The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 270
“I told you in advance, but Miss Sophia’s situation is quite delicate at this moment. So you need to pay particular attention.”
He would protect her from any unpleasant situations that might arise in Nina’s absence.
‘At least, anyone beneath my younger brother’s level won’t be able to approach easily, so I can feel somewhat at ease.’
In her eyes, he was still an immature youngster, but he was still the heir of a great noble house.
Even if a problem arose, most of it would likely be handled at Neville’s level.
“Please follow me, the two of you.”
Nina and Ash followed the Marchioness.
Soon, they arrived at the Lambert residence’s reception room.
Seated gracefully on a soft velvet sofa and sipping tea, an elderly lady with a stern impression opened her lips.
“I have been waiting.”
Though old enough for her hair to be completely white, her blue eyes were sharp and fierce like a bird of prey.
‘I thought it might be, but…!’
Nina looked at Ash with startled eyes.
He looked just as surprised.
It was only natural.
The person before them was none other than the current Emperor’s aunt, and the woman who could be called the patron of countless noble ladies, Marchioness Theresa Belmore.
* * *
How dare she show her face here?
No, more than that, what kind of relationship does that wench have with the young lord of House Taylor?
Nadia’s lips trembled with jealousy.
Neville Taylor.
He was an overwhelmingly popular figure among young ladies of marriageable age.
Petal-like pale pink hair and clear, ocean-like eyes.
Though he did not yet fully carry the presence of a grown man, his well-built body, contrasting with his androgynous beauty, was enough to draw attention.
And among the young noblemen who were not yet engaged, he also had the best background.
Like the other young ladies, Nadia had a crush on Neville as well.
‘But why someone like Cousin Sophia…!’
Her eyes burned with jealousy as she watched Sophia descend the central staircase of the ballroom, holding Neville’s hand.
“Nadia, your cousin… was she acquainted with Young Duke Taylor?”
Until just moments ago, the tone of the conversation had clearly been one of mocking Sophia.
But the moment she appeared holding the hand of the heir of House Taylor, everything reversed.
Shock, envy, and jealousy spread across her friends’ faces.
“Nadia, could the reason you said you couldn’t talk about actually be that?”
“…Huh?”
“Your cousin, did she break off her engagement because of Young Duke Taylor?”
“A-Ah—”
No, but.
Wasn’t she planning to spread rumors that the engagement had been broken for a reason too embarrassing to tell others?
But hearing her friend say it like that, it actually seemed plausible.
Among the remaining marriage prospects, the one she had carefully chosen had been the Beverley Viscountcy.
Even if there had been a problem with the other party, breaking the engagement on the very day of the ceremony had not been an easy decision.
And every proposal Sophia had received afterward had been so undesirable that anyone would have shaken their head.
Otherwise, how could someone like her have broken off an engagement with a viscount’s son, and even refused the match her own mother had arranged?
‘That scheming wench.’
Nadia’s nose wrinkled.
Then again, her cousin had always been sly.
She had always flirted with the men Nadia liked and taken them away.
How furious Nadia had been when she learned that the men she had her eye on had sent matchmakers to House Bernard.
‘But what on earth was she thinking, trying to lure the Young Duke?’
Would Duchess Bayern really stay silent if she knew about this?
A low, malicious smile spread across Nadia’s face.
It came to her.
A way to make her cousin cry without tarnishing her own image.
“…What should we do.”
Covering her lips, Nadia made a worried expression as if she were distressed.
“Hm? Why?”
“If Duchess Bayern becomes angry because of Sophia, something serious could happen to my aunt’s family.”
Her friends exchanged glances.
“Then shouldn’t we stop her?”
“Exactly. The trouble might even spread to your family too.”
Though they spoke that way, they were also displeased that Sophia, whom they considered beneath them, was close to Neville.
Encouraged by her friends’ words, Nadia walked toward Sophia, who was descending the central staircase of the hall, holding Neville’s hand.
