SMR | Chapter 36

~Chapter 36~

“Th-that’s not what I meant. I’m just saying, if you’d given us a heads-up as family, we wouldn’t have been so shocked.”

Lauren’s bravado quickly faded, but she couldn’t hide the discontent in her eyes. Her sharp gaze turned to Harriet.

“But this is strange. Your face looks kind of familiar, and I feel like I’ve heard your name before…”

Harriet answered the question herself.

“Maybe you’ve heard of me along with nicknames like ‘the troublemaker of the Listerwell family’ or ‘scandal maker.’”

“That’s right! Harriet Listerwell! The one with that insanely beautiful cousin…!”

Trisha looked at Harriet in surprise.

“Wow, seriously, everyone knows you! Let me say again—this isn’t just about money, Harriet. You might actually have to thank your uncle for this.”

“No. Even if I did gain some fame thanks to him, I don’t think I have anything to thank him for.”

At that, Trisha’s expression shifted slightly, but Lauren wasn’t listening to any of it.

‘That nasty woman is letting in her scandal-ridden great-niece to live in her house? That can’t be right. What is she really planning?’

Lauren clenched her trembling hands, trying to figure out the relationship between the two.

Her biggest fear was that Trisha might adopt Harriet.

Trisha had once threatened that if she ever adopted someone, that person could become her heir. Everyone knew it, and many had tried to get on Trisha’s good side because of it.

‘I thought she was going to give everything to Jaden since She didn’t waver even with all the gifts and effort people poured in… But could she have changed her mind?’

That must not happen. Never.

Lauren was born out of an affair when the late Count of Pellon had no more children with Oster’s mother.

Though many mistresses were involved, only Lauren was born from them—children were rare in the family.

So Lauren was allowed to take the Pellon name, but her mother had to live hidden in the shadows her whole life.

And even though Lauren carried the family name, everyone knew she was illegitimate.

Because of that, she could only marry a much lesser noble from the countryside, and that had deeply wounded her pride.

So if Trisha were gone, this would be her one and only chance to take over House Pellon.

‘I’ll become the mistress of the Pellon family—if not myself, then through Jaden!’

That’s why she had swallowed her pride and lived with Trisha for the past ten years.

‘Unless she’s completely lost her mind, there’s no way she’d adopt someone like that… But just in case, I need to keep an eye on her.’

Lauren forced a smile and looked Harriet up and down.

“Just like the Countess said, everyone knows Miss Harriet. Didn’t you start scandals under your cousin’s name to drag her down? Honestly, that’s just evil…”

Her children, catching on to Lauren’s intent, began adding their own comments.

“I heard that because of those scandals, Cousin Bella almost got into serious trouble. Didn’t you feel sorry at all?”

“I’ve heard things too—from my friends. They say you kept chasing after men, but they were all in love with Bella. The depth of a woman’s jealousy is truly disgusting…”

But contrary to their expectations, Harriet wasn’t ashamed or flustered. She just listened quietly.

In fact, it was Trisha whose expression grew sharper and more intense.

Lauren snapped at Harriet.

“So what’s your real reason for clinging to the Countess? Tell us!”

“There’s no secret plan. I just…”

Harriet calmly looked at Lauren and replied, “I lost my guardian without receiving a single coin, and I needed someone to look after me until I could stand on my own. My great-aunt was the first person I wrote to, but if she’d refused, I would’ve contacted other relatives.”

“So you’re saying you had the nerve to ask her to be your guardian?”

“Are you saying you would’ve preferred I died miserably on the streets?”

Her tone made it sound like she was asking, Is your compassion only worth that much? Lauren was momentarily flustered.

“Who said that? Independence means standing on your own. You’re young—you can do it by yourself!”

“A young woman raised in a noble household, who never learned how to earn money, with no status, no reputation, and no savings… You really think she could become independent on her own?”

“O-Of course!”

“Then as a wise lady, would you kindly give a foolish girl like me some advice? What would you have done in my situation? I had no home to sleep in and only 5,000 dirams in cash and a few pieces of jewelry to my name.”

Lauren found Harriet’s gaze deeply unsettling.

It wasn’t angry, tearful, or emotional—but it was more confrontational than any look she’d ever seen.

‘Who does she think she is, staring me down like that? She’s practically a commoner now!’

Eventually, it was Lauren who lost her temper. Wanting to put Harriet in her place, she spat out something cruel.

“Well, I would never be in that situation, but you? You might as well sell your body. What else can you do? I heard that former nobles fetch a decent price in the slums.”

It was Trisha who snapped at that.

“Lauren! Are you out of your mind?”

“L-Lady Countess!”

“I was keeping quiet just to see how far you’d go, and now what? You’re telling a blood relative of the Listerwells to sell herself? Or was that something you’ve always wanted to say to me?”

“O-Of course not!”

“You’re the one who told me to leave this house when Oster died. You must’ve been dying to say something like that to me back then too, huh?”

Trisha’s clenched fists were shaking with fury.

Only then did Lauren remember—Trisha was also a daughter of the Listerwell family. She’d forgotten after calling her “Countess Pellon” for so long.

“You haven’t changed at all. I clearly said I’m her guardian, and she’s a guest in my home. And yet, you’re judging someone based on rumors you don’t even know are true? I’m embarrassed for you!”

“I-I just thought that maybe she was trying to manipulate and use you, that’s all…”

“Hah! That’s a laugh. You of all people should know—I can sniff out people who try to use me from a mile away. And I’ve never let a single one of them take even a sant from me.”

In that moment, Lauren realized Trisha had no intention of giving the Pellon estate to Jaden.

Though their side of the family was the only extended branch, and though they hadn’t tried that hard, they still visited every summer, brought gifts, and flattered her.

Lauren had assumed that if they kept it up, Trisha would eventually forgive the past and naturally name Jaden as her heir.

But looking at how angry she was now, it was clear—Trisha had never forgotten the fight they had when Oster died.

‘All those expensive gifts I gave her! If she was going to hold a grudge, she shouldn’t have pretended to let it go!’

She was furious.

She had always resented Trisha—someone from another family, who had more power than Lauren did despite Lauren being a Pellon by blood. And she hated Oster even more—the one who gave Trisha that power. If she could, she would’ve dug him up from his grave and smashed his bones.

And now, Trisha was actually scolding them in front of that long-lost great-niece? There was no longer any hope left in her.

‘I’ll have to find another way to pass the title to Jaden.’

Grinding her teeth, Lauren stood up.

“I’m honestly disappointed, Countess. That’s how you see my concern? I really thought we were family. But to you, I must look like some kind of wolf.”

She flicked her dress skirt dramatically. Baron Marshal and their children stood up behind her, looking confused.

“We’ll be going now. Enjoy your meal with that scandalous little niece of yours. See you next time.”

“I won’t see you out. Come back when you realize how rude you were. Though, I have a feeling you might never return.”

Lauren stared at Trisha for a moment in silent defiance, then clicked her tongue softly and walked out of the room.

It felt like a storm had passed, and Harriet let out a long breath.

Still staring at the door where the Marshal family had left, Trisha finally spoke.

“This… is your reputation right now. A scandal-driven troublemaker, a fallen girl that everyone whispers about. So—what do you plan to do to change that?”

Her voice held a trace of concern.

It seemed she was a bit shaken after seeing such raw prejudice in person.

But surprisingly, Harriet felt steadier than ever. Compared to a year ago, when she had no one on her side, she now had someone who cared enough to worry about her.

She felt a little sorry, though, because she couldn’t give the answer Trisha was probably hoping for.

“I’m not really planning to change that reputation,” Harriet said.

Trisha’s eyes narrowed as she looked at her.