The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 230
As the intruder raised his fist high, the repairman cried out in desperation.
“S-So I extended the construction schedule on purpose, and I arranged to visit one more time…! H-House Bayern isn’t an easy place. If you want success, you need to give me more time!”
The intruder muttered a curse under his breath as if annoyed.
He was a knight belonging to House Azelot.
During this assignment, it had been nice not having to endure exhausting daily training and instead relaxing in the entertainment district.
But even playing around gets old after a day or two.
His job was simply to watch over the hostages and keep an eye on the repairman, but if the repairman failed to do his part, the responsibility would fall on him in the end.
The longer it dragged on, the more his evaluation would drop, and his promotion prospects might close.
Since one’s evaluation directly affected promotions and pay, he could not help being angry.
“So when is your next scheduled visit?”
“I-I arranged it for about three days from now.”
The intruder clicked his tongue.
Three days, sure. But returning to the Count’s territory would take five or six days.
“Fine. I’ll come again that night.”
As he turned irritably to leave, the repairman hurried after him.
“P-Please wait a moment!”
“What now?”
“M-My family… they’re alive, aren’t they?”
“Ah, of course they are. As long as you do your job well, I’ll return them safely.”
“I-I understand.”
Whistling, the intruder walked out of the shop and muttered ominously.
“…Of course, you’ll meet them again after you’re dead.”
He swaggered off, mind full of thoughts of food and pleasure in the entertainment district.
And behind him, one by one, the shadows that had been hiding around the building began to follow.
Later that night.
The repairman’s family was safely rescued.
* * *
The knights and informants of House Bayern were elite among elites.
The house had a long history, and over time they had developed proven, efficient, and systematic training methods.
For that reason, tracking down the lowlifes of House Azelot was nothing.
After returning from Viscount Beverley’s manor, Ash was in his office receiving Hozi’s report.
It was the outcome of a joint operation carried out the previous night by informants and knights.
“…The hostages were being kept in a back alley?”
“Yes. Three knights of House Azelot were taking turns guarding them. We’ve locked the kidnappers in the underground prison, and the hostages have been sent home for now.”
“…And their condition?”
“Their confinement period wasn’t very long, so there’s no severe physical damage, but…”
Hozi narrowed his eyes slightly as his lips went taut.
He was smiling, but his blue eyes were as cold as pale moonlight.
It was rare to see the lighthearted Hozi showing anger.
“They seemed to be struggling mentally.”
Whether child or adult, a kidnapping was not something one could forget easily.
They had also witnessed the man who should have been their strongest protector, the husband and father, being overpowered helplessly by criminals. The emotional repercussions must have been great.
“…Prepare a separate compensation plan for them.”
The atmosphere in the office grew heavy.
Hozi had not explained everything in detail, but Ash could guess the hostages had suffered significantly during confinement.
“You said you’d punish the repairman. Have you changed your mind?”
“I’ll overlook that part.”
Although he had been furious at the time due to Ian’s safety, the repairman and his family were victims dragged into a noble family’s property dispute.
He could not take away the head of a household from people who had already suffered more than enough.
After a quiet pause, Ash spoke slowly.
“…Have those men write a letter to Count Azelot first. Tell him the repairman completed the task.”
Count Azelot needed to lose his final chance to pursue guardianship completely.
“Your Grace, I have a request.”
Ash lifted his gaze from the documents he had been about to sign.
Hozi was smiling the same way he had a moment ago, yet his eyes shimmered with an eerie chill.
“Once those knights have outlived their usefulness, may I take them?”
