After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 94
Meanwhile, diligent and capable Ryan, unlike his insane lord, was laying out the groundwork to systematically organize Hillend Hall.
Still no words from Dwyer yet.
He frowned at the mountains of paperwork that were threatening to overwhelm him. It would be nice if one of them was from Dwyer, but the reality was that more than half of them were related to Viscount Rems.
Tsk, he clicked his tongue and picked up a pen.
Once I get in touch, I can start my plan to break the Viscount’s spirit.
While Ryan waited for someone, anyone, to contact him, Lord Rems rampaged through the halls of Hillend with a vengeance.
Just like now.
“Move aside, who dares to block my way!” he exclaimed.
The door to the office, undoubtedly guarded by two knights, swung wide open. Ryan continued to ignore the commotion and focused on his work. But Viscount Rems was not deterred. He stormed across the room and stood in front of the desk, tapping the floor with his cane.
“Sir Leon, I understand that we have something urgent to discuss.”
Ignoring him, Ryan deliberately continued his work, unaffected by the Viscount calling him by the wrong name. As this tense standoff continued, a desperate servant rushed in, pleading with Ryan silently.
Please, help us.
“Hah…”
It can’t be helped—Ryan couldn’t continue resisting him. Even if Ryan confronted Lord Rems directly, the other servants will continue to suffer for his defiant behavior.
“Apologies for making you wait, my Lord. I couldn’t interrupt the urgent task at hand.”
Finally, Ryan laid down his pen and bowed to the Viscount, but Lord Rems only snorted disdainfully in response. His face clearly showed that he didn’t appreciate Ryan sitting and receiving him as if he were the master.
Well, there’s nothing he can do about it. The Duke left me as his representative.
Ryan smiled knowingly and gestured for Viscount Rems to take a seat.
“Please, have a seat, Viscount. What brings you all the way here?”
“Enough with the small talk. There are only two things you must do: restore Flora’s allowance so that she may spend to maintain the dignity of her noble status, and cover all the expenses for this upcoming ball.”
Resting his hand on his cane, Rems warned him in a low voice. Ryan’s looked at him intently, briefly glancing elsewhere before returning their focus to the Viscount.
“I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”
Ryan responded without hesitation. Viscount Rems raised an eyebrow at the firm rejection.
“Are you refusing my command?”
“I am refusing the Viscount’s request, yes. In doing so, I’m using the authority bestowed upon me by the Duke as I should.”
Ryan clasped his hands together, hiding the corners of his mouth that smiled behind them. But Rems didn’t miss the crinkle in his otherwise stoic eyes. His expression hardened.
“Miss Flora is, after all, a distant relative. We have provided her with special treatment, considering her father, Lord Roger, devoted service to the Duke and her standing.”
There was no emotion in Ryan’s hard, monotone voice. He lowered his clenched hands and continued.
“For the same reasons, there is no obligation for Hillend Hall to cover the expenses of the ball. If you wish to hold the event, we can lend you the venue. However, Miss Flora herself should bear the cost.”
“What, you…!”
Viscount Rems huffed in frustration, facing the flawless logic presented by Ryan. In that moment, as Ryan rose from his seat and passed by him, he whispered in a tone audible only to the Viscount.
“If you care so much for your niece, my Lord, perhaps you should pay for the ball yourself.”
In truth, he knew that Flora’s supposed hosting of the event was a deception. The real mastermind behind the ball was Viscount Rems, attempting a rather transparent manipulation to gather nobles to his side. Ryan saw through it and cut off the money.
“You lout…”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
Ryan politely bowed head and swiftly left the scene.
“Damn it… If only that damn appointment letter didn’t exist!”
Thud, thud! The sound of the cane striking the floor echoed through the corridor. Finally, Ryan seemed to have hit a nerve. Feeling a sense of satisfaction, he continued walking. However, the problem was that there were still challenges ahead. The most troublesome issue, in particular, was his boss.
Where the hell are you and what are you doing, Duke?
Ryan stared out the window, his eyes troubled.
* * *
Oddly enough, at that very moment, Dehart was pondering the same issue.
“What am I doing here?”
It had been two days since he had spoken to the brunette Sebelia, or ‘Bella’ as she called herself, and Dehart had been hovering around her. He had been keeping a close eye on her, ready to pounce on any suspicious behavior.
However…contrary to his expectations, Bella led an extremely peaceful and seemingly carefree life. She had meals, went for walks, and read books.
She’s acting like she’s on vacation at a cottage home.
During the two days he observed her, Sebelia had done nothing else. She hadn’t even shown any particular interest in him! Dehart found this aspect to be particularly shocking.
Pull yourself together. You know that brazen face of hers is just an act.
Even though she had clearly met him in the square, she shook hands with him as if they were meeting for the first time. Yes, people were like that—you never know what’s in someone’s head even if you’ve lived with them your whole life. He affirmed as much with his experience with Glenn and Roger.
