I’ll Become the Heroine’s Capable Divorce Partner - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 38

Abigail immediately became wary.

She hunched her shoulders defensively and asked back.

“Why are you asking about that?”

“I’m just curious.”

Abigail’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

I shrugged and continued speaking.

“…If I said that, you’d probably find it strange, right? Actually, I saw some hats at the Huffman store earlier.”

For reference, Huffman is the name of that hat shop that the orphanage director supposedly runs.

“But the hats seemed a bit odd?”

“Odd how…?”

“Oh, I don’t mean the shape was strange. The craftsmanship was actually excellent. But…”

A spark of interest flickered in Abigail’s eyes.

“The hats were made from cheap cotton fabric, but expensive lace was used generously. Same with the embroidery decorations, and the cutting, sewing, and finishing were truly delicate.”

“……”

“But the hat prices were really cheap. Anyone could see they were intricate handcrafted items, but no matter how I thought about it, it seemed impossible to make the unit costs work?”

I added cynically.

“Of course, thanks to those prices, the sales volume definitely looked high.”

At that moment, I saw it.

Abigail biting her lower lip tightly, unable to contain her anger.

“I thought Miss Abigail might be able to satisfy my curiosity about this.”

“……”

“Let’s replace the medicine fee I paid with the story Miss Abigail tells me. And the drink cost too.”

At those words, Abigail let out a small sigh.

“I’m staying at the orphanage. But…”

The story that followed wasn’t much different from what I had expected.

To summarize, it was like this.

The orphanage director couple were making hats by underpaying the people at the orphanage for their labor.

According to them, the money earned from selling hats was entirely used to cover the costs of providing the poor meals and shabby sleeping quarters at the orphanage.

‘As if that could be true?’

I scoffed inwardly.

It was just an excuse.

There would definitely be a considerable amount left over.

And that amount would all go into the orphanage director couple’s pockets.

From the beginning, the hat sales revenue and orphanage operating costs had never once been disclosed to the people at the orphanage.

It meant they could deceive them as much as they wanted.

Among all this, the particularly malicious part was…

“Can’t you go outside the orphanage to work?”

“That’s difficult. Most people at the orphanage have children, and there’s nowhere to leave the children.”

I felt my mood sink completely.

In cases like this, people usually leave their children with someone nearby.

But if they had ended up at an orphanage, they probably couldn’t receive protection from family or people around them.

The orphanage director couple had exploited the weakness of not being able to move freely because of children.

“How many people are staying at the orphanage?”

“Five in total, and four of them have children. I’m the only one alone.”

Abigail continued in a heavy voice.

“At least I can go out often since I don’t have children, but the other sisters are completely tied to the orphanage.”

“Don’t you think about becoming independent on your own?”

At that, Abigail shook her head.

“If it weren’t for the sisters, I wouldn’t have been able to endure at the orphanage until the end. I want to repay that kindness.”

Hmm, that’s understandable.

After thinking for a moment, I asked another question.

“Then what about reporting to the relevant authorities?”

At that, Abigail gave a bitter smile.

“Who would listen to people like us?”

“…Miss Abigail.”

“One side is a respectable orphanage director, and the other side is insignificant lower-class people belonging to an orphanage. Which side would a Lady listen to?”

“……”

My heart turned cold as if I had swallowed a huge chunk of ice whole.

‘I was too complacent.’

Even though she would meet a tragic death in the original story, Elodie was the Duke’s House’s one and only daughter.

Of course, Laventess was a terribly patriarchal family, so David reigned over the family members.

Still, other people generally listened to what I said.

But.

‘No one listened to Abigail.’

…Just like Isabel, who was silently oppressed in Laventess.

“What we want is simple.”

Abigail clenched her fists tightly.

She continued in a trembling voice.

“We just want to be compensated for the work we do.”

“Miss Abigail. I…”

Just as I was about to say something with a sympathetic expression.

Grumble.

A loud sound came from Abigail’s stomach.

“Ah…”

At the same time, Abigail’s face turned bright red.

Watching her quietly, I picked up the menu that was on the table.

They happened to sell simple foods as well.

“Excuse me.”

I called over a passing staff member.

“Could I have French toast and souffle pancakes, potato soup? And a salad too, please.”

“Understood.”

The staff member who took the order disappeared with quick steps.

Abigail across from me stared at me with surprised rabbit eyes.

“I happened to be hungry.”

I gave her a gentle smile.

“Food doesn’t taste good when eaten alone, so would you eat with me?”

“Then, then.”

Abigail opened her mouth hurriedly.

She seemed to glance at me cautiously, then bit her lower lip tightly.

And.

“I’m really sorry, but you don’t need to buy anything for me. Really.”

A voice as small as a mosquito’s came out.

“Instead, if there’s leftover food, could I take it to go?”

“……”

I forced myself to maintain a smiling expression.

If I didn’t, I felt like my face would crumble miserably.

How much her pride must have been hurt to say those words.

Even so, the circumstances that forced her to say them……

“Why bother packing leftover food? You could just buy fresh and take it with you.”

“……Is, is that really okay?”

“Of course. So please eat comfortably.”

I nodded my head vigorously.

Abigail seemed embarrassed and just fidgeted with the chocolate cup placed in front of her.

After waiting a moment, the food came out.

French toast baked with plenty of egg wash.

Sausages glistening with oil.

Fluffy soufflé pancakes with fresh cream.

Golden butter and various jams.

A savory soup made with grated potatoes and cream.

Even a fresh salad topped generously with ricotta cheese and sprinkled with dried berries and nuts.

Gulp.

Abigail swallowed her saliva.

Even so, she couldn’t rashly touch the food and kept glancing only at me.

I pretended not to notice and picked up my Fork.

“Let’s eat together. Okay?”

When I urged her like that, Abigail reluctantly picked up her utensils.

Watching her devour the food like hiding from a crab’s eyes, I somehow felt bitter in my mouth.

‘I do happen to need a seamstress.’

Most importantly, those women from the poorhouse all seem to have decent skills.

From what I observed earlier, Huffman’s hats all had quality above a certain standard.

It would be very difficult to maintain uniform quality unless they all possessed considerable skill.

In that case.

“Um, may I make a request?”

I casually opened my mouth.

“To me?”

Abigail, who had gulped down the food in her mouth, asked back with her eyes wide open.

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