The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 280
“It would be better if it were a snack that’s hard to find here…”
‘Since I’m making it anyway, it would be perfect to send some to Marchioness Lambert as well.’
Nina had repeatedly thanked Marchioness Lambert for the unexpected help she received.
“I did it out of goodwill, so you truly don’t need to thank me so much. If it still weighs on your mind, then we can just say we helped each other.”
Marchioness Lambert had firmly refused any reward, saying she had nearly been burdened with a terrible scandal because of an impersonator without even knowing it.
And if Nina sent an excessive gift, Marchioness Lambert would likely feel burdened as well.
So Nina decided to send a small snack and wait for a proper opportunity to repay the favor later.
That seemed like the most comfortable solution.
“…But, you and the Duke are really alright, aren’t you, Madam?”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
Nina, who had been lost in thought, jumped slightly in surprise at Marsha’s words.
“Well, it just seems strange that the Duke spent that much money if nothing happened.”
Marsha narrowed her eyes and stared at Nina’s drawer.
“W-Well, that’s because at charity auctions you have to spend the most money to uphold the family’s… the family’s prestige! And show off wealth! All high nobles do that!”
Nina fired off excuses like a rapid stream, but Marsha clearly didn’t believe her.
And understandably so.
Inside Nina’s drawer sat a blue velvet jewelry box.
Inside it was the diamond set that Marchioness Lambert had generously put up at the auction.
It was a jewelry set once treasured by the queen of a fallen kingdom. If it were put up at a private auction house, it would fetch at least ten times Nina’s personal budget as the Duchess.
There had been many other items in the collection, but it happened to be the jewelry set.
And the fact that it had been gifted entirely to Nina made Marsha’s suspicion almost certain.
“…A-Anyway, nothing happened, so don’t misunderstand.”
Nina rubbed the back of her neck, which had grown hot, and denied it.
It was true.
Every night he only did something (?) to himself in the bathroom.
He hadn’t touched her even with a single fingertip.
‘The more I think about it, the more unbearable it is…’
She was a perfectly normal adult woman with both reason and desire, yet she kept being stimulated by what she heard every night.
Even when she tried not to show it, she found herself constantly becoming conscious of him.
She was even worried she might end up pouncing on him first at this rate.
“…No matter what decision you make, Madam, I will follow it. Honestly, I still don’t like it, but the choice belongs to you.”
“Marsha…”
Nina felt a surge of emotion at Marsha’s warm gaze, as if she was willing to accept everything.
At that moment, Melanie appeared with a somewhat stiff expression.
“Madam, you will need to come down to the reception room.”
Why did she look so serious?
Nina turned with a puzzled expression and asked.
“Melanie, what is it?”
“A domestic investigator has arrived. They say they would like to inspect the Young Master’s room first.”
“Really?”
She had been wondering when they would arrive anyway…
Nina stood up.
The time had finally come to completely crush Count Azelot’s final scheme.
.
.
Navian Andre.
She was a domestic investigator belonging to the family court.
Divorce, custody, inheritance.
When a domestic dispute arose, she was someone who conducted investigations in various ways to verify the facts written in the petition.
Normally, once a petition was received, the investigation would begin after reviewing submitted documents such as the response.
However, by the time the response reached the court, there was a high chance the respondent might conceal or manipulate evidence.
The court normally valued proper procedure.
But Ian Bayern’s guardianship case fell under an exceptional situation.
Because protecting the ward who possessed the ‘right of succession to the title’ was of utmost importance.
Thus, Navian decided through her own judgment to conduct the delivery of the petition and the household investigation at the same time.
In the reception room of House Bayern—
‘Their marital relationship suddenly improved just before their third year of marriage, hm…’
Navian stood up as she looked at Duchess Bayern entering the reception room.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Navian Andre, the domestic investigator assigned to this inspection.”
Navian’s eyes were cold.
As if filled with prejudice and hostility.
