The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 184
“Th-this is…”
Two years ago, Frederick had gained much through his marriage to Rebecca.
The Nord River, which flowed near the Nord Duchy’s territory.
Though named the Nord River, it technically belonged to the imperial family, not to Frederick.
Back then, the dam construction had been selected as a national project, and Marquis Crewe had strongly insisted that it be built near the Nord Duchy.
It should have originally been constructed further upstream or downstream, but he had pushed for that location solely so that the Nord Duchy would benefit.
Thanks to that, Frederick was appointed the overseer of the dam construction project.
But in reality, he had been embezzling construction materials supplied by the imperial family, siphoning off wages, and engaging in all sorts of misdeeds.
What would happen if word of this were to reach His Majesty the Emperor?
“G-Grandfather-in-law, this is a misunderstanding. This has all been fabricated…!”
“I just came from the site and confirmed everything with my own eyes. I warned you again and again to at least handle imperial projects properly…”
“Still, no matter what, I hold a high title. Aren’t you being too disrespectful in how you speak to me?”
“A high title?”
Marquis Crewe scoffed.
When an incompetent captain holds the rudder, the ship is bound to either veer off course or run aground.
“You miserable fool. Who do you think helped you save face whenever you were pushed around by Duke Bayern? And now you’re talking about titles in front of me?”
He may be a Marquis in title, but as the Minister of Finance, that was not a position someone like Frederick could afford to treat lightly.
With a flushed face, Marquis Crewe glared at the trembling Duke Nord and said,
“Someone sent those documents to me. It seems there’s someone out there who knows about this and is trying to blackmail me. If you don’t take responsibility and clean this up…”
He paused, eyes cold with a look that promised he would not let this go easily.
“Take care of it before it reaches the imperial family.”
After glaring at Frederick as if he were ready to tear him apart, Marquis Crewe turned and left.
* * *
Frederick, standing blankly in the wrecked office, began kicking at the desk once the Marquis had left.
Thud. Thud.
“Dear… is what Grandfather said true? Of all things… a national project! If this reaches the imperial family, His Majesty will…!”
“Shut up…!”
Rebecca flinched at the blazing redness in his eyes.
“Your grandfather’s the one who’s ruined this house, and all you have to say is that?”
“You… You’re speaking to me like that…?”
Seeing Rebecca shocked at his harsh words, Frederick ground his teeth.
Unable to contain his anger, he turned and stormed out of the study.
Left alone, Rebecca stood dazed in the ruined room, deep in thought.
Her husband had just spoken to her with vile language.
They say once a person starts using foul words, there’s no end to it.
…No. That can’t be.
Her husband couldn’t treat her like this. Not truly.
With her grandfather and the Wessler Duchy backing her, how could someone as incompetent as her husband dare treat her that way?
This must have been a mere moment of uncontrollable anger.
“Someone sent documents to Grandfather…”
Rebecca bit her lip.
It must have been Duke Bayern’s doing.
A dark sense of foreboding crept in… that this was only the beginning.
Rebecca collapsed weakly onto the floor.
* * *
A guest who visits with an acquaintance, without informing the host in advance, is an unwelcome one.
Such incidents might happen occasionally in rural areas, far from the ‘high society’ that could be called their own league.
But in the heart of high society, such a thing was unthinkable.
Duchess Rebecca Nord’s unannounced visit to Count Crest’s estate had, of course, horrified the Countess and the invited guests.
Here, at the Taylor Duchy’s greenhouse—
Holding her palm against her chest, Countess Crest spoke to Duchess Cecilia Taylor.
“…No matter how much I think about it, I feel too indignant and ashamed to face you. I haven’t been able to sleep.”
Even just recalling the event from a few days ago made her heart race wildly.
Rebecca’s visit had been a blatant dismissal of Count Crest.
Granted, House Nord was in a different league, but the Crest family had its own long-standing history.
For such a thing to happen unless the family was being looked down on… it was unimaginable.
What upset her even more was that she had lost face in front of Duchess Taylor, who had kindly introduced her daughter.
As Countess Crest tried to steady her breathing, unable to suppress her anger, Cecilia responded calmly.
“It’s fine. A madwoman doing something mad… How could that possibly be your fault?”
Duchess Nord’s maternal grandfather held enough power to plunge the Crest household into mourning with a single command, however…
“I can’t just let this go quietly. Is there anything I can do for Your Grace’s daughter?”
“Do something, you say…”
