Chapter 100: CH 100

I could have suspected it was kidnapping, but the inside of the house was too neat for that.

In addition, Baron, who promised to invest and signed the contract, also lost contact.

Marquis Gallard doesn’t even accept his request to visit lately.

When he meets the Crown Prince to ask him to keep his promise, he is told that he can’t draw attention.

If this is the case, it will be bankruptcy.

“That’s not allowed.”

Count Peliard opened his eyes.

This was his family, he couldn’t let it be destroyed.

He had to find a way to make money now.

In the worst case, selling raw materials even at a low price…

Knock—

Then a knock was heard.

The butler, who entered the office, bowed his back.

“Sir. A guest has arrived.”

“I’m busy right now, so tell them to go back.”

“That… it’s from Burstoad.”

“You mean the Duke of Burstoad?”

“Yes, you’re right.”

Count Peliard jumped to his feet.

Cesare Burstoad had visited.

But why?

Currently, Cesare Burstoad is a waning star now.

Everyone in the capital’s social circles said so.

It was well known from the last trial that the crown prince felt sorry for the Duke of Burstoad.

Although he escaped from imprisonment for some secret deal, it seemed that the Duke didn’t spread his wings, considering that Gabriel Hylister would rise to the throne in the future.

Count Peliard, was therefore pleased when Daphne filed for divorce from the Duke.

She had never been a favorite in his life, and now he wanted her to be filial.

The Crown Prince also seemed to like Daphne, so he intended to start using that child as a business once again.

So, at this moment, Cesare Burstoad shouldn’t visit Peliard.

The Count went to the drawing room where Cesare was waiting.

“You are late, Count.”

Cesare sneered arrogantly at being seated in a room that didn’t belong to him.

Being abandoned by the imperial family and being such a high-profile person with nothing.

I don’t know why he’s still in the capital when he should be down in his estates.

The Count inwardly grinded his teeth.

“I apologize for not predicting your sudden visit.”

“It’s a good thing to know.”

“… What brought you here?”

Cesare crossed his legs gracefully.

He tilted his head and opened his mouth.

“I’m here to claim compensation.”

“Yes?”

“Your son-in-law has suffered so much financial loss that I have come to get it back.”

Count Peliard opened his eyes.

I was wondering what kind of nonsense this is.

“As you know, Count, the Duke of Burstoad gave the Count a large sum of money in exchange for the marriage to Count Peliard daughter.”

“That’s a wedding gift, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. However, according to Imperial law, if the sacred promise is broken within five years of marriage, you can get your money back.”

In the past, there was a time when the Empire was noisy due to scandals of high-ranking nobles and Imperial families.

It happened because having a mistress was not taboo.

There was a divorce trial involving huge alimony, and after the case was over, the Emperor, exhausted, instituted a decree to prevent a flood of divorce papers.

The idea was to capitalize on the fact that marriages between aristocrats were ritualized and involved large sums of money.

It’s not illegal to get a mistress, and since everyone lives like that, it was a decree that was made with the purpose of not getting a divorce if possible, and that everyone should live with their favorite lover and maintain their appearance.

Count Peliard received an eye-watering sum of money from the Duke of Burstoad in exchange for the marriage.

Asking them to give the money now was no different than telling them to become a beggar on the street right now.

Count Peliard sputtered and said.

“However, the reason Daphne filed for divorce was because the Duke could not keep his dignity as a nobleman…!”

“You dare insult me now, Count?”

“That, no…! Duke! I am Daphne’s father, who is married to the Duke! I’m the same as the Duke’s parents, you can’t treat you like this!”

“Not anymore.”

A wicked smile tugged at the corners of Cesare’s mouth.

Count Peliard was not worthy to say such a thing.

“Your daughter has filed for divorce with me, and it has been accepted. It means that I no longer have a relationship with Count Peliard.”

Cesare snapped his knuckles.

The sound of knuckles reverberated in the room.

“I don’t forgive those who bite me. Even if it was once my wife.”

He looked as if he were angry.

Count Peliard shuddered.

When Daphne divorced, I only thought of selling her to the Crown Prince, but I didn’t think that the Duke would come out to ask for the money back.

At a moment like this, the Count is suffering from financial difficulties and Jacob has disappeared!

The Count bowed his head and begged.

“I’m sorry, Duke. But there’s nothing I can do for you right now.”

“I think I handed you quite a bit of money, but don’t tell me you’ve spent it all.”

“No, no, I don’t. It’s just that… I’m in difficult finance right now, so you’re going to have to wait until…”

“I have no reason or inclination to wait. If you can’t do it according to the law, all that’s left is a trial.”

If you go to trial, he will lose.

Rather, he may have to hand over more alimony.

Count Peliard cried in hurry.

“Soon! I can hand it over to you soon! It’s just that it takes time to sell things. If you give me a week, I will prepare even half of it.”

“3 days.”

Cesare spread three fingers.

Count Peliard opened his mouth stunned.

“Yes?”

“You have three days to make arrangements.”

People tend to make mistakes when they are in a hurry.

I was going to wait three days to see what Count Peliard would do.

Cesare laughed coldly.

“Duke!”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Cesare left the room.

As he left the gates of Count Peliard, an informant who had been with him dressed as a servant approached quietly.

Cesare asked, lowering her voice.

“Did you confirm?”

“Yes. Duke. As you said, there was a box of items kept in the former Countess’s room.”

It was just as Lee Jong-woo said.

Cesare smirked.

“All the money lines are blocked and he’s in a hurry, so he will try to sell it right away tomorrow.”

“I’ll make sure we have people ready.”

“Yeah. Because we need to seize the moment of sale. And Joseph.”

“Yes.”

And one more thing. Cesare came here to learn about the deaths of the former Countess, as well as the Bariol and Count Peliard.

Cesare turned to Joseph and asked.

“Did you know about the ex-Countess’s maid or nanny?”

“There was still an old lady but she was not the Countess’ maid, she served as the Duchess’ nanny in the past.”

The Duchess, that is, Daphne’s nanny.

“Have you spoken to her?”

“To my surprise, she spoke favorably of the current Countess.”

“Daphne’s nanny?”

Joseph nodded and spoke quickly.

“Yes. She said that the current Countess cared a lot for the former Countess when she was ill, that she had gotten some good medicine for her and brought it to her, and that the former Countess’s condition improved after she used it.”

“It must be Bariol. But since it’s addictive, it must have been slowly ruining the body.”

Cesare murmured coldly.

She was being poisonous, wrapped in the guise of kindness and consideration.

He seemed to understand why the death of the ex-Countess was covered at the time without leaving any doubts.

“I think so too.”

“What proof do you have that the Marquis of Gallard is involved in all of this?”

“That… Apparently, the Marquis did not leave any evidence. I think it would be better to catch the Count and get a confession from him.”

Cesare frowned.

Peliard is no help in rescuing Daphne.

He’d just be holding her by the scruff of the neck.

There must be evidence of a close relationship between Peliard and Gallard, but it was frustrating because there was no clear evidence.

Cesare took a step forward. It’s not the direction of the carriage.

Joseph asked.

“Where are you going?”

“To Daphne.”

He couldn’t just accept the flowers and stay still.

I wanted to see Daphne.

“Yes?”

“I won’t be back until morning, but make sure you are well prepared to catch Peliard.”

“Wait, Your Excellency!”

Joseph tried desperately to call, but Cesare had already disappeared.

Ugh, really.

Joseph’s sigh reached the ground.