Chapter 33

It wasn’t long before someone knocked on the cabin door. Thinking it might be room service, Harriet opened the door, only to freeze at the unexpected visitor.

“……Lady Donovan?”

Angela, dressed as brightly as the day before, stood in the hallway. She smiled and greeted Harriet.

“Hello, Young Madame.”

“What brings you here?”

“Is the Young Master inside?”

Instead of answering, Harriet was met with another question. Annoyed, she crossed her arms.

“He’s not. Do you realize how brazen this is?”

“I do.”

“Lennox is my husband.”

Harriet spoke clearly, driving the point home, and sharply questioned her.

“If you keep seeking out my husband, people will notice soon. That will block your path to marriage. Do you want to live regretting it later?”

Angela lowered her eyes instead of answering. Seeing her reddened eyes and trembling hands, Harriet sighed deeply.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything, so please leave. And don’t approach us again.”

“Madame!”

With a desperate look, Angela pushed her fingers through the crack in the door. Harriet, who was about to close it, was startled and froze.

“It’s been two years. For two years, I had a crush on His Grace, circling around him, and we finally started dating. But then, after just a month, he suddenly broke up with me, saying I wasn’t enough.”

“……”

“I know it’s not right. I know nothing good can come from this. But I want to end these feelings cleanly, at the very least. That’s my wish.”

With tears brimming in her eyes, Angela pleaded.

“I know it’s shameless, but… as a fellow woman, could you help me just this once, for the first and last time?”

* * *

Lennox looked down at Harriet, who had placed her hand on his arm, and smiled.

“What’s this about? You want to go to a music recital with me?”

“I realized that just burying myself in documents on our honeymoon would be a loss for me. Even if it’s just a pretense, I should enjoy this rare vacation.”

Harriet shrugged as if it were no big deal and quickened her pace. As they headed to the music hall where the recital was being held, a few ladies and gentlemen who had arrived earlier recognized them. They naturally approached and sat down, and a woman warmly spoke to them.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, I am. I felt refreshed after a good night’s sleep.”

“You have no idea how worried your husband was after you left. You two seem to get along so well, it’s heartwarming.”

“Oh, dear, we were just as in love during our honeymoon.”

“Were you really? Ho ho.”

Harriet, who had been watching the now more mature couple, turned her attention to the performers. As the conductor waved his baton, the orchestra began to play. The music was elegant and pleasing, mainly classical.

After the third piece, during a brief intermission, Harriet stood up. Lennox, who had been quietly enjoying the music beside her, looked up.

“Where are you going?”

“To the powder room for a touch-up.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

“Would you?”

Lennox raised an eyebrow at Harriet’s immediate nod, as he had expected her to refuse. But he soon followed her.

“You’re not feeling unwell, are you?”

“No.”

All the way to the powder room, Harriet remained silent. She only occasionally responded to Lennox’s attempts at conversation, showing no desire to engage in dialogue.

Eventually giving up, Lennox escorted her to the powder room, and it was only then that she spoke.

“Lennox.”

“Coco.”

“There’s someone who wants to meet you alone.”

“Meet me alone?”

A sense of foreboding made Lennox frown. Harriet swallowed nervously and looked inside.

“You can come out. It’s just us here.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Angela, who had been hiding behind the curtain, appeared. Lennox, with a grim expression, looked at Harriet.

“What is this situation?”

“It’s exactly as it looks. Lady Angela Donovan has something to discuss with you. Since the cabin is too conspicuous, I thought here would be…”

“That’s not what I’m talking about right now.”

His icy voice pierced through the air like a blade. Harriet avoided his cold gray eyes.

“She said it would only take a moment. So please, hear her out.”

“Coco.”

Lennox, suppressing his anger, grabbed her arm as she tried to leave.

“Is this what you want?”

“……”

“If you want it, I’ll do as you wish.”

Instead of answering, Harriet gave a small nod. The hand holding her arm slid away. Harriet didn’t dare look back and fled through the powder room door.

* * *

The sound of the door closing felt like being drenched in filth. Lennox realized for the first time what it meant to be angry from head to toe. Harriet Coco Vanetti, now his damn wife, always managed to manipulate and push him to his limits.

Just when they seemed to grow closer, she would retreat mockingly, maintaining an elusive distance that left him yearning and frustrated.

“Lennox.”

His thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling his name tenderly. Habitually running a hand through his hair, Lennox turned to face the source of his troubles.

“What are you doing, using my wife like this?”

“If I didn’t do this, you wouldn’t meet me alone.”

“Enough. Clinging to something that’s already over won’t do you any good.”

Angela clenched her trembling hands at his cold rejection. She already knew he would refuse her so harshly. Such a response wouldn’t help sway his heart.

Taking a deep breath, Angela revealed her prepared offer.

“I just wanted to propose something.”

“What kind of proposal?”

“That woman can’t help you much.”

“What?”

“I know your uncle is eyeing the Diorne enterprise with greed, and your position within the company isn’t very secure.”

“So?”

“My father is a long-time business partner of Diorne and a shareholder who can cast a vote in board meetings.”

Lennox crossed his arms and looked at her with a blank expression, as if to say, “Let’s hear what you have to say.” Angela continued resolutely.

“If you divorce that woman and marry me, it could greatly benefit your future. I promise.”

She laid all her cards on the table, feeling as if she were exposing herself completely. Angela, tense and stiff, awaited Lennox’s response, hoping for a positive answer.

But what came next was a cold chuckle.

“Ha.”

“……Lennox?”

“Yes, it’s certainly a tempting offer.”

Lennox acknowledged it plainly and turned away.

“But I’ll decline.”

“You’ll regret it!”

“Regret?”

“Not choosing me. Choosing that scandalous woman instead!”

Instead of responding, Lennox turned the doorknob. A desperate cry followed him, but he didn’t look back.

Returning to the cabin quickly, he found Harriet there. She was lounging on the couch, reading a book, as if nothing had happened. Furious, Lennox snatched the book from her hands.

“What are you doing… mmph!”

Before she could protest, he grabbed her arm and pressed his lips against hers. His tongue forced its way between her lips, entwining with hers and exploring her mouth.

“Let go…!”

Only after he had kissed her breathless did Harriet find herself released. Her legs gave way, and she sank back onto the couch.

Lennox, skillfully blocking her escape by placing his hands on either side of her shoulders, growled.

“What do you think you’re doing, Harriet Coco Diorne?”

“What do you mean, what am I doing? That’s what I should be asking you.”

“You know I’m not talking about that.”

When he pointed out the recent incident, Harriet, feeling guilty, averted her gaze. Lennox, eyes blazing, grabbed her chin and turned her face toward him.

“Your blood must be ice-cold.”

“……”

“Do you want to push me to another woman that badly?”

“……What?”

“Are you so eager to give me to someone else? Am I that meaningless to you?”

His relentless questioning finally shook her. Harriet, eyes wide, grasped his hand.

“I…”

“Enough.”

Lennox coldly shook off her hand and stood up. His gaze, deep as the ocean, looked down at his wife.

“Tonight, I’ll sleep alone. I’ll find another room.”

“……”

“If you have something to say, tell Nick.”

His tone was raw and imposing, unlike his usual self. Though he usually kept it hidden, perhaps this was his true nature. Feeling guilty, Harriet nodded instead of answering.

Lennox glared at her, who offered no reply, and left the cabin with heavy steps. The sound of the door slamming shut echoed loudly down the hallway.