Damn, this is strong. True to the back alley atmosphere, it was a fake cigar full of impurities. F*ck it, what did it matter? 

His head was still throbbing from the shock he received earlier today. Fortunately, the spicy smoke penetrating deep into his body was gradually helping to organize his jumbled thoughts.

The reason for the Berkshire family’s sudden behavior was obvious. What they initially wanted from the Townsend family was permission for their railway to pass through their territory. 

And now the railroad was more than halfway complete. They no longer had any business with the Townsends.

So their plan was likely to divorce Lily and remarry her to another useful connection. Even with the stigma of being a divorcée, she was worth it, being the finest of the finest.

Lily Berkshire. No, now Lily Townsend.

Not a bloodless pale face, but skin with a rose-tinted vitality, mixed with watercolors. Long, precious platinum blonde hair that rippled in waves. A small button nose and plump, crimson lips with upturned corners. A voice that seemed to tickle when she whispered.

Her sensual figure, impossible to hide even when covered up, was also exceptional. What would it be like to brush against her skin? 

Any man would m*sturbate until his c*ck was raw from the boiling lust.

Being such a woman, if Lily were to divorce, her next marriage would certainly be to another prestigious family. 

If that happened, she might spread Harry’s business secrets to her new husband’s family. This was definitely a situation where Harry might make a desperate move.

‘But for f*ck’s sake, Harry. Why me of all people?’

If all he needed was the Townsend bloodline, there were plenty of cousins with all limbs intact. But the only person with the same distinct blonde hair and gray eyes as Harry was, ironically, Noah Hamilton, someone completely unrelated by blood.

It was nothing short of a cruel twist of fate.

However, having witnessed Harry’s life of restraint and control since childhood, Noah couldn’t just stand by and watch his misfortune like a mere spectator.

After a divorce, Harry would inevitably face ridicule and contempt from his family. The sympathy that had built up layer by layer now became a snowball tightening around Noah’s neck.

“…What should I do?”

The beer he had been gulping down to soothe his burning heart had already reached the bottom. The bearded owner, circling the tables, perceptively brought a fresh beer.

“Hey, beardy. Sit down for a moment.”

“Yes, what can I do for you?”

“What if someone offered you enough money to spend lavishly for a lifetime? Would you sleep with your friend’s wife…? No, never mind. Go away.”

He shouldn’t speak carelessly just because this was a commoner’s pub. Rumors didn’t discriminate by social status. Noah dismissed the bearded man from the table and slowly drank his fresh beer.

After downing four consecutive beers, Noah’s stomach began to churn. When gas lamps lit up the dark streets, he returned to the Duke of Hamilton’s mansion.

* * *

The Duke’s residence was quite quiet, with the servants having returned to their dormitories long after dinner time. 

Noah, who had initially intended to go straight to his own mansion, changed his mind and headed to the Townsend residence, arriving at Harry’s bedroom door. Having frequented the place since childhood, even the butler didn’t mind where he wandered.

“Harry. I’m coming in.”

He needed to clearly express his refusal and go home so he could sleep peacefully. Noah opened Harry’s bedroom door without waiting for a response. Inside the room, a chaotic scene unfolded on the ornate embroidered carpet, with broken vases, fallen candlesticks, and general disarray.

Harry was not alone. From the sight before him, Noah could easily imagine how viciously the couple had fought.

“Now I understand why my etiquette teacher emphasized the importance of knocking. Excuse me.”

Feeling the burden of both their gazes fixed on him simultaneously, he took a step back. He had nearly gotten caught in the middle of a marital dispute. Breathing a sigh of relief and turning to leave, Noah found his foot caught by Harry.

“Wait. Stay right there.”

“Ha, this is driving me crazy…”

Noah, roughly scratching his head with one hand, momentarily locked eyes with Lily. She had been crying for quite some time, her eyes not just swollen but red. Why was she so tightly wrapped in that flannel nightgown even at home? Wasn’t it suffocating? He couldn’t help but shake his head at Lily’s excessive modesty.

“Harry. I’m a human being. Not a breeding sow.”

Lily glared at Harry, her voice hoarse.

“Don’t overthink it. You just need to receive the seed.”

“But how can I do such a thing with a man who isn’t my husband? And with your friend… It gives me chills.”

“Lily. Before the marriage proposal came to our family, you talked to your maid about Noah, didn’t you?”

“How did you…!”

Lily, visibly flustered and at a loss, bowed her head deeply and ran out of Harry’s bedroom.

Noah felt dizzy. The conversation he had just heard was difficult to comprehend. The fact that Lily had talked about him before her marriage kept making his heart ache.

Just once, he had met her at a ball. But at that time, Noah was a foolish idiot who couldn’t even speak a word to the radiant Lily. Could it be that she had wanted to dance with him? Had she told her maid such things?

Momentarily dazed, Noah’s mind returned to reality at Harry’s murmur.

“Just once might even cure my condition.”

* * *

‘The cotton shop district in the West End…’

His guilty conscience over the immoral proposal lasted exactly one week.

Noah had already set aside his meager moral sense and was now calculating in his head. 

The private estate he currently owned was approximately 70 hectares, and while it was expected to increase in value, it would be a waste to sell it for immediate cash. But he needed cash to properly execute his planned business.

The era when one could live comfortably just by being from a duke’s family was coming to an end. The coming age would be a grand stage for someone like him who was obsessed with money. Noah envisioned trade with Europe using steamships. And what was needed for that?

Capital. In the end, money begets money!

Think about the current value of the West End cotton shop district plus future profits. It would be more than enough for capital. A future guaranteed simply by mixing bodies out of obligation. However, a few concerns made Noah hesitate.

“Young master. The Townsends have requested your company for dinner tonight.”

“I heard you. Now leave.”

“Um… If you avoid them again, I worry it might strain your friendship. The Duke seemed displeased.”

“What friendship? There was never anything like that to begin with. Anyway, go.”

Noah, shooing away Harvey who wouldn’t leave out of concern, quickly pulled out his outdoor clothes. He had been avoiding Harry’s contact like a snake for a month, but now he had reached his limit.

He had managed to skip Lily’s first ovulation day with the excuse of a stomachache. But today was the second ovulation day, and he couldn’t make any more excuses. It was time to make a real decision.

‘Right. I’ll think about it and decide by midnight tonight.’

Where would be a good place to make such a big decision? 

Neither his regular club in Knightsbridge nor the shabby pub he had visited before seemed appropriate. After much deliberation, Noah headed to Piccadilly Circus, even bringing along his rarely-used servant, John.

The square at the intersection starting from Regent Street was bustling with passing carriages and people despite the early evening hour. Noah kept glancing at passersby as he entered the most splendid entertainment establishment in the pleasure district.

Past a corridor decorated in lavish European style, an arched door covered with thick velvet cloth appeared.

The doorkeeper quickly assessed the new visitor’s status. An overwhelmingly superior physique with well-combed, vivid blonde hair. 

A perfectly fitted high-quality suit that was clearly not ready-made, and a luxurious rattan cane decorated with onyx. After confirming these details, the doorkeeper swiftly opened the door.

“If you’re planning to watch the show, I’ll offer you the VIP seat in the front row.”

“Good. Do that.”