Chapter 78

The media’s reaction to Harriet’s disappearance was explosive.  

“Duchess Diorne Abducted During a Business Trip!” 

“Taken by an Unknown Assailant…”  

“Believed to Be a Kidnapping for Ransom; Some Suspect Earl Eiden’s Party…”  

“The Duchess’s Secret Lover? Investigating an Elopement.”  

The daily papers were filled with all sorts of speculation, and reporters stationed themselves in front of the Vanetti Estate and the Diorne Ducal Mansion, scrambling to produce the most sensational stories.  

Despite the flood of questions and suspicions, neither side was quick to speak up.  

While some admired their calm and composed response to the shocking incident, the truth was that chaos reigned behind the scenes.  

During a tense family meeting, Theodore Vanetti was the first to voice his opinion.  

“We should just announce that she’s on a short vacation! The department store is already struggling because of this.”  

“Plenty of people saw Harriet leaving with a man that night. Besides, the department store is being managed by Yvonne, the secretary, so you don’t need to worry about it.”  

“But Father! This is clearly a mistake. Disappearing at a time like this—she’s not fit to represent us…”  

“Enough! Keep your mouth shut!”  

Before Franz could erupt in anger, Margaret Vanetti intervened.  

“Announce that she’s on vacation? Say she’s unfit to represent us? Is that something a brother should say?”  

“But Mother…”  

“Are you even human? Aren’t you worried about your sister? She always cleaned up after your messes!”  

“Still, this is different…”  

“I said, be quiet!”  

Margaret, rubbing her temple in frustration, turned her gaze to Lennox Diorne, who was seated to the right of Franz. The chair, which should have been Theodore’s, was now occupied by her son-in-law, who sat there as if it were the most natural thing in the world.  

“Please understand, Duke. It must be unpleasant for you to witness this as a member of the family.”  

Ironically, the only one maintaining composure amidst the chaos was Lennox, the husband of the missing Harriet.  

As all eyes turned to him, Lennox shook his head lightly.  

“Not at all. It’s understandable for you to be upset.”  

“Thank you for your calmness, Your Grace.”  

“Please, feel free to speak informally. I am your son-in-law, after all.”  

Margaret responded with an awkward smile instead of words, glancing at Franz.  

Even though Lennox was her son-in-law, he was also the head of a prominent ducal family and a nobleman closely related to the Queen. Despite his frequent visits to the estate as Aaron’s friend, Lennox Diorne had always been an intimidating presence to her.  

Even as a child, he had seemed more like an adult disguised as a boy, giving off an uncanny impression.  

Noticing Margaret’s silent plea for help, Franz cleared his throat and changed the subject.  

“I’m curious about how the investigation is going.”  

“It’s taking longer than expected, unfortunately.”  

Lennox, ever composed, explained the situation calmly.  

“It rained late that night, washing away all traces. To make matters worse, the coachman, who was struck on the back of the head, doesn’t even remember the man’s face.”  

“What!”  

“My goodness…”  

Margaret, letting out a faint groan, leaned on the table as if dizzy. Olivia, who had been observing her closely, quickly helped her up and escorted her out of the room.  

Not long after, one of Lennox’s attendants knocked and entered. He whispered something to Lennox, who had been maintaining a calm demeanor, but his expression instantly hardened.  

“What news could it be to make you react like that? If it’s about Harriet, we should all hear it.”  

Theodore frowned at the sight of the attendant whispering, clearly displeased.  

“I wish it were, but it’s not. I must excuse myself for a matter that requires my attention.”  

Lennox quickly stood up, his tone brisk. Theodore, narrowing his eyes, also stood.  

“Isn’t this situation more important…”  

“Enough.”  

Franz, exhaling deeply, stopped his son from making a scene.  

“Whether it’s business or family matters, everything is on hold because of Harriet. It’s only natural that there are other pressing concerns.”  

“My wife’s well-being is always my top priority, but thank you for your understanding.”  

“It’s fine. Go on.”  

The marriage between Lennox and Harriet was still less than half a year old. Even though they had known each other since childhood, the sudden announcement of their marriage had left some doubts lingering.  

At the time, Franz had been overjoyed, thinking Harriet was finally overcoming the emotional wounds caused by Marianne and Mikhail’s betrayal.  

Some speculated that Harriet had orchestrated the marriage to escape her troubles, but Franz didn’t believe it. Lennox’s frantic inquiries about Harriet’s late mother and his desperate demeanor had been proof enough of his genuine love.  

Moreover, Harriet had seemed more stable since the marriage.  

Though they had faced storms—including the revelation of Harriet’s secret parentage—the couple had emerged stronger, their bond evident to anyone who saw them.  

“I’ll take my leave now.”  

By the time Franz emerged from his thoughts, Lennox was already at the door, receiving his coat and hat from a maid.  

“If you think of anything or receive any word from my wife, please let me know immediately.”  

“Of course, I will. Take care.”  

With a polite bow, Lennox left the room after exchanging a glance with Theodore.  

As Franz rubbed his temple to ease the oncoming headache, Theodore, who had moved closer, suddenly asked,  

“Father, doesn’t this whole situation seem suspicious?”  

“What is it you want to say now?”  

“That attitude of his. How can he remain so composed when his wife, whom he’s been married to for less than a year, has been kidnapped?”  

“He grew up as the sole heir of a ducal family. What weighs on his shoulders is entirely different from yours. Besides…”  

Franz let out a deep sigh and glared sharply at Theodore.  

“I haven’t forgotten about that business with Claire or whatever her name is. You’re hardly in a position to criticize someone else’s misdeeds.”  

“T-that’s…”  

Theodore, avoiding Franz’s piercing words, suddenly seemed to remember something. He rummaged through his coat and pulled something out.  

“That’s right! I wanted to show you this.”  

“What is it?”  

Theodore held out an envelope. It wasn’t sealed with an impressive insignia but was clumsily closed.  

“Harriet took care of Claire Millet, didn’t she? Even just before her trip. I thought there might be something, so I contacted the caretakers. And just before I came here, I received a reply. I brought it without even opening it.”  

Theodore puffed out his chest as if he had accomplished something grand, waiting for praise.  

However, Franz snatched the envelope and began reading the letter without a word. Theodore, sensing something was amiss, cautiously observed his father.  

“F-father?”  

Franz’s trembling hand crumpled the letter he had been holding.  

“Use every means available to find Harriet.”  

“W-what? But we’re already…”  

“More than now! Hire mercenaries if you must, and search every corner!”  

Franz roared, veins bulging in his neck. Theodore flinched and froze in shock.  

“W-why are you reacting like this? What’s written in that letter?”  

With his face flushed red, Franz gripped Theodore’s shoulders tightly.  

“Harriet is with child!”  

***

“Am I going to die like this?”  

The man was tied to a chair, unable to move.  

Blindfolded, he had been dragged by an unknown assailant to what seemed to be a warehouse. That had been the start of it.  

Several people had attacked him, mercilessly beating him until his entire body was left battered and exhausted. They had then roughly sat him in a chair and bound his hands and feet.  

“L-let me go! Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?”  

“You’ll find out soon enough, so shut up.”  

With a blindfold over his eyes, he couldn’t see what was happening around him. He screamed for help until his voice was hoarse, but there was no response.  

After realizing that shouting was futile, fear began to creep in. Though he had always known that his line of work—illegal and secretive—might one day lead to such a situation, the terror of actually facing it was beyond imagination.  

“How long has it been since I was brought here…? I’m thirsty…”  

A person cannot survive more than three days without water.  

His mouth felt parched, as if he had been thrown into a scorching desert. Though he had no sense of time, he could feel his life slipping away.  

“Damn it…”  

Just as he was about to despair, he heard the sound of a door opening, faint through his hazy consciousness.  

“Here it is.”  

Before he could even question whether it was real, he heard polite voices and the sound of footsteps approaching.  

Overwhelmed with relief at the presence of others, the man turned his head toward the direction of the voices.  

The person who had just spoken was the same one he had heard when he was first brought to this place—the one responsible for locking him up.  

As realization dawned, his relief turned to terror and rage.  

“S-stay back!”  

“…”  

“Who are you people? Why did you kidnap me?”  

“That’s what I’d like to ask you.”  

But the response came from a different voice.  

“What…?”  

Suddenly, someone untied the blindfold around his head. He froze.