I! Cleaner!
Chapter 137 - 137: 0118 Director's suggestion_1

To donate the Ryan Family's entire estate to the royal family?

Hearing Leon's words, the Red-haired Director sat up a bit in surprise.

Even though the Ryan Family was already on the brink of collapse and would soon have most of its assets taken by various factions, leaving only an empty shell,

even this shell would be enough for an "ordinary person" to live a lavish life for a lifetime. Why would he think of donating it all?

"Because the salary from the Purification Bureau was already enough for me to spend, and can even allow our family to live quite comfortably. Although inheriting the Duke's title would bring even more wealth, it would also drag me into endless troubles, completely disrupting Anna's life. In comparison, I think it's better as it is now."

After briefly explaining his reasons, Leon thought for a moment and added,

"Of course, I also have the intention of avoiding suspicion this way. After all, if I were to inherit the Duke of Lionheart's title, I would become the biggest beneficiary of the Ryan Blood Night. The Investigators sent by the Bureau might overthink it, so it's better to force them to quickly find someone else for the dukedom, and get rid of this burden as soon as possible."

So a whole duke family's wealth was just a heavy burden to you?

Staring into Leon's eyes and confirming he was speaking sincerely, the Red-haired Director slightly raised her eyebrows, then glanced at the toad pendant on Leon's chest.

*It made sense... if he had a strong desire for wealth, he probably wouldn't be able to resist this Holy Spirit with the authority over wealth. So, making such a choice wasn't hard to understand, yet...*

"Why did you choose to donate to the royal family?"

The Red-haired Director thought for a moment and then seriously reminded him,

"If your goal was simply to pressure them, getting those people to pick someone else for the dukedom, I wouldn't recommend donating to the royal family because they might not accept it.

After all, it would look way too much like seizing property. The Old Nobility is not weak either, and if not handled properly, could lead to a massive backlash, which is definitely a big problem for the royal family.

Moreover, even if you didn't donate to them, given the royal family's current momentum, they might still manage to grab thirty to forty percent of the wealth. If they handle it well, there's even a chance for fifty percent. They might not want to take this risk, and the possibility of being directly rejected is not small."

"..."

*Could it develop like this?*

Hearing the Red-haired Director's words, Leon was slightly stunned and then was glad he hadn't rushed into action but sought her advice first, otherwise he would be in a tough spot if the royal family really refused the donation.

Fully realizing the gap between himself and the Director in this regard, the always modest and eager-to-learn Leon immediately lowered his stance and proactively asked for guidance,

"So in your opinion, what would be the best course of action?"

"Simple!"

Snapping her fingers crisply, the Red-haired Director smirked and said,

"For such an important dukedom ritual, the Princess would undoubtedly be present. You could directly use the entire Ryan Family as a dowry and propose to her on the spot~"

"..."

"What?!?!"

"Trust me, this is absolutely the best approach."

Seeing Leon's jaw drop at her plan, the Red-haired Director, getting her own back for a previous shock, felt quite pleased and said with a smile,

"Your ultimate goal is simply to force them to pick someone else for the dukedom, am I right?

In those people's eyes now, you and the entire Ryan Family are like fish on a chopping board, unable to escape being carved up regardless of how you might struggle. So, no matter how ridiculously or absurdly you act as a Duke, it would have no impact on the result. "

Even if you donated the Ryan Family, it wouldn't really matter. Anyway, you can only donate the wealth of the Ryan Family, and the more important Upper House seat and influence in the military and Department of Road Administration are not something you can donate. These core elements can only be taken by other noble in-laws.

But if you used the entire Ryan Family as a dowry to propose to the Princess, then the situation would be completely different."

With Leon's bewildered expression, the Red-haired Director declared confidently,

"If you actually succeeded in your proposal, the Princess could swallow the Ryan Family's wealth and the Upper House seat whole, and then rightfully occupy the Ryan Family's positions in the military and Department of Road Administration, fully injecting her influence.

In this way, the number of 'departments' the royal family could basically control would have reached nine. Coupled with other 'departments' they couldn't fully control but still wield some influence over, more than half of the Kingdom's administrative departments would be under the Princess's influence.

Plus, with the Ryan Family's vice-chair seat in the Upper House, the royal faction would have a presence in both houses of parliament, and even if the Old Nobility and Parliament united, they'd barely be stronger by twenty to thirty percent.

If you then factor out the infighting and plots when they join forces, the Princess faction and non-Princess faction would essentially be fifty-fifty. The reform measures she had always been thoroughly blocked from implementing would have a chance to be forcibly pushed through, striking a heavy blow to the entire Old Nobility tier.

Once they figured this out, they might get the urge to want you dead on the spot, let alone having someone else take the dukedom!"

"..."

Watching Leon go from complete shock to astonishment, and finally to silent reflection, the Red-haired Director, satisfied with indulging her quirky sense of humor, summed up with a smile,

"If you do as I suggest, the worst outcome would be successfully shedding the Duke identity, and in the best result, you might even marry the Princess and directly become a Prince!

Little Leon~ How's the idea I gave you?"

"..."

*The idea was good, but if only you wouldn't mess with me in the process.*

By this point, Leon had realized his Director's penchant for pranks had flared up again, and this proposal was clearly just her joking around with him.

"Thank you for the reminder, Director."

Marking down this ultimate trick for losing the Duke identity as soon as he used it, Leon said with a darkened face,

"But I suppose it isn't necessary to really propose to the Princess, right? As long as I mention my intention to propose, they should drive me off the Duke seat."

"That could work too, but aren't you even slightly considering it?"

The Red-haired Director smiled,

"Judging by the Princess's approach, she'd absolutely accept upon hearing your proposal terms. She is reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the entire Capital City, don't you have even the slightest..."

"No!"

Seeing the Director had entered a nonsensical mode, Leon, having already gotten a solution to his problem, naturally didn't want to stick around and be further teased, so he sternly left the Director's office.

"With the backlog of work from the past few days, I'd better get busy if there's nothing else."

"Mm-hmm, off you go then~"

Watching Leon leave with a smile, the Red-haired Director, now in a much better mood, picked up a stack of documents and continued to work. However, when the sun started to set slightly, she suddenly exclaimed as if annoyed, opened a drawer, and took out a family photo tied with hair.

She had first been busy with official business, then caught up in seeking amusement, and forgot to return the anomalous object Jerry had stolen from Leon!