CHAPTER 347: WHY DON’T WE COLLABORATE ON THIS?

Spencer ruled out conspiracy theories concerning his sister’s death and called the alleged letter she wrote—ten months before her passing, in which she expressed fears of a planned accident—"just a bizarre coincidence rather than something tied to reality."

This was probably the one thing Richard remembered most—why Charles Spencer remained so vivid in his mind. In his eulogy, it was Charles himself who firmly dismissed the conspiracy theories surrounding his sister’s death.

"But why?" Richard couldn’t help but ask.

There was no well-known story about Charles Spencer being involved in investments or finance.

Charles replied calmly, "If you really want to know the reason, Richard, I can tell you in a more decent way. I simply hope that the family trust fund can continue developing its current industries—and expand into financial investments through other companies."

Unlike his usual smiling expression, Richard’s eyes sharpened for the first time since the meeting began as he looked into Charles’s.

In truth, by now, Richard had already figured it out.

Most British aristocrats preserve their wealth not through liquid assets—but through long-established family trust funds. These trusts are legal structures created to preserve wealth across generations, protect key assets like land and estates, reduce tax burdens, especially inheritance tax and control how and when money is distributed to heirs.

The aristocrats themselves—and their children—are usually only "beneficiaries." That means they receive income but don’t actually control the assets outright. So this is how they stay afloat—even when they look like they’re in trouble. Even if they’re cash-poor, the trust keeps the estate—and the illusion—alive.

As for the financial investments Charles hoped to pursue, Richard realized he would likely have to start from scratch.

Of course, aristocratic wealth is often illiquid—tied up in land, heritage, and titles. But they still need structured cash flow. Trust funds help convert estate rentals, farming profits, or art investments into usable income. In truth, many aristocratic families are already quietly engaged in modern investments, whether in private equity, real estate, or financial markets.

Viscount Althorp had entered the property sector as early as the 1980s, long before Charles ever laid eyes on Maddox Capital.

And when he finally did see it, what he found stunned him.

The company wasn’t even five years old, yet it had already climbed into the Top 100 Most Promising Companies in the World, and even ranked in the Top 10 in the UK.

How could he not feel a twinge of envy?

The keywords behind its rise were unmistakable: Internet and Technology.

At one point, Charles seriously considered abandoning all the traditional industries inherited from his father—sectors he believed were stagnant and lacked long-term potential. In their place, he envisioned pivoting entirely toward finance and the internet, fields that promised speed, innovation, and exponential growth.

But as he thought more deeply, a realization slowly settled in.

Managing a noble family isn’t just about maximizing profit. It’s about sustaining a legacy—one built not just on land or titles, but on the web of social, historical, and political relationships that have been cultivated over generations.

When a crisis strikes, it’s not always the wealthiest families that are protected—it’s the ones whose influence supports the system. Families whose businesses employ thousands, who are part of the nation’s economic fabric.

To the government, pure wealth means little. What matters is your ability to help maintain social stability.

Pure wealth alone isn’t what makes you valuable. In the eyes of the state, what truly matters is your economic footprint—how many jobs you support, how many lives you affect.

Sure, finance and tech can multiply wealth quickly—but it’s traditional industries that provide jobs.

And in a democracy like the UK, jobs mean votes. The more people rely on you for their livelihoods, the stronger your political leverage becomes.

And in the end, it always comes back to one fundamental truth: The mission of the nobility is to provide jobs.

"And not only that—through this, I could become associated with elite universities, powerful banks, even influential governments. And in the end... I might finally be able to fight back. To uncover the truth about my sis—"

Charles’s voice grew increasingly impassioned, his aspirations swelling with every word.

Richard, however, could no longer keep listening.

He gently rubbed his temples and let out a quiet sigh.

Now he understood.

So this—this was why Charles Spencer had been so drawn to companies like Maddox Capital.

And this was also why, in the end, he failed—or at least, why Richard knew from the future that Charles Spencer was never involved in any business like it.

Because even before he could knock on the door, the path was already blocked.

Doors guarded by unspoken rules, invisible hands, and people who would never allow him to succeed, no matter how hard he tried.

Richard grew tired just thinking about it. Now that Charles Spencer had already come to him—not once, but twice—he couldn’t help but wonder.

If Charles ever did succeed in the future, wouldn’t the same people who didn’t want to see him rise... come after him too?

Even if he didn’t know the full truth—he knew one thing for certain, he wasn’t willing to take that risk.

’Yes, it’s best if he took the route of author and historian,’ Richard thought to himself.

Richard looked at Charles intently, pausing before speaking in a calm voice.

"Si—no, Charles... you know, if there’s anything that truly unsettles them—it’s not a company. It’s not the numbers on a balance sheet. It’s legacy. Stories. Memory. The kind they can’t control."

Charles blinked, not fully grasping where Richard was going.

"What scares them most," Richard continued, "is when someone refuses to be forgotten. When a name lives on—in books, in voices, in the collective memory."He paused, then got to the point. "Pardon me for saying this—but I know what you’re trying to do."

Charles frowned slightly but remained silent.

"This isn’t surrender," Richard said. "It’s choosing a different weapon. Not the one you originally had in mind... but history and truth. You already have standing—by name, by blood. And now, you have something even more powerful: your voice.Write about her. Show the world who she really was. Not what they said she was."

He added more softly, "If you truly want to protect her... protect her story."

Charles fell into a long silence. His eyes shimmered just slightly. And Richard knew—perhaps for the first time—that Charles was truly considering it. Not as a consolation.

But as something far more lasting.

"And I’ll help you," Richard said gently.

That made Charles raise an eyebrow. "How?"

Richard paused, a thought forming. "Forgive me for asking this first—but have you spoken to Viscount Bute yet? About the three Victorian gas tanks?"

Charles Spencer looked momentarily confused. "No, not yet. But I’ve already sent him a letter."

While fax and email were becoming more common—especially in business or politics—the aristocracy, rooted in tradition, often preferred handwritten or typed letters for private or personal communication. It was (and still is) a matter of decorum and style.

"I heard you’re interested in your family’s estate and British aristocratic traditions," Richard continued. "What are your thoughts on historical architecture?"

"Historical architecture?" Charles echoed, uncertain.

"Yes," Richard nodded. "Neoclassical design, for instance. Preserving the timeless charm of past centuries—especially in places like central London."

Charles frowned thoughtfully. "While I’m more drawn to heritage preservation in general," he said slowly, "I’ve read many of your pieces on neoclassical architecture. They were genuinely inspiring. And I agree—preserving classical design isn’t just aesthetic. It’s necessary."

Hearing Charles’s words, Richard smiled and turned his gaze toward the pitch at Maine Road. With a sense of relief, he said, "And that’s why it matters—this is the real meaning behind what I do. I can only change society if more people agree with me. You know, King’s Cross is about to undergo a large-scale transformation. There are still many Victorian-era buildings there. I believe that incorporating neoclassical design into the redevelopment could serve as a model for this kind of transformation."

Charles nodded, though he still seemed only mildly interested.

"I’m aware of the expansion of St. Pancras International Station and the overall redevelopment plan for King’s Cross. Years ago, residents and NGOs were already pushing for the area’s renewal, but those plans were eventually shelved. But if what you’re saying is true, then yes—it’s important to preserve those Victorian architectural features."

However, Charles paused for a moment as he gathered his thoughts.

"Why did you suddenly bring up the gas tanks?"

"Why don’t we develop them together?"

Richard countered the question with another—one that left Charles momentarily speechless.

But Richard grinned. If he could bring two powerful people on board, wouldn’t his plan to accelerate the St. Pancras redevelopment go even smoother?

Wouldn’t his hotel attract a stronger flow of visitors—and money?

And more importantly... why not let them carry meaning?

Real meaning—not just bricks and old gas tanks. What if this site, this part of London, became more than just another urban development project? What if it became a living tribute to Princess Diana instead?

The legacy she left, combined with the magic of Harry Potter... If this place is destined to become unforgettable in the future, then with both of them, it would be more than just famous—It would be sacred.