I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 74

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

Chapter 74

“……You’re right.”

I nodded silently.

It seemed I had been so fixated on the name ‘Wilson’ that I’d been missing the basics.

Isabel added quietly.

“For now, this person isn’t using the name ‘Wilson’. But based on his actions so far, he’s definitely the most suspicious.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Even if this person isn’t Wilson, we’ve already noticed suspicious circumstances.”

Isabel gestured toward the documents with her eyes and concluded in a sharp voice.

“Don’t you think we should investigate him at least once?”

* * *

I met with Count Disraeli once again.

“Here are the materials you requested.”

The Count handed me the documents and shrugged lightly.

“I’ve compiled a comprehensive overview of all the financial flows that have passed through House Scofield. The annual income and expenditure amounts officially reported to the tax office, as well as the actual consumption amounts.”

Along with that, his gray eyes flashed sharply.

“It’s definitely suspicious.”

“Which part?”

“Everything.”

The Count made this assertion and continued quietly.

“Actually, it’s impossible for a year’s income and expenditure records to match up perfectly. There’s bound to be some margin of error.”

The Count slightly furrowed his brow.

“However, even accounting for that, House Scofield’s financial flow is really strange.”

“How is it strange?”

“The actual consumption amount is much larger than the expenditure amount reported to the tax office. That means there should be additional income… but the source of that additional income isn’t documented at all.”

According to the Count’s explanation, the situation was as follows.

House Scofield was a minor provincial noble house that could be found anywhere in the Empire.

However, the house began to gradually become wealthy from the point when Marisa married the previous Duke Laventess.

The scale of their spending began to increase dramatically.

It wasn’t just Catherine, who received some financial support as David’s mistress.

Now House Scofield was living lavishly as a notable wealthy family even in the western region.

But despite their increasing spending, there was no source for the funds at all.

It was completely unclear where the money was coming from.

Moreover.

“In that situation, the income and expenditure records they report to the tax office have remained the same for years.”

“What about additional income like business or real estate income?”

“There’s nothing like that at all. That’s why it’s strange.”

The Count stated firmly.

“The taxes collected from the viscounty alone wouldn’t be able to cover all this spending. I’m certain of it.”

“That means…….”

My gaze met the Count’s.

Looking directly into my eyes, the Count concluded clearly.

“Money is coming in from somewhere. Probably…… illegally.”

“I see.”

I nodded calmly.

The Count raised his eyebrows at my composed reaction.

“You don’t seem surprised.”

“Actually, I thought that might be the case.”

I smiled with my eyes.

“You already noticed, didn’t you? That I find House Scofield suspicious.”

“Yes, I was aware.”

The Count readily acknowledged my words and added.

“Separately, I also thought they were worth suspecting.”

“Pardon?”

“After receiving Princess’s request, I could see House Scofield’s suspicious financial flow. Of course, there might be assets not disclosed to the public, but even considering that…….”

Unlike his usual taciturn demeanor, the Count unusually continued speaking at length.

I watched him quietly and spoke up.

“Surprisingly, you have a kind personality, Count.”

“Excuse me?”

Upon hearing my words, the Count looked genuinely flustered.

I smiled broadly.

“I know too. From a general perspective, my current attitude would seem rather heartless.”

“No, I…….”

“I’m currently suspecting my legal mother and Mother’s maternal family.”

My smile deepened slightly.

“Yet you’re telling me they’re ‘worth suspecting’ because you don’t want me to feel burdened, isn’t that right?”

“……That’s.”

“So, I wanted to thank you.”

I concluded sincerely.

The Count seemed somehow at a loss for words.

“That…….”

The Count, who was about to say something, bit his lower lip gently.

Then he opened his mouth with a sigh.

“It’s nothing special. I was just stating clear facts.”

He answered trying to act nonchalant, but I could see it.

The tips of the Count’s ears had turned faintly red.

‘Wait, is he embarrassed?’

My eyes widened.

Wow, goodness.

A shy Count—I never thought I’d see such a sight in my lifetime?

“Are you perhaps feeling shy?”

“How could that be?!”

The flustered Count raised his voice.

I desperately pressed my lips together as laughter threatened to burst out.

“Well, I’ll keep it secret that you’re shy, Count.”

“What did you say?”

“Information brokers and clients have mutual confidentiality agreements, right?”

Still, I couldn’t help but let a playful retort slip out…….

Sorry, I’ll just tease you once.

Who told you to show your embarrassment so obviously?

Making people want to tease you!

“Fine, forget it. Is this the end of the request?”

A moment later.

The Count asked me in a businesslike manner, trying to act as if nothing had happened.

But still, are your ears still red?

Though I was dying to tease him more.

“No, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

For now, I should focus on business.

I answered while swallowing my regret.

The Count, finally freed from teasing hell, looked visibly relieved as he asked me back.

“What is it?”

“Ah, well, it’s about…”

* * *

‘…A caring personality.’

Richard crossed the corridor deep in thought.

‘That I showed consideration for the Princess.’

Had he really done that?

Richard reflected on his true feelings.

And concluded that Elodie’s words were correct.

Elodie had already grasped the inner thoughts he himself hadn’t even noticed.

At that moment, Richard was once again caught by the question that had been tormenting him for the past few months.

Why was it?

Why was he only soft toward the Princess?

Why did he keep worrying about her…?

“…rd.”

“…”

“Richard!”

Richard suddenly snapped back to his senses.

His old friend and lord.

Crown Prince Joshua was looking at Richard with a sullen expression.

“What on earth are you thinking about so intently? You can’t even hear someone calling you.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Richard hastily offered an apology.

Then, with a surprised expression, he asked Joshua.

“What brings you all the way here? I already sent the information about the auction house guests to Samuel.”

“Don’t be so cold.”

Joshua shrugged and smiled with his eyes.

“I came to see your face after such a long time.”

Richard also smiled, following Joshua’s lead.

“You must have free time?”

“…Why do you stab at someone’s sore spot right after meeting?”

Joshua answered with a pale face at that gentle voice.

And for good reason, since Joshua had just come out while ignoring a mountain of piled documents.

‘Your Highness, leaving me alone with all these documents…’

Samuel’s resentful gaze was still vivid in his mind.

‘Sorry, I’ll be back soon.’

Joshua, who had mentally apologized to Samuel, casually threw out a question.

“You seem to be dealing with the Princess quite often lately?”

“Ah, yes. The Princess has entrusted me with a new commission.”

“What kind of commission?”

“…”

For a moment, Richard kept his mouth shut.

More precisely, his lips wouldn’t part.

It was really strange.

He had originally taken up information brokering to help Joshua’s reign.

But why.

‘…Don’t I want to talk about the Princess?’

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