I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 71

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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 71

“Elodie, what on earth are you saying? No matter that Catherine borrowed the necklace, such words are far too rude to the Viscount House!!”

“…….”

At that rebuke, Elodie stared intently at Marisa.

‘How can someone be so shameless.’

Her gaze clearly conveyed that intention.

Marisa tightened her grip on her fan.

But then.

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

Suddenly Isabel apologized politely.

“The young lady surely meant well, so I’m sorry if Mother was offended.”

“……Isabel?”

“It’s my fault for being lacking. I’ll be more careful not to upset Mother in the future.”

Why is she suddenly butting in?

Marisa’s expression hardened.

But the guests’ reaction to that apology wasn’t very positive.

And understandably so, this situation was a bit…….

‘If she hadn’t borrowed the Duchess’s necklace in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened, right?’

Didn’t it look like the victim was apologizing to the perpetrator?

Moreover, Isabel, the victim, was reading Marisa’s mood, the perpetrator.

That attitude of being anxious not to upset her.

That sight inevitably caused a strange discomfort in the observers.

“Ah, I’m a bit late.”

At that moment, someone broke the uncomfortable silence.

People’s gazes turned to the owner of the voice.

Neatly combed hair.

Refined appearance.

That man with the distinctive blue eyes of the Laventess Ducal House shining confidently was…….

“Young master?!”

David von Laventess.

The current Duke Laventess.

Elodie couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

‘Ah, so “disciplining Catherine” is finally over?’

Led by Marisa, the surprised people rose from their seats and offered greetings.

“We greet Duke Laventess.”

“We see you, Your Grace.”

David, who had been receiving people’s greetings with a satisfied face, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

Count Disraeli had caught his eye among the guests.

‘What’s that bastard doing here?’

Richard Disraeli.

Head of the Disraeli Count House, a prestigious family of distinguished vassals who had been with the Empire since its beginning, and a noble family that had even produced an Empress.

A person that even he, Duke Laventess, couldn’t treat carelessly.

‘He’s been showing up frequently lately.’

Usually he just stays holed up in his mansion.

Never showing his face outside.

David, who had come to this gathering thinking he could strut around like a king, somehow felt a bit uncomfortable.

“My goodness, what brings you here, young master……!”

Marisa hurriedly approached David.

David relaxed his stern face and smiled as he answered.

“Work finished earlier than expected. I came to show my face, even if late.”

“I see. Please sit here quickly.”

Marisa quickly seated David.

The fact that Catherine was right next to him was probably intentional.

Meanwhile, Catherine looked as if she had gained the whole world.

She gazed at David with passionate eyes.

‘His Grace has come!’

Her heart swelled with happiness.

‘His Grace really does love me! I’m his true lover!!’

Just then, David looked at Catherine intently.

His blue eyes were staring precisely at the emerald necklace hanging around her neck.

He smiled warmly.

“That necklace really suits you well. It’s as if it was made for the Viscount’s daughter.”

“…….”

“…….”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold as if doused with cold water.

People were now looking at David with shocked expressions.

‘Even so, not recognizing even his wife’s necklace.’

‘Isn’t His Grace being too indifferent to the Duchess?’

Their gazes were full of such inner thoughts.

Meanwhile, David, unaware of the situation, looked around with a puzzled expression.

‘Why is everyone suddenly acting like this?’

Not only Catherine, who had received the compliment.

Even Marisa’s face had turned pale as she stared at him.

……Somehow the feeling wasn’t good.

“The craftsman who made the necklace must be quite skilled.”

Along with that, Richard, who had been silent all along, politely spoke up.

“That one necklace illuminates the beauty of several ladies.”

“Count Disraeli?”

“I’m becoming curious about who the craftsman who made the necklace is.”

Having opened with that, Richard smiled warmly.

David’s eyes sharpened.

‘What?’

By now he couldn’t help but know.

Something had gone terribly wrong.

And.

“Indeed, it’s the Duchess’s jewelry. Each piece is not carelessly made.”

At those words, David’s face contorted with rage.

* * *

As the sun was setting.

The distinguished guests filed out one by one.

However, their reactions weren’t very good.

“Today…… was a bit much.”

“The situation was rather awkward, wasn’t it?”

“I guess the situation was a bit awkward, wasn’t it?”

The distinguished guests lowered their voices and whispered quietly among themselves.

“Count Disraeli must have been quite uncomfortable as well.”

“That’s right. It’s rare for him to speak so openly like that.”

“Well, honestly, I wasn’t feeling too good about it either.”

One of the noble ladies interjected with a displeased expression.

“About Viscount Scofield’s daughter, what was she thinking, inviting guests and then acting like that.”

“I think the Grand Duchess is being too indulgent with her niece.”

Just then.

One Lady spoke up with a suspicious tone.

“But did the Grand Duchess really lend that necklace to the Viscount’s daughter?”

“If that’s true… then the Grand Duchess went too far this time.”

“And the Duke, no less. How could he not recognize his wife’s necklace?”

“If I were the Duke’s wife, I would have been so hurt.”

Even without trying to listen, everyone was voicing their complaints about this charity recital.

Richard sighed inwardly.

‘There was no need to get involved.’

The last words Richard had spoken.

‘Indeed, these are the Duke’s wife’s jewels. Each one is crafted with such care.’

The moment those words fell.

Duke Laventess’s face turned red as a ripe tomato.

Because he had finally realized the secret of the necklace.

He must have been quite embarrassed.

‘He would have found out eventually anyway, so why did I act so petty.’

Usually, he wouldn’t even bother getting involved in such trivial high society troubles, so why couldn’t he hold back this time?

Well, if asked for reasons, he could give several.

The setlist that didn’t showcase Matthew Paul’s strengths at all and the boring performance.

The unpleasant feeling of having wasted time.

But the biggest reason was, perhaps…

“……”

Richard slowly lifted his gaze.

In the distance, he could see Elodie and Isabel walking ahead.

His ash-colored eyes quietly lingered on the gently swaying pink hair.

Whatever delightful conversation they were having.

Elodie was looking into Isabel’s eyes and bursting into bright laughter.

‘I’m certain. The Princess deliberately revealed who the real owner of the necklace was.’

Richard knew it too.

The Laventess Ducal Family was one of the most patriarchal families in the Empire.

Yet Elodie didn’t meekly submit to being crushed.

Instead, she was doing her best in her own way to somehow improve the situation.

So… he wanted to give her at least a little help.

‘I don’t know the exact reason, but the Princess wanted people to find that necklace as suspicious as possible.’

So Richard subtly helped Elodie.

He had wasted time staying at a subpar recital.

The host’s poor attitude was unpleasant.

…Making all sorts of excuses to himself like that.

‘This isn’t like me.’

Richard twisted up the corner of his lips.

Why was he becoming so concerned about the Princess?

Information broker and client.

They were merely that kind of relationship…

‘Really, how pointless of me.’

Richard, who clicked his tongue inwardly, turned around sharply.

He didn’t want to examine too closely this feeling he was experiencing right now.

…He was confused.

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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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