The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 204

If her grandfather were ever to find out that the blackmail had all begun because of her…

The fury she had seen in his eyes that day in his office would surely turn on her.

‘…It must never be found out.’

If that violent rage were to be directed at her, how would the servants’ gazes change?

Even now, some of them, unable to grasp their place, still looked at her with misplaced pity.

Rebecca swallowed down the boiling anger that rose in her chest.

For now, she had to do as her grandfather ordered and resolve the issue of the Nord River.

It would be impossible to handle it completely, but at the very least she needed to make it look presentable enough to defend before His Majesty.

‘Once my husband returns, I’ll have to discuss this matter seriously.’

Or she could give instructions through his aide instead.

Rebecca steadied her breathing and was just about to head upstairs to her bedroom when—

“Madam, there’s a guest asking to see you. He’s waiting in the drawing room…”

“A guest?”

Rebecca’s eyes snapped open.

A visitor at this hour, without so much as an appointment?

A certain person crossed her mind.

“Who is it?”

“He didn’t give a name, but he showed me this instead.”

Rebecca glanced at the small calling card the trembling maid held out, clearly afraid of provoking her anger.

The corner of Rebecca’s mouth lifted sharply.

She already knew who awaited her in the drawing room.

It was the same card she herself had tucked into the deed for the villa.

“Benny, I’ll be having a private talk with our guest. Make sure no one approaches the drawing room.”

Her conversation with Count Azelot was not something anyone else could be allowed to overhear.

After giving her personal maid, Benny, orders to stand guard, Rebecca stepped into the drawing room.

As expected.

A man sat on the sofa, hat pulled low over his face.

He had made an attempt at a disguise, though it was hardly necessary. None of the Nord servants would have recognized Count Azelot’s face anyway.

Sitting across from him, Rebecca spoke first.

“Have you made up your mind?”

“Yes, Madam. If you guarantee me the amount you promised, I’ll file that damned lawsuit again.”

“That damned lawsuit, hmm…”

Rebecca’s lips curved into a proper smile for the first time in a while.

Count Azelot had long been at odds with Duke Bayern over guardianship rights.

Even if she were to use him like a pawn on a chessboard, no suspicion would fall on her.

“I’m sure you’ve heard that House Bayern is holding a party soon for their young master?”

“Yes, that’s right. Could it be… you want something done then?”

“I intend to recruit some of the craftsmen who frequently work with House Bayern.”

Whether for interior renovations or repairs to the manor itself, craftsmen were legitimate outsiders who could freely enter a noble residence.

“Madam, surely you don’t mean…”

“I can guess what you’re imagining right now, but it’s probably not that.”

If she were to disrupt the party, she’d only bring suspicion upon herself. She wasn’t so foolish as to do that.

If she did, Duke Bayern would immediately send the incriminating documents about the Nord River project straight to His Majesty.

“I told you to file the lawsuit. The guardianship case.”

Before meeting Count Azelot, Rebecca had done her own research on guardianship trials and what procedures were involved in designating a guardian in court.

“When the case begins, what do you think the investigators will try to uncover first?”

“Well now…”

At last, understanding dawned on Count Azelot’s face, and a sly, serpentine smile crept across his lips.

* * *

Late that night, a carriage rolled through the gates of the Bayern ducal residence.

Ash stepped down from it.

Angel.

There were, fortunately, no signs of infiltration yet within the Bayern domain, but since they had appeared in the neighboring County of Braumhill, he could hardly rest easy.

He was returning from a meeting with the vassal houses under House Bayern and nearby nobles.

The security forces and covert agents inspecting the territory were working tirelessly day and night—if anything suspicious arose, they would know at once.

Running a weary hand down his face, Ash entered the foyer.

“You’ve returned, sir.”

Melanie, who had just finished turning out the lights in the servants’ quarters and was patrolling the house, approached him.

“Where is my wife?”

“I saw Marsha taking the night tea up to her bedchamber just now. Shall I inform her of your return?”

“Inform her, hmm…”

Night tea.

The tea one drank before bed for a restful sleep.

So she wasn’t asleep yet.

Ash hesitated for a moment before opening his lips to speak.