The Wicked Wife’s Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 298

“I remember that case as well. It was a dispute that could have damaged the brotherly relationship, but it ended peacefully with reconciliation from both sides, wasn’t it?”

Although it is a principle that most family property is inherited by the eldest legitimate son, that does not mean there is never room for disputes.

If the parents are different on one side, or if one is an adoptee.

Or depending on who mainly supported the parents, someone may claim rights to part of the property.

In the case of the Mollmun family, it was the former.

A dispute arose between half-brothers over an iron mine that had been the dowry of Viscountess Mollmun, who had entered the family as the second wife.

The eldest son claimed that since she had been entered into the family register, the inheritance left by their deceased stepmother belonged to him.

The second son wanted to inherit his mother’s property entirely.

The dispute between the two became quite a topic of discussion.

Navian, who had been the investigator in charge at the time, reported an appraisal stating that the iron mine had a low mineral deposit and therefore no development value.

Based on that report, the court recommended reconciliation between the two sides.

This was because it judged that the second son would suffer greater losses than gains if the matter proceeded to trial.

“A peaceful ending, you say…”

Hozi muttered with a crooked smile.

Navian’s words were only partly correct.

The second son of the Mollmun family had accepted the court’s recommendation for reconciliation, received property worth more than the appraised value, and dropped the lawsuit.

At the time, everyone believed it was a result beneficial to all.

But three years later.

Excavation began in the very mine that had supposedly lacked development value due to low deposits, and the eldest son of the Mollmun family had since earned profits hundreds of times greater than the original land value.

Hozi briefly mentioned that fact and said coldly,

“…The second son of the Mollmun family learned of it later, couldn’t bear the anger, and took his own life.”

“At the time, the dominant expert opinion was that the iron mine had no value beyond the land price. Is it wrong to cite the majority opinion?”

Navian straightened her shoulders as if she were truly confident.

But the next words shattered her composure.

“After the investigation ended, your husband purchased bonds of that iron mine.”

“That is…!”

“Thanks to that, he made a large profit. Even so, can you still say you wrote the report according to principle?”

At that, not only the chief investigator but also the investigators’ gazes turned cold.

Hozi clicked his tongue as if he truly found it contemptible and muttered,

“This is the problem with people obsessed with principles. They commit acts that skirt the law and then justify themselves by claiming they followed the rules.”

Perhaps she felt humiliated.

Navian flushed red and snapped back.

“What do you mean justification! I only followed the regulations. I didn’t accept bribes or falsify the report!”

Publicly, the Mollmun family’s iron mine had widely been regarded as a worthless investment.

Only a few opinions differed, such as the eldest son of the Mollmun family and the miners he employed.

And it had been entirely her husband’s decision to invest after hearing something she had casually mentioned in passing.

She had done nothing wrong.

Does not the court also place greater weight on expert opinions rather than minority views?

“Chief Investigator.”

“Yes, Baron.”

Hozi spoke with eyes that gleamed coldly like snake scales.

“What I want isn’t a promise with no end in sight. As you can see, the disqualifying grounds are not merely sufficient, they are overflowing. I would like to request a reassignment of the investigator handling House Bayern’s case.”

The reason he had come all the way here despite his already busy schedule was because his master considered this matter that important.

Hozi glanced sideways at Navian, who was glaring at him with bloodshot eyes, then raised his collar and left.

“Baroness Andre, for now you are suspended until the internal investigation is completed. The assignment will also be changed. You may leave for today.”

Navian couldn’t accept the chief investigator’s words.

An internal investigation?

A reassignment?

What had she done to deserve such treatment?

Navian’s face twisted like a vengeful spirit.

“…Chief, this is merely a tactic to avoid an unfavorable report! Are you going to accept external pressure from House Bayern?”

In fact, when investigators believed the investigation would be unfavorable, complaints requesting a reassignment were sometimes submitted to buy time.

Seeing her face mixed with injustice and anger, and hearing her thunderous voice, the chief investigator spoke with a disappointed expression.

“It isn’t just one or two cases. There are multiple pieces of circumstantial evidence showing that you used investigation results for personal benefit.”

For ten years, there had been signs that she had cleverly avoided the law while reaping private benefits.

As she lifted her chin shamelessly as if she had nothing to be ashamed of before heaven, trembling with rage, dissatisfaction and ridicule began to burst from the watching investigators one by one like coughs.