Chapter 21

Dyffrin, who had been talking to someone else, also stopped speaking and looked at Karina.

“What is it?” 

Evelyn asked, and Karina hesitated before answering.

Lady Evelyn, do you know a maid named Patricia?”

Evelyn glanced at Karina for a moment and then slowly replied.

“Yes, of course, I know her.”

When Evelyn answered so confidently, Karina paused for a moment. However, conscious of Rachel watching from somewhere, she recited the lines she had practiced.

“Then that’s a relief. I’m glad you haven’t forgotten Patricia. She is currently being protected by our family.”

“Protected?” 

“Yes, after she was expelled from the duke’s mansion, our family took her in. From what I heard, she was not only falsely accused of embezzling household expenses but also subjected to verbal and physical abuse.”

Evelyn’s expression remained indifferent.

“Did Patricia say that?”

“Who else would I have heard it from?” 

Karina clenched her fist as if she were a crusader for justice.

The provocative conversation between Evelyn and Karina began to draw the interest of those around them.

‘Hehehe.’

Rachel hid her satisfied expression and smiled secretly. Knowing it was time to fan the flames, she walked gracefully towards the center of the commotion.

Reaching Karina’s side, Rachel spoke with a regretful look.

“I unintentionally overheard your conversation because of the loud voices. I must speak up out of concern for the honor of the esteemed House of Liwonoc, even if it means being rude.”

Rachel deliberately emphasized the part about the “honor of the House of Liwonoc,” making it seem as though the entire house was being disgraced, not just Evelyn.

“Could it be that Lady Karina might be mistaken? Surely, Evelyn wouldn’t do something so cruel to a powerless commoner.”

“…I didn’t want to believe it either. But Patricia’s body was indeed covered with marks from beatings. And they were cleverly hidden in places that wouldn’t be visible.”

Karina continued with a voice filled with anger.

“My father always spoke about the spirit of noblesse oblige, saying that nobles should help those in need. But to think that the mistress of the House of Liwonoc, a model for other nobles, would torment a maid… I really can’t understand it.”

People murmured and looked at Evelyn. Dyffrin, too, frowned and glanced at Evelyn.

Seeing the situation unfold as she had hoped, Rachel chuckled inwardly.

After all, Dyffrin wasn’t very interested in the household affairs. So, he surely wouldn’t know if Evelyn had been beating a maid behind his back.

Therefore, such testimony would come as an even greater shock.

“Lady Evelyn, it’s not true, is it? I know that a member of the renowned House of Liwonoc would never do such a thing.”

Rachel pretended to side with Evelyn, further instigating the situation.

But even if Evelyn denied it now, would people believe her? Especially after Karina mentioned the whip marks.

Rachel eagerly awaited Evelyn’s response. Her trembling voice would excite Rachel more than any dance tune at this party.

Contrary to Rachel’s expectations, it wasn’t Evelyn who defended the situation.

“Do you have any evidence that those bruises were caused by Evelyn’s whipping?”

Dyffrin asked Karina in a low, settled voice. Karina momentarily panicked and widened her eyes.

“E-Evidence? It’s Patricia’s word. She wouldn’t lie about something like that…”

“So, you are accusing my wife based solely on a mere maid’s word?”

“Th-that’s not what I meant…”

As Dyffrin coldly questioned her, Karina quickly shrank back.

Rachel, who had been watching, also furrowed her delicate brows.

‘Why is Dyffrin stepping in?’

He was not the type to do this.

Rachel barely managed to smooth her frowning brow and stepped forward again.

“Lord Dyffrin, I understand your displeasure, but I think Lady Evelyn needs to explain herself. This matter is too disgraceful to be left unresolved…”

Once again, all eyes were on Evelyn.

Although she was the target of these prickly stares, Evelyn did not seem overly disturbed.

“Yes, I think an explanation is necessary.”

Evelyn’s voice was exceedingly calm.

“First of all, I have never beaten a maid. Nor have I verbally abused one. It’s absurd to require evidence in a place that isn’t a court, but since you insist, I will provide it.”

‘Absurd?’ 

Rachel felt a surge of anger at Evelyn’s words, which seemed to belittle the situation.

“It has been several months since Patricia left the mansion. If I had beaten her, the marks would have disappeared by now.”

Karina, shifting her gaze nervously, finally spoke in a small voice

“The wounds were deep, so the marks were still faintly visible…”

“Then may I check them myself?”

At Evelyn’s question, Rachel bit her lip.

In truth, there were no bruises. Of course, they could make some by whipping her now, but they wouldn’t appear faded and old; they would be fresh and prominent.

‘I never expected her to ask to see them herself…!’

Rachel had anticipated that Evelyn would cry and run out of the ballroom by now, but she remained unfazed. This was not part of the plan.

“You mentioned that Patricia was falsely accused of embezzling household expenses. The ledgers she kept are still well-preserved in the mansion. Showing them to you would serve as evidence.”

Evelyn deliberately emphasized the word “evidence.” Karina stammered.

“H-how can we trust that ledger…?”

“The ledger was not only checked by me but also by Sir Rykal, who helped manage the household.”

Karina could only open and close her mouth without saying anything.

“Let’s examine each point as Miss Karina suggested and determine right and wrong. But first, there’s one thing we need to clarify.”

“……”

“If I’m proven right, how will you compensate for the humiliation I’ve experienced today?”

Karina’s face turned pale.

“I… I…”

“Not only my personal honor but also the reputation of the House of Liwonoc has been dragged into this, so it’s not a matter to be taken lightly.”

Karina, who was gasping as if she were about to suffocate, eventually bowed her head.

“I’m sorry…”

“…”

“I… rashly believed the maid’s words and brought disgrace to the House of Liwonoc. I take back everything I said…”

Watching Karina’s face turn red as if it would burst, Evelyn sighed softly and spoke.

“Lift your head, Miss Karina.”

Karina barely lifted her face. Her trembling eyes revealed emotions like confusion, shame, and resentment.

Evelyn knew that the real mastermind behind this incident was someone else, so she didn’t want to make the situation any bigger.

“Be careful with your words next time, especially in a public setting like this. And also…”

Evelyn whispered to Karina.

“It’s better to choose your friends wisely if you want to avoid such humiliation again.”

Evelyn, who had raised her head, continued speaking while looking directly at Rachel.

“Sometimes, there are people who are like poisonous weeds, making others sick just by being close to them.”

Rachel, who was right next to Evelyn, heard the whisper.

Rachel felt strange. More than strange, it was closer to feeling filthy.

‘Poisonous weed…? She couldn’t be referring to me, could she?’

As the dance music played, the people who had gathered around Evelyn and Karina gradually dispersed.

Rachel did the same.

After belatedly telling Dyffrin, “I’m really glad the situation was resolved well,” she gracefully left the area, maintaining her composure.

But maintaining her composure was only on the surface. Leaning against the corner of the ballroom, Rachel felt as if her insides were burning hot and unbearable.

‘Why did things turn out this way?’

Even though there was no answer to her question, the recent situation kept circling in her mind because of her frustration.

Her plan had been perfect. But the crack appeared because of Evelyn’s unexpected behavior.

The Evelyn she knew would never stand up so confidently in such a situation.

‘Wasn’t it always her role to stand like a shadow, following Dyffrin with her eyes whenever they attended parties?’

‘And…’

‘Why did Dyffrin step up first to defend Evelyn?’ 

Rachel knew better than anyone about their dry relationship. 

‘Was it because she was still his wife?’

What bothered Rachel more than Evelyn’s smooth handling of the crisis was the fact that Dyffrin had defended her.

At that moment, people passing by started talking about the earlier situation.

“I never knew the Lady of Liwonoc could speak so logically.”

“Indeed. Wasn’t she very timid before?”

“She seems to look different today.”

Rachel’s eyes glowed fiercely.

She felt like tearing apart the pearl necklace she had imported over a month.

At that moment, Karina approached hesitantly.

“Um… Lady Rachel.”

Just in time. Rachel grabbed Karina’s hand and took her to the back of the banquet hall where no one was around.

As soon as they arrived, Rachel turned around. Without hesitation, she slapped Karina across the face.

Karina held her cheek with a bewildered look.

“Why, why…?”

“Be grateful it ended with just a slap. You ruined everything.”

Rachel’s eyes were icy as she looked at Karina.

“I-I’m sorry…”

Seeing Karina holding her cheek and crying pathetically, and feeling somewhat relieved after hitting someone, Rachel finally spoke in a slightly more lenient tone.

“You made a big mistake, but I’ll forgive you this time.”

Karina, with tears streaming down her face, looked at Rachel.

Rachel knew what Karina wanted from her.

“You don’t expect me to restore your father’s position after you failed so miserably, do you?”

Rachel often wielded the power of her father, Marquis Pinford, as if it were her own, and this was one of those times.

The Pinford Trading Company controlled the port, and Karina’s father held a managerial position in that company.

As commerce grew in importance, everyone from commoners to lower nobles vied for such positions.

However, after being dismissed from the managerial position due to a mistake, their family’s situation had worsened day by day, and Karina had been doing Rachel’s bidding to make up for her father’s mistake.

“You promised to reinstate my father if I did this…”

“That was only if you did the next task well.”

Rachel turned coldly and walked away first.

Karina glared at Rachel, holding her throbbing cheek.

“It’s better to choose your friends wisely.”

Evelyn’s words resonated deeply with Karina, even though she wasn’t sure if Evelyn knew the full extent of what she had meant.