The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 309
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As the end of the year approached, everyone was bound to get busy.
That would be true anywhere, but the yearâs end at House Bayern was especially hectic.
The reason was probably Count Azelot, who refused to give up and kept clinging on, and the âdr*gâ that was eating away at the entire Empire.
Ash rubbed at his eyes, heavy with fatigue, and unfolded the documents.
In the confidential papers he held, the information gathered so far on the âdr*g distribution networkâ and the âmanufacturing facilityâ Count Conwell had handed over had been compiled.
In addition, there was even a list of the noble houses that had gotten involved with the dr*g.
The result of all the effort he had poured in all this time to send his enemies into the abyss had only now finally been completed.
Even so, the furrow in his brow didnât ease.
He now had in hand the evidence needed to strike down the Delphinium Foundation, but the problem was that there were far more people entangled with the dr*g than he had expected.
ââŚI think I understand why Count Conwell brought this to Your Grace.â
Unlike usual, there wasnât the slightest trace of a smile on Hoziâs face.
It was clear that this was troublesome enough to tire out even a man who usually delighted in complicated matters.
Tap, tap, tap.
Ash tapped the desk with his fingertips and sank into thought.
ââŚIf this goes wrong, it feels like even His Majestyâs faction could be swept down with it.â
From insignificant people to those holding key posts even within the Emperorâs faction.
There were a filthy number of people who had reached for the dr*g.
If there was one saving grace, it was that they had caught it before the dr*g burrowed all the way into the marrow of the Emperorâs faction.
âYour Grace, if this goes wrong, weâll be stirring up a hornetâs nest.â
âThat we will.â
The addictiveness of the dr*g being distributed by Marquis Dunklin was severe.
And those addicted to it were his customers, and they had more than enough potential to become the wall that would protect him.
Because withdrawal wasnât something a person could overcome through willpower alone.
Take, for example, House Beverley, which had shut itself away after falling out with House Bernard.
According to rumor, the second son of House Beverley was on the verge of death in his bedâŚ
And his parents were secretly obtaining dr*g for him behind the scenes.
Even after their sonâs use of the dr*g had been exposed to him, and even after he had harmed Nina, Viscount and Viscountess Beverley were still personally offering it to their son.
That was proof that the severity of the withdrawal far exceeded imagination.
Recalling the memory of that day, Ashâs face twisted like that of an antigod.
Even thinking back on it now, ruining just one hand hadnât been enough to satisfy him.
âThe moment it becomes known that the son of House Beverley is an addict, House Bernard wonât be able to remain free from an imperial investigation either.â
It was Nina who had asked for the matter to be kept as small as possible.
At the time, Count Bernardâs daughter had only just broken off her engagement with the son of House Beverley.
Once the investigation ended, House Bernardâs innocence would be made clear, but he understood that the mere fact that Count Bernardâs daughter had been involved with a dr*g addict would double the weight of the scandal she would have to bear.
âItâs a house that will fall anyway, so thereâs no need to get worked up over it now.â
Ash cleared from his mind the disheveled image of Nina from that day, when she had looked at him like a savior.
Because it was true that even if he did nothing more, the life of the son of House Beverley was already as precarious as a candle flame.
âYour Grace, this isnât something we can handle on our own anyway. When you go up to the capital this time and have an audience with the Chief Justice and His Majesty, you should discuss it closely with them.â
Ash nodded.
Just as Count Conwell had pushed this burden onto him, it was true that he too needed someone to share it with.
âCome to think of it, how was the anonymous petition submitted to the Imperial Palace handled?â
âI was just about to give you the follow-up report.â
Hozi pushed up his glasses and reported in order.
ââŚThe Imperial Palace carried out an internal audit?â
âYes. It seems there has been quite a ruckus at the Imperial Palace until recently because of it.â
The corrupt officials connected to Marquis Ulverni, in other words, those at the bottom who had been quietly feeding off the system, were about to be cut away in large numbers.
âIt seems theyâre drawing up a purge list, and I hear that once this charity event is over, a great many of them are going to be dismissed.â
