The Genius and Calamity of the Villainous Noble: A Brilliant Prodigy Unaware of Their Reincarnation as the Game's Antagonist Defies the Scenario and Dominates with Talent and Hard Work - Chapter 4

“Ahhhhhhhhhh—”

Where did my peaceful life go?

“Damn it… This is way too much of a hassle.”

Ever since I started working to rebuild the trading company, my once-calm days have been replaced by nothing but chaos and relentless busyness.

“Ugh… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… This is all because of my incompetence…”

“…You’re being really loud, you know.”

I hugged a stack of documents detailing the nearly 100 employees I had to let go and glanced over at Livia, who was bawling her eyes out. My voice came out as a blunt grumble.

For the record, the number of remaining employees is about 30.

“Oh… They probably won’t even be able to find new jobs… It’s my fault… My incompetence has left them with nowhere to go. Some of them even had families…”

“If they’re so unskilled that they can’t find another job, why were you even hiring them in the first place?”

Her endless apologies to the people who had been fired three days ago were starting to get on my nerves.
Should I fire her, too?

Well, technically, I’m just an advisor. The official head of this trading company is still Livia, so unfortunately, I don’t have the authority to do that.

“Can you get up already? Tomorrow’s the day we receive the horses I bought with my allowance. Have you coordinated with the remaining employees? Is everything ready for their arrival? And are you seriously planning to meet with our business partners looking like that—with those swollen, tear-stained eyes?”

“Ugh… I’ll get moving. I’ll take care of it…”

“Take care of it? So you’re telling me it’s not done yet?! Hurry up and get it sorted! And don’t you dare meet anyone while looking like that! My reputation is already at rock bottom thanks to the massive layoffs, and you’re about to drag it straight into the negatives.”

“I understand…”

Her face still a mess, Livia wiped it off as best she could and trudged off, her steps unsteady.
Her eyes were still red.

Why is it that a five-year-old like me is lecturing and ordering around Livia, a half-elf who inherited the long lifespan of elves and is 51 years old?

I don’t get it. What has she even done with those 51 years of her life? Where did all that experience go?

“Ahhhh, why did things have to turn out like this?”

I muttered to myself as I gazed out the window, watching the clouds drift lazily by.