It infuriated him that anyone could mistake that man for him. He hated Lily for choosing such a man.

Was it his size that mattered?

He recalled the man’s impressive groin and gritted his teeth. He had once accused Lily of being shallow, but he couldn’t forgive her for being lewd and rejecting him.

Every time people hinted they were waiting for good news, he couldn’t admit the truth and could only give a twisted smile.

He couldn’t stand it any longer. He wanted to handle things gentlemanly, but his hatred overcame his patience. The accumulating bills didn’t help either.

His credit in Verdain wasn’t bad. Unlike in the capital, he wasn’t drowning in debt, and people didn’t know he was practically disowned by the Everard barony. Here, he was still seen as the generous former husband of Viscount Aiden, and shops welcomed him.

But there were limits. Verdain’s shops didn’t carry the refined goods he enjoyed, so he lived modestly. But people spend money just by breathing.

Three days ago, Billy’s visit had added fuel to the fire.

[You still haven’t done anything? Can you pay up?]

[What do you mean, pay up?]

[You don’t plan to use our information and then skip out, do you?]

Billy had sneered. Greer thought it was absurd. Billy’s information was nothing but unsubstantiated rumors. Acting like he had provided valuable investment advice was ridiculous.

But Billy had been shameless.

[I didn’t think you’d be this stupid. Do you think you can get away with wrongdoings and live well alone?]

[Don’t be ridiculous. Lily is mine. I’m not sharing with anyone who did nothing.]

[Did nothing? I set everything up for you. You’re too dumb to see it or use it.]

Only then did Greer realize who had spread the rumor about him sneaking into Lily’s bedroom.

Billy’s rumor had been useful. While cautious servants like the butler pretended to know nothing, others believed the rumor and acted accordingly. Those who liked Greer provided information, and this maid even opened the door for him.

“Thank you.”

Normally, he wouldn’t thank a maid, but he smiled at her now. The maid blushed.

“I’ll go alone from here. Lily would be embarrassed.”

“Yes, master.”

The maid withdrew respectfully.

Greer held the candlestick the maid had given him and hesitated. Going to the bedroom wouldn’t achieve anything. Sleeping with his ex-wife wouldn’t help. Finding evidence first was more important.

He headed to the study. He’d find evidence first, then confront Lily. The thought of blackmailing her made his groin ache. This time, she wouldn’t dare disappoint him.

Lily was drifting into sleep when a bite on her butt woke her up.

“Enough…”

The venison and dried oysters hadn’t helped. By the time Breck sneaked into her bedroom, her arousal had peaked, and the single climax felt like the world was ending. She didn’t think she lacked stamina.

“I can’t do any more today.”

Half-asleep, she reached out. Breck wiped between her legs with a wet towel, saying,

“I know. Don’t worry. I have no interest in sleeping with a woman who’s asleep.”

Liar.

Lily tried to respond, but all that came out were mumbled sounds. On the first night, she had been shaking even in her sleep, so what was he talking about?

Breck stopped wiping her messy p*ssy and legs and stroked her calf with his palm. He liked to touch Lily like this, even if it wasn’t exactly f*replay, but Lily was usually half out of it and couldn’t ask why.

“Viscount, you’re so heartless. Usually, people enjoy some afterplay.”

“Mm…”

“But you just fall asleep after getting satisfied.”

After their sessions, Lily would fall into a deep sleep without even a kiss, leaving Breck to sigh and toss and turn. The difference in stamina was unavoidable, but sometimes he couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

Today was no different. As soon as he stopped playing with her, Lily fell into a deep sleep. Her gentle, rhythmic breathing was adorable.

‘Well, it’s better this way today.’

Breck quietly covered Lily with a sheet and stood up.

He felt a different flow in the air. And an unwelcome presence.

Silently, he slipped out of the bedroom. Provoking a woman is amateurish. Waking a sleeping woman to show her ex-husband’s filthy behavior is intermediate. The true master gets rid of pests without anyone knowing.

Blending into the night’s darkness, he glided toward the study. The oiled door opened without a creak.

Greer Everard was rummaging through the desk drawers.

“Damn it, how do you open this?”

He knew about the secret drawer. Lily had mentioned it in passing once.

Important family documents were kept in the safe. So the secret drawer would undoubtedly contain personal contracts or letters too embarrassing to show others but necessary to keep.

Breck watched as Greer cursed and fumbled with the drawer. But when Greer muttered,

“Just wait till I find it. I’ll make you beg like a dog.”

Breck moved without thinking.

The candle flame went out without a breeze. Greer looked up in surprise, and a hand like a beast’s claw grabbed his throat.

“Argh!”

There was no time to scream. Glowing blue eyes appeared in the darkness. Greer, gripped by fear, clutched the hand around his throat with both hands. The grip was so strong it felt like his neck would be crushed.

“Ugh…!”

He couldn’t breathe, let alone scream. A feeble sound escaped his lips. His feet lifted off the ground, and he flailed his legs like a drowning man.

“Get out.”

“Ugh…”

“Don’t ever come near Viscount Aiden again. If you’re even in the same city, I’ll kill you. If you understand, blink twice.”

Greer wanted to comply, but his body wouldn’t move. Blood vessels burst in his eyes, and blood-tinged tears flowed. His body convulsed uncontrollably. Seeing his tongue loll out, Breck released him with a short, derisive laugh.

“Argh, guh, ah!”

“You’re a coward.”

Breck looked down at him, making a harsh comment that was overkill for a regular person. Greer looked up but couldn’t make out more than a large silhouette in the dark.

He wanted to ask who it was but didn’t dare. Just seeing those glowing blue eyes made him tremble.

“Who did you tell?”

“W-what are you talking about…?”

“Someone like you wouldn’t keep quiet about a plan like this. You must’ve bragged about it like a trophy.”

He probably bragged before even succeeding. Typical.

“Spill. Who did you tell about sneaking into Viscount Aiden’s house? I’ll get the details from them.”

Terrified, Greer trembled. He had no loyalty to Billy, so he spilled everything, from learning Lily’s secret to planning to steal her drawings.

After hearing everything, Breck coldly opened the window.

“Get out.”

“Th-through the window?”

“Yes. Get out. No one’s in the garden at this hour. If you defy me, you’ll wish you’d died of shock tonight.”

Greer shakily tried to stand, but his legs wouldn’t support him.

Clicking his tongue, Breck lifted him by the collar with one hand. He didn’t want to touch him again, but it would be troublesome if he wet himself.

“Get lost.”

He tossed Greer out the window and dusted off his hands. That should be enough.

‘I should’ve done this sooner.’

Breck thought so, feeling refreshed. He initially believed he shouldn’t interfere in others’ relationships, especially marital ones. But beating up someone who broke in to steal was justified. Especially when the stolen item was a n*de painting of himself, giving him every right to beat the thief.

He didn’t kill him because he didn’t want to cause Lily any trouble. If Greer tried anything again, he would find out just how far the power of Dragon Slayer Revaston extended. Such people feared that more than a direct beating.

With a light heart, Breck silently slipped back into the darkness and returned to the bedroom. Lily, clutching the sheet, turned over, her n*ked body casting soft curves in the moonlight.

What a fool. She was far too good for someone like him.

Though he hadn’t dealt with Billy yet, he felt a bit disappointed. So he lay behind her, enjoying the feel of her smooth arm as he hugged her from behind.

**

Lily found Greer’s letter four days later.

“Oh, I forgot about this. It seemed urgent.”

The letter didn’t specify the reason. It just asked to meet for an important discussion. Reluctantly, Lily wrote a reply setting a date. She handed it to the butler to send, but he responded politely.

“Mr. Greer left Verdain last week.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes.”

“Did he leave any other letters?”

“None.”

Lily chuckled dryly.

“He acted like it was urgent.”

But Greer’s whims were nothing new. Maybe it wasn’t important, or his interests had shifted.

If it were truly important, he’d contact her again. Lily thought nonchalantly and tossed the letter into the box of unimportant correspondence, promptly forgetting about it.