I Became the Master of the Villain

"There is a worker who says he has an urgent matter to report to the Lady."
The telegram from the factory manager was brief.

But the moment I read that line, my heart started to race.
Hadn’t I asked the factory staff to tell me if they knew anything related to this incident?
‘I might be able to get an important clue.’

I immediately got into the carriage to meet the employee.
***
I returned to the chocolate factory.

I headed straight for the manager’s office.
"You’ve arrived, My Lady!"
The factory manager stood up in a fluster. Beside him stood a small-framed man.

I could tell at a glance that this was the person I needed to meet.
Perhaps nervous, he stammered as he spoke.
"H-Hello, My Lady. I’m Hendrick, a worker involved in the chocolate production process at Ashford Chocolates."

"It’s nice to meet you. I’m sure you already know who I am, so I’ll skip the introductions. Please, have a seat."
"Y-Yes, ma’am."
Once I sat down across from him, refreshments were served at the table.

Hendrick looked uncomfortable for some reason. Trying not to appear like I was pressuring him, I said,
"Mr. Hendrick, I heard you have something to tell me."
"Yes. But... can I really just tell you exactly what I saw?"

"Of course. Don’t feel pressured, just speak freely."
His eyes darted anxiously around. To help him relax, I offered him some tea.
"Thank you."
He took a small sip.

"What I saw that night still leaves me unsettled... I apologize."
"It’s all right. You don’t have to force yourself. Just begin when you feel ready."
"Thank you for your understanding."

He drank another sip of tea. The subtle scent of rose seemed to help calm his nerves.
Hendrick cautiously began to speak.
"June 10th... That is, the night of the company’s founding anniversary. I happened to be passing near the chocolate factory."

The chocolate factory was located in a secluded area with little foot traffic. It was strange that he’d be there so late at night.
But I waited patiently, not wanting to sound accusatory.
That turned out to be the right decision.

Hendrick brought it up himself.
"I couldn’t sleep that night, so I went for a walk. I was deep in thought, and before I knew it, I’d arrived in front of the factory. It must’ve been habit. After all, I’ve walked that route daily for three years."
"I see."

"I... I understand it might be hard to believe. Normal people wouldn’t wander through such a remote place alone at that hour."
"I don’t blindly suspect people, Mr. Hendrick. So don’t worry about that. Just tell me what you saw that night."
Even so, Hendrick didn’t look entirely reassured.

And soon, I found out why.
He spoke with a tormented expression.
"That night, in front of the factory... I saw Jackson and Logan. Or at least, I think I did."

"Jackson and Logan...?"
"They’re both factory workers. They live nearby."
"I see. Please, go on."

"I didn’t expect to see anyone there at that time. And... when they noticed someone approaching, they both quickly ran off."
"That does sound suspicious."
Hendrick neither affirmed nor denied my words. He hesitated, then said,

"To be honest... it was dark, so I can’t say with absolute certainty that it was them. And... I don’t want to accuse my coworkers without clear proof."
Only then did I understand why Hendrick had seemed uncomfortable the entire time.
He must have hated the thought of doubting and reporting his fellow workers.

When he finished speaking, Hendrick stood from his seat.
"I’m sorry I wasn’t more helpful."
"No, this was very helpful. Thank you for telling me."

After Hendrick left the office, I called the factory manager over and asked,
"What kind of person is Mr. Hendrick?"
"Hmm, he’s a diligent worker who’s been quietly doing his job for the past three years. The other workers say he’s the kind of man who puts effort even into tasks that go unnoticed."

He didn’t seem like the type to give false testimony. And he had nothing to gain by lying.
Assuming what Hendrick said was the truth, I had learned a few valuable things.
I rose from my seat and said to the factory manager,

"Gather all the workers immediately."
"A-All right."
Leaving the factory manager scrambling to comply, I too began to move.

It was time to catch the culprit.
***
The factory’s backyard—normally used as a training ground for the staff—quickly filled with people.

Most of them wore confused expressions, not knowing what was going on.
"What’s this all about?"
One of the employees asked.

Jackson shrugged as if he was just as clueless.
"How should I know?"
But despite his words, his nerves were stretched taut.

Just then, the factory manager waddled onto the scene.
He stepped up to the platform and cleared his throat.
"Everyone, please give me your attention. And remain quiet for a moment."

As all eyes turned toward him, he stepped aside, and Olivia Ashford took center stage on the platform.
She looked over the crowd before speaking.
"The reason I’ve gathered you here today is to reveal the truth behind the incident involving the insect found in our Ashford Chocolates."

The truth? Did the Lady really find out everything that happened that night?
As Jackson tried to regain his composure, Olivia spoke again.
"The incident of insects being found in our chocolates... was intentional sabotage."

"...!"
The staff erupted in murmurs. But that wasn’t the end of her statement.
"Regrettably, the culprits are among our own factory workers."

For a moment, it felt like her eyes met his.
Jackson’s heart plummeted.
The murmurs spread like waves throughout the crowd.

"Unbelievable! How could that be...?"
"Who would do something so disgraceful...?"
As the commotion grew too loud to hear anything, the factory manager intervened.

"Quiet, quiet! Please calm down!"
Once the crowd quieted, Olivia continued.
"As you all know, this incident has caused our company tremendous losses. Therefore, I intend to demand substantial compensation from the perpetrator."

A declaration that the culprit would be held financially accountable made Jackson break into a cold sweat.
"Based on conclusive evidence, I will be pursuing legal action."
Conclusive evidence? When did she find that?

Jackson bit his lip in anxiety.
‘Did I make a mistake that night?’
He wasn’t a professional at this kind of thing. He was just an ordinary man greedy for money.

He may have left a trace while rushing things.
After Olivia Ashford departed, Jackson spent the rest of the day in torment.
That evening, he visited a dingy tavern. Someone was waiting for him there.

"Hey, Jackson! Over here."
It was Logan. Jackson approached him cautiously, checking his surroundings.
The bar, on the verge of shutting down, had no other customers.

They sat at a table in the back. Logan spoke first.
"So what are you going to do?"
Jackson anxiously bounced his leg.

"What else? I’m running. Didn’t you hear? She said she has evidence."
"You really believe that?"
"What, are you saying the Lady was lying?"

"Maybe. If she had real evidence and knew the culprit, wouldn’t she have arrested us already?"
It was a reasonable suspicion. But Jackson still couldn’t feel at ease.
"Maybe, but... Hendrick saw us that night!"

"It was dark. He probably didn’t get a clear look."
"But he’s already confessed! He told the factory manager he needed to speak to Olivia Ashford. What else would he be talking about?"
Logan frowned at that. He swore under his breath.

"Shit. So that bastard Hendrick already ratted us out?"
"Anyway, I can’t sit around like this. It’s making me crazy."
"Don’t do anything rash! If you move too soon, you might get caught."

"Better that than sitting here waiting to be caught."
He was planning to leave the Empire sooner or later anyway.
And if Olivia Ashford was telling the truth...

Preparing for the worst-case scenario made Jackson feel increasingly desperate.
Brushing off Logan’s warnings, he returned home.
He started stuffing everything he could get his hands on into a trunk.

Soon, his room looked like it had been ransacked by a thief.
He retrieved a bag hidden deep in his wardrobe.
When he opened it, it was filled with stacks ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) of cash.

"With this money... heh heh!"
He clutched the bag like it was his lifeline.
‘I’m leaving the Empire.’

He’d take a carriage to the port and catch the fastest ship available.
Once he crossed the border into a foreign land, tracking him would be much harder.
‘I’ll buy a fake identity and live the rest of my life in luxury.’

The pay at the chocolate factory wasn’t bad. But how long would it take to save that kind of money?
Life is about that one big moment—you have to seize the opportunity when it comes.
Legal or not.

The sky had grown dim. A perfect time to move without drawing attention.
After finishing all his preparations, Jackson left his house.
But the moment he opened the door, a flood of light burst in.

"Ugh...!"
Jackson squinted against the sudden brightness.
He blinked in disbelief at the sight before him.

Armed knights were lined up outside his house.
‘W-What?! What the hell is this?!’
Standing at the front, as if commanding them, was Olivia Ashford.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry this late at night?"
She grinned as she spoke, like a cat that had finally caught the rat in its trap.