Thanks for the chapter!
Some things should not be said especially based on something at the start of a relationship. Next chapter he's going to cough up blood and collapse heavily wounded by her words while she's jailed for trying to kill him. Also the poor trader's associates will be steeped in tea for delivering bad quality goods that were improperly picked and stored along with their callous remarks.
Seriously though, Duke should let MC know doesn't want to keep contract anymore and reveal his true feelings. Besides, at this point I'd say they both have fallen in love with the other just haven't realized it yet. Would be a hoot if those guys were talking about MC being too obsessed with tea and being caught by the woman from On the MC hired to help with the organization and paperwork along with being a close tea buddy.