Chapter 7
At this point, he should have already wiped away that unpleasant smile and relaxed attitude. But Kaiden only showed a brief flicker of reaction before remaining calm as ever.
Does he have another hidden card?
The Duke’s wrinkled eyes narrowed.
Kaiden Hegwins was a businessman who used any means necessary. Of course, no matter what he was planning, victory was already decided.
Kaiden had already lost 60 million Berne under the name of a marriage dowry. Not only that—once it was revealed that Irene was an illegitimate child, Kaiden’s business, which had been targeting high society, was heavily shaken. It would not be easy for him to step back into the upper class again, no matter what he tried.
The Duke tapped off his cigarette ash and pulled out the card he had prepared.
“Divorce Irene.”
“Divorce is difficult.”
Kaiden’s answer was simple and clear. The Duke of Whitfield let out a hollow laugh.
“Are you saying you plan to continue living with a wife who has already lost her value?”
“Well. Rather than me, isn’t your daughter’s opinion more important?”
Kaiden shrugged and turned his gaze toward the mansion. His attitude showed no room for reconsideration.
“If you act firmly, she’ll naturally let go. She’s the type who gets deeply hurt because she gives her heart easily.”
“Even so, she was clinging to me this morning. Or perhaps she already sensed her father’s intentions.”
Kaiden’s gaze returned to the Duke.
“First marriage was a noble of suitable status, second was a rising capitalist from a common background… so the next would be a wealthy old man who prefers young women.”
The Duke’s expression slowly hardened. Seeing that, Kaiden smiled softly.
“Now she’s lost not only her reputation but even her bloodline. Am I wrong?”
The Duke stayed silent with stubborn lips. That silence was an unspoken agreement.
Kaiden tilted his head slightly while crossing his long legs.
“Trying to gain benefits without paying any cost… isn’t that a bit too greedy? I’m worried it might backfire on you.”
His tone, pretending sympathy while clearly mocking, made the Duke’s eyes sharpen.
From the beginning, the plan was to bring down that rude man. He never intended to allow low-born people to cross into high society.
Now that the goal was achieved, he had planned to settle things peacefully. But if Kaiden intended to rise again, he would have to be crushed.
“Do you think keeping Irene by your side helps you?”
“At the very least, it won’t confirm the sympathy rumors you created, Your Grace.”
The Duke burst into laughter.
“It seems you’re the one being greedy. Do you even know what else that girl is hiding?”
A subtle change appeared in Kaiden’s expression. It was quite an interesting sight.
Now relaxed again, the Duke decided to end the conversation.
“Do you really have confidence in handling what might hold you back?”
Victory had always been on his side.
With a satisfied smile, the Duke stood up.
“I should go see my daughter now.”
He turned away lightly. Even though he had exposed her illegitimacy and broken Irene’s trust, it didn’t matter much to him.
To the Duke, Irene was nothing more than a well-trained horse. Feed her appropriately, hold the whip, and she could always be controlled again.
A girl weak to affection was easy to handle.
Just a bit of warmth and kind words, and she would open her heart again. As always.
* * *
“Take care on your way, Father.”
Seeing the Duke off, Irene clasped her hands together. Her heart, beating wildly on its own, refused to calm down.
What had her father said?
Kaiden used marriage as a tool.
It was all an act.
He was worried she would be more hurt and collapse.
So he had no choice but to reveal she was illegitimate.
The words her father said scattered through her mind like broken fragments. She understood him logically—but her heart could not accept it.
“Kaiden seems to be considering divorce.”
Divorce. When she finally heard that word, her mind went completely blank.
“Wouldn’t it hurt less if you ended this marriage first?”
End it before being abandoned. She knew her father’s advice was not wrong.
“Irene. Everything I say is for your sake.”
Was it really for her sake?
Irene thought again. Count Fredman had said something similar before. That divorce was for the sake of both her and Enzo.
Why did everyone say divorce was something necessary for someone’s good?
Divorce only left loss behind. She had already lost her childhood friend. And now, she was about to lose the man she loved.
But what if—just what if—her father was mistaken?
What if Kaiden had only become cold because of betrayal?
The lingering feelings she couldn’t let go of kept circling in her mind.
“Irene.”
A low voice pulled her out of her thoughts. It was the nanny who had stayed beside her during her conversation with her father.
The nanny, Lady Devitt, who once had streaks of gray hair, now had completely white hair. She should have been enjoying a peaceful old age by now.
But she stayed by Irene’s side because of her hearing condition.
Meeting Irene’s eyes, the nanny smiled gently.
“May I brush your hair for you, after a long time?”
After a brief hesitation, Irene nodded.
Sitting in front of the mirror, the nanny stood behind her. The brush made soft sounds as it passed through her hair.
“I used to brush your hair like this when you were young. Do you remember?”
“…Yes, I do.”
“Even then, you always insisted on doing it yourself. You were always so mature for your age. Now you’ve grown so much that you’ve become someone’s wife.”
A calm voice settled softly in the room. Lady Devitt continued brushing her hair slowly.
“Irene. Life sometimes demands too much from us, but the most important thing is not to lose yourself. No matter what others say, right or wrong, what matters most is your own heart.”
She placed her hand on Irene’s shoulder.
“Whatever choice you make, I will always be on your side.”
Irene quietly looked at the nanny’s wrinkled hand.
As her chaotic emotions slowly settled, a knock was heard.
Lady Devitt opened the door. Outside stood Jetman, the butler of the Hegwins mansion.
“Oh my. Mr. Jetman. What is it?”
“Lord Kaiden has summoned you.”
Irene stood up from the dressing table after hearing their conversation. But the one called for was unexpected.
“Lady Devitt, please come with me.”
* * *
“Marquis Kerington has withdrawn the artwork sale. It’s unfortunate—this happened right before the deal was finalized.”
Cernia said with a disappointed expression.
Kaiden straightened his back from leaning against the wall. It had already been 20 minutes waiting in front of the private salon of the art museum.
“There was no need for such a long discussion anyway.”
The Marquis had canceled the meeting right before the deal. There was nothing to gain from persuading someone like that.
“Kaiden. This is related to you.”
Cernia stepped closer with a smiling expression. Kaiden looked down at her.
Cernia Taylor.
She was the head of a large art museum located in the central district. Because of that, she was known as the first successful female business owner in the Kingdom of Freis.
She had known Kaiden since childhood, making her one of his useful connections.
“Are you heading back to Hegwins already? Would you like to have dinner with me?”
She had been bothering him for three years now, but there was no denying her usefulness. However, Kaiden had another matter to handle first.
With his usual smooth smile, he politely refused.
“I don’t have much appetite.”
“That’s understandable. Because of that woman, you lost the artwork you wanted right before acquiring it.”
Kaiden immediately understood who she was referring to.
Irene.
Time, assets, and even power—she had taken everything from him.
Whenever he looked at Irene, something like a hangnail irritated him. But he never bothered to think deeply about it. More precisely, he believed there was no need to.
Irene was a woman who smiled at even the smallest kindness. She was different from those who hid their true intentions behind calculations.
She was easy—too easy—for someone like Kaiden, who had always dealt with hidden motives.
But carelessness eventually returned as a sharp blade.
“By the way… how is your married life?”
At those words, Kaiden’s expression, which had remained calm even after the news of the canceled sale, slightly stiffened.
