I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living-Chapter 192
‘The secretary of the Lady of Halo? What on earth is this?’
Countess Corindel, Susan, felt a searing fury every time she thought of her daughter.
She had provided her with food and shelter, yet her daughter had run away and become the secretary to the Lady of Halo.
To Susan, it was a betrayal of the highest order.
What baffled her even more was that Ivetta had abandoned the opportunity to become part of the Rahinsel ducal family.
It wasn’t as though she had been ordered to marry the old Duke; this was an engagement to the charming Grand Duke of Rahinsel. Perhaps the only chance for her to marry a young, handsome man with immense wealth and power, and she had thrown it away.
Turning her back on the riches and honor of being the Grand Duchess to flee to a rural estate? It was incomprehensible to Susan.
‘That wretched girl! This time, I’ll lock her in the cellar and starve her for ten days straight!’
Susan clenched her teeth in anger. But for now, pleasing Carla took precedence.
“Please give me just ten days. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring my daughter back and have her kneeling obediently before you, Dowager Duchess.”
“Do you not understand what I’m saying, or are you simply pretending not to hear me? If the rumor spreads that your daughter worked as the secretary of the Lady of Halo, the noblewomen of the social circles will laugh until their jaws drop!”
Carla’s furious voice echoed through the alleyway.
For the upper nobility, hard work was considered degrading.
A noblewoman should don elegant dresses, grace the social stage with her presence, and dutifully follow her husband as a proper lady of the household.
A daughter-in-law with a background as a secretary was utterly unacceptable to Carla.
“I have no intention of accepting a flawed daughter-in-law. Look elsewhere.”
“Please reconsider, Dowager Duchess. We could claim that Ivetta only visited the Halo estate because she is acquainted with the Lady of Halo. Who in the capital would care about the affairs of a rural estate?”
“......”
Susan added quickly, “Who would possibly believe that a count’s daughter worked as a secretary?”
Carla’s expression shifted slightly. She had to admit Susan’s argument held some merit.
‘Now’s my chance.’
Sweating profusely, Susan pushed on with her persuasion.
“I will ensure she never entertains such foolish ideas again. I will re-educate her into the perfect, obedient lady who meets your standards. Please, just grant me ten days, Dowager Duchess.”
The longer Susan spoke, the more Carla found herself softening.
Ivetta Corindel was the candidate Carla had handpicked as the most suitable bride for Rianel.
‘Her family may have a fancy title, but in reality, they’re practically penniless. It’s perfect.’
Carla liked it.
There wasn’t a more fitting candidate than Ivetta.
Her mother, Susan, was vain, extravagant, and deeply addicted to gambling. She was easily manipulated, showering Carla with admiration in exchange for a few coins.
There was no way Carla would consider any other bride.
‘No daughters from families that have even a slim chance of revival.’
Carla had devoted extraordinary effort to keeping Rianel in check.
Everything the Rahinsel family possessed had to belong to her son, Tebes.
‘The true heir of Rahinsel is my son. Only my son has the right.’
As the Dowager Duchess of Rahinsel, Carla believed it was only natural for her son to inherit everything.
She intended to strip Rianel of everything.
If Rianel’s wife’s family provided him even the smallest support, Carla would not tolerate it.
Thus, after careful consideration, Carla had chosen Ivetta Corindel.
The late Count Corindel was long gone. His widow was a gambler who had brought disgrace upon the family.
Their daughter, burdened with repaying her mother’s colossal debts, struggled to survive.
It was a delightful mess.
‘Tch, at this point, I can’t be bothered to look for someone else.’
Carla finally succumbed to Susan’s persuasion.
Training another candidate would waste all the effort she had invested so far.
With a resolute expression, Carla spoke.
“You have exactly ten days. Bring Ivetta to me within that time, completely docile and obedient.”
“......!”
Susan’s face lit up with joy.
“Leave it to me. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring my daughter before you. She’ll be tamer than a gelded horse!”
Susan declared confidently. Carla gave a dismissive nod and began to walk away.
Just then, knights of the Rahinsel family arrived with a carriage. Rianel had sent them to escort her.
“Uh......!”
Susan quickly grabbed Carla’s arm. Carla paused and turned to look at her.
Blushing deeply, Susan spoke hesitantly.
“Well, to get things in order, I’ll need some funds. Not a large amount, just a little....”
“......”
Without a word, Carla opened her handbag, pulled out a purse, and handed it to Susan.
Susan beamed as she accepted it. The weight in her hands was substantial—gold coins, no doubt.
“Let me know if you run out of money.”
“This will be more than enough!”
Susan barely suppressed a grin as she responded. Carla shot her a contemptuous look before stepping into the carriage.
Carla disappeared, leaving Susan alone.
Susan looked down at the purse in her hands. Slowly, she opened it, revealing the gleaming gold coins inside.
“......How much is this even?”
Biting her lower lip and gnawing on her thumbnail, Susan felt ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) an overwhelming temptation. It had been days since her last game, and the sight of gold made her itch.
“Just a few rounds wouldn’t hurt....”
Stuffing the purse into her bosom, Susan glanced around cautiously. Then, she strode off toward an alleyway, vanishing from sight.
From start to finish, Penelope had watched the entire scene unfold. She let out a long, exasperated sigh.
“......This is worse than I thought.”
“Worse? What do you mean?”
“Ah! You scared me!”
Penelope jumped, turning to see Ahwin raising both hands as if startled.
“Pepe, I’ve been with you this whole time. Why are you surprised?”
“I was so focused on watching them that I forgot you were here.”
Maybe it was because there hadn’t been any exciting drama lately, but she had been completely absorbed.
Nothing captivated an audience quite like a scandal. She had watched the exchange with bated breath.
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Ahwin frowned slightly, his expression bemused. He grabbed Penelope’s hand and tugged.
“Are we not eating? We came out for lunch, remember?”
“Lunch? Is that really important right now?”
“Pepe, I didn’t know anything was more important to you than food.”
“Well, there is now.”
Penelope snapped back, her heart racing with excitement.
Ahwin already had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, Penelope gripped his hand tightly and declared, “We need to follow Countess Corindel.”
“She’s definitely headed for a gambling den.”
“We need to find out where she’s gambling and what she’s planning.”
“......”
Ahwin was at a loss for words. Penelope’s eyes sparkled with determination.
Their lunch date was taking yet another bizarre turn.
