She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 120

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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 120. Behind the Splendid Performance (1)
“My, Evan?”
Katarina, who had been sitting by the window, widened her eyes in surprise.
At the Doorway stood Evan, clutching a heavy leather bag and breathing heavily.
Evan strode toward the window with long, purposeful steps.
He set the bag down on the table with a heavy thud.
“Done! It’s all done now!”
He grinned and opened the bag’s mouth wide.
Gold coins glinted inside, stacked high.
“Evan, this is….”
“Ah, my love. Do you know how precious this money is?”
He boasted excitedly.
“It’s the compensation I received in exchange for leaving House of Hays.”
“What? You left House of Hays…?”
“That’s right. Well, it worked out well. I never liked that Duke anyway.”
Evan chuckled to himself as he spoke.
He recounted everything that had happened before coming here as if it were some grand tale of heroism.
How Rainer had prepared his entire inheritance in cash.
And how he was now completely free from the shackles of House of Hays.
Of course, he conveniently omitted the part about being humiliated by Cecilia.
“….”
Meanwhile, Katarina silently picked up one of the gold coins.
She rolled it slowly between her fingers.
As the weighty sensation transmitted through her fingertips, a subtle smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“How extraordinary. I’ve never seen this much money in my entire life.”
“Right?”
Evan puffed out his chest with pride.
“With this money, I can start a business, meet people, rebuild my reputation… I can do anything.”
His expression was like that of someone lost in a dream.
After watching him for a moment, Katarina quietly closed the bag.
“Wonderful. Then I’ll prepare the construction right away. We’ll be quite busy hiring workers for some time.”
“Yes, yes. We should start quickly.”
Evan waved his hand dismissively.
Then he paused, as if remembering something.
“Oh, wait. Give me that bag for a moment.”
He pulled the bag back toward himself and rummaged through its contents.
He withdrew a small pouch from his pocket and filled it with a handful of gold coins.
The coins clinked and clattered against one another.
“I’ll use this for myself.”
“You will?”
“Right, running a business requires spending money left and right. A bit on drinks, building connections. You understand, don’t you?”
Evan chuckled, tapping his pockets rhythmically.
He spoke of it as business necessity.
But in truth, he meant to squander it all on his own pleasures.
Never mind that with a new venture ahead, every coin was precious.
“Of course.”
Yet Katarina smiled gently.
“That’s simply how business works. Meeting people, building relationships.”
“That’s Katarina for you. You catch on quickly.”
Evan nodded with satisfaction.
If it were Rosena, she would have lashed out fiercely at the mention of entertainment expenses.
But Katarina possessed a docile charm that set her apart.
‘I really do have an eye for women.’
Evan rose with a greasy smile and approached Katarina.
Wrapping both arms around her waist,
he puckered his lips and kissed her cheek.
“My, Evan?”
“Just stay still.”
“Oh, you.”
Evan buried his face in Katarina’s neck.
He failed to notice her subtly wiping her cheek as if embarrassed.
Before his eyes stretched only a dreamlike future.
Evan Machi, the successful businessman.
A man who would return to society in splendor, drawing more attention than even Rainer.
‘Hmph, when that day comes, I’ll repay Cecilia’s insult tenfold.’
Then she too would understand.
Who was the far more impressive man compared to her husband.
Evan’s lips curled into a smirk.
* * *
Brisen’s Largest Commercial District.
Amid the upscale boutiques, jewelry shops, and dessert cafés that lined the streets,
the most coveted location was the street directly before the Plaza Fountain.
Naturally, the rent was proportionally exorbitant.
And because there existed a perception that only genuine luxury establishments recognized by the upper classes could secure a spot here,
it was not a place anyone with money could simply enter.
And right in the very center of that prime location,
「UNDER CONSTRUCTION」
a canvas banner hung defiantly.
Curiosity naturally drew the eyes of passersby, wondering what magnificent establishment would soon open.
Well-dressed attendants stood at the entrance, thoroughly preventing any approach.
Just a shop opened by a successful businesswoman from Herdwin—that was all anyone knew.
With so little information available, people’s curiosity only grew fiercer.
Of course, there were those who knew exactly what kind of shop would open there.
“Really, why make such a fuss with the construction?”
Wendy pouted, her displeasure evident on her face.
She already knew through Cecilia.
That Evan would be opening a shop there with his new lover.
Of course, her master wouldn’t simply allow it.
Yet seeing him claim the finest location in the Capital and draw everyone’s attention made her stomach churn with envy.
“My lady, are you truly going to leave it as is?”
Wendy looked toward Cecilia.
She would have gladly ruined Evan on the spot if she could.
But to simply watch from the sidelines like this.
She grew anxious at the thought that he might succeed again.
“I hear Evan has already been meeting with many people all over the place.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, there’s even a rumor that if you see the loudest person shouting on 62nd Street, it’s Evan Machi.”
Wendy shook her head vigorously.
“Even if he’s getting attention now, once people learn the shop belongs to him, they’ll abandon it like the tide going out. Isn’t that right?”
She spoke as though she could not tolerate even a shred of Evan’s success.
Cecilia found Wendy’s clenched fists so endearing that she let out a soft laugh.
She straightened Wendy’s crooked ribbon on her dress with both hands as she spoke.
“Well, I wonder if the shop will even open properly?”
“Pardon?”
Wendy blinked her eyes wide.
Cecilia smiled knowingly and tapped Wendy’s nose twice.
“Look over there, Wendy.”
She pointed toward the canvas tent that hung over the construction site.
“For such an elaborate shop preparation, isn’t it far too quiet?”
“But right now the tent is up, so… oh!”
Wendy’s eyes widened in realization.
If they were truly preparing to open a shop,
the sound of hammers and the footsteps of workers would never cease behind that canvas.
The tent itself would be constantly swaying from the construction wind.
Yet now, everything was eerily silent.
“But couldn’t they simply be taking a break from construction today?”
“Well, people who happen to be out shopping might think that way.”
Cecilia shrugged.
How many people came here to shop every single day?
Those who happened to pass by wouldn’t suspect a thing upon seeing the quiet tent.
Blocking the prying eyes of neighboring shops was as simple as positioning people in front of the storefront.
But.
When that canvas awning was finally drawn back.
What people would see was far from a glamorous boutique.
“Wendy, just be patient a little longer.”
Cecilia’s lips curved upward in a knowing smirk.
“You’ll witness something quite entertaining soon.”
“Really? What kind of—”
But Cecilia simply pressed her index finger to her lips in silence.
A secretive smile bloomed across her face.
Then she turned with a light, graceful step.
“Come now. You mentioned wanting that strawberry cake from the shop over there.”
* * *
A few days later.
Evan and Katarina made their way to the Brisen Grand Theater.
Carriages lined the entrance of the theater, which gleamed with ornate golden decorations.
Just like the nobles descending from those carriages.
Evan and Katarina were similarly guided with utmost courtesy toward the VIP Seats.
“Ah, now this is the life.”
Evan murmured contentedly, surveying the plush seating and expansive table arranged within the box seats.
Rather than being treated as an unwanted burden at the Duke’s Mansion.
Being accorded VIP treatment like this felt like his rightful place in the world.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
A theater attendant in a crisp uniform entered, bearing an expensive vintage wine.
Soon the crimson liquid flowed slowly into the glass.
Evan watched with a pleased expression.
Once the glass was full, the attendant bowed respectfully.
“Then I shall take my leave. Please enjoy your evening.”
“Wow, the service here is absolutely impeccable.”
The moment the attendant departed, Evan lifted his glass with a satisfied smile.
“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”
Katarina too approached with a smile, drawing near to his side.
The two gently clinked their glasses together.
“Oh, by the way.”
Just as Evan was about to bring the glass to his lips, he suddenly asked.
“The construction is progressing smoothly, isn’t it? I’d like to see it with my own eyes at least once.”

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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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