“Oh my, really?”

Though Louisa already knew, she tilted her head as if surprised. That Langdon Wyatt would get caught—she had expected it, of course.

“Oh dear. He was one of my classmates. What on earth did he get arrested for?”

“I’m not sure, but I heard he drove a horse into the party grounds to ruin it or something… Isn’t he insane?”

“Goodness, I never would’ve thought. But then again, he always did have an inferiority complex toward Lucas.”

Louisa knew that, with just those words, these women would take care of spreading the rumours for her. Someone not even worth ranking in the hierarchy had foolishly picked a fight with Lucas and brought disaster upon himself.

She wasn’t particularly worried about being caught for advising Langdon behind the scenes.

‘They know how frightening the Vanderbilt family is. They wouldn’t dare drag me down.’

She was the youngest and most cherished daughter of a financial empire. Anyone who carelessly mentioned her name or somehow tied her into the matter faced social ruin.

‘It would’ve been even more of a sensation if he’d actually struck the Countess, but I suppose it didn’t go that far.’

Still, the fact that Cordelia was keeping out of sight—even after hosting such a successful party—meant she had definitely taken a hit.

Louisa couldn’t help but wonder when Lucas would finally rid himself of that woman and choose someone truly worthy of him.

As she returned to her mansion after tea with the so-called “ladies-in-waiting,” a flicker of regret passed through her as she thought of Lucas.

So when she spotted the familiar car parked in her garden, her eyes widened in surprise. And the moment she stepped into the drawing room and saw a platinum-haired man lounging there like he owned the place, her heart began to race.

“What a surprise, Lucas. Dropping by without notice?”

Louisa approached him with a charming smile.

It was the first time he had ever visited her here alone—especially in the mansion she lived in by herself.

And when he looked at her and raised just one corner of his lips in that way, she instinctively ran her tongue over her lower lip.

His broad, firm torso was clad in a well-tailored Supima cotton shirt, and even Louisa, an experienced woman, flushed with heat at the sight of his strong thighs.

That alone would be enough to make anyone want to drag him into bed right then and there, but then he smiled at her slyly and winked with his left eye.

The thought that such a man was tied down to a penniless woman made her wonder if this might be her chance.

“What brings you here alone, Lucas? Does your wife know you’re here?”

“……”

“If you came because you were bored, I’d be more than happy to keep you company.”

“Louisa.”

Lucas finally spoke as he looked at her smiling with anticipation.

“Why are you acting so vulgar, when you’re supposed to be a noble young lady?”

“Lucas?”

“Even kitchen maids wouldn’t be as eager as you.”

Lucas slowly rose from his chair.

Louisa, who had been about to step closer with heat and expectation in her eyes, instinctively stepped back.

This was her home—there was no reason to feel afraid.

‘Me? Afraid?’

She had never once been afraid of Lucas. He had viewed her with annoyance at times, sure—but that only made her like him more.

After all, a man who doesn’t fall easily is the most thrilling kind.

But fear?

“Vanderbilt. Won’t you please let me at least keep my manners?”

“W-What are you saying? Say it so I can understand, Lucas.”

“The last time, you stirred up Cordelia and ruined my entire painting.”

Lucas spoke with a bitter, sarcastic smile.

“I let it go then — you should have stopped while you were ahead.” But horses? That’s insane!”

“What? But I heard it was Langdon Wyatt who did that!”

Louisa widened her eyes as she protested. She’d been so relieved to hear he was the one taken in by the City Police.

“Langdon’s always had an inferiority complex about you. That’s probably why he wanted to ruin the party. Honestly, how could someone so wicked—”

“Louisa. The only people who know what my wife is afraid of are the Duquesne family. And Randolph’s couple would never contact Langdon directly—they’re not that bright.”

“……”

“But our queen of society—you know Alicia, and you know Langdon. Isn’t it strange how those two overlap?”

“Lucas. Are you really suspecting me over this? With no evidence…!”

“Do I look like someone who wastes time gathering proof?”

Lucas shrugged one shoulder and shot her down coolly.

Sometimes, instead of patiently collecting evidence and making a case, it felt far more satisfying to just crush everything suspicious in one blow.

“There’s no evidence, so I won’t send you to the City Police. But… I do think it’s time you paid a visit to your family estate.”

“W-What…?”

“By now, your parents are probably waiting for you. I’m sure they’ve received a very fascinating report about how their well-bred youngest daughter’s been running wild like an unbroken colt.”

“You—don’t tell me—!”

“This is why unmarried children should never be gifted their own mansion. Thanks to you, I’m learning early how to raise kids.”

“Lucas Duquesne!”

Louisa’s eyes widened furiously as she shouted his name.

Despite her remaining unmarried, everyone in her inner circle knew how recklessly she had been living. However, her parents’ generation had been kept completely in the dark. If they found out, she would be expelled from the social circles she now belonged to.

The men might gossip among themselves, but they kept quiet out of fear of her wealth.

But those rules didn’t apply to Lucas.

Once her parents — who had been too busy to pay attention to their youngest daughter — learned the full truth, things would change.

“Lucas! How could you do this to me? For a man to expose a woman’s secrets—how ungentlemanly!”

“Hah. I never asked to be made a gentleman.”

“How dare you…!”

An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. If you’re going to harm someone, make sure you do it perfectly. If you’re caught, be prepared to face retaliation. This was second nature to those raised in the New Continent.

But what truly shocked Louisa was that this relaxed yet ruthless man had broken all the social rules of eastern circles over a pathetic utility woman almost getting hurt.

This wasn’t graceful. It wasn’t elegant.

Why would Lucas go to such lengths?

“We won’t be seeing each other at the clubhouse anymore, I suppose. Now that your parents will be retraining their youngest daughter in proper manners.”

“……”

“Well, call me when you get married. I’ll be sure to send a generous gift.”

“…Lucas.”

Lucas walked right past her, intending to leave the drawing room.

But Louisa clenched her manicured hands into fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. She called out, stopping him in his tracks.

“Do you… love that woman?”

“……”

“Is that why you’re taking it out on me in such a petty way? Is that it? You…?”

‘Love?’

Lucas let out a bitter smile at the word that made him want to scoff.

“Seems these days, everyone and their dog is obsessed with love.”

“Lucas…”

“Even the servants don’t say nonsense like that anymore. It’s embarrassing, so please stop.”

Without saying goodbye, Lucas strode out of the room looking completely composed.

Louisa, who had felt hopeful when he first arrived, angrily slammed her fist against the side table.

“Haa…”

He would humiliate her like this over some unimpressive woman?

But just as she stood there, trembling with rage, a maid entered the room cautiously, holding her breath.

“Are you blind? Did I call for you?”

“M-my apologies, my lady. Please forgive the intrusion. But… there’s a message from the Vanderbilt estate.”

“…! What did they say?”

“They said… they’ll be sending someone immediately to collect your belongings and bring you home. And… they’ll be confiscating this mansion as well.”

Upon hearing those words, Louisa clenched her teeth in rage.

How could Lucas betray her for a penniless count’s daughter?

She was a woman who didn’t realise what a great man Lucas was and was only concerned about ‘collateral damage’, as if it mattered.

‘Ah… I must save him.’

Louisa held back her tears and made a firm vow.

She would open Lucas’s eyes—no matter what.

He had to remain forever as her radiant, noble light.

***

‘Why won’t this fury subside…’

As he rode back in the car, Lucas couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Langdon had been dealt with thoroughly and sent to Hell.

Louisa, whom he’d allowed to linger out of lingering affection for her as a former classmate, had now been cut off completely because of the incident.

Randolph and Alicia? Now that Lucas had identified the military’s internal handler, Randolph was already a step behind. Lucas estimated that it would take less than a year to oust him completely.

There was no need for him to lash out now and tarnish his own reputation by being labelled an ‘illegitimate bastard’.

And yet, he was still this angry.

He had been born with blood that always boiled over.

What could he do? He was a man of lowly birth.

He had clawed his way up by sheer force, desperate to rid himself of every label stuck to his name.

He wanted revenge against the Hastings family, who had tried to kill him.

He also wanted to prove something to Cordelia, who had rejected him.

Yet the fact that she could have died, why did that alone tear at his insides like this?