Chapter 10
“That’s impossible. I checked that ledger myself several times before turning it in.”
Kallion twisted his lips into a mocking smile.
“Then what? Did the ledger grow legs and walk away on its own?”
Yuliana’s face hardened.
Then, her eyes slowly turned toward Layla—
who was calmly looking away, avoiding her gaze.
Yuliana stared at her for a moment, then stood up without a word.
“Please excuse me for a moment.”
She walked out coldly without waiting for permission.
Kallion sighed, assuming she’d stormed off in shame.
He turned to Layla.
“You mentioned the Bas Trading Company? Go back, confirm the item list and prices. Actually, forget it. Since we can’t trust anything she did, just cancel the deal—even if we have to pay a penalty. Go back to our original supplier.”
Layla lowered her head respectfully.
“Understood.”
She pretended to be apologetic, but under her bowed head, the corners of her lips lifted in satisfaction.
***
Moments later, the office door flew open.
Yuliana walked back in, completely unfazed by the sharp stares of both Kallion and Layla.
In her arms was a thick stack of documents—just like the previous ledger.
Meeting their eyes, Yuliana smiled coolly.
“Good thing I made an extra copy of the ledger.”
She had gone through the extra effort to prepare a backup just in case.
And now it had paid off.
As Layla’s expression stiffened, Yuliana smiled sweetly.
“Isn’t that lucky, Miss Layla?”
Layla didn’t meet her eyes and simply replied:
“…Yes. Very lucky.”
Yuliana walked confidently to Kallion and placed the documents before him.
“You can check it again.”
Kallion didn’t say a word of apology. He simply acted like it was nothing and began flipping through the papers.
Worried he might try to nitpick again, Yuliana stood silently in front of him.
Eventually, his eyes narrowed as he spotted something.
“What’s this amount listed under your name?”
She knew he’d bring that up.
It was the allowance typically given to a noblewoman of a household—a dignity fund, meant for the lady of the house.
In her previous life, she had never received such a thing.
Back then, she never even thought to ask for it.
She had only wanted to please him. To be loved.
But this life was different.
When she eventually left with Denian, she would need savings—enough to ensure her child never went hungry.
She also needed money to buy information from Baz.
“It’s the standard dignity allowance for the lady of the house.”
“Dignity allowance, huh…”
He let out a scoff.
In the past, such a reaction would’ve hurt her.
Now, she didn’t even blink.
Kallion tilted his head.
“Isn’t that a bit too much for someone like you?”
The implication was clear: You’re not worth that amount.
But Yuliana’s heart was already too tattered to be wounded by such remarks.
“As you said, if I’m to keep a lover, that’s about what I’d need.”
Kallion’s brow furrowed instantly.
“…What?”
“What’s wrong? Are you taking back what you said?”
She was completely indifferent, even calm.
Kallion let out a stunned laugh.
“Of course not.”
But his eyes glared at her with fury and disgust.
It was strange—he had been the one to suggest she could take a lover.
So why was he now acting as if she had betrayed him?
“Just make sure no one from either of our families hears about this.”
His words were cold, but the glare was sharp as a blade.
Yuliana simply nodded.
“Of course.”
Frustrated, he waved her away.
“I’ll check the rest of the ledger myself. Both of you, leave.”
Yuliana turned without another word.
As she stepped out, she passed Layla.
Looking at the woman’s annoyingly calm back, Yuliana spoke clearly:
“If you’re going to try to frame me, Miss Layla… you’d better be smarter next time.”
Layla stopped walking.
No matter what you do, I won’t go down easily.
Yuliana was sure Layla understood that now.
But when Layla turned her head, she wore the same calm smile.
“I’m not sure what you mean, ma’am.”
It was a confident smile—one that said Kallion would never doubt her.
***
Back in the study, Kallion finished checking Yuliana’s ledger.
It was perfect.
Which meant the original version—before Layla delivered it—was also perfect.
So where had the missing pages gone?
The answer seemed simple.
If it wasn’t Yuliana’s mistake, then perhaps Layla made a mistake when delivering it.
But even if it was the obvious answer, Kallion couldn’t accept it.
He had known Layla for eight years.
In all that time, she had never made a single mistake.
That’s why he trusted her so deeply.
So… did Layla really make such a basic error now?
“…Damn it.”
Kallion rubbed his face harshly and stared at the ledger.
Even if Layla had slipped up, she was still a loyal member of the Sorrentos family.
She had been by his side for eight years—like his right hand.
Yuliana, on the other hand, was the daughter of his enemy.
A woman full of secrets.
In the end, loyalty always wins.
He couldn’t doubt Layla. Doing so would be questioning the very foundation of his household.
No, maybe the real problem was her.
Every time she appeared, his calm broke.
“As you said, if I’m to keep a lover, that’s about what I’d need.”
“What’s wrong? Are you taking back what you said?”
“Hah.”
Remembering her bold words, Kallion let out an incredulous laugh.
Sure, he had said she could take a lover.
But to say such things so openly—while looking him right in the eye—was beyond anything he expected.
He couldn’t understand her.
Before the marriage, she had seemed sweet and innocent.
Now, she acted cold and hostile.
Maybe this new behavior made more sense.
After all, their two families were enemies.
What made less sense was her behavior before the wedding.
“I believe that if I try my best after we’re married, you’ll understand my sincerity.”
She had said that during one of their formal meetings before marriage.
She had smiled softly, but in that one moment, her eyes were firm and unwavering.
Just for a moment, Kallion had been caught off guard.
He had forgotten she was the daughter of his enemy.
This small, quiet girl… had shown such determination.
It surprised him.
But now, he thought that was laughable.
Because after the marriage, she shocked him again—in an entirely different way.
Was that gentle version of her just an act?
Was her so-called sincerity just another form of hatred?
Or… was this new side of her just another strategy to win him over?
He couldn’t tell anymore.
There was one thing he could admit:
Whatever her true intentions, Yuliana was definitely giving it her all.
Even he had to acknowledge that.
The flawless ledger proved it.
He didn’t know why she was working so hard…
But if she was doing it to win his heart, she had it all wrong.
In Valdormer, everyone is expected to fulfill their role.
Even the daughter of House Heister.
She was just doing her duty—nothing more.
Still…
Those cold red eyes of hers.
He thought they held hostility. But now, he wasn’t so sure.
There was something deeper. Something more complicated.
Or maybe… it wasn’t anger at all.
Maybe it was emptiness. The kind that comes from having no hope or expectations left.
He didn’t know why she looked at him like that.
Or why those eyes bothered him so much.
Feeling suddenly stifled, Kallion brushed back his hair and went to the window.
He flung it open wide, letting the cool air rush in.
