The Wicked Wife’s Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 115

***

Ash’s outrageous behavior didn’t end with just one incident.

Not long after Madame Maribel’s boutique had visited, five more boutiques had already come and gone.

Just like with Madame Maribel, Ash purchased every single item brought from the boutique’s inventory, along with everything listed in the catalogues.

The exact total was unknown, but estimating the money he had spent so far… he could’ve bought several buildings and still had money left over.

“What kind of insane spending spree is this…”

Because of her husband’s actions, a rumor had spread among the servants that he had completely fallen(?) for her.

And that wasn’t all.

Word was going around that if a nearby boutique was summoned to the Bayern manor, that year’s business was practically over for them.

It was something Marsha had personally heard while going around to sell Nina’s old dresses.

“Madam, could it be that His Grace has fallen for you…?”

Even Marsha was saying this now.

“There’s no way.”

To Marsha’s cautious question, Nina shook her head firmly.

It had already been two years since they were married. What reason would there be for something like that now?

“I mean to say that I feel responsible for the rumors about you. So when you’re given an opportunity—seize it.”

Even if, as he said, he truly felt responsible. It was still strange.

‘Why is he the one feeling responsible…?’

Her misfortune had all stemmed from herself.

‘I don’t know. This is all too confusing…’

It probably wasn’t his intention to burden her with debt through his gifts.

But with only a few months left before the divorce, everything she received from him felt like another debt she’d have to repay.

She was already in a position where she’d have to pay alimony, so what on earth was he thinking?

After finishing the morning assembly, Nina asked Head Maid Melanie, who had brought her mail.

“Melanie, I have something to ask. Would you consider offering His Grace a word of counsel on my behalf?”

“Counsel, Madam?”

As Melanie tilted her head with a puzzled expression, Nina gestured toward the dressing room.

“His Grace… keeps spending money on my wardrobe. He clearly doesn’t listen to a word I say, so I thought perhaps you could speak to him instead.”

Every time someone from a boutique came, Nina had repeatedly begged Ash to stop, but he wouldn’t budge.

She felt like the debt was piling up endlessly, and since she couldn’t possibly wear all of it, it felt like throwing money into the dirt.

If anyone could speak frankly out of sincere loyalty, it would be frugal Melanie, so Nina kept her hopes up.

“Since you’ve received the gifts, why not make the money worth it by actively engaging in public activities?”

Instead, Melanie offered a silver tray stacked high with invitation cards.

Nina’s head throbbed.

No… you’re supposed to stop him from spending!

How did this become a push to dive deeper into society so the money wouldn’t go to waste?

“Don’t you care about the money?”

“Madam, your dignity and honor are more important than money. If your lost reputation can be bought back with money, then it’s worth it. I, too, support His Grace’s spending this time.”

“……”

Stunned by what felt like betrayal from the one she believed in most, Nina went momentarily blank.

“So why not dress up in your new attire and attend the Dunklin family’s charity ball?”

As Melanie filtered through the invitations, selecting the appropriate ones, she raised an eyebrow at Nina’s dazed expression.

“…Huh? Uh, where?”

As Nina came to her senses and asked, Melanie narrowed her eyes and replied in a firm tone,

“I said you absolutely must attend the charity ball hosted by the Dunklin Marquisate.”

Among the many invitations spread out on the silver tray, one had been placed at the forefront.

The one Melanie had carefully chosen—the invitation to the Dunklin family’s charity ball.

‘The Dunklin Marquisate…’

Nina’s watery blue eyes deepened.