About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 111

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 111. Money Makes the World Go Round
“Have you been waiting long?”
Sir Jester emerged from the Communication Office at that very moment.
He glanced at the man standing before me, then turned to ask.
“Do you know him?”
I shook my head at his question.
“No.”
The moment I answered, the man’s head tilted in confusion.
“What are you staring at?”
Startled by Sir Jester’s sharp tone, the man hurriedly entered the Communication Office.
As Sir Jester watched his retreating figure, he lowered his voice.
“I thought you’d run into someone from your hometown. Why were you two staring at each other like that?”
“Well… that is…”
I merely bit my lip.
The moment I saw the man descend from the cargo carriage, a thought had naturally surfaced.
He resembled Melissa Bilsty.
I wondered if I should voice this aloud, and what the consequences might be if I was mistaken.
Caution won out, and I shook my head. After all, the world was full of people who bore resemblance to one another without any connection whatsoever.
“I think I was mistaken.”
“Is that so?”
Sir Jester resumed walking.
“His face seemed familiar somehow. That’s why I wondered if you’d encountered someone you knew.”
I followed in his footsteps, but soon halted again, my gaze drawn back to the cargo carriage the man had brought.
My unease deepened.
“What’s wrong?”
I pointed to the emblem displayed on the front of the carriage.
“This is our family crest.”
Sir Jester examined the emblem and turned back toward the Communication Office, his expression shifting.
“A servant of the house? Then you do know him, don’t you? He recognized you, but since he thought you were dead, he couldn’t trust his own eyes?”
“No. I’m certain I don’t know him. That much I’m sure of.”
After a moment’s thought, I approached the large man who had been reading a newspaper on the side of the road.
The man kept his gaze fixed on the newspaper as he lowered his voice.
“Is there something you require?”
“Follow or investigate the man who brought that cargo carriage. Don’t let him know he’s being watched. Report to me at my lodgings at an appropriate time.”
The man’s eyes widened.
“Understood, Miss.”
Having taken action, I proceeded toward the Courthouse.
Once we had walked far enough that the Communication Office was no longer visible, Sir Jester spoke first.
“To be honest, the moment I saw him, someone came to mind. I was being cautious because it could be sensitive, but seeing him again with the family crest—there’s only one reason you would have hesitated, isn’t there?”
As I turned to look at Sir Jester, he raised one corner of his mouth in a smile.
“Even if it’s a delusion, once I’ve seen it, I can’t help but suspect. It’s identical.”
He had immediately grasped the concern that troubled me.
“Do you know what Melissa Bilsty looks like?”
“I’ve never seen her in person. But she appears in the newspapers.”
We soon arrived at the Courthouse.
Upon entering the Courthouse, a staff member in the lobby verified my identification badge. His eyes widened, and he led me forward.
He said the Judge and Gillian were waiting.
The place I was guided to was a Conference Room.
“Welcome.”
The Judge, who had been seated across from Gillian, rose from his chair and bowed respectfully. He then instructed the staff member who had guided me.
To keep silent about what he had witnessed today for the time being.
He then invited me to sit on the sofa.
Yet the seat he offered was the place of highest honor—the single sofa that should have been occupied by the Judge himself.
Puzzled by the Judge’s behavior, I glanced at Gillian.
Could it be that Gillian had already persuaded the Judge?
At my gaze, Gillian scratched his head.
“He was already waiting when I arrived.”
The Judge clasped his hands together.
“I received an urgent contact from the Chief Administrator. He asked whether we could expedite the judgment proceedings as quickly as possible.”
“The Chief Administrator?”
The Judge explained further.
Once an annulment petition is filed, the Courthouse first makes a judgment over several days as to whether the grounds for the lawsuit are valid.
“Normally it takes a fortnight, but….”
This was information Gillian had provided me before coming here. Only after this initial judgment would the lawsuit proceed in a state of marital suspension.
After that, the complaint would be sent to the parties involved.
Depending on distance, but judging by the address, arrival was expected in three days.
Normally, the first trial began a week after the date of arrival.
A fortnight for the judgment on whether to proceed with the lawsuit, three days for the complaint to arrive, and a week after receiving the complaint for the defendant to appear in court for trial.
This meant twenty-five days would be required until the first trial.
The Bilsty Estate had fewer lawsuits compared to other fiefdoms, so it was relatively swift.
However, if the other party appealed, things would change.
From the second trial onward, both sides would negotiate the timing and proceed with the trial. It could turn into a prolonged conflict lasting years.
If that happened, it would become troublesome. The timing of the judgment was one issue, but if the period lengthened, the litigation costs would be substantial.
Of course, this case was somewhat different.
If I won the first trial, I held the advantage. During the lawsuit, the marital suspension would continue.
Even if Count Veloda Genoma appealed and won the second trial, I could appeal and somehow drag it to the final trial.
And if by then I had received my title and accumulated wealth?
The thought brought an involuntary smirk to my lips.
Melissa Bilsty had purchased even the Temple with the scale of her inheritance—a mere trial was nothing.
I found myself newly grateful to Luderne for having left behind his legacy from when he was Sir Jester.
By giving me a foundation to fight on.
I couldn’t quite understand his psychology—leaving me alive without restoring my status, yet allowing whoever held the key to claim vast inheritances at will.
‘Perhaps it’s compensation? Guilt? He knows it’s me but pretends not to because there’s no chance of reconciliation?’
I detected not a shred of remorse in him.
Then the answer remained singular.
Because there would be no reconciliation.
Though Sir Jester’s assertion gave me some confidence, I couldn’t be entirely certain.
‘Now that my identity is revealed, I’ll have to ask him directly when we meet again.’
Just as my thoughts reached that point, the Judge’s voice cut through.
“Are you following me? Do you understand the litigation procedure?”
I nodded quickly.
“Yes.”
The Judge continued while reviewing our complaint and documents.
He was explaining that if the opposing party appealed, litigation costs would mount considerably, so I should prepare myself accordingly.
“The Chief Administrator has vouched for your status as a minor noble. Since you must inherit the title swiftly, I’ve been asked to review the ruling as expeditiously as possible.”
Speed worked in my favor. I felt genuine gratitude toward the Chief Administrator.
“Therefore, I intend to render a judgment on whether to proceed with the lawsuit tomorrow itself. Given your status is verified, the outcome is rather predictable.”
“Pardon? What law permits such a thing?”
Gillian’s voice rose sharply, his expression darkening.
“That leaves only ten days to prepare for the first trial! We need at least twenty days!”
Perhaps because we were before the Judge, Gillian’s tone had shifted noticeably.
“However, you must inherit the title promptly. As it happens, an important business opportunity has come to the Territory, and you wish to capitalize on it.”
The Judge’s reasoning was unexpected, prompting my question.
“An important business opportunity?”
“Yes. A visitor came to Bilsty Estate today to discuss a business venture—apparently a major investor.”
Now I recalled the Chief Administrator mentioning an important visit today.
“Did he mention who this person is?”
“He said it cannot be disclosed. In any case, this person insisted on speaking directly with the Territory’s lord, not a representative….”
The Judge tilted his head thoughtfully.
“This is the first time I’ve seen the Chief Administrator act this way. But I do agree that the Territory’s development is urgent….”
He looked at Gillian, whose expression had grown stern.
“I understand it’s difficult, but do contribute to the Territory’s benefit. If the Territory prospers, isn’t that good for you as well?”
Gillian bit his lip as though defeated. His face showed genuine displeasure at the unexpected timeline.
‘Money makes the world go round, they say.’
I added conditions as I concluded: “I’ll provide twenty gold coins additionally. Payment will be immediate. And if you take the lead on supplementary work favorable to our victory, I’ll compensate you accordingly.”
The moment I finished layering on conditions just in case, Gillian’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“You’ll pay more if I take the lead on additional work?”
“Yes. I thought you’d understand, being a lawyer.”
“Ah, you’ve got a good eye for people. That’s right—I’m the most capable lawyer in this region.”
He clapped his hands, and his furrowed brow smoothed out as though pressed flat. His entire demeanor transformed remarkably.
“It’s unexpected timing, but you mentioned compensation for effort, and if it’s for the sake of the fiefdom… Besides, you seem like someone of considerable knowledge, so I’ll do my utmost even if it means staying up all night.”
Gillian then turned to address the Judge.
“Your Honor, I have an additional request to make regarding this litigation.”
“An additional request? What sort?”
The Judge’s inquiry was met with Gillian’s confident response.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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