The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 212

News had spread that there had been some sort of quarrel among the young guests.

Nina was just about to arrive at the garden when she overheard it.

“…Marchioness Lambert, your son not only lectured the other children about ‘dignity’, but also mocked them for being far removed from their lines of succession. I’d like him to apologize for his behavior.”

“I agree. His remarks were far beyond rude.”

Marchioness Lambert fixed them with a cold, composed gaze.

“Greg, is what they’re saying true?”

“Yes.”

“I know you wouldn’t have said such things without reason. Tell me first, what exactly happened?”

At that, the other ladies could not hide their outrage.

“Really, Marchioness, this is too much. We ask that your son apologize for insulting our children, and your first instinct is to defend him?”

Though their families might not be quite as prominent as the Lamberts, these were still respected houses, and this involved several of their children at once.

There was no chance they would simply back down.

As the women’s voices sharpened, Marchioness Lambert drew her son behind her and said coolly,

“It seems there was some misunderstanding among the children. Perhaps we should move somewhere quieter so they can talk things over calmly.”

“A misunderstanding? There are so many children here who heard what he said! And what good would changing locations do?”

The air between them grew tense.

“He looked down on us because we’re not heirs.”

“That’s right! He called us useless and told us to get out of the way…”

As the children spoke up one by one, their wounded expressions drawing sympathy, the other parents watching began to exchange disapproving looks.

A hint of unease flickered across the Marchioness’s face.

The mood was quickly souring.

Just as the situation threatened to spiral further, Greg stepped forward.

“…It’s true. I said those things.”

The Marchioness looked at her son in astonishment.

“I was just… irritated. We came here hoping to get to know Ian too, but they wouldn’t even let anyone near him. They acted like no one else belonged.”

“Oh my…”

“There were a lot of us who hadn’t even had the chance to talk to him once, and it just got frustrating. I shouldn’t have said what I did… I’m sorry for being rude.”

Greg’s frank admission and apology left the other children’s faces flushed with embarrassment.

They knew, deep down, that their jealousy had made them behave badly, trying to keep Ian all to themselves.

After a moment’s hesitation, the children murmured apologies of their own.

“…Sorry for getting in your way.”

“Yeah… me too.”

When the children reconciled, the ladies who had been so sharp-tongued just moments before fell silent, awkwardness written all over their faces.

At that moment, Nina arrived.

“…It seems there’s been a bit of a commotion. As the hostess, I should have been more attentive. I sincerely apologize for any discomfort this has caused.”

She bowed gracefully to the guests, her tone calm and composed.

‘For a moment I thought something terrible had happened…’

The frantic way they had called for her had nearly stopped her heart.

She had feared the worst.

Ash had assured her everything would be handled, that there was nothing to worry about, but reason rarely quieted the heart.

Thankfully, it had been only a quarrel among children, nothing serious.

If she had reduced the guest list and held a smaller event, divided over two or three gatherings, perhaps this could have been avoided.

‘To think holding a grand party would end up causing problems instead.’

She had organized everything based on her experience from her past life. Perhaps incidents like this were inevitable.

Though the dispute had resolved itself naturally, there was no way the seasoned noblewomen present would fail to notice her lapse in oversight.

‘Now how am I going to make up for this mistake?’

She needed to think of something quickly.

If she didn’t, her guests would leave with uneasy impressions, and that would reflect directly on House Bayern’s reputation.

As she stood there pondering, a spark of inspiration flashed across her mind.

It was as though a light had been switched on in a dark room.

‘Yes… that’s it. That should work!’

A subtle, knowing smile spread across Nina’s lips.