Chapter 50

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The next morning.

Ines has finally done the odd job.

That’s right.

“After looking at the documents, it appears that the amount invested in Viscount Gott’s business is substantial.”

“Yes that’s right. The former Count (Ryan) told me to invest money first…”

The agent, who had been called from early in the morning, opened his eyes wide and looked at Ines. During Ryan’s presidency as the Count of Brierton, considerable funds flowed into his family. 

‘Ryan, you’re really too much.’

Ines smirked briefly, and declared.

“Now, stop paying all those investments.”

As soon as he heard those words, a smile bloomed on the agent’s face.

“Yes, Sir!”

Seeing he was happy as if he was doing his job, Ines was a little stunned.

Was it something to like so much?

But in fact, he should.

So far, the funds invested in Gott’s family had been blind money.

Ryan had abused his position as Count of Brierton, barely keeping a business on the verge of bankruptcy on Brierton’s money.

“Count, reduce the size of your investment a little…”

The agent carefully suggested it while Ryan was still the Count.

“Do whatever you’re told, how dare you say anything?”

All that came back was Ryan’s rude remarks. So the agent had to just keep his eyes open and watch as Brierton’s money leaked out.

Finally, permission to withdraw the funds was given from Ines.

“Then I’ll leave.”

“What? already?”

“Yes. We’re running out of time to get the money back as quickly as possible. It is not enough to leave right now.”

Ines blinked her eyes.

Well, she didn’t tell him to retrieve it today…..

But she didn’t even want to pour cold water on the ambitious agent, because getting her money back was what Ines wanted too.

“Great.”

Ines simply nodded her head.

So, after the agent left the study with a happy face.

Ines glanced at the calendar on the desk.

“…… It is already tomorrow.”

The date of meeting Enoch and resuming portrait work was just around the corner.

Ines bit her lips.

It was strange.

Even if she tried not to think about Enoch, she kept thinking of him.

The mind that ran arbitrarily was out of control, and if she let it relax, her mind would be filled with thoughts about Enoch.

‘That’s enough.’

Ines shook her head and got up.

‘Today, don’t worry about useless things, just rest well.’

After reclaiming the title of Count of Brierton, she had not been able to rest properly in the past few days to organize things.

Saying she needed rest, Ines immediately walked out of the study.

But.

“Marry?”

Ines’ eyes went wide.

Likewise, Mary, with bunny eyes startled, stood outside the door.

She was holding a tray full of refreshments and tea in her hands.

“What is all that?”

“The Lord even skipped breakfast this morning and worked. So I prepared something…”

“Aha, did you worry about me?”

Ines chuckled.

“But what to do? I’m on a business strike today. I’m going to rest.”

“Really? That’s good.”

Mary, who was halfway to the office door, turned her body with lightning speed.

“Then I’ll put this back in the kitchen to prepare breakfast.”

“What? No, I can just drink the tea you brought with you..… ”

“No.”

Mary glanced back at Ines and shook her head sternly.

“If the Lord wants to rest well, you must first eat well.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Mary smiled and hurriedly ran to the kitchen.

After that.

Ines had a quiet time after a long time.

Ines’ favorite scrambled eggs and assorted fruits, carefully crafted by the chef.

After enjoying breakfast, she sat by the sunny window, basking in the sun and reading.

The fragrant aroma of tea spread from the warm teacup on the table. So she thought that the day would pass peacefully.

Until that afternoon, an unexpected person came to visit the townhouse.

“I, my Lord.”

“What’s wrong?”

Ines, who was leisurely reading a book, raised her head.

A maid announced with a look of hesitation.

“A guest has arrived.”

“Guest?”

But there were no appointments today.

Ines, who had tilted her head, narrowed her brow for a moment. 

“Is it a person from the Gott’s family by any chance?” 

“……Yes.”

The maid looked at Ines, not knowing what to do.

Ines had a stunned face.

“Wow, how can a person be so shameless?”

When Ines didn’t touch the investment, they had never contacted her. Even for the ugliness that Ryan had done last night, they didn’t even show the slightest sincerity to send someone to apologize.

But this time, as soon as Ines withdrew the investment, they came in a hurry…

‘How can they act so obvious like this?’

Ines shrugged her shoulders with a click of her tongue.

“If they have sent me a letter, I don’t need to read it, just throw it in the fireplace.”

“That…Viscount Gott came to visit.”

“Viscount Gott?”

Ines was a little surprised for the first time.

Viscount Gott.

He was Ryan’s older brother and who was once Ines’ brother-in-law.

Although he pretended to be a decent gentleman on the outside, Ines did not really like Viscount Gott. Because he only cared about himself.

“My family has recently run a business. I was a little short of funds, so…”

When Viscount Gott smiled kindly and sneakily mentioned , Ryan was the first to take the bait.

“My brother said the business is really solid!”

In addition, the elder Viscountess Gott joined as if waiting.

“It’s family. Surely you will invest, right?” 

“Ah, but after discussing that with our vassals…” (Ines)

“No, what do vassals matter?” (Ryan)

Ryan, who was pounding his chest and smiling wildly, was acting proud.

“Don’t worry, I’m the Count. Anything can be done with my permission!”

“No, wait a minute. That….” (Ines)

“It’s only natural for a family to make this kind of investment. Right, Ines?”

So, the Gott family secretly forced Ines to answer.

Recalling that time, Ines narrowed her eyes. 

“Tell him I can’t see him because I’m taking a nap.”

It was to express that she did not want to meet the other person enough to give such a nonsensical excuse. But the troubled face of the maid did not brighten at all.

“Well, there is something that the Lord must see for herself at least once.”

“For what reason?”

“That…Viscount Goth sent a gift for the visit.”

“A gift?”

It was a completely unexpected answer.

Ines tilted her head in bewilderment.

“Then bring it.”

So, two maids struggled and put the gift in front of Ines…

“Are you sure this is a gift?”

Ines couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

Yes….”

The maids were more embarrassed.

When the needlessly colorful wrapping paper was peeled off, the object was revealed inside.

“Oh my God, it’s a teddy bear.”

With a little exaggeration, it was a teddy bear the size of Ines. It was cut and crafted with the finest silk, had a luxurious satin ribbon wrapped around its neck, and eyes inlaid with sapphire.

It was a really expensive and useless thing.

Ines knew the meaning of this gift.

‘I brought a gift this expensive, so I’m sure you won’t pretend you don’t know me, right?’

That’s how they secretly pressured Ines.

Just then, a maid carefully added her words.

“Ah, the Viscount Gott has asked me to give you a message.”

“What is it?”

“That …..He said that this doll was chosen by Master Gott in consideration of the Lord.”

“Aha.”

Ines seemed to understand a little about what had happened then.

Back in the day, when Ryan and she were still married. She once called Charlotte and they had tea together.

And as soon as Charlotte visited, Ryan, who had been snooping around the parlor, took a seat.

After that.

While they were having a conversation, Ryan suddenly opened his mouth.

“A doll is the best gift for women. Is it not?”

Ines laughed awkwardly.

“Well, of course, there are people who like dolls. But I don’t like it very much……”

“What? Ines, you have a very strange personality.”

Then Charlotte cut Ines ‘words like that and interrupted the conversation.

“I like dolls! Aren’t they cute?”

“No, I’m not saying they’re not cute.”

Feeling pushed for some reason, Ines bit her lip, not knowing what to do. In the first place, 

In the first place, not all women must like dolls.

As for Ines alone, since she was a child, she liked to play with art tools rather than dolls.

“How can a woman not like dolls?”

“The Count is right. To be honest, among the young ladies around me, I can’t find a single person who doesn’t like dolls.”

But Ryan and Charlotte were driving Ines as if she had become a strange person.