Chapter 43

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Everyone knew why Ines couldn’t even attend such a light tea time until now.

Ines Brierton.

Although she was now the protagonist of a divorce case that has attracted the attention of the world, the evaluations of the noble ladies were quite different. To summarize the evaluation of Ines at the time in one line.

‘Poor woman.’

The naive aristocratic lady, blinded by her love, married her husband, who was far below her, and gave him a great fortune as well as the title of Count of Brierton.

Was that all?

After her marriage, she refrained from outside activities and solely supported her husband.

She was quite different from Ryan, who showed his face to all kinds of parties and gatherings. Even when Ines seldomly went out with Ryan, the dynamic was off.

“What do you know?”

“But, honey.”

“Don’t interfere. Okay?”

Ryan was overbearing every time, and Ines was at a loss for what to do in front of him.

Even at that time, some people thought the relationship was strange.

But at that time, Ryan was a painter of genius, and everyone looked up to him and admired him. Even those who had doubts about the relationship between Ines and Ryan would choose silence rather than be hostile to Ryan.

But now.

“Countess, what do you mean…we know it was really hard for you.”

Baroness Wickham grabbed Ines’ hand and opened her mouth. 

The other ladies also joined in and comforted Ines.

“How could Master Gott do that! How devoted the Countess was to him!”

“Right, he’s so shameless!”

The kingdom was a conservative country and there were many people who viewed divorce negatively.

Most of the ladies were on Ines’s side emotionally. Apparently, Ryan’s fault was too great, and there were no ladies who had sacrificed that much for the family.

How hard would it have been to be able to get a divorce?

That was the common evaluation of the ladies.

To the countless consolation pouring in, Ines answered plainly.

“Thank you all for your concern.” 

Naturally, the atmosphere moved in favor of Ines.

The ladies enjoyed tea and refreshments and chatted about various things. 

“Once upon a time, Viscountess Gott bragged about her son, the Count of Brierton and how he carried so much strength on his shoulders.”

“That’s why the Viscountess doesn’t even come to the social gatherings these days.”

“Aha, it’s hard to show off now.”

“Yes. How can she carry her face around in shame?” 

A roar of laughter erupted.

Ines, who had been listening closely to the conversation, drank tea with satisfaction.

‘This is enough.’

Even without Ines having to deal with it, the Gott’s reputation had already completely dried up. It seemed that it was because of the behavior that usually made many enemies here and there.

But then.

Knock. Knock.

A short knock sounded.

Baroness Wickham narrowed her brow and looked towards the door. 

“It’s strange, I didn’t call anyone.”

During tea time, she told the servants in advance not to interrupt unless it was urgent.

But if someone came knocking like this, perhaps they needed permission from the hostess.

“Come in.”

The Baroness granted her permission.

Click.

The door opened.

The maid, who stepped into the parlor, bowed her head with a troubled face. 

“What’s the matter?”

“Well, ma’am,’ the maid said cautiously.

“Baron Jason’s Young Lady has come to visit.”

“What?”

Baroness Wickham’s face wrinkled.

“I’m sure I sent the cancellation letter. Did you deliver it properly?”

“I did. But now, she’s standing in front of the house, stubbornly insisting that she wants to meet the Countess of Brierton…”

“What?!”

Baroness Wickham, who had responded with annoyance, glanced at Ines.

The most influential person in this position right now was by far Ines.

Head of the of Brierton, one of the kingdom’s most prestigious families.

A huge amount of financial power that raised even the Gott, her husband’s family, who was once ruined. 

In addition, the artist who proved that Ryan’s painting was hers through divorce proceedings and proved her genius. 

‘You don’t mess with the Countess of Brierton.’

With such a calculation, Baroness Wickham raised her voice.

“Tell her to go back now! What kind of disrespect is this….” 

But the Baroness couldn’t finish her sentence.

Clank.

It was because the sound of the teacup and the saucer collided resounded clearly. Although it wasn’t a loud sound, it was enough to draw people’s attention at once. Facing five or six pairs of eyes focused on her, Ines spoke leisurely.

“It’s okay to let her in.”

“Yes?”

Baroness Wickham doubted her ears.

At the same time, Ines’ smile grew a little darker.

“If she misses me so much, let her in.”

“Ha, but.”

“Lady Jason is standing outside right now. That’s why I don’t like it.”

Ines added, shrugging her shoulders lightly.

“Also, I don’t want people to talk about the Baroness for nothing because of me.”

“Oh no, Countess…..”

At those caring words, Baroness Wickham was touched.

Charlotte’s reputation was at its worst because of the article from Elton.

And Ines was currently attending Baroness Wickham’s tea time.

‘Of course I’m not afraid of a small family like the Jason, but rumors circulate….’

‘It’s only the appearance of our family that will look strange.’

The Baroness bit her molars.

Charlotte even had several interactions with Baroness Wickham, with the help of Ines. So, in the eyes of others, it would look like the Baroness cut off Charlotte to get to Ines.

For that reason, Ines took that into consideration, even meeting with Charlotte, which would be very unpleasant for her.

Then, Ines spoke softly.

“It’s my fault that Baron Jason’s Young Lady came here, so I shouldn’t make Baroness Wickham have more trouble, right?”

For a moment, the ladies were a little nervous.

Not to mention, isn’t this the first time Ines called Charlotte ‘Baron Jason’s Young Lady’ instead of ‘Charlotte’?

That sounded like Ines drew a line with Charlotte.

‘I have to be careful.’

The ladies looked at each other and smiled awkwardly.

***

“Ugh, I thought I was going to miss it.”

Charlotte, who somehow followed Ines without missing it, staggered and alighted from her carriage.

She would have completely missed Ines if the rental carriage didn’t run by just in time.

But somehow the surrounding scenery was familiar to her eyes.

Charlotte opened her eyes wide and looked at the building in front of her.

“Wow, here… … Isn’t that Baron Wickham’s townhouse?”

Charlotte swallowed dryly.

Baroness Wickham.

There were many women of higher rank than her in the central social circle.

However, there was no one who made friends with various nobles as colorful as she did. Her pleasant characteristic, friendly personality helped her connect with many people, despite her not so high status as a Baroness.

Meanwhile, as several families who were friends with Baroness Wickham became married, she quickly emerged as a best matchmaker.

And Charlotte, whose dream of ‘marrying a good man and raising her status’, had no choice but to want to make an acquaintance with Baroness Wickham.

So Charlotte.

‘What is it, Ines? Isn’t this an invitation from Baroness Wickham?”

As soon as she found an invitation to a picnic from Baroness Wickham on Ines’s desk, Charlotte pushed Ines to attend.

Ines couldn’t hide her troubled expression, but in the end, she was defeated by Charlotte’s stubbornness. So Charlotte followed Ines to the Baroness’s picnic, and met the prominent ladies who were very surprised to see Charlotte there.

After that, she hung out with the Baroness several times using Ines as an excuse.

‘As soon as this happened, the tea time invitation that you sent to me was quickly canceled…… !’

Charlotte sharpened her teeth. 

And yet you invited Ines? 

Her wretched pride of hers swept away any reason she had left. Charlotte clenched her fists.

***

*Gotta give it to Charlotte for being so persistently shameless, lol.