I’ll Become the Heroine’s Capable Divorce Partner - Chapter 42

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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 42

The Princess?

Joshua and Richard’s gazes met.

“I apologize for coming to find you like this, but she said it was a very urgent matter. She said she needed to see you immediately.”

“I see, let me go see her then.”

Joshua nodded.

“Understood. Then.”

Richard, who had lightly bowed his head, left his seat.

Left alone, Joshua fell into thought for a moment.

Elodie von Laventess.

The one who first noticed the suspiciousness of the poorhouse and entrusted him with the investigation.

In that process, she said she had directly listened to the testimony of residents being exploited at the poorhouse.

‘She seems to be someone who cares for the people around her more than I thought.’

Like when she went to visit her subordinate who was sick before.

And how she made efforts to solve the poorhouse issue that had nothing to do with her.

‘She has an unexpectedly righteous side.’

Joshua smiled faintly.

Perhaps… he could let go of his prejudices about the Princess, just a little.

* * *

It was worth pressuring the flower shop employee.

As soon as I requested a meeting, Count Disraeli came to find me directly.

I, who had been waiting anxiously, jumped up from my seat.

“I’m sorry for contacting you so urgently. I’ve lost contact with the person who gave me testimony before, and I want to know their whereabouts. I’d also like to confirm if they’re safe. If you could assign some people…”

“There’s no need for that. I was actually thinking of coming to see you anyway, Princess.”

Me?

The Count continued speaking calmly to me as I blinked my eyes blankly.

“As a result of the investigation, we’ve confirmed that there was corruption at the poorhouse.”

“Is that really true?”

Yes, I thought it might be so.

They really were exploiting the poorhouse people!

The Count nodded.

“Yes. Since you said you would report it to the Security Bureau last time, I reported it without delay. We’ve just received a warrant.”

Things are progressing this smoothly?

“The Security Bureau is moving right now. So Princess, please don’t worry too much…”

“No.”

I shook my head and spoke firmly.

“If that’s the case, I’d like to observe the situation as well.”

“You would, Princess?”

“Yes. Since this started from my request, I think I should also understand how things are progressing. I’m also worried about the witness’s safety.”

Actually, this was what worried me the most.

Abigail.

The person who courageously opened up about the poorhouse situation honestly.

If Abigail was going through hardships…

“However, I won’t interfere with the Security Bureau’s work. Please just let me observe from a distance.”

“Very well.”

The Count readily nodded.

“I’ll send one of my men as both guard and coachman. Let’s go together.”

“Thank you.”

Thus, I followed behind the Security Bureau in a carriage.

* * *

Though it was spring, the small room where sunlight didn’t reach was only cold.

Abigail trembled and hugged her knees.

‘Peter must be very angry.’

It had already been a week since she was locked up here.

Normally, he would have let her out after about three or four days, but this time was rather long.

Or perhaps, as the poorhouse director couple said, this was a process ‘to fix the impudent woman’s manners.’

Abigail smiled bitterly.

‘I guess I dreamed too big.’

Meeting Elodie, who valued her talent highly, she had dared to hope.

That perhaps she might be able to escape from this poorhouse.

That the first ‘high-ranking person’ to show interest in Abigail might bestow salvation.

‘…Never mind.’

Abigail slowly closed her eyes.

Was it because she was in such a chilly place?

She kept feeling sleepy.

But then.

‘Huh?’

Suddenly Abigail lifted her eyelids wide.

Because she could faintly hear people chattering noisily beyond the thick door.

“Come out!”

The shout of some unknown man.

“Wh-what on earth is this about!”

This was the poorhouse director’s voice.

But even at that protest, the man didn’t yield at all.

“We’re in the middle of official duties. If you interfere, we’ll arrest you for obstruction of justice as well!”

…Official duties?

For the first time, light returned to Abigail’s eyes that had been dim all along.

The man shouted again.

“Search thoroughly for documents, don’t miss a single one!”

Abigail mustered all her strength, even the strength from when she was nursing, and staggered to her feet.

Then she cried out with a voice that had become hoarse and subdued.

“H-here. There’s someone here…!”

Her throat, which hadn’t spoken for a long time, hurt as if it would tear.

Nevertheless, Abigail didn’t stop shouting.

“Please help me!”

Had they heard Abigail’s voice?

Suddenly it became noisy outside.

“There seems to be someone locked up here!”

“Is anyone inside? Answer us!”

Abigail cried out desperately.

“Yes, I’m here! Please save me!!”

Clank, clank clank!

The door shook violently.

It seemed like someone was trying to open the locked door from outside.

“How about we break down the door?”

“Let’s try to find the key first.”

The men discussed this for quite a while.

Crack!

The door opened.

Bright light poured in through the open doorway.

* * *

I looked at the orphanage through the carriage window.

I could see people bustling back and forth.

They were security officers from the Public Safety Bureau.

Each of them was carrying boxes of confiscated materials in their arms.

‘Hm?’

My eyes widened for a moment.

The surroundings became noisy, and I could see the orphanage director and her husband being dragged out.

“Let go of me!”

“Why are you doing this to us?!!”

The gentle demeanor they had shown me at the hat shop was nowhere to be found.

The orphanage director’s eyes bulged as veins stood out on her neck.

“We haven’t done anything wrong!”

“That’s right! What the hell is this supposed to be!”

The couple struggled wildly, but the security captain didn’t even bat an eye.

Instead, he solemnly declared.

“You are under arrest on charges of violence, intimidation, and illegal wage theft.”

“What, what did you say?”

“What do you mean…!”

The color drained from both their faces.

“Who reported us, huh?!”

The orphanage director’s husband glared fiercely as he looked around.

“We’ve been feeding and clothing those vermin all this time, and they’re ungrateful bastards!!”

“That’s right! If it weren’t for us, those bitches would be rolling around on the streets!!”

The couple screamed and raged.

Regardless, the security captain coldly gave his order.

“Take them away!”

“Yes!”

The security officers firmly grabbed both people’s arms again.

The couple struggled desperately, trying to break free from the officers’ grasp.

Of course, it was completely useless.

“We didn’t do anything wrong!”

“We’re going to sue for all of this! You hear?!”

There wasn’t a trace of remorse to be found in their squawking side by side.

Well, I hadn’t expected any anyway.

I had been wearing an indifferent expression when my eyes suddenly widened.

‘Abigail!’

In the distance, Abigail was being helped out by a security officer.

She had become quite haggard in the meantime.

Still, she seemed able to walk.

At the same time, the coachman who had been observing the situation hurried over to Abigail.

Perhaps having received prior notice, the security officers readily handed her over to the coachman.

Thus, the coachman carefully helped Abigail into the carriage.

“Miss Abigail!”

At my call, Abigail, who had been drooping listlessly, struggled to lift her head.

At the same time, her eyes widened in surprise.

“…Lady?”

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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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