WARDV 18

CHAPTER 18

After getting dressed, Elize marched straight into Paydan’s office.

“Paydan!”

“Oh, Elize. I’m busy right now, so wait a bit.”

Paydan looked swamped, reviewing stacks of documents with his aide since morning.

Elize frowned at him, clearly displeased that she was being brushed aside.

‘How many days has it been already?’

Since Leticia left the house, all the paperwork and business matters had fallen on Paydan’s shoulders.

After that, even having meals together became difficult, let alone spending evenings.

Elize didn’t like it, but without Leticia, someone had to manage the duchy’s assets — and that someone was Paydan.

‘That woman handled work and everything else just fine. Why is Paydan taking so long?’

Though she grumbled inwardly, Elize went ahead and claimed a spot on the sofa in his office.

On other days, she would’ve backed off under the pretense of being considerate, but today she had to talk — about Leticia and Idris.

‘A scandal broke out today, and there’s something more urgent than that?’

With the scandal involving Idris and Leticia blowing up, the rumors of divorce between Paydan and Leticia now seemed almost certain.

That should’ve caused issues in their business operations, but Paydan seemed distracted by something else entirely.

Curious about what was keeping him so busy, Elize tuned in to the conversation between Paydan and his aide.

“What happened to the money we set aside from selling the southern villa?”

“It was paid recently for the purchase of mana stones.”

“There’s nothing left?”

“There is, but it’s nowhere near enough to cover the taxes…”

More than Leticia’s scandal, what was giving Paydan a headache was taxes.

Leticia had been managing most of the business, including taxes. With her gone, that responsibility now fell to him.

‘No wonder there was some spare cash.’

But he’d unknowingly spent the tax funds on buying mana stones for a new business venture.

The payment deadline was coming next week, and there was no sign of incoming cash.

‘At this rate, I’ll have to pay the taxes in mana stones…’

As Paydan bit his lip in frustration, Elize — who had been quietly listening — stepped in.

“Paydan, are you losing sleep over taxes?”

Already tense, Paydan reflexively frowned, assuming Elize was just bothering him again.

But her next words made his eyes widen.

“If you delay the divorce with the duchess a little longer, I’ve got a great way to handle everything at once…”

“A great way?”

Paydan perked up, intrigued, and Elize smiled slyly, clearly pleased with his reaction.

“I think you’ll like it. Want to hear it?”

Late at night.

Most shops were closing, but one building remained brightly lit — a casino.

A place where imperial travelers and desperate dreamers gathered for a shot at turning their lives around.

Clack, clack.

Two figures stood at its entrance.

A burly man in a suit and mask, and a blonde woman adorned in a luxurious dress and mask.

Behind the mask, Leticia’s blue eyes sparkled as she gazed at the casino.

Meanwhile, the man beside her, Wigg, looked anything but excited — his eyes filled with anxiety.

“Uh, Boss…”

Leticia had made it clear: “I’ll be divorcing soon, so don’t call me ‘Madam.’ And ‘Miss’ sounds unprofessional. So don’t use that either.”

Thus, the title “Boss” was chosen.

Leticia looked up at Wigg, puzzled.

He hesitated before finally speaking.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“What isn’t?”

“I mean… gambling?! I know we’re desperate for cash, but this?”

Gambling, to Wigg, was the path chosen by those standing on the edge of a cliff — a way to dive off completely.

But Leticia had figured something out during her last conversation with Paydan at the hotel:

He had no intention of returning her dowry without a fight.

So she made a plan.

“Paydan will likely put the land I took as dowry up for auction soon.”

“How do you know that, Bo—Boss?”

“…Well, I know their financial situation inside and out.”

In truth, she remembered that in her past life, Paydan had sold the land to raise cash when funds were tight.

“When it goes to auction, I’m going to buy it back — cheap.”

It was frustrating to have to pay for land that was hers by right, especially when the man refusing to return it didn’t deserve a dime.

But knowing the land’s future value, getting it for a bargain would be as good as reclaiming it.

The real issue was how to get the money…

‘I could invest in art or sculptures that gain value over time, but that takes too long.’

That’s when she turned to the casino.

‘Besides, I want to test the limits of this ability.’

The glowing light she saw in Idris.

The shimmering effect when she attacked Paydan with the candlestick.

Those clues told her that her ability wasn’t limited to sensing monetary value — it helped her choose what was favorable to her.

If this power could guide her to the best outcome in any situation, then she had to test it.

‘If I don’t reclaim that land, my contract with Idris falls through too.’

She didn’t like relying on luck, but if there was no other way…

‘Then I might as well go all in.’

Adjusting her mask with a determined gaze, Leticia muttered,

“No matter what happens, I won’t let you starve. Just follow me.”

There was a rule at the casino: everyone had to wear a mask upon entry.

The reason was simple —

“To protect the winners and prevent crimes by the losers.”

While many came for fun, some were there with nothing left — placing their last hopes on a roll of the dice.

And when they lost that too, desperation could turn violent.

Inside the casino, security could keep things in check.

But once outside, it was another matter.

To prevent unfortunate incidents after losing everything, the mask rule was enforced.

‘Of course, being a woman puts me at a different kind of risk…’

That’s why she brought Wigg along.

Leticia entered the casino proudly, Wigg following like a loyal guard dog.

Even the doorman flinched at Wigg’s size and stepped aside without question.

Inside, people parted like the Red Sea at their approach.

‘Hah, I picked the right assistant.’

But there was a problem.

‘He’s so intimidating no one wants to sit at my table!’

Gamblers would subtly slip away from any table Leticia sat at, intimidated by Wigg’s towering presence.

Leticia gave Wigg a small signal to come closer.

He leaned down, and she whispered,

“Go have a drink at the bar.”

“Sorry?”

“No one’s coming to the table because of you.”

But Wigg hesitated, reluctant to leave.

‘Is he worried I’ll lose everything I have?’

Guessing his thoughts, Leticia reassured him.

“If I lose all my money, I’ll walk away. Don’t worry.”

“It’s not that…”

Then what?

As she stared at him, puzzled, Wigg mumbled shyly.

“I… I can’t drink…”