She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 54

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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 54. The Massive Wall of Reality

 

It was the Theater Owner who called Michel.

 

He approached with an extremely pleased expression.

 

“What a surprise to meet you here. What brings you around?”

 

“Oh, I was just passing by.”

 

“Hmm, is that so? Can we talk for a moment?”

 

“Huh? Oh, yes. That’s fine….”

 

Michel nodded awkwardly.

 

Truth be told, he wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone at all.

 

But the Theater Owner was his employer, after all.

 

He couldn’t just ignore him and leave with an excuse about being busy.

 

The Theater Owner approached with a pleased expression.

 

“Perfect timing. I have good news. You’ll be shocked when you hear it.”

 

“Good news?”

 

“Yes, remember the Marchioness I mentioned before? She’s decided to make a large investment in our next production. It’s all because of you.”

 

The Theater Owner stroked his mustache with a satisfied expression.

 

“Your shoulders have become quite heavy.”

 

The noblewoman who promised sponsorship this time was also an ardent fan of Michel’s.

 

The Theater Owner patted Michel’s shoulder with his large hand.

 

His gaze toward Michel was infinitely serious.

 

“So you need to be careful. Don’t create any unnecessary scandals anywhere. You understand what I’m saying, right?”

 

“Ah, scandals. Of course….”

 

Michel nodded with an awkward expression.

 

The Theater Owner’s eyes narrowed at the lackluster response.

 

“You, why are you answering like that? Don’t tell me you’re already living in some noble lady’s bedroom or something?”

 

“Th-that’s impossible! Absolutely not!”

 

Michel hurriedly shook his head.

 

The Theater Owner stared at Michel for a while, then chuckled and patted his shoulder.

 

“Just joking, just joking. But I had to say it. You’re now the face of our theater. Even one baseless rumor could ruin a production.”

 

“…Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

“Good, good. If this goes well, expect better pay too.”

 

The Theater Owner nodded satisfactorily and walked away with hurried steps.

 

Left alone, Michel stood there for a moment.

 

His head, which had been burning hot just moments ago, gradually cooled down.

 

Father’s diary.

 

And the promissory note with the Viscount’s signature and the horseshoe buried beneath the prison.

 

The truth was clear.

 

But bringing it to light was an entirely different matter.

 

Michel steadied his breathing and repeated to himself.

 

‘…Right, Michel. Think realistically. It’s already over.’

 

Father had confessed and been executed.

 

The case had been closed that way.

 

To overturn a concluded case would require a retrial.

 

But realistically, that wasn’t easy.

 

Especially when the opponent was nobility.

 

‘Stirring things up would only make Sandy suffer.’

 

If it came to light that Brisen’s famous actor was actually a murderer’s son.

 

Reporters would swarm like a pack of dogs.

 

Then sponsorship would be cut off, and his path to the stage would be blocked.

 

He wouldn’t be able to afford Sandy’s medicine.

 

On top of that, they’d face people’s pointing fingers.

 

Could his frail sister endure all of this?

 

Michel gritted his teeth.

 

‘Right, if I just close my eyes and let it pass, it’ll all be over.’

 

Of course, it was unfair to Cecilia.

 

But she was now the Dowager Duchess of Hays.

 

The mistress of Listea’s most powerful family.

 

It was incomparable to a life like his and Sandy’s, worrying about daily medicine costs.

 

‘This isn’t the time to worry about others.’

 

This was just a realistic choice.

 

He rationalized desperately as he turned his steps away.

 

* * *

 

A few days later, at the Hays Ducal Estate Garden.

 

Cecilia sat at the garden tea table.

 

In her hands was a report submitted by an information broker.

 

“Michel Eimos’s sister is currently battling lung disease. Treatment requires medicine made from herbs that grow only in specific regions of the New Continent. However, since it’s difficult to obtain, most patients with the same disease rely on painkillers or weak substitutes.”

 

No wonder she looked unwell.

 

Cecilia’s heart grew heavy.

 

Now she understood why Michel had been so defensive when she discovered Sandy.

 

If even a rumor spread.

 

People would shun them and they might be kicked out of their home.

 

‘If I could help that child, Michel might open his heart too.’

 

But how?

 

Simply shoving money at them would obviously backfire.

 

Michel was already wary of Cecilia.

 

‘Medicine would be most needed, but… it’s said to be hard to obtain.’

 

They couldn’t just sit idle waiting for medicine to arrive.

 

Unable to think of a good solution, Cecilia sighed and crossed her arms.

 

As she closed her eyes briefly to clear her complicated thoughts.

 

Rustle―

 

Suddenly, a rustling sound brushed past her ear.

 

When she opened her eyes, a bouquet of flowers was thrust out beside her left cheek.

 

Could it be Rainer?

 

“Who would do such a thing―”

 

Cecilia, who had turned around with inner anticipation, froze in place.

 

It was Evan who held out the colorful, flashy bouquet.

 

Cecilia’s eyes narrowed upon confirming the unwelcome visitor.

 

“What do you think you’re doing?”

 

“Ahaha, well….”

 

Evan scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression.

 

He looked pathetic just from sight alone.

 

But Evan, oblivious to Cecilia’s cold gaze, continued with what he wanted to say.

 

“Just, you know, we have history together. I was hoping we could bury what happened last time and move on nicely… you know.”

 

“Bury it?”

 

Cecilia asked back without accepting the bouquet.

 

It was obvious he meant the incident on 62nd Street.

 

After that incident, the Duke’s Mansion’s support for Evan was cut off.

 

It was a decision Rainer made directly, saying he had brought shame to the family.

 

Having developed a taste for luxury after entering the Duke’s Mansion, Evan couldn’t last even a week.

 

“If you could just put in a good word with Father….”

 

“What?”

 

“Yes, ah, no, yes.”

 

Evan glanced around nervously as he gently placed the bouquet on Cecilia’s lap.

 

While doing so, he smiled shyly, pretending to be an innocent boy.

 

In the past, that expression would have stirred her heart.

 

‘Ha, that was ages ago.’

 

Cecilia clicked her tongue inwardly at his obviously calculated attitude.

 

Evan clearly still saw her as a foolish woman.

 

As the stupid Cecilia from the past who would give her heart and soul at just one of his smiles.

 

It seemed he still hadn’t come to his senses.

 

“And you know…”

 

He had already casually dropped formal speech and took a step closer.

 

“I have a new business I’m preparing.”

 

“…”

 

“This time it’s real. I’m really confident about it. So if the family could just help a little—”

 

“No.”

 

Cecilia rejected it outright.

 

Evan froze in place.

 

“What happened on 62nd Street—you still haven’t properly reflected on it.”

 

“I, that was…”

 

“Do you know how much it cost to silence the noble ladies who were there?”

 

Cecilia’s words were somewhat true.

 

At the time, she had stepped back and told Rosena to handle it.

 

But as the family’s mistress, she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

 

She sent enormous bouquets and sincere gifts to the noble ladies from that day, including Nancy Devlin.

 

Thanks to that, she was able to prevent a major scandal from breaking.

 

However, she only managed to stop the news articles.

 

‘How could I control what they gossip about behind closed doors? It’s not my fault they have loose tongues.’

 

Rumors about Evan’s womanizing ways were probably already spreading in whispers.

 

Cecilia had no intention of managing even that.

 

There was no way anyone would want to do business with Evan, whose reputation was ruined.

 

Unless their head was completely smashed.

 

Cecilia looked at Evan with a cold expression.

 

“Just give up on that business. Neither Rainer nor I expect anything from you anyway.”

 

“But, that’s—”

 

“And Evan. How dare you speak informally to me? How undignified.”

 

At Cecilia’s criticism, Evan’s face flushed red with humiliation.

 

For him, who had an inferiority complex about his origins, being criticized about dignity was the most painful attack.

 

Evan’s lips went completely dry.

 

“Cecilia, aren’t you being way too harsh?”

 

“You?”

 

Cecilia raised an eyebrow.

 

Normally, he would have immediately backed down with his tail between his legs.

 

But today’s Evan didn’t retreat.

 

His wounded pride made him reckless instead.

 

“I understand you’re acting this way because you’re deeply hurt by me. But isn’t it time to stop now?”

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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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