The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 186
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Her steps stopped in front of the storage room of her fine china.
Inside the large cabinet that filled one side of the wall, countless tea sets were neatly arranged.
Among them, one in particular shimmered. It was the tea set she had recently received from Duke Bayern, and she looked at it with a complicated light in her blue eyes.
A son-in-law like a ghost, who hadn’t sent a single message or gift during two years of marriage to her daughter.
It was the first gift ever received from him.
True to the standards of House Bayern, it was the work of a renowned master, something that couldnât be bought even with money.
She had wanted it for a long time, but had held off purchasing it, as buying it would have exceeded the quarterâs budget.
According to Countess Crest, her son-in-law had driven out Duchess Nord as if to protect her daughter, but was that truly sincere?
He had claimed that the marital discord had all been caused by malicious interference.
Countess Crest and the other ladies had said they were enraged at Duchess Nord after hearing that.
But Cecilia knew the real story behind the marriage, and so she couldnât help but view Duke Bayernâs behavior with suspicion.
No matter how much Nina claimed to have repented, was what her daughter had done really something he could forgive?
No, even if forgiveness was possible, was it even possible for affection to blossom?
It seemed she would need to have a serious talk with her daughter soon.
* * *
Bayern ducal residence, the Dukeâs office.
Ash was receiving a progress report from Hozi.
The various corrupt practices committed by Duke Nord after being appointed project head for the Nord River Dam.
ââŚAt this point, itâll be difficult to fix. Iâm curious to see how Duke Nord plans to clean this up.â
Though the damâs construction had been designated as a national project the year before last, actual work had only begun last year.
By now, it should have been nearly completed, yet it had only barely passed the halfway mark.
Upon digging into it, a string of corruption was uncovered, like pulling up an endless chain of sweet potatoes.
He was incompetent but greedy, so it wasnât unexpected.
âWhen I look at it, Your Grace truly has a twisted side. How did you ever think to send that to Marquis Crewe?â
Hozi narrowed his eyes slightly, tilting his head.
Normally, if you were going to blackmail someone, youâd go straight to the one who committed the corruption.
But Ash had instead sent part of the evidence heâd gathered on Duke Nord to Marquis Crewe.
âBecause once he sees that, the Minister of Finance will lose his mind.â
If it were revealed that Duke Nord embezzled funds from a national project, then even Marquis Crewe, who had backed him, would be put in a difficult position.
Having recently been audited by His Majesty, and still on edge, receiving such material now would only fan the flames.
And who would be the first to catch the brunt of that anger?
Some unknown blackmailer?
Someone beyond immediate reach?
Or Duke Nord, the source of the disaster?
Naturally, the latter.
âThis incident has already caused a rift between Marquis Crewe and Duke Nord.â
Had they lived closer, they might have had more frequent dealings.
But they didnât see each other often, and despite any mutual dissatisfaction, there hadnât been real conflict⌠until now.
Now that a crack had formed between them, any conflict between Duke Nord and Marquis Crewe would inevitably lead to Duke and Duchess Nordâs marital strife as well.
âI didnât expect him to go storming in himself, but itâs worth seeing such a heated reaction.â
Since Duchess Nord seemed to want conflict between Ash and Nina, he had returned the favor. He hoped she was satisfied.
âAt any rate, thatâs the end of the report on House Nord. The next report isâŚâ
âHold on.â
He had intended to keep listening to Hoziâs report, but as he absentmindedly glanced out the window, Ashâs brow furrowed slightly and he stood from his seat.
âYour Grace?â
Ignoring Hoziâs puzzled voice, Ash walked toward the window.
The moment he saw the scene outside, the lines of his jaw and neck tensed sharply, and his shoulders grew rigid.
A flash of pink had passed through his vision. He had hoped it wasnât who he thought it was, but it was Nina.
Her hair was neatly pinned up, exposing her soft neckline, and she wore a formal dress suitable for greeting important guests.
His wife, dressed for a reception, was smiling brightly at someone.
AtâŚ
âŚâŚHenry Reginald?
Was there word of a visit today?
No, there hadnât been.
Then why did they look as if this had all been planned in advance?
âŚHis eyelids twitched, and his heart clenched with discomfort.
âYour Grace, shall I continue the report?â
âNo. Iâll hear it later.â
This wasnât the kind of report that couldnât wait.
Ash felt a strange anxiety dry out his mouth as he turned and walked away.
