7. A Competent Lawyer
Olivia was in a difficult position.
The woman hadn’t noticed her yet, so if she quietly turned back the way she came, nothing would happen. She didn’t want to clash again, hurting and being hurt.
But despite herself, she wondered—why was the woman here alone? The rest of the group was dining at Grand Bleu. That curiosity lingered.
Through her tightly clasped hands, a white handkerchief peeked out. It stood out against her deep navy skirt.
“Has she been crying?”
Olivia decided to stop her curiosity there. Yesterday’s events were still weighing on her. Her revelation must have had an impact. With that thought, guilt crept in and kept her from walking away.
“Miss.”
Anne whispered to Olivia. Even Anne’s eyes seemed to say let’s just go.
Just as Olivia and Anne were about to turn away quietly—
“Enjoying the show?”
Startled like someone caught in the act, the two slowly turned toward the woman. She was looking straight at them, chin raised, eyes locked with Olivia’s.
Olivia took a deep breath and walked toward the bench.
The woman’s tightly pressed lips were red and swollen. Her eyes were puffy, like someone who’d been silently sobbing, biting her lip the whole time. Her eyelids trembled slightly as she glared.
“Hello.”
“Do I look like I’m doing well?”
“…”
A foolish opening line.
“Satisfied?”
Olivia calmly accepted the woman’s reaction.
“It’s a common tactic in our circles. Just today, my chair was missing.”
The woman’s voice trembled with anger. Olivia thought of the women laughing and chatting on the terrace of Grand Bleu.
“Because of you.”
The woman trembled, fiercely holding back tears. Olivia felt sorry but not particularly sympathetic.
“Because of people like you, I’ve never had a seat either.”
Olivia looked down at her with emotionless eyes.
The woman looked like she wanted to retort, her lips moving slightly, but silence settled between them. Light and shadow danced erratically in the breeze that rustled the branches.
Their locked gazes were tense, like a tightly drawn thread.
“You’ve changed.”
Elaine’s sharp gaze softened, and she let out a dry chuckle.
“How did you know the necklace was a fake?”
“I saw the real one.”
“So it’s at the duke’s estate… I was stupid, fooled again.”
Elaine blew her nose with a sharp sound. The tip of her nose was bright red.
“My grandfather left me land, and he sold it behind my back. When I confronted him, he had nothing to say. I’d suspected he had another woman, but still… I was in denial, you know? Scared to face it.”
Elaine licked her lips, held her breath, then inhaled deeply.
“Then on our anniversary, he gave me that necklace. Said he sold the land for it. Cried about being a useless husband. Ha!”
She wiped her nose again.
“I’d always said I wanted it, even before marriage. He remembered. I was so touched. He must’ve laughed at how dumb I was… while using that money to spoil another woman.”
“The one at fault is the one who lied.”
“The one who got fooled is at fault too. I should’ve verified it. A simple appraisal would’ve done it. But I was afraid. If it turned out to be fake, I knew I couldn’t stay in the marriage. So I ran away like a coward. I didn’t think I’d face the truth like this.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m not going to, either.”
Elaine forced a thin smile, suppressing her emotions.
“Instead. Can you introduce me?”
“…Sorry?”
Olivia blinked in surprise.
“That competent lawyer of yours.”
Elaine’s eyes sparkled as she looked straight at Olivia.
“…”
Olivia was silent for a moment, then sighed as if something had just occurred to her.
“Ah!”
If you ever need a good lawyer, let me know. I’ll introduce you. You never know how life goes.
It had just been something she said to not be overwhelmed in the moment, but Elaine had taken it to heart.
Olivia stared silently at her for a while, looking slightly flustered.
The truth was, there was no competent lawyer.
Olivia had only wanted one thing—divorce. Johann Leopold had to quietly exit the stage before meeting Clara.
Olivia had been anxious that he might not let her go. These stories often turned into obsession.
But he let her go without a shred of hesitation, even adding a generous settlement that surprised her. It was probably for the sake of his own reputation.
“Actually…”
Olivia hesitated, trying to find the right words.
“There isn’t a competent lawyer.”
“What?”
“Exactly that. There’s no such lawyer.”
Elaine looked incredulous. Her large eyes blinked, and she suddenly stood up and locked arms with Olivia.
“Forget that. Let’s go get some tea. I have so many questions.”
Elaine was serious about divorce. She didn’t need the incompetent lawyers at Rondos who charged a fortune only to deliver pitiful alimony. She needed advice from someone experienced—especially from Olivia Blanchet, who had secured a ridiculous amount of alimony.
The three of them left the path and entered the first teahouse they saw. A piano melody flowed softly from the phonograph in the quiet tea room.
Their conversation paused as a server brought their tea. Once the server stepped away, Elaine raised her eyebrows and asked,
“I read in an article that you got an incredible settlement and the Le Mont villa. That you went in with nothing and walked out a rich woman. Oh, I’m just quoting the article, so don’t be offended.”
“They printed all that? I didn’t know.”
“Oh my gosh. Your divorce was huge news. They even wrote what brand your bag was when you left Great Hill. You didn’t read the papers?”
“I wasn’t really interested.”
Olivia smiled faintly. She had only cared about leaving Johann Leopold’s side.
After choosing the Kingdom of Britte as her new home, she’d been busy preparing to move and researching the area—selling the villa, getting ready to leave.
“You really didn’t hire a lawyer?”
“…No.”
“So you just split the assets with your rich husband without a fight?”
From Olivia’s point of view, she’d done nothing for the divorce—so yes.
“I was hoping your lawyer could be my hope.”
“Wouldn’t the court side with you?”
“Judges are men too. They probably have mistresses of their own. Which means they see it as normal.”
It was common for wealthy men to have women besides their wives. In their world, it was another display of wealth.
“That’s unfair.”
“Well, we could have lovers too, if we wanted. As long as we don’t get caught.”
It was hard for Olivia to relate to that.
“That’s why if a woman wants a divorce first, she needs a powerful lawyer. Or, her husband has to be guilty of something worse than an affair.”
Elaine dropped sugar cubes into her teacup, stirred them until they dissolved, then repeated the action.
Olivia quietly observed her, lost in thought. The piano tune ended, and a cello melody gently floated across the sunlit afternoon.
“Then… what if we made your husband want the divorce?”
When Olivia cautiously asked, Elaine stopped stirring her tea and looked up.
“Him?”
“Yes.”
Elaine frowned.
“Are you telling me to get dumped? Do you even realize what that would mean?”
Her voice rose with emotion.
“I do. But you mustn’t agree to the divorce.”
“…”
“Just hold out until he offers the alimony you want. Then he’ll have to file for divorce in court.”
“…”
“All you have to do is show the judge what a wise, patient wife you are.”
“What do you mean?”
“Say that despite his infidelity, you still love him and want to protect your precious family. That you’ll always wait for him to return. Move the judge. The more convincing your performance, the worse your husband will look, and the judge will grant a favorable settlement.”
Elaine’s eyes lit up with understanding.
“I can make him say it.”
How must her husband have felt, proudly showing off the fake necklace at every ball, knowing the truth? The betrayal and humiliation made her shiver.
Was the necklace the only thing that was fake?
Probably not. Ever since that one day when he came home smelling of another woman’s perfume, maybe everything he gave her had been fake—even his feelings.
What a bastard.
She couldn’t hold it back, no matter how she tried. She felt sick. Tears welled up again.
“If the divorce goes through, we’re having a party.”
Elaine’s lips curled into a bright line as she smiled, clenching her jaw to keep from crying.
The day of Duke Johann Leopold began, as always, early in the morning.
It was the weekend, but just like any other day, he handled his work in the study while substituting breakfast with a strong cup of coffee.
With an expressionless face, he signed documents absentmindedly, and in the afternoon, he took a ride around the estate on Alexander, his cherished horse.
Afterward, he changed into formal attire suitable for a formal dinner and attended an evening banquet to which he had been invited.
As if nothing had changed, his life remained exactly the same as before the divorce. If there was one difference, it might be that he no longer had a companion to accompany him to social gatherings.
Diane Brooke was quite satisfied with that fact.
To her, the existence of that lowly illegitimate child was utterly insignificant. Olivia Blanchet, more worthless than dust floating in the air, had left not a single trace on the solid life of a noble man.
Standing outside Johann’s study, Diane Brooke adjusted her outfit. Gently pressing down her trembling chest, she knocked. A deep, charming male voice from inside responded, telling her to come in.
The former duchess’s secretary, Diane, opened the tightly closed door to the study without hesitation.
