. "They sent assassins to kill me before, and now they've hijacked your cargo. It's clear they don't take Nafu City seriously!"

Hearing this, the nobles nodded. They had almost forgotten that the rumors about the bandits outside the city assassinating Claire were spread by them. If Claire had offered to help them for no reason, they would have suspected a trap. But with the added reason of her own assassination attempt, they felt more at ease.

"Indeed, indeed. Lord Viscount was just assassinated the day before yesterday, and our cargo was stolen. Those bandits simply don't respect us! Lord Viscount must send troops to eliminate them!"

"Of course, troops can be sent, but I do require some compensation." Claire finally revealed her true objective.

"Naturally!" Baron Eugene patted his chest and guaranteed, "I'd be more worried if you didn't want our money."

"Lord Viscount, whatever amount we can afford, we will definitely provide the funds to support you!" Baron Eugene was a shrewd man. He had said they would pay any amount, but then added "within our capabilities," giving them an excuse to refuse if Claire asked for too much.

Claire narrowed her eyes and said, "I don't want your money."

The nobles present were shocked. You don't want our money? But you said you needed compensation?

Claire looked up at the ceiling, her expression filled with realization, "Ever since I was nearly killed by assassins last time, I tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to sleep. I just felt how fragile life is."

She then looked at the nobles present, "Don't you think that a person's life shouldn't pass without them having enjoyed anything?"

The nobles nodded in agreement, "That is certainly true."

"So, that night I realized a truth: life is for enjoyment. Other people's opinions and judgments don't matter! I was too naive before, always believing that as the heir of the Griffin Family, I had to lead the Barony to restore its former glory. But after that night, I felt like a completely different person."

"Life is full of unexpected events. I can't die without having enjoyed anything. There are still many beautiful things in this world: fine wine, women, and money!" As she spoke, tears welled up in Claire's eyes, as if she were deeply moved by something.

"So, I must apologize to you all. I was too naive before, unable to distinguish myself from the commoners and mistakenly viewing you as enemies. Now, I just want to enjoy myself! To have plenty of money and drink the finest wines in the world!"

Baron Eugene's eyes showed admiration. This fellow finally understood. Why should he, a noble, associate with those lowly commoners!

Claire reached out and patted Baron Eugene's shoulder, "You can continue running your clinic! Just give me a twenty percent profit!"

Baron Eugene stood up excitedly, raising the wine glass in his hand, "Thank you, Lord Viscount!" As for giving up twenty percent profit, it was better than getting nothing.

The other nobles also showed happy smiles. It seemed their Viscount had finally come to his senses.

Meanwhile, Steward Frank watched from the side with a cold gaze, sneering inwardly, "Hmph, a bunch of fools, all deceived by his acting. That smiling him is the real devil!"

Lord Wilbur spoke, "Having said all that, where will the Viscount's funds come from?"

Everyone looked over curiously. They also wanted to know where Claire's promised compensation would come from.

Claire smiled faintly, "Naturally, just as before, from the commoners!"

"Oh! Taxes?" The nobles now believed even more that Claire had awakened.

"No! A lord must act with legitimacy! Now that those bandits attempted to assassinate me and stole your cargo, this is a perfect excuse!"

"How so?"

"We'll use the excuse of sending troops to collect donations from them."

"What if they refuse to donate?"

"You donate first. Only when you donate will they follow suit. The more you donate, the more they will donate."

"And after we donate?"

"I will return your donations in full. For their donations, we'll split it three-seven."

"Who gets three percent and who gets seven?"

"I get three percent, you get seven!"

"What if we don't donate?"

"Of course, you can choose not to. Then you won't get any share of the seven percent. The more you donate, the larger your share, and the more money you'll receive."

The nobles present finally understood. It seemed their Viscount was even more ruthless than they were.

"Fine! No problem!" Baron Eugene agreed.

"So, how much is everyone willing to donate?" Claire leaned forward slightly.

Lord Wilbur immediately raised his hand, "I'll donate one thousand gold coins!"

Claire pursed her lips. This was far from her expected amount. Her eyes inadvertently glanced at Steward Frank, who sat silently beside her.

Frank's scalp tingled from that fleeting glance.

"I'll donate thirty thousand gold coins."

The nobles looked at him in astonishment. Are you crazy? You're going to donate thirty thousand gold coins? They all thought a donation of a few thousand gold coins would suffice for this sort of thing. Thirty thousand gold coins?!

"Are you insane!" Lord Wilbur exclaimed, pointing at Frank's nose and scolding him.

This was a huge blow to his pride. I donate a thousand, and you directly donate thirty thousand? Thirty times mine, what do you mean by that!

Frank put on an indifferent expression. "How much I'm willing to donate is my business. Just shut up if you donate a thousand, as the money will be returned to me in full. The less you donate, the more money I get."

At this, the nobles remembered the importance of the four words Claire had just said: "Returned in full!" This meant it was time to show off their wealth.

However, even so, they still had some concerns in their hearts. After all, this wasn't a matter of a few thousand gold coins. Losing tens of thousands of gold coins would be a severe blow even to them.

Seeing this, Claire felt it was time to speak. She said, "It's alright, everyone can donate one or two thousand, or even a few hundred gold coins. I won't force you. Thirty thousand gold coins should be enough for this matter."

But the more Claire acted like this, the more anxious the nobles became. If Claire had begged them to donate, they would have been hesitant. But by presenting herself as someone who didn't lack their money at all, she made them anxious. This was a risk-free venture, a guaranteed profit!

Recalling Claire's previous words, Eugene immediately slammed the table and decided, "I'll donate fifty thousand gold coins!"

"Magnificent!" Claire praised, but she didn't forget to add fuel to the fire. "Eighty thousand gold coins should be enough. The rest can be a symbolic donation."

"No! It's our honor to help Lord Viscount. How can we donate less? I'll donate thirty thousand gold coins too!"

Seeing that someone had followed suit, the other nobles one after another announced their bids.

"I'll give forty thousand!"

"I'll also give thirty thousand!"

"Thirty thousand!"

"Twenty thousand!"

In the end, almost all the nobles donated more than half of their fortunes, with only Lord Wilbur, who had spoken first, still offering just a thousand gold coins.

"Alright! That's settled then." Claire clapped her hands and stood up.

"Lord Viscount, please wait!" Lord Wilbur was anxious and immediately said, "I'll also donate fifty thousand gold coins!"

Claire gave a friendly smile. "Lord Wilbur is truly generous!"

Thanks to "Yang" for the two monthly votes!!!!!!!!