Chapter 16: Just in Case

"The Queen's request for additional funding from Parliament is a clear indication that her income sources are struggling..."

"Having signed an agreement with the government to pay salary tax, coupled with the rising expenditures of the royal family, Her Majesty now faces an increasingly awkward financial crisis..."

"Over the past decade, the Queen's personal expenses have surged by £15 million annually, placing a significant strain on royal finances. Since 1993, the royal family's income has declined sharply, and government subsidies have also been reduced..."

"Last year, Sandringham Palace suffered severe losses due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, resulting in a deficit for the first time in years. Meanwhile, the Queen's stock holdings depreciated by over £12 million amid the global economic downturn, exacerbating the financial difficulties..."

Barron folded the newspaper in his hands, deep in thought.

While England was in the midst of celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee, The Independent had published a detailed exposé, complete with precise figures, outlining the royal family's financial struggles. The report highlighted how the combination of economic decline and increased expenditures had placed the monarchy in a precarious position.

Predictably, the royal spokesperson swiftly dismissed the claims, labeling them as sensationalist and exaggerated.

However, in Barron's view, while the situation might not be as dire as the article suggested, there was likely some truth to it. The economic downturn had undoubtedly affected the royal family's wealth to some extent. Perhaps this also explained why they had not openly supported his family's situation—after all, even "landlords could run out of grain."

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By June 5th, Barron's betting strategy had transformed his initial £100,000 into an astonishing £5 million!

As expected, this year's Asahi World Cup was rife with unexpected results—arguably the tournament with the most upsets in history.

That volatility was exactly what Barron had counted on.

Take Argentina, for example—a favorite that shockingly failed to make it past the group stage.

Then there was Portugal. Their misfortune began with an unexpected loss to the United States, but their real downfall? A match against South Korea. Barron chuckled—those who knew, knew.

Beyond these surprises, the Chinese national team had also made a historic World Cup appearance. Their group included the eventual champions, Brazil, the third-place finishers, Turkey, and a strong Costa Rica team. Barron, remembering the exact match scores, had leveraged that knowledge to place precise bets, yielding even higher returns.

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Of course, as his funds swelled to £5 million, he knew he had to tread carefully.

Continuing to bet such large sums in one place would undoubtedly draw attention.

To stay discreet, Barron diversified his strategy. While he maintained some bets at various bookmakers across London, he also moved a portion of his operations to France.

Thanks to the Eurostar high-speed train, crossing the Channel took little time, making it easy for him to place bets in both countries without raising suspicion.

Additionally, he was now adjusting his approach—betting less frequently but choosing higher-odds matches for greater returns.

But betting wasn't his only priority.

In the coming days, Barron planned to withdraw £2 million from his current winnings to settle the inheritance tax and officially complete the process of assuming the Duke of Devonshire title.

This step was crucial.

Not only would it grant him control over his family's trust fund and greater access to resources, but it would also secure his position before any unforeseen complications arose.

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Over the past few weeks, Barron had pieced together a clearer picture of his family's predicament. The initial rumors about the Duke of Devonshire's financial crisis had originated in a gossip tabloid.

At first, he suspected it was just another fabricated story, but the way these claims had later been picked up by more reputable publications suggested something deeper.

Someone was deliberately fanning the flames.

Viscount Bute had already shown interest in certain family assets—particularly the land near King's Cross Station, where the gas tank was located. But this level of media influence? That pointed to a more powerful entity.

Barron had a strong suspicion: the British government itself.

Specifically, the Prime Minister.

At the time, Bruce—Labour Party leader and recently re-elected—was at the height of his influence. His administration had consistently pushed to weaken the aristocracy.

In 1999, Bruce had spearheaded reforms in the House of Lords, stripping hereditary peers of their legislative rights, leaving only 92 members. While the House of Lords had long been politically weak, this move had diminished its relevance even further.

If the government was indeed involved in amplifying the reports of his family's financial troubles, their goal was clear: create resistance to any efforts to resolve the debts, accelerating the decline of the ducal house.

Though Barron couldn't be certain of these suspicions, one thing was obvious—he wouldn't receive any support from the government.

That was precisely why he needed to act quickly.

Delaying the inheritance process could lead to unexpected obstacles, and he wasn't about to take that risk.

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"Master Barron, this arrived for you today."

Ramos, his trusted butler, handed over an elegantly designed envelope.

Barron opened it and scanned the contents.

A banquet invitation.

From Viscount Bute.

So, the man had finally made his move.

Over the past few weeks, media attention had largely shifted away from the Duke of Devonshire's financial troubles, drowned out by the Golden Jubilee celebrations and royal news coverage.

Now, with the scandal fading from the headlines, Viscount Bute had chosen this moment to reach out.

The venue? His London residence.

The purpose? Undoubtedly, another attempt to acquire the King's Cross land.

Barron smirked, tossing the invitation onto his desk.

This time, he was curious—what would the Viscount offer?

He supposed he'd find out soon enough.