Chapter 189 - Chapter 189: Payment Delay
Arthur silenced Isabella and Lilia, then asked Natalia a question.
"So, when is the payment deadline? Even if we investigate, I want to know how much leeway we have. And the required amount as well."
When Arthur asked, Natalia's face brightened.
Because Arthur's question was not like abandoning her own family.
"Payment is on the 10th. We close at the end of the month and pay on the 10th of the following month. The next one is employee salaries on the 15th."
She answered.
This payment deadline for Granville Construction is common in the Kingdom of Cascade. It takes time to collect paper slips from each site to the company, and it takes time for invoices to arrive after being sent. And everything is calculated by hand.
Also, the payment is set for the 10th because Cavendish Construction's payment is on the 5th, so they pay after receiving that deposit.
"Today is exactly the end of the month, but won't there be a deposit from Cavendish Construction on the 5th?"
Now Michael asked.
Then, Natalia shook her head.
"There was no deposit this month. When Father inquired, it was said that there were deficiencies in the homeowner's confirmation for the site we undertook, and the payment from the homeowner has not been made. We managed to get by this month with our own funds, but if there is no deposit next month..."
"Upon hearing that, it seems there was some sort of defect, didn't they request additional construction or rework?"
"There is none. No matter how many times we ask, it's just confirmation. So, when we checked with other contractors, it seems Cavendish Construction sometimes delays payments, and Father said there were construction firms that had similar experiences."
Hearing that story, Lilia stood up from her chair.
"If they are such bad guys, just crush them."
"How coincidental. I was thinking the same thing."
Isabella agreed with Lilia.
The appearance of allies, two of them in fact, made Natalia even happier.
Isabella-sama, the daughter of His Excellency the Dragon Head Medal, and Lilia-sama, the daughter of Margrave Remington, are becoming our allies.
In her heart, she was grateful with the intensity of bowing down to them.
With this, Arthur and Michael also had no objection, and they quickly agreed to start the investigation.
Arthur conveyed the future policy to the members.
"Then, let's start the investigation immediately. First, team division. Isabella and Michael will go with Mr. Granville to confirm the management status of his family's construction firm. Liz and I will investigate Cavendish Construction."
There, Lilia raised her hand.
"What about me? I am a member too."
"That's right. Then, I'll investigate together with you."
"That's fine. Let me see your skills."
"It's not just me, it's everyone investigating. Lilia-san will also participate in the investigation."
There was a difference in understanding between the two: Lilia wanted to judge if he was suitable as a fiancé, while Arthur was trying to treat Lilia equally as a member of the Economic Revolution Club.
Elizabeth, who was watching this, had wanted to go to Isabella and Michael's team, but if that happened, she thought there would be no member left to act as an arbitrator between the two, so she gave up.
"The deadline is the 5th. Confirm whether the deposit comes on that day, and by the 10th, let's consider countermeasures."
"Understood. Well then, Mr. Granville... no, should I call you Natalia? Shall we go to your family's home immediately?"
When Isabella took Natalia's hand, Natalia hurriedly replied,
"To be called by your name by Archibolt-sama. Please call me Natalia."
She answered with excitement.
"That's right. Then I will call you by your name, but please call me Isabella too. This is Michael."
"Such a thing, calling me by my name is too shameful—"
"What are you saying? In this school, status doesn't matter. We are classmates, so using names is fine. By the way, that one over there is Arthur, and next to him is Elizabeth. And that one is..."
"Lilia!"
Since Isabella had forgotten Lilia's name, Lilia introduced herself in a strong tone.
"That's right, Lilia. Remember it properly."
"You are the one!"
Despite such exchanges, they decided to split into two groups to investigate.