I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living-Chapter 187

Countess Corindel stepped forward as if she had been waiting for her chance.

"Ivetta, do you have any idea how much I’ve worried about you? Come with me immediately. There’s a carriage waiting outside. We’re returning to the capital."

"......"

"What are you waiting for? Move!"

Despite her mother’s urging, Ivetta remained rooted in place, showing no intention of complying. Frustrated, Countess Corindel strode toward her.

Ivetta finally spoke, her voice trembling.

"Go back. I’m not going with you."

"What nonsense are you spouting now? Are you not ashamed after making me come all the way here and causing such trouble? If you don’t come with me this instant, do you not realize I’ll have to embarrass you further in front of Baroness Halo?"

Ivetta bit her lower lip so hard it lost color. She didn’t care what happened to her, but she couldn’t bear to inconvenience Penelope.

"Maybe it’s better to go with her and try to escape again when I get the chance," Ivetta thought, making a silent decision. Staying here would only cause more trouble for Penelope.

That was when Penelope intervened.

"I’m sorry, but my secretary is not leaving this estate. I must ask both of you to leave instead."

"...!"

"What... what did you just say?"

Both women were stunned, seemingly unable to process what Penelope had just declared.

Penelope stepped forward, shielding Ivetta from the two uninvited guests.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"Ivetta Corindel is a capable adult. In the Empire, any legal adult has the right to choose their own path. She is currently employed by me, and I have no intention of letting her go."

"...!"

Countess Corindel’s eyes widened in shock. Even Ivetta stared at Penelope in disbelief. Only Carla Rahinsel glared coldly at Penelope, as though she were ready to devour her.

"Go ahead, glare all you want. What are you going to do about it?" Penelope thought defiantly.

She stood her ground with confidence. After all, she had her ultimate ace: Ahwin, who, despite his slightly annoyed expression, was watching her with affectionate eyes.

With newfound boldness, Penelope pressed on.

"Ivetta, go back to your duties. As for the uninvited guests, please leave before I summon the knights."

"How dare you!" Countess Corindel sputtered, turning to Ivetta.

"Ivetta, what is the meaning of this? What is the Baroness even talking about?"

Ivetta clenched her fists tightly, determination etched on her face.

"I’m not returning to the Corindel estate. I also have no intention of entering into a political marriage with Grand Duke Rahinsel."

"Ivetta!"

"Don’t call me that! You don’t even have the right to use my name," Ivetta snapped.

Countess Corindel flinched. Ivetta locked eyes with her mother, her words sharp and deliberate.

"Don’t try to control my life anymore. If you do, I’d rather die."

Countess Corindel froze, her body stiff with shock. Carla, too, was visibly taken aback by Ivetta’s unexpected defiance.

Countess Corindel stammered, her voice trembling.

"Do you even understand how much debt the family is in? How could you be so irresponsible? Do you have any idea how much I sacrificed to raise you? Why do you only think about yourself?"

"I never asked to be born! You had me without my consent, so stop demanding sacrifices from me! And that debt? It’s not mine—it’s yours. All because of your gambling!" Ivetta shot back, her gaze filled ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) with disdain.

"That debt has nothing to do with me anymore, so deal with it yourself," she added coldly.

Countess Corindel staggered, visibly shaken, but Ivetta remained unmoved. She turned to Penelope and bowed politely.

"I’ll get back to my duties now."

"Please do," Penelope replied calmly.

Ivetta walked past her mother without a second glance. When she reached Carla, she paused and curtsied gracefully.

"I didn’t expect to see you here, Duchess."

"Stop being stubborn and come home. Your mother has been worried sick," Carla implored.

"I’m sure she has," Ivetta replied with a faint smirk. Carla didn’t seem to notice the sarcasm and continued.

"To think, a noblewoman working as a secretary. Do you realize how much ridicule this would bring in social circles?"

"Go back. I hope we never meet again," Ivetta said firmly.

"......"

Carla’s eyebrows shot up at the boldness of Ivetta’s reply. Even Grand Duke Rahinsel had never spoken to her so insolently. For Ivetta, a mere daughter of Countess Corindel, to stare her down and speak so defiantly was beyond belief.

Ignoring Carla’s icy glare, Ivetta continued toward the door. For the first time, she felt fearless.

"I’m not afraid of anything anymore," she thought.

Penelope had taken her side, and that alone was enough to banish any lingering fears.

As Ivetta reached the parlor door, she stopped abruptly. Standing in the hallway was Grand Duke Rahinsel, his expression slightly startled.

"Rahinsel? What is he doing here?"

Ivetta didn’t waste time pondering.

"Move. Are you here just to watch the spectacle?"

"......"

Rahinsel’s brows furrowed at her brusque tone, and he stared at her as if seeing her for the first time. After a moment, he silently stepped aside.

Ivetta began walking again but stopped suddenly as if a thought had struck her. Turning to Rahinsel, she spoke with a mocking smile.

"You once said persuading my mother was difficult. I didn’t expect the mighty Grand Duke Rahinsel to confess his incompetence in such a roundabout way. Are you here to make more excuses?"

"......"

"No, that’s not it. You’re just lazy. You ignored the issue because dealing with the Duchess and my mother was too bothersome. Political marriages eventually fizzle out if you don’t pay attention, right?"

Rahinsel’s silence spoke volumes. Ivetta had hit the nail on the head.

Of course, a man of his stature could choose his own partner. He had merely left the situation as it was to use Ivetta as a convenient shield, knowing that as long as she was entangled in rumors, other families wouldn’t pursue him.

Ivetta narrowed her eyes at him.

"Look elsewhere. I have no intention of being tied to you."

***

After Ivetta left, the parlor felt desolate, as if a violent storm had passed. Her fiery determination had left everyone speechless, particularly Rahinsel, whose face was frozen in shock.

The first to react was, surprisingly, Ahwin.

"Pfft... Hahaha!" he burst out laughing.

"Ahwin, are you laughing right now?" Penelope asked incredulously.

"Did you see that? That sly fox froze up and couldn’t say a word. Your secretary really hit a nerve," Ahwin chuckled, ignoring Penelope’s scolding.

Rahinsel frowned, his gaze shifting to Penelope as he finally spoke.

"Your secretary? Ivetta Corindel is now working for you?"

"Well... yes. It just sort of happened," Penelope replied, clearing her throat awkwardly.