The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 101

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His mouth felt dry, the lingering bitterness of chocolate coating his tongue.

“No, since you’ll be returning home first and I’ll be staying a few more days, I plan to take my time looking into it.”

Recalling how she had presumptuously assumed his intentions and made decisions on his behalf, irritation flared within Ash like a sharp needle pricking at his skin.

‘Why does she assume I’d naturally go back separately?’

If she wasn’t feeling well, shouldn’t the logical step be waiting and traveling together?

And yet, the ridiculousness of having his anger so easily defused by a mere piece of chocolate was infuriating.

“…Sweet things are supposed to improve your mood, so eat this and cheer up, alright?”

Of course, it wasn’t the chocolate itself—it was the soft, coaxing voice and the unfamiliar smile that had accompanied it.

However, seeing Nina chatting so amicably with Allen, as if they had been close for ages, made his earlier frustration surge back with renewed intensity.

…Why was he getting so irritated by this?

“Madam, I heard that you’ve done an exceptional deed this time.”

“An exceptional deed? That’s too generous of you.”

Upon arriving at the banquet hall, Ash inwardly scoffed at Count Morpheus, who was shamelessly trying to win Nina’s favor with empty flattery.

As if that weren’t enough, that man’s gaze openly roamed over his wife’s face and neckline with a quiet admiration—the perfect embodiment of filth.

“I heard you even covered litigation expenses. Making such a decision couldn’t have been easy. I truly respect you for it.”

“Fufu, you’re flattering me so much that I can’t even lift my head.”

Nina lowered her gaze shyly, her smile soft and composed.

Ash wondered if she’d still be smiling if she knew Count Morpheus had once tried to introduce him to a well-known courtesan last year.

The entire conversation felt like a scripted performance, and listening to it amused him.

“Flattery? Not at all. I’m simply stating the truth. Your Grace, you know I never speak empty words.”

Tiring of the pointless exchange, Ash let out a scoffing chuckle and spoke.

“Was it also not empty words when you offered to introduce me to a courtesan?”

At that, Nina’s smile slowly faded, while Count Morpheus’s expression turned into one of sheer horror.

“T-That was… I was merely jesting back then, Your Grace…”

“You just claimed you never say empty words. So that was a joke too, then?”

“I-I shall take my leave now.”

As Ash sneered at the kind of excuse even a dog wouldn’t believe, Count Morpheus, realizing his social downfall was imminent, retreated in despair.

“…Maybe I should have given you another piece of chocolate. Doesn’t seem like the first one was effective.”

Hearing Nina murmur as if disappointed that their conversation had been cut short, Ash smirked.

“As long as I don’t frown, isn’t that enough? What more do you want?”

Had he acted on his true feelings, Count Morpheus would have left the capital with no intention of ever returning.

“Well, considering the whole world knows how much you dislike me, it does seem a little late to worry about it now. But still, when a friend is upset, it’s only natural to care.”

“A person without friends is concerned about things like that? That’s surprising.”

Ever since Nina had destroyed her own social standing, there hadn’t been anyone she could truly call a friend.

Those who had once clung to her due to the connections of House Taylor and House Bayern had gradually drifted away.

The reason was obvious.

House Taylor had abandoned her, and even he had made no effort to conceal their marital discord.

With Duchess Nord as a far more appealing alternative, it was only natural for high society to cast Nina aside.

“…Why would you say I have no friends? You said you’d be my friend.”

Feigning sadness, Nina pouted at his sarcasm, leaving Ash momentarily at a loss for words.

Her expression was so free of any malice that he found himself uncertain of how to respond.

After a brief silence, he finally said,

“…There’s no need to waste your breath or concern yourself with insignificant people.”

Like someone who had suddenly risen in status, there was no reason to care about the opinions of nobodies.

She wasn’t oblivious to what kind of person Count Morpheus was, so why did she look so drained?

“…I guess I’m just tired of being insulted. No matter how much I act like it doesn’t bother me, even I have my limits.”

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