As I covered my mouth with my palm and made a sad voice, voices supporting my words were heard.

“I saw it too.”

“I had no idea such a thing had happened before that.”

“When we visited as guests, they were screaming without paying attention to their surroundings.”

“Oh my gosh, is that true? I don’t know how they can discriminate against her just because she’s not their own child.”

“Not only do they ask their child for money, but they even swear at her. Are they really proper parents?”

It seemed that the people who had come as the Duke’s guests that day were also here, and as soon as they testified, people started adding their words.

“I understand both sides well. There seems to be nothing more to hear. I will now make a ruling. Everyone’s position is firm, but for now, the Marquis’s words seem less credible. Above all, isn’t the visible evidence so clearly prepared?”

At the word evidence, the Marquis glared at the restraints with strength in his eyes.

“……Evidence! How can you guarantee that what they presented as evidence was purchased by me and our family! It could be a trick to make our family look bad!”

The Marquis even intervened while the ruling was being made.

I guess he thought the situation would be reversed if he said that, but reality is not that easy.

“It seems that what you’re saying is different from what you said earlier.”

My lawyer, noticing that the judge was not imposing any special sanctions at this time, said to the Marquis.

“Didn’t you say that the restraints were used for the purpose of discipline and that you don’t all inflict lawful punishment? But now you’re mentioning the purchase history as if you’re someone who has never used or seen the item called restraints, so I’m embarrassed.”

Certainly, the Marquis’s words did not add up.

‘I understand your desire to overturn the outcome of the trial, but you acted too hastily.’

The Marquis’s eyes were shaking violently as if he realized what mistake he had made, and the lawyer next to him began to fidget.

“T, that’s……I don’t remember well!”

This time too, the Marquis acted independently rather than receiving help from his lawyer.

“It’s okay. I can only express my regret for the Marquis’s memory, but fortunately, everyone here listened carefully to your words.”

As my lawyer answered with a benevolent smile, the Marquis was clenching his fist so tightly that he looked like he would slam it down on the desk right away.

‘It’s time to see the end.’

I was flustered by the nanny coming out as the Marquis’s witness, but I had prepared quite a lot to come here.

I had considered various situations and variables since the second trial began, and even thought about pretending not to know about the restraints.

‘I’m glad I made one more piece of evidence just in case.’

The more countermeasures, the better.

Perhaps thinking the same thing as me, the lawyer made eye contact with me and nodded once, then spoke to the judge again.

“Judge, before making a ruling and considering the Marquis’s firm position, may I submit additional evidence?”

The judge seemed to be contemplating the question for a moment, but soon readily agreed.

“You……! What on earth are you trying to do!”

In the end, the Marquis, unable to bear this situation, glared at me as if he would kill me. Of course, I only smiled and did not react in any way.

The lawyer handed over the data he had prepared just in case to the judge as evidence.

“The evidence has been received. Then Lady Everett, please explain the evidence.”

At the same time as I sat down in the lawyer’s seat, this time I stood up, and slowly opened my mouth in the midst of everyone’s silence.

“In the past, I was lucky enough to have several opportunities. I unintentionally came to have a lot of money, and after thinking about how to use it beneficially, I was finally able to find a way recently.”

The courtroom, which had been maintaining silence, began to buzz again.

“I wonder if ‘got opportunities’ refers to those things.”

“Certainly, she was lucky with the racehorse and the discovery of the New World.”

Among them, the voices of noble ladies fanning themselves and talking were also heard.

“The people of the Empire will know. That since a long time ago, it has been easy to come into contact with things of poor quality, such as illegal auction houses and illegal slaves. So, I can’t uproot all of these things, but I wanted to reduce them even a little, so I started using the money I got.”

There was also the option of saving it as is, but it wasn’t always good to save unconditionally, so I used it at times like this.

‘The lawyer and everyone said they would provide all the expenses, but it’s too much.’

So, the evidence I have prepared now is something I prepared without the Duke’s help.

“Having extended my hand to even the illegally operated stores, I obtained one piece of information when that store completely closed. The evidence I have submitted now is that evidence.”

At the words ‘information’ and ‘evidence,’ the eyes of several people turned to where the judge’s hand was.

“What kind of evidence is that piece of paper! You have to say things that make sense!”

The Marquis, who had intervened in the judge’s ruling, boldly intervened even in the explanation I was giving.

As if he wasn’t afraid of anything.

“I have not given you permission to speak. Be quiet. Also, Lady Everett, please provide a specific explanation regarding the evidence.”

The Marquis’s chattering was cut off by the judge’s one word.

“The illegally operated store had been operating for over ten years. They told customers that they didn’t keep records, but perhaps they wanted to identify regular customers, so they had kept some records while operating for a long time. Which date, who, and what items they purchased.”

The Marquis had also visited that store, and his name was on the record owned by that store.

“Judge, please check page 6 of the newly submitted evidence. The date of purchase and the name of the purchaser of the restraints are recorded there as the 20th item.”

As soon as I mentioned the exact location, the judge began turning over the paper.

“Is that true?”

“If it’s true, then it means he not only visited an illegally operated store, but also purchased restraints.”

“He must have his liver outside his stomach. If that’s true, I don’t know why he’s making lies that will be easily exposed.”

The noble ladies who had been chattering a little while ago spoke in unison this time as well.

Of course, the judge, who was turning over the paper and checking it without paying attention to this, soon raised his head again.

“I have checked your evidence well. Marquis Valenti’s visit date, name, and purchased items have been confirmed.”

At the judge’s one word, the Marquis’s complexion began to darken.

“I didn’t see him that way, but you can’t tell just by looking at the outside.”

“Well, what’s more difficult when he’s already stolen someone else’s wife? Visiting an illegal store and purchasing something would have been easy.”

“He’s so shameless. How can he stand in that spot with his face straight?”

“He can’t even remember what he said, and he’s the kind of person who leaves behind evidence like that, so wouldn’t he have ruined his business like that too?”

People had clearly turned away from the Marquis.

And they relentlessly talked about his past and present.

“Everyone, be quiet.”

The judge covered the paper again and raised his voice towards the noisy courtroom.

“I also understand the positions of both sides well, and I have received all the witnesses and evidence accordingly. I will now make a ruling.”

I was sitting side by side with my lawyer with a trembling heart, and the same was true for the Marquis.

It was around the time when everyone’s eyes were on the judge.

“I have heard the positions of both sides, but there still seem to be many problems with the Marquis’s words and actions. From words that don’t add up to insufficient evidence. There’s nothing more to consider.”

There was no mercy for the Marquis.

“In addition, there is reason to suspect the Marquis of child *buse.”

“N, no! I……I didn’t do such a thing……!”

The judge quickly continued.

“As of this hour, I recognize the disownment between the Valenti family and Lady Everett.”

‘It’s really over now.’

“I will conclude the trial here.”

The evidence was so clear that there was no objection.

As soon as the judge stood up and left the courtroom, a restless atmosphere continued, and finally someone opened their mouth.

“Congratulations, Marquis! You have finally cleared your grievances and won against that wicked girl!”

Melinda, the nanny who had entered through the door that had been opened after the trial, approached the Marquis and offered her congratulations.

She had no idea how this trial had ended.

‘Well, she was only allowed to testify and then sent out, so how would she hear the story inside the soundproof courtroom.’

The nanny was full of energy, while the Marquis gnashed his teeth and said.

“Congratulations? What are you congratulating me for! Are you trying to pour oil on my boiling insides?”

Instantly, she flinched and took three or four steps back.

“Why, why are you doing this……”

“It’s all over, it’s all over!”

“Yes?”

“Can’t you understand? We lost the trial! The judge sided with that d*mn bastard instead of us, so we’re no longer family or anything!”