Divorce Begins with Remarriage - Chapter 10

Come to think of it, Selphine is not the kind of person to rush off like that unless it’s really urgent.

Besides, how could she not control her emotions in front of her employer?

An experienced maid wouldn’t make a mistake.

A strange fear overtook Berenice.

Did she become too complacent lately?

Berenice straightened her back.

“What’s… wrong?”

Berenice’s eyes flickered like trembling leaves.

“All the major trading suppliers have been reported for tax evasion suspicion! They’ll be inspected soon… Please find the master.”

“What? Suspected of tax evasion!”

Berenice grasped the table and stood up.

Her fingers brushed the edge of the newspaper, but she didn’t pay attention to it.

Her brief calm was shattered.

“Well… the informant is Mr. Cornell…”

Selphine hesitated to speak.

They say humans are forgetful creatures, but she had forgotten Livio Cornell’s dark side so quickly.

Berenice hurriedly moved, causing the teacups and newspaper on the table to roll to the floor, but no one paid attention to it.

With a pale face, Berenice rushed out of the room.

If the major trading suppliers are under investigation for tax evasion, there will be a disruption in the supply of goods for a while.

The Valencia merchantry could plummet in an instant.

The image of the merchantry would also be tarnished.

Berenice’s heart sank.

Even her shoes rolling on the floor couldn’t catch Berenice’s attention.

‘Because of me…!’

She couldn’t erase that thought.

If Berenice hadn’t gotten involved with Cornell, this wouldn’t have happened…!

No, if only Berenice had endured…!

Even though she knew it wasn’t the right thing, she couldn’t stop blaming herself.

That damn Cornell!

A familiar curse burst from Berenice’s noble and elegant lips.

***

Livio did not refuse Berenice’s visit.

She never thought she would end up walking into this mansion, which she escaped from, feeling like she was going to die.

They say the world is truly incomprehensible…

Berenice chuckled as she looked up at the mansion.

It was unlikely that Livio would grant Berenice’s request and cancel the report he had made, but she came this far so she would not regret it when she looked back on this day later.

The last thing she needed was to be left with the nagging feeling that she should have gone to see him.

Berenice calmed herself as she saw Livio, who had come to the entrance to greet her.

The weather was gloomy, and it was even raining, perfect for such a situation.

The chill of the umbrella handle in her hand woke Berenice up.

Berenice slowly bowed her head.

“Hello, Mr. Cornell. Thank you for taking the time to meet me like this.”

“It’s been a while, Berenice. Why are you being so formal between us?”

Livio smiled warmly and reached out his hand towards Berenice.

It seemed like a gesture to shake hands, but Berenice hesitated and couldn’t easily take that hand.

But still, she couldn’t refuse the handshake, as she had come to ask for a favor.

Livio’s cold hand was disgusting; it was like touching a snake.

Berenice’s fingertips trembled.

“Come in.”

It felt like she was stepping back into the swamp.

Like thick darkness was creeping up her ankles.

How could this mansion where Berenice lived just a few months ago now feel like hell?

‘How ironic.’

Berenice tucked her lips in and walked into the familiar yet unfamiliar mansion.

The servants working in the mansion were flustered at the sight of Berenice.

Perhaps ignorant people would spread rumors that Berenice would return to House Cornell once again, and once again, Berenice’s honor would fall to the ground.

Damn it, Cornell.

Berenice’s cheeks turned red with shame.

The servants’ gazes followed the two of them until they entered the reception room.

One difference from before was that the space where Berenice and Cornell could meet was limited to the reception room.

“Tea?”

“It’s fine.”

Berenice didn’t want anything that Cornell offered.

“Really? Well, I want a cup of coffee.”

“Yes, Count.”

Berenice waited breathlessly for Cornell to take a sip of his coffee.

Finally, when Cornell hinted at starting a conversation, Berenice spoke up.

“Mr. Cornell, I heard that you personally reported Valencia merchantry’s trading companies. Is that true?”

“Why do you have to be so stiff about it? Yes, I did.”

Livio crossed his legs and rested his hands on top. His relaxed posture made Berenice nauseous with superiority.

Berenice nodded with a face so pale that it seemed to turn blue.

“Why did you do that? They were not companies that deserved such suspicion. Their income was transparent, and they had never been late in paying taxes. The merchantry of Valencia has been trading with them for so long, and we can guarantee this. I would appreciate it if you could withdraw the report.”

“Withdrawing it is not difficult. That is, if you fulfill my request, Berenice.”

Berenice clenched her fist to the point where her veins bulged.

She predicted that Livio would do something to her, even without hearing his demands.

“Do you know how much the fine for false reporting is? You’d be in trouble, Mr. Cornell, if you did that.”

“You’ll only know if it’s false after investigating. I really reported them because they were suspicious. Who knows, would a noble family make a false report?”

At Livio’s sly laughter, Berenice chewed on the insides of her mouth.

“But if you cooperate well, I’m willing to show leniency even to your family. Let’s remarry. We can be happy if we do that. You know I’m not such a bad person. We just need to compromise a little. So, Berenice, come back.”

Look at this.

‘I didn’t come here to listen to nonsense like this.’

Berenice smirked.

The once gracious and elegant noblewoman was becoming increasingly crude and foul-mouthed.

Berenice felt frustrated that her knowledge of insults was limited.

Livio’s expression softened, as if he had been impressed by his own words.

“Berenice?”

Livio urged Berenice for a response.

“Actually, the reason you didn’t remarry and meet other men is because you still have feelings for me. You came to see me because you still have some lingering attachment. I understand you completely. I’m bringing this up first because I know you would feel embarrassed.”

This is maddening.

No amount of thumping on her chest would relieve this frustration.

Berenice let out a long sigh.

There was no doubt that her past self had truly been blind. What was so great about this man that she couldn’t control herself and even got married?

Perhaps this is what they call being lovesick.

But at least she realized it now.

“…I think I came to see you at the wrong time.”

She didn’t think her words would get through, but it was worth a try.

“Goodbye, Mr. Cornell.”

Berenice got up a little hastily.

She didn’t want to exchange words with Livio any longer.

She couldn’t file a lawsuit, but there had to be another way.

Livio clicked his tongue as he watched Berenice hurry to leave.

“How stubborn.”

Still, he was confident that Berenice would definitely come back. She had an honest personality and she couldn’t bear to see others suffer because of her.

***

Viscount Dante chose to confront the problem directly.

This issue stemmed from a misunderstanding by Count Cornell, and he would make every effort to fix it promptly by personally seeking out the parties involved and apologizing.

“Are you having a hard time?”

“No, Father. It’s all because of me.”

“Because of you! I absolutely do not think so.”

Viscount Dante gently tapped the back of his daughter’s hand.

Berenice sighed as she sat in the carriage, gazing out the window.

It seemed that in order to stop Livio’s tyranny, extraordinary measures were necessary…

But she didn’t want to remarry just after she escaped from Livio.

It was one problem after another.

At first, Berenice thought everything would be fine once she left the Cornell estate, but Livio’s shadow still loomed over her.

‘I can’t just leave it like this.’

No good ideas came to mind.

To stop Livio, she had no choice but to have a more powerful nobleman at her back.

It was petty, but it was the best way to deal with such a person.

Berenice massaged her throbbing forehead.

Maybe she should seriously consider getting someone as a shield now.

Berenice recited it like a mantra once a day.

‘Damn you, Cornell!’

***

For several days, she followed her father to various trading places, apologizing and submitting petitions to the security guards. There was still some time before they got a response, but thankfully, public opinion has calmed down.

In fact, there were a few high nobles who invested in the Valencia merchantry.

Would they be swayed by such gossip?

If the profitable Valencia merchantry failed, their funding would be shaken.

Thanks to this, the merchantry was being maintained to some extent, but…

‘Should I remarry…?’

She couldn’t erase that thought.