Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 99
Bernarda became the countess about four years ago.
However, having experienced a previous life, Cecilia felt as if she had been the countess for 14 years.
It seemed so natural that she never questioned it one more time. Looking back, something was odd.
Bernarda was a woman who couldn’t even secure a dowry.
For a daughter of a modest noble family without a dowry, a good marriage was nearly out of the question.
Yet, she became the wife of a count.
‘Father doesn’t make losing deals.’
They must have married because there was a mutual benefit.
Was there some kind of deal between them? If so, what could have possibly been the item of trade?
‘A remarriage candidate who Father would marry despite giving up all claims to the fortune and dowry of the bride.’
Why Bernarda of all people? Because she was quick-witted and clever?
Because she knew her place and was obedient? Suitable as a partner?
Don’t make me laugh. Such qualities are a dime a dozen.
More than anything, he didn’t need a smart woman.
He’s the type who can’t stand not checking all the account books himself.
Bernarda might have made things a bit easier for him.
However, that convenience wouldn’t have been valued enough to consider marriage.
‘Then, let’s think simply.’
Cecila’s father was driven by money. He was a man whose pleasure in life was growing wealth.
Everything but his obsession—Lilith—could be converted into money, even if it meant people.
He exploited even Guinevere, whom he trusted and cherished more than his wife, to the marrow for his goals.
What about in the previous life?
Despite the very real stigma of a marriage between two illegitimate children, Cecilia’s father had married her off to Logan, who was the grandson of a merchant guild’s owner.
His usual rush to conceal Cecilia’s status contradicted this act.
Given this example alone, it was clear that Adam Lasphilla places money at the highest of his values.
‘I wonder if Father himself realizes his materialistic nature.’
Not only him.
He sent Margaret, who he rarely even visited once in ten years, to a foreign country.
He loaded her onto the long journey by carriage while she cried until she fainted.
Marriage as a business.
Would it have been different with his own children?
‘Evelyn Lasphilla.’
She was an heiress.
Her family had left all the assets except for the titles and the mansion to their direct descendants, so Evelyn’s personal assets were significantly more than the entire fortune of an ordinary nobleman.
‘And that money became the foundation that built the wealth of the Lasphilla Countdom.’
The Lasphilla Countdom was not originally that wealthy.
Rather, they were on the brink of losing their mansion and lands.
At that time, Cecilia’s father, then Adam Deinz, was struggling with inherited debts.
Guinevere managed to clear those debts by striking a relationship with the Duke of Rosencrantz and rescuing Adam, but there was nothing left for further investment.
Barely maintaining the status quo was overwhelming.
Maintaining a centuries-old large mansion was no ordinary task.
Just preserving the facade of this ancient and elegant Coffret Manor consumed enormous amounts annually.
Even if a noble dropped all pretenses and merely breathed, it would cost many times the annual salary of the former staff.
Adam became desperate for investment after clearing his debts and inheriting the title and mansion with no money left.
‘Because he had nothing.‘
When one holds little, people sometimes dream of making a fortune. They become captivated by the irrational desire to turn 1 into 100.
Adam despised his own father, but there was definitely a hereditary resemblance. Though a bit better since Adam was instead immersed in investments rather than gambling.
With a larger amount, it’s easier to diversify investments. But back then, he probably didn’t even have money to divide.
‘Did Father really succeed in all his investments?‘
As far as Cecilia knew, he mostly succeeded. He wasn’t bad at business.
But he didn’t know the future. No one who doesn’t know the future can achieve a 100% success rate.
So he turned to marriage for security, hoping to grab a safety net in the form of Evelyn.
Clear as day, it was a marriage of convenience. But Adam’s father was already dead.
Thus, Adam himself chose Evelyn. He voluntarily put himself on the auction block.
But if… Evelyn…
‘Had no intention of sharing her money with him?‘
A wave of heat surged in Cecilia’s stomach. A foreboding feeling flared up like wildfire.
