[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola":3,"chapter-i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-chapter-37":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I’m Quitting Everything and Selling Cola",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},223463,492,"Chapter 37","i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-chapter-37",37,"\u003Cp>Chapter 37. The First Secret Plan (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Branch Manager Belheim carefully reviewed the document containing the 'secret plan.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jurgen occasionally answered his questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About 30 minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a sharply painful blow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Branch Manager Belheim stroked his beard and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze was fixed intently on Jurgen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This may be an impertinent question, but... Mr. Jurgen, do you have a particular family you're hostile toward?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't have any in particular.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, I see. If that's the setting you're going with, then so be it. In any case, this is truly impressive. Remarkable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his demeanor until now had been that of a cold-blooded banker, now he seemed somehow like a chess player before a chess board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A refreshing smile that revealed unexpected pleasure at how the game had unfolded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never imagined you'd have not just one, but two game changers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We prepared in advance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this a feasible technology?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here's a feasibility review from Renoir Workshop. Manufacturing has already begun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope showed him the review prepared by Serena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Renoir family seal was holographically embedded on every page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your preparation is thorough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This material proved that Y&P had a chance of winning this war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It showed they weren't hungry enough to pick up poisoned food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, there was room to change the terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since the game has changed, you'll be proposing new terms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, instead of investment that would require sharing equity, we'd like to borrow 10,000 Crowns as a loan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A loan instead of investment...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, we'll pay fees in addition to interest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belheim tapped his temple with his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope swallowed and waited for his response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, Jurgen's game changer could only be most successfully deployed with Belheim's help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Please accept it...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Please.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, our bank won't approve a simple loan. Even if it were approved, such a high-risk business would require corresponding equity to offset the risk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jurgen's secret plan was an innovative gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it was a 'gamble.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Devon Trust's perspective, the Cola business wouldn't be worth such a gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'From Devon Trust's perspective,' that is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then it seems we've reached the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your hospitality. Next time I'll treat you to a meal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Jurgen and Penelope exchanged glances and started to rise from their seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Belheim raised his index finger to stop the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give me time to think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belheim pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Y&P wanted a 10,000 Crown loan without giving up equity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, they were requesting Devon Trust's network and cooperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The secret plan was quite a good idea, but even if successful, there was no guarantee it would capture 100% market share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the risk remained high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just because he was a branch manager didn't mean he could ignore the bank's procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Devon Trust probably wouldn't get involved even if he brought Penelope's proposal as is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this beverage war involved Keystone Company and Rex Salisbury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex Salisbury, 8th Seat of the Gray Council, representative of Salisbury Financial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Devon Trust received money from high-ranking nobles and provided loans or investments to viscounts and emerging companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Devon Trust's essence was closer to a corporate hunter than an investment bank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of its main revenue models was executing collateral rights when debtor companies defaulted, acquiring quality collateral assets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes they directly intervened to push companies into default.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was that Salisbury Financial intervened at this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those vultures conducted high-interest refinancing loans at the point when collateral execution was imminent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They paid off the debts the debtor company owed and charged murderous interest rates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debtors didn't want to lose everything to the bank, so they grabbed onto Rex's coattails and had their blood sucked dry until death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Devon Trust could recover principal and interest, but lost the quality collateral assets that were the real target to Salisbury Financial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belheim had to watch Rex snatch away prey he'd worked hard on multiple times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You wouldn't know unless you'd experienced it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This really made his blood boil backwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if Y&P succeeded in counterattacking with the money and power Belheim lent them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex, who was acting as Keystone Company's lackey, would eat quite a bitter pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the scale of what was happening, Rex must have made a considerable investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This should produce quite a satisfying scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A decision was reached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A loan through the bank is still impossible... But I'll lend you my personal funds. I'll even help you find 'partners' to join this plan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belheim inwardly expected the two to show surprise or moved reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such a dramatic proposal, he deserved to expect that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was even ready to proudly explain his decisiveness and the reasons for his generosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two weren't surprised or shocked at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply maintained composure as if they'd known Belheim would react this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At their too-composed demeanor, Belheim concealed his embarrassment with a cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he misspoken?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or had they misunderstood?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a hypothesis flashed through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, well...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon Belheim realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope and Jurgen hadn't come to Devon Trust Bank—they'd come to Gideon Belheim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment they first visited, they'd considered the friction between Belheim and Rex and come to propose 'Shall we screw that bastard over together?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd been completely read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasn't the one in control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To think these two, from whom he hadn't expected much, would show such splendid cooperative play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why he couldn't quit this job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Penelope, you're scarier than you look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belheim, who had been serious, smiled cheerfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope also curled up the corners of her mouth into a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Baron. The factory construction is going smoothly too. Yep, good work... you fucking son of a bitch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he finished the call with Baron Keystone, Rex added a curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's brilliant at sniffing out money sources... Even making me pay for the factory construction. He's got me by the ankle good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not knowing whose credit it was that Berrymix performed this well, he kept demanding additional investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a ploy to bind their ankles together so Rex couldn't change his mind and stab him in the back later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex was ambitious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who in the Gray Council didn't have ambition, but at least in Rex's own opinion, no one had as much decisiveness as him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the 'month of concession' decided by the Council even ended, he'd sought out Baron Keystone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He conspired to devour the Nortaris beverage industry together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baron Keystone, already drooling, immediately accepted the proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gathered all the Berrymix inventory from Golden Hill, Riverport, and Blackville and threw it into Nortaris while accepting losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The volume in just the first week reached 2 million bottles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now in the third week, over 2.5 million bottles had been released into the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex blocked Cola through various methods while simultaneously clearing the way for Berrymix to quickly penetrate distribution gaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tide of the market share war tilted more toward Berrymix with each passing day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex and Baron Keystone prepared to drive the final nail in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The establishment of a local manufacturing plant in Nortaris, which they'd just discussed by phone, was exactly that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liquid is heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bottles containing it are fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason Berrymix currently incurred losses with each bottle sold was the insane distribution costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having secured the market, now was the time to ensure profitability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keystone was building the largest-scale beverage factory in the New Industrial District as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keystone had maxed out his borrowing to invest in factory establishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex also provided half the funding under the name of investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They paid above market rate to acquire the site due to rushing, but timing was everything in these matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was worth accepting the loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News came that Y&P Trading Company was hurriedly building Factory No. 2, but it was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The factory scale alone had a 5-times difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to make this more certain...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Rex wanted more assurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Cola was a popular product.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Berrymix's current market share stemmed from Cola's lack of supply capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They might catch up and overtake eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, there would be methods for that time too... but was there any need to wait?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex had violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outlaw group 'Black Fang Gang' embedded in the Demon Realm were his subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can't touch Penelope...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing the rumors about her wielding influence over the Gray Council were false, directly touching Penelope still felt uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She might be a weed, but she was a poisonous flower blooming in Rosemore's garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex didn't want to follow Blyton's example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The commoner...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jurgen, who held half the equity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his identity was quite suspicious, he was easier prey compared to Penelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he stuck too closely to Penelope, so opportunities wouldn't come easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There happened to be a very easy target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While also being deeply involved as a connection to this Cola business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty days had passed since Serena received a new commission from Penelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty days had also passed since Serena returned to the bed at her home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, I can't do it. I can't do it anymore...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss, let's go in and rest today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Serena took on the team leader position at Renoir Workshop, this was the first time she'd been this swamped with work... but this was excessive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too excessive even for excessive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she couldn't pass it to anyone else either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a shame to hand the achievement to another workshop, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The equipment involved in this new work contained Y&P Trading Company's core technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also a secret plan to counter Keystone Company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Both of our secret plans must proceed while maintaining maximum confidentiality, Lady Renoir.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially, when an unexpected person came and earnestly requested this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None other than the big shot who was the Devon Trust Bank branch manager personally descended to make the request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two had somehow pulled even one of Nortaris's key players into this war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How big is this getting... If I'm like this... I'm too scared...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That aside...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serena's conversation with the branch manager remained vivid in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Branch Manager Belheim inspected the equipment, when only he and Serena remained, he subtly asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Do you happen to know which family Mr. Jurgen belongs to?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Y-yes? I, I really don't know. Other than that he's capable...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I thought someone like Miss Serena might have an idea. Beaumont? Brunet? Pelford?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I, I truly don't know... I'm sorry I can't be of help...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking Jurgen was hiding his identity, Serena evaded the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to blabber unnecessarily when it might offend an industry senior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But looking back, it was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belheim naturally asked which 'family' Jurgen belonged to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he'd been introduced as a commoner earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serena's timidity radar soon grasped the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Branch Manager Belheim hadn't asked because he was truly curious about Jurgen's identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was testing whether Serena was someone who carelessly leaked information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belheim had certainly ended the conversation with a meaningful smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I was careless. The heavier the lips, the better, right?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Running it through the social circles translator:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Good job. Just keep doing this, okay?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's what it meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if she'd said 'I think so too' or named a specific family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serena couldn't help but tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping into the world of the 'real' was nerve-wracking yet exciting yet anticipating yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...too exhausting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm clocking out for now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've made a wise decision. We'll take care of everything else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right. Get plenty of rest, plenty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, her home was near the workshop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let's just sleep soundly for 8 hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sleep deprivation was the enemy of skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Serena walked with drooping shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Vroooom!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vehicle charged fiercely behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Uh-uh...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the car that had briefly stopped started moving again, only swirling dust remained.\u003C\u002Fp>",1988,"2026-05-29T14:34:06.789Z","2026-06-01T04:29:32.613Z",1,"novelbin.me","e26d453fd21c9e3233613e1ae49e00271c41082a44735fa20f5857eef746547b","i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-chapter-38","i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-chapter-36",146,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-cover.jpg"]