The idiot who had been chattering away was knocked to the ground by Johann's sudden blow.
"That... that bastard. What I said wasn't wrong—Argh!"
As the saying goes, if your head is empty, your body suffers. Johann kicked the smug face of his cousin, who still couldn't grasp the situation. Blood splattered everywhere.
"Keep going."
Johann muttered lowly, pulling on the tie. He put more force into his right foot, pressing down on his cousin's chest.
That's right. If you're stupid, you should at least have some sense. Johann sneered, looking down impassively at his cousin writhing under his shoe.
"How old are you to still be fighting? Now, now. Calm down, everyone."
One of the cousins, who at least had some sense, tried to defuse the situation.
Johann let him go at that point. The cousin, who had been about to get up to retaliate, trembled, clenching his fists at Johann's cold gaze. Johann straightened his tie as if nothing had happened.
"Let's have a drink, Yohan."
"Next time."
Johann nodded almost imperceptibly and turned away.
"That guy is picking a fight with me for no reason. Picking a fight."
Johann, who had been turning away, stopped and slowly turned his head, glancing over his shoulder.
"Baikal Steel."
The cousin's face, which had been flushed red, turned pale in an instant.
"If you want to keep your position as CEO, think carefully about how you should behave."
With that brief advice, Johann left the party.
"Why is he acting like this today?"
There were many things to say when asked why, but he decided to ignore the complaints he heard from behind.
Clueless fools.
The Crown Prince was trying to sell him off to Princess Kranz. His grandmothers, even with the 20th century just around the corner, were trying to sell him off to someone who only knew how to dance the quadrille. There was no way he could be happy. And then there was his ex-wife.
Johann got into the carriage and leaned back deeply into the seat, resting his elbow on the window frame.
He listlessly watched the crimson lights streak past the dark window, then turned his gaze to the newspaper lying on the seat.
Olivia.
The front page of a famous tabloid featured a large photo of Johann's ex-wife kissing Edgar.
The photo, distorted by the red light of the streetlights shining through the darkness, looked very suggestive.
Reasonable suspicion began to branch out again, growing rapidly.
Since when?
The veins on the back of Johann's hand stood out clearly. The fragile body was crushed mercilessly in his grip.
The black carriage, having left the dazzling city center, turned onto the winding road that climbed the hill past Honggyo Bridge.
Greathill, brightly lit in the darkness, began to appear beyond the carriage window.
After driving a little further through the rows of dark trees, the carriage slowly turned into the mansion's driveway and headed towards the entrance. The butler and servants, waiting for their master's late return, were lined up in front.
"Welcome home, Master."
As the carriage came to a stop and Johann got out, the butler announced the visit of an uninvited guest after his greeting.
"Count Blanchett is here."
Johann, who had been slowly climbing the entrance steps, looked up at the air for a moment before looking down at the butler over his shoulder.
"Not tea, whiskey."
Johann ordered briefly in a weary voice.
Johann, climbing the stairs again, let out a soft chuckle. It was because he had thought of the photo of Olivia he had seen in the carriage.
How brazen.
He felt disgusted.
It wasn't a particularly good time for Olivia's grandfather to visit Johann. It seemed that a lack of tact and shame was in that family's genes after all.
Olivia calmly tilted the teapot into the empty cup. The room, where golden sunlight streamed in at an angle, was quiet. After a while, it was Olivia who broke the silence.
"Why? Didn't you mention the necklace?"
Olivia asked, turning her head as she looked at the necklace case placed on one side of the table.
"I didn't think it was important."
"A tacit consideration?"
"It's an outdated custom. Breaking it is also my job."
Olivia, looking at Madam Lauren's confident eyes, was at a loss for words and sighed softly.
"I'm an artist, but I'm also a businesswoman."
"You used me."
Olivia hit the nail on the head.
Anne Gilbert.
Now, there was no one who didn't know about this jewel, not only in Brit but also across the sea in the entire continent.
Even last year, Princess Anne Boleyn's outfit photos and Olivia's photos were compared side by side, and the jewelry designer who had passed away fifty years ago was summoned, disturbing her peace.
Eve Lauren Boutique was flooded with inquiries about renting the talked-about necklace. Of course, along with orders for dresses to match it.
Madam Lauren composed herself and spoke again.
"I didn't know these photos would be taken. The hotel prohibits reporters from entering, but how can we perfectly block those hyenas? Miss Blanchett knows better than anyone."
Madam Lauren subtly mocked Olivia, reminding her of the scandal she had orchestrated to marry Johann. Olivia was speechless.
"If you hadn't taken such an ambiguous stance in the first place, there wouldn't have been a scandal."
"This necklace proved me."
"I'm sorry about that."
Madam Lauren grasped her teacup. A large emerald on her second finger radiated blue light. It was a noble light, like her attitude.
"It's just a series of accidental happenings. It will soon be forgotten. People's memories aren't that good."
What Olivia was worried about wasn't faceless strangers.
Johann Leopold. Her ex-husband.
Olivia wanted to be forgotten by that man. But she became anxious because it didn't seem like that would happen.
Madam Lauren took the necklace in question and returned, leaving only silence in the room. Next to the cold coffee cup, a folded newspaper photo caught her eye.
No way.
Olivia's cheeks flushed.
It was a clear kissing scene with no room for excuses, and it was embarrassing. Of course, they didn't actually kiss, but the problem was that it looked like they did.
Olivia, who had been staring at the newspaper for a long time, turned it over and buried her face in her hands.
Did he see it?
He was originally a busy man. He was a man who had no interest in his wife, and he was extremely indifferent to everything except work.
Right. He might not have seen it.
No. Even if he did see it... he might not even care.
This kind of self-rationalization, even if it originated from escapism, brought a moment of peace. As she took a positive mindset, the things she had to do in the future were prioritized one by one in her mind.
Brier.
It was time to leave Lancelot Hotel.
The next morning, the two had a simple breakfast and packed their suitcases.
Olivia cut her abundant hair into a neat bob. She wore an ordinary brown dress and pulled a plain bonnet, which ordinary maids wore, down low.
She looked like a common maid to anyone who saw her.
According to the maid Marie, who was serving the meal, reporters were lined up at the hotel's main gate after the Rose Ball.
"They won't recognize me, right?"
"You look like a completely different person."
Olivia, who was looking in the mirror, nodded in satisfaction.
Olivia looked around the luxurious room. At the end of it was the maid Marie. Olivia thanked her.
"Anne. Let's go."
Olivia said, gripping the handle of the leather trunk tightly.
"Yes, Miss."
The two, who had packed their luggage modestly, left the room. The fog was thick beyond the glass window overlooking the beautiful garden.
The fog became even thicker while they were taking the carriage to the station.
"They went to Litten Central Station."
"I see."
Edgar nodded lightly and looked at the green shoes in the box with interest.
That night, the night of the Rose Ball. The woman who ran away in surprise had very small feet.
"What time is the train?"
"1 p.m."
"I see. It's cutting it close."
Edgar gave a satisfied smile and gave a look that said he could leave now. As the aide left and the door closed, Edgar's gaze turned to the newspaper spread out in front of him.
The photo came out quite satisfactory.
They looked like lovers enjoying a secret affair to anyone who saw them. The woman was more eager and active in the relationship.
I hope Johann likes it too.
The scandal was still going strong even four days later. Being involved with the princess added a synergistic effect. Of course, he hadn't calculated that far.
Edgar's lips stretched into a long smile.
This proved Olivia Blanchett's topicality.
The completion of the Dumblin Stadium, which would be completed soon, and the successful hosting of the tennis tournament held there. The development of a business that he had been working on for five years was imminent.
Use her appropriately, enjoy her appropriately.
Olivia Blanchett was a very suitable woman for that.
Edgar closed the box of shoes waiting for their owner. As the sparkle of the jewels scattered on the green satin disappeared, a knock was heard.
"Princess Anne Boleyn of Brit is here."
Edgar narrowed his eyes.
When the princess divorced and returned to Brit, he didn't think much of it. It was a relationship that had naturally ended, and she was already just one of the many women who had passed through Edgar's life.
But Anne Boleyn Grace Brit seemed to be different.
"Please get me a cup of tea."
The secretary left and Princess Anne Boleyn entered.
"I'm sorry for coming so suddenly."
The princess looked genuinely sorry.
"Knowing that, you came."
Edgar, who had risen from his seat, walked around the desk and approached her.
"Please sit down, Princess."
Edgar greeted her casually and leaned back languidly on the reception sofa.
"I couldn't sleep a wink last night."
"Why?"
I wonder what kind of act she'll put on today.
Edgar was already starting to get bored. He crossed his long legs and took a more comfortable position.
Anne Boleyn only moved her lips at her ex-lover's cold gaze before finally opening her mouth with difficulty.
