She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 36

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

Chapter 36. Elise’s Evil Deeds (2)

 

Cecilia’s face turned bright red as she belatedly realized the meaning.

 

“Th-this person really…!”

 

“Because I’m a pervert. According to someone.”

 

“What are you saying!”

 

Cecilia blushed as she recalled yesterday’s commotion.

 

She smacked Rainer’s waist and pushed his back.

 

“H-hurry up and go! Focus on hunting instead of saying nonsense.”

 

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Rainer smiled and mounted his horse in one swift motion with his long legs.

 

His gaze looking down at his wife was softer than usual, but Cecilia was too busy fanning herself to cool down to notice.

 

Soon, with the sound of horns, the men rode their horses toward the forest.

 

Dust scattered and the scent of grass spread on the wind.

 

Cecilia watched their retreating figures until the hunting procession disappeared into the distance.

 

“So what should we do now?”

 

The remaining ladies looked at each other.

 

Normally, while the men went hunting, the ladies would gather for tea time.

 

Since this was strictly a social occasion, the hostess should have led the atmosphere.

 

But right now, Elise was resting in her room.

 

Rosena clapped her hands and stepped forward.

 

“I’ll go see Grandmother! If it’s my request, she’ll probably arrange a wonderful gathering—”

 

“I’m sorry, my lady.”

 

Just then, head maid Margaret approached them.

 

“The Dowager Duchess is still resting. She had some tiring business yesterday.”

 

“…”

 

Margaret glanced at Cecilia as she said those last words.

 

She was clearly referring to how Cecilia had confronted her directly in the drawing room yesterday.

 

‘Really so petty.’

 

Rather than being unwell, she was probably deeply hurt by that incident.

 

She was using Margaret’s mouth to make everyone feel guilty in front of them all.

 

But Cecilia had no intention of being intimidated by such power games.

 

Cecilia stared directly at Margaret with a nonchalant expression.

 

Margaret cleared her throat softly and finished her announcement.

 

“So today’s tea gathering will be omitted. Please spend your time freely.”

 

“But—”

 

“Oh my, it’s unfortunate but there’s nothing we can do.”

 

Rosena tried to step forward again, but the ladies readily accepted Elise’s decision.

 

Since being with Elise would be a tense and uncomfortable affair anyway, it was actually good news for them.

 

Rosena clicked her tongue regretfully and followed the ladies who were gathering in small groups and heading inside.

 

Soon the garden became quiet as if it had never been bustling.

 

The morning sunlight gently shone down on the garden.

 

“My lady! Will you also rest in your room?”

 

Wendy trotted up beside her.

 

But Cecilia shook her head lightly.

 

“No, I have something I need to do now.”

 

“Yes? Where are you going?”

 

Instead of answering, Cecilia strode purposefully toward the mansion.

 

There was no hesitation in her steps.

 

‘Let’s go to the records room. I should be able to find some clue there.’

 

The sound of hunting horns could be heard faintly in the distance.

 

The men were probably riding their horses and commanding hunting dogs through the forest by now.

 

In contrast, the mansion was quiet.

 

Everyone was walking without even making footsteps, not wanting to upset Elise’s mood.

 

“Wendy, be careful not to be seen by people.”

 

“Yes, my lady!”

 

Cecilia also whispered to Wendy beside her.

 

When they arrived in front of the records room, she opened the door and stepped inside.

 

Cool air touched her face.

 

Inside, bookshelves reaching nearly to the ceiling stood in rows, and the mixed smell of mold and old paper filled the air.

 

“My lady, this place is…?”

 

“The records room. It’s where the Duke’s old records are organized.”

 

The shelves were packed with employee rosters, tax ledgers, old contracts, and document boxes.

 

There was a reason Cecilia had come here first.

 

‘When she was being blackmailed by the information broker, Elise checked this place first.’

 

Cecilia placed her hand gently on Wendy’s shoulder.

 

“I’m trying to find information about the fire that happened at Hays Villa in the past. Even trivial things are fine. Could you search from that side?”

 

“Ah, yes! I understand!”

 

Wendy hurried to one end, and Cecilia headed to the opposite bookshelf.

 

‘Of course, they would have destroyed all the direct materials about the fire.’

 

However, they couldn’t have bothered with every trivial record like employment records or salary expenditures.

 

In those gaps, there must be a fatal clue that could trap Elise.

 

The very evidence that the information broker had obtained and used to blackmail Elise in her past life.

 

‘This time, I’ll find it myself.’

 

Cecilia persistently scanned through employee rosters and salary ledgers.

 

Her fingertips moved smoothly along the pages, and she read carefully to not miss a single line.

 

Finally, her finger stopped at one place.

 

“…This is.”

 

In Imperial Year 542, there were records of multiple salary payments to a man named Crowley with a note of “special payment order.”

 

At first glance, it looked like ordinary payment records, but upon closer inspection, the frequency was much higher than other employees.

 

Moreover, when she added up all the amounts paid, it was a fortune well over 1,000 crowns.

 

‘Year 542… that’s the year the villa fire happened.’

 

Cecilia’s heart began to pound.

 

If she could find out where this money went, all the puzzle pieces would fall into place.

 

She hurriedly stood up to find related materials.

 

Creak.

 

At that moment, a sudden door sound broke the silence.

 

Cecilia reflexively hid the ledger inside her petticoat.

 

A pouch she had prepared to collect materials was hanging there.

 

“My lady, what are you doing here?”

 

At the same time, a cold voice came from behind.

 

Margaret, accompanied by maids, was looking this way with a chilly gaze.

 

‘Oh no, I’ve been caught.’

 

Cecilia bit her lip tightly.

 

To be interrupted just when she had found important material.

 

But she couldn’t arouse suspicion, so she forced herself to smile calmly.

 

“I was reading through the past records here. I thought it might help me in my future role as the Duke’s wife.”

 

Cecilia deliberately spoke loudly.

 

She could see Wendy’s head pop out from behind the bookshelf and then duck back in.

 

“Ah, is that so?”

 

Meanwhile, Margaret approached with a mocking smile.

 

Her attitude with hands clasped together was polite, but a strange sense of intimidation emanated from her.

 

“But this is strange. This place only stores records that are over 10 years old. There wouldn’t be any materials here that could help you, madam.”

 

“Oh my, is that so? No wonder the materials looked so old.”

 

Cecilia said innocently.

 

For now, she was thinking of escaping this situation.

 

“Thank you for letting me know. I almost wasted my time for nothing. Well then, I’ll be going… Ah?”

 

But just as Cecilia was about to pass by casually, the maids instantly grabbed both her arms.

 

“What do you think you’re doing?”

 

Cecilia tried to shake off their arms in confusion, but the maids’ grip tightened even stronger.

 

“You’ll need to come with us. If you follow us quietly, you won’t get hurt.”

 

“What nonsense… Let go of me right now!”

 

They only maintained politeness in words, but their attitude was completely that of treating a criminal.

 

Cecilia struggled and resisted, but she couldn’t break free from their grip.

 

At that moment, she caught sight of Wendy’s startled face from a distance.

 

‘M-madam!’

 

‘Wendy, no! Go quickly! Go and ask someone for help!’

 

Cecilia quickly signaled to Wendy with her eyes.

 

If Wendy got caught too, it would be over.

 

Fortunately, the quick-witted Wendy understood and immediately ran quietly out of the library.

 

Cecilia deliberately twisted her body more and resisted to draw Margaret and the maids’ attention.

 

Thanks to that, Wendy wasn’t noticed by them.

 

Margaret was only glaring coldly at Cecilia.

 

“It would be best if you followed us quietly. If you continue to resist… we’ll have no choice but to tie you up and take you with us.”

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