WARDV 07

CHAPTER 07

Feydan’s face twisted at my unexpected reaction.

Did he really think I’d panic and cling to him the moment alimony was mentioned?

Let’s see how much he’s prepared then.

I opened the envelope. It was packed full of property documents—land deeds, mansion titles, and the like.

I figured from the size of the envelope it wouldn’t be a check…

As I looked through the documents, Feydan offered an explanation.

“Cash depreciates over time. I figured assets like these would be more practical.”

It was a reasonable point—until I looked closer at the documents stained with financial rot.

Oh? Does he think I’m a fool?

A cold sneer spread across my lips.

Though I hadn’t participated directly in management, I’d contributed many business ideas from before we were married up to now.

I could confidently say my ideas had at least doubled the Farnese family’s fortune.

And yet…

He thinks I’ll just walk away with this crap?

Not a chance.

“Don’t tell me this is all?”

“If you return to the mansion and stay put until Founding Day, I might add some liquid cash to—”

“Too little.”

I cut him off and slapped the documents down on the table before he could even finish his condescending offer.

“For the emotional damages, for contributing to the growth of Farnese’s wealth, and…”

And as compensation for my past life—one filled with misery and loneliness until its bitter end.

“All told, I’d say I’m owed at least thirty percent.”

Honestly, even that felt cheap for what I’d endured. Feydan’s eyes bulged in rage.

“Thirty percent?! Are you insane? Farnese’s fortune was mine to begin with!”

“Exactly. Your existing assets gave us the foundation—but I’m only asking for thirty percent.”

“Hah! So I didn’t marry a wife, I married a thief.”

Feydan let out a ridiculous laugh before his face turned cold and stern again.

“Did you really think all this growth was thanks to you? It was my ability, not yours.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Funny—someone so desperate to claim all the credit usually has the least confidence in their abilities.

“Well, if you’re really that talented, why not grow it again with those brilliant skills of yours?”

His expression twisted as my words hit the mark.

I smirked at the sight and pressed on.

“What? Don’t tell me you’re afraid you can’t manage without me?”

He clenched his teeth at my jab to his pride.

He can’t agree, but he can’t deny it either.

If he says he can grow the family fortune on his own, then he has to give me a share. If he refuses, he’s admitting I helped build it.

Grinding his teeth for a while, Feydan eventually tried to shift the subject.

“So I was just a cash cow to you? I thought you really loved me.”

As always, he tried to manipulate me emotionally.

But all I could do was scoff.

“I used to believe in people too. But you live long enough, and you realize—money’s the only thing that doesn’t change.”

In this rotten world, money is the only thing I can count on.

It always feeds me good food, keeps me warm, and lets me sleep in comfort…

Money!

Only money.

“In that case, I think we’re done talking today. Would you leave now? I’m getting hungry.”

Having said what I needed to, I stood up.

I had faced Feydan right after returning from the Grand Duke’s estate, and now all I wanted was a cold juice and something sweet.

Feydan frowned at my dismissal.

“You’re not even going to offer your husband a cup of tea?”

“Since when did we sit down and have tea like civil people? Just go home already.”

Tea, my ass.

He should be glad I didn’t throw water in his face.

Without sparing him another glance, I turned around and left him gasping in disbelief.

“Oh, right.”

I suddenly remembered something and turned back.

Feydan looked at me suspiciously.

I gave him a sweet smile.

“I hope you won’t let this alimony business hold you back from proving your eternal love to Lady Elize.”

With that, I gave him a little wave and slammed the room door behind me.

Erin, who had been waiting anxiously outside, rushed up to me.

“My lady, are you okay…?”

“Yeah. But Erin, there’s something I need you to do.”

“Anything.”

“We need to post a job ad.”

“A job ad? For what…?”

“To hire a secretary.”

After what happened with Feydan today, and how Erin had to physically block him…

If I wanted to waste as little of my life as possible on that garbage, hiring a competent aide was step one.

Erin gulped nervously at the sight of the three large, intimidating men in front of her. Her hands trembled.

So… who were these guys?

They were the final candidates selected from the applicants who responded to the ad Leticia had posted a few days ago.

What exactly did my lady see in these men…?

They all looked like bandits.

Don’t tell me… she wants a “muscle secretary”?

Like—beating up anyone who approaches her?

Of course, judging someone by appearance isn’t right…

But growing up with a violent father, and later witnessing her lady’s father and stepbrother raise their voices constantly, Erin had developed a fear of large, loud men.

While she tried to suppress her fear, trembling all the while—

“Excuse me…”

The biggest and scariest-looking of the three men addressed her.

“Eep!”

Erin barely swallowed her scream and looked up at him.

“Sorry, but… could I get another cup of tea? I’m nervous…”

He held out his empty teacup, which looked like a toy in his huge hands.

Erin stared at him in amazement.

Even a scary-looking man like that gets nervous…

She felt a bit guilty for judging him so quickly—but her body couldn’t help its reactions.

Her hands were shaking so badly while pouring the tea that it overflowed.

Realizing she’d messed up in front of the “bandit,” her face went pale.

Frightened out of her mind, she dropped to her knees.

“S-Sorry!”

“N-No! I should be the one apologizing!”

Startled, the man also dropped to his knees in front of her, repeating his apologies.

As the awkward commotion unfolded, the door to Leticia’s room finally opened.

“One at a time, please.”

Unlike Erin—tense just from being near the men—Leticia showed no fear, even though she would be meeting them alone.

The man who had asked for tea quickly stepped inside, while the others exchanged nervous glances.

Erin stared at the closed door with a mix of worry and hope.

How is my lady going to choose the right one from this bunch?

Then she remembered Leticia’s confident words from that morning:

“I’ve figured out a way to assess the secretary candidates and hit Feydan where it hurts.”

She didn’t know how Leticia planned to solve both problems at once, but Erin chose to trust her.

Just like always.

A few days later, early morning.

Feydan was guzzling coffee like water as he worked through documents.

It was the first time since bringing Elize into the mansion that he was working this early.

Usually, he would spend the mornings lounging with her, starting work only after lunch.

What changed his routine was something Leticia had said:

“If it was all your ability, then grow it again with that so-called ability of yours.”

That single sentence had struck at the inferiority he always felt around her.

What a joke. Of course Farnese’s success is my doing.

Even if Leticia disappeared now, the Farnese house would remain strong.

Always rich, always respected, always admired by all.

Yet, his confidence was quickly tested.

“…Who the hell is this ‘Remano Trading Company’?”

Among the documents awaiting approval were names of firms and families he had never seen before.

After reuniting with Elize, he had paid little attention to business matters—and eventually stopped altogether.

The one who had taken over that neglected responsibility was…

Leticia would’ve known…

Feydan frowned at himself for instinctively thinking of her.

“…Whatever. I can look it up.”

He began rummaging through past documents, but the information he wanted was nowhere to be found.

His irritation became increasingly obvious.

Then—

“Your Grace! I-It’s urgent!”

Feydan scowled as his aide burst in without warning.