Chapter 179

“Welcome back, Duchess Efreni.”

As soon as the Duchess of Efreni arrived at the Efreni estate, the first person to greet her was the faithful butler. Rather than comforting her over the sadness of losing her son, the white-haired butler of the Efreni family worried about the fatigue she had accumulated from the long journey first.

“I told the maids to prepare everything in advance, Duchess. First, please take a bath.”

“…”

The Duchess of Efreni said nothing in response to the butler. Her eyes continued to remain out of focus as she was guided to her room with the continued support of the maid. She was not interested in her surroundings, so the fact that her husband, the Duke of Efreni, who was also the head of the Efreni family, was not home, and her husband’s mistress, who she had always despised, was staring at her in a strange way, went unnoticed. In other words, the Duchess of Efreni did not have the desire to pay attention to what was happening around her.

“Elder Sister.” January knew it was not wise to intervene at this time, but she chose to chase the pleasure of that moment, rather than remaining astute. January called out to the Duchess of Efreni in a tender voice that seemed to be colored with pity. “You have arrived.”

“…”

Only then did the Duchess of Efreni give her attention to January. Upon receiving that focus, January could not help but flinch in surprise. Those eyes were so cold and dry; it seemed impossible that they belonged to a living being. However, January was not dissuaded, and continued her greeting, “You must be tired, Elder Sister.”

It was truly foolish of her. The Duchess of Efreni stared blatantly at January, but said nothing, and January kept talking.

“It is such a shame what happened to the Young Master.”

“…A shame,” the Duchess of Efreni repeated in a dry voice. “A shame, you say?”

“Yes, Elder Sister.”

“Why?” the Duchess of Efreni asked with a smile that was full of suspicion, revealing her emotions for the first time. “It is really a good thing for you. Jacob has pushed my son out of the picture.”

“…”

“Right?”

“Elder Sister, how could you say such words…”

The Duchess of Efreni strode over to January, who was muttering to herself with a blank expression. January was taken aback by the strength emanating from the woman who appeared to be have been dying just moments before. She took a step back unconsciously. The Duchess of Efreni still had a cold expression on her face.

“Do you think I do not know of your ill intentions?”

“Elder Sister, what kind of misunderstanding…”

However, January’s words could not reach a conclusion. The Duchess of Efreni grabbed onto her hair. January let out a high pitched scream, as her hair remained caught in Duchess Efreni’s grasp

“KYAAA!”

“Get out of my house, right now!”

“AACK, Elder Sister! Why are you doing this to me!?”

What was fascinating was that no one tried to stop her. There was nobody in that house that would side with January. Even the servants, who used to maintain a neutral attitude, were on the side of the Duchess of Efreni today. It was no secret that January actually relished the passing of the Young Master.

“I am telling you to take your dirty bloodline, and get out of here right away!”

“AAUGH! This crazy woman is trying to kill me!”

The flustered January grabbed the Duchess of Efreni’s hair in turn; only when she did that did the servants attempt to separate the two of them. While January let go of the Duchess of Efreni’s hair relatively easily, the Duchess of Efreni displayed power that was unimaginable for someone who had just been withering away, and did not let go. It was not until January’s hair fell out in chunks, that the Duchess of Efreni managed to relax her hands as the servants restrained her, and stared at January with monstrous eyes. January also met the Duchess of Efreni’s eyes with a glare.

“You.”

“…”

“Since my son is dead now, you think everything in the world will go your way? You think that half-blooded son of yours will become the successor to this family, right?”

When the Duchess of Efreni asked this, she laughed in a way that was quite hideous; no one had ever seen such a sight before.

“Do you think there is even the slightest chance it can go your way? I am the one who inherited the blood of the Efreni family, not that man. You seem to be greatly mistaken about something! If I bring in an adopted child and make him the successor, your lowly bloodline will remain a bastard forever. You know that?”

“How can such…!”

Bewildered by the Duchess of Efreni’s straightforward speech, January was shocked by the terrible speculations the woman was conveying to her. Unfortunately, there was nothing wrong with the Duchess of Efreni words. If the Duchess of Efreni really adopted a child, he would be the next successor of the Efreni family. January widened her eyes in anger, and as the Duchess of Efreni went into her room with a tired face, glowered at her retreating back.

Just before Duchess Efreni walked into the room, January listened carefully to hear what she had to say to the butler.

“Call for Lady Petronilla.”

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