The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 74

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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 74

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All the servants of Windswood rolled up their sleeves to find the whereabouts of the ring.

Since it was lost within the house, some servants were also responsible, and the servants actively cooperated as they didn’t want to arouse unnecessary suspicion.

Bada was helping the servants, ransacking numerous rooms.

Then she suddenly discovered a box in an empty room.

The box was full of miscellaneous items like old cassettes, golf balls, a dog collar, and empty ink bottles.

While casually rummaging through these, Bada found an old diary lined with purple cloth.

On the cover, ‘Charlotte’ was embroidered in gold thread, and there was a uniquely shaped lock attached.

‘This must be a diary Princess Charlotte used in her childhood.’

Though she was a bit curious about what was written inside, it seemed rude to go through someone else’s diary. Besides, it had a lock on it anyway.

Bada put the diary back in the box and then surveyed the corridor.

‘Everyone’s busy looking for the ring. Now’s my chance.’

Bada quietly got up and secretly headed to Mrs. Rosa’s office.

After confirming no one was in the office, Bada quickly sat in front of the computer and turned it on. However, she needed to log in to access the accounting system.

As Bada looked around, she spotted a post-it note attached to the monitor. When she flipped the post-it to see the back, the ID and password were written there completely.

‘Bingo. Their security awareness is just as lacking here.’

Bada immediately logged into the system and found and clicked on the accounting tab.

‘Now, shall I review Windswood House’s cash flow while I’m at it?’

Bada utilized her skills from her investment bank days and examined the accounting system with a cold gaze.

The ledger looked fine on the surface, but the more she scrolled down, the more suspicious circumstances she discovered.

‘Why did they purchase expensive truffle oil for the same amount every month? Shouldn’t the amount fluctuate according to season and usage to be normal?’

Next, Bada’s eyes narrowed as she checked the manor maintenance cost sheet.

‘They spent this much money on replacing the molding in the east corridor? The replacement cycle is too short, and it’s suspicious that one interior decorator exclusively handled all the maintenance of this large manor.’

It was clearly evidence of inflated construction costs and fictitious labor charges.

Bada shook her head.

‘Honest accounting books are messy, but fraudsters’ books are rather excessively neat. It smells fishy, very fishy.’

Managing the accounting system was the job of the finance staff, but selecting suppliers and approving estimates and expenditures was the authority of Mrs. Rosa, the house manager.

However, she couldn’t definitively conclude Mrs. Rosa’s crime based solely on the accounting books. A more thorough investigation was needed.

‘No matter how I look at it, this seems like insider fraud. Where are the invoices to prove this?’

It was right when she was scrolling with the mouse.

Suddenly the office door burst open and Mrs. Rosa appeared. Startled, Bada immediately got up from her seat and put on an act.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was looking for the ring and ended up here…”

“There you are!”

But Mrs. Rosa shouted with gleaming eyes as if she couldn’t even hear Bada’s words.

“Dorothy was the perpetrator after all! She’s the one who stole the ring!”

* * *

Mrs. Rosa thrust a video from the security camera installed in the corridor at Bada.

Looking at the video, she could see Dorothy passing through the corridor carrying a large laundry basket in her arms.

“Look at that! Can you see the ring case inside the laundry basket? Dorothy is definitely the perpetrator!”

“But I don’t think she would have stolen it so carelessly. Let’s hear Dorothy’s side of the story first.”

At Bada’s words, Mrs. Rosa’s eyes widened as if incredulous.

“My goodness, the future Queen of a country shouldn’t be so soft! The evidence is so clear! We should contact the police immediately and lock this bitch up!”

“…Mrs. Rosa. Still, calling a colleague you’ve worked with for a long time a bitch is rather unpleasant to hear.”

Then Mrs. Rosa flinched as if slightly flustered, then spoke even more angrily.

“Surely you’re not covering for the person who stole your precious engagement ring? You should know who the true lady’s ally is!”

Mrs. Rosa’s high-decibel voice gave her a headache.

“Madam, I’m not suggesting we take sides, am I?”

“No, Lady. Haven’t I been on your side all this time? Since you came from abroad and seemed to have trouble adapting, I comforted you and kept you company. Really… I’m truly disappointed.”

Mrs. Rosa beat her chest as if frustrated.

“Madam, please calm down. Let’s discuss with His Highness first and then decide whether to call the police. Before this escalates into a bigger commotion.”

When Bada spoke more coldly than she had expected, Mrs. Rosa had no choice but to close her mouth.

But her eyes gleamed venomously. As if Bada had done something terrible to her.

Bada sighed as she watched Mrs. Rosa walk away with obvious displeasure, radiating bad vibes.

She remembered seeing a similar character at her previous workplace.

The type skilled at office politics who shows excessive kindness that the other person doesn’t want, then becomes hostile when they don’t respond.

‘In other words, Mrs. Rosa is like a malicious creditor who force-sells unwanted favors.’

But she had worked here for a very long time, and had planted a good image with superiors including Reginald, so subordinate employees seemed to be cautious around her.

‘I don’t know. Did Dorothy really steal the ring? But so carelessly?’

Bada pressed her forehead as her worries deepened.

* * *

That evening, Bada and Damien sat facing each other for dinner.

Even while cutting meat with his knife, all of Damien’s attention was focused on Bada.

Seeing her shoulders drooped uncharacteristically as she picked at her dinner made him quite concerned.

‘She must be worried about the ring.’

Meanwhile, Bada was pondering how to tell him about Mrs. Rosa’s matter.

As Damien had emphasized before, her current position to him was just a fake fiancée.

Would it be okay for her to interfere in the power dynamics among Windswood House employees?

‘I need to tell him, but I have to approach this carefully.’

Suddenly, Damien cleared his throat to get Bada’s attention. When she looked at him with round eyes, he spoke in a gentle voice.

“Don’t worry too much about the ring.”

“Oh, right. Sorry. For losing the ring again…”

Bada looked around to confirm no servants were present, then spoke in a lowered voice.

“But what if someone finds out that ring is a replica?”

“How is it your responsibility when a ring you left in its proper place disappeared? Even if someone notices it’s fake, you can just make up an excuse that you usually wear replicas, so don’t worry too much.”

“I suppose… Anyway, thanks for saying that.”

Soon silence flowed between the two again. Damien wiped his mouth with a napkin and asked.

“What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Hm? Me? Nothing much. I’ll do the homework the Countess gave me and take a walk in the garden.”

“If you’re bored staying at home, come somewhere with me tomorrow.”

Bada’s eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion.

“Where?”

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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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