The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 195
On the outskirts of the capital, the Babenhausen family owned an estate with a villa that was little better than an abandoned ruin.
Josephine, who had the strange hobby of hunting crows, often visited this place. Lately, however, her visits had become unusually frequent, and Karl began to wonder what she was up to in that villa.
So, today, while Josephine was away attending a social gathering, Karl slipped out of the mansion without informing anyone and headed to the villa.
Upon arrival, he aimed to search the basement first, only to be intercepted by Mary and William. Karl recalled that Mary was the maid who often accompanied Josephine, and William was one of her bodyguards.
The fact that both were guarding the villa in Josephine’s absence struck Karl as undoubtedly suspicious.
And his suspicions were spot-on. After a struggle with Mary, Karl descended into the basement, where he heard someone banging on a door and desperately calling for help.
Which brought him to the present moment. Now, Karl was rescuing this unfortunate kidnapping victim and obtaining Mary’s testimony.
“…….”
Looking at Mary, who stared back at him with pleading eyes as if she were entirely innocent, Karl pressed a hand to his throbbing temple.
This was no longer something he could handle alone; he needed to report it to his father and brother as well. If it was true that Josephine had committed an act of kidnapping… this wasn’t something that could be dismissed as a mere lapse in judgment. If the victim chose to press charges, the case could go to trial, and she could face imprisonment.
Such a scandal wouldn’t just end with Josephine’s downfall. A serious crime like kidnapping would deal a severe blow to the Babenhausen family’s reputation.
The best course of action would be to reach an agreement with the victim, offering a proper apology and compensation… but if the victim sought punishment, there would be little anyone could do. Their father, who already saw Josephine as a lost cause, was unlikely to provide a competent lawyer to defend her.
‘If it were up to Father, he’d disown Josephine and cast her out of the family.’
In short, it was enough to drive him mad. Karl let out a heavy sigh.
Karl first obtained written statements from Mary, William, and Hans. Afterward, he organized the victim’s testimony and documented it, and once all of this was completed, he escorted her back to her home.
Victoria Oder agreed, at Karl’s request, not to report the incident to the police immediately. However, she emphasized that, one way or another, she would demand an apology from Josephine for kidnapping and imprisoning her.
Karl was taken aback upon learning that Victoria was the primary physician for the Weimar estate. It shed light on Josephine’s motive for the abduction.
Now it was clear that the Elderique family would also become entangled in this matter, which only added to his headache.
“There’s a doctor named Jacques Fischer. He’s the attending physician at the Weimar estate, and Lady Josephine threatened him into falsifying the health records of the Marchioness of Neubitz.”
Hearing Mary’s statement, Karl hesitated. Should he inform the Marquis of Neubitz about all of this first, or meet with his father and brother to discuss it?
Considering the Babenhausen family, the latter choice was more appropriate; however, Karl’s conscience leaned toward the former. In any case, those who had been harmed by this incident had to be his first priority.
* * *
“Marquis, there’s a guest for you. Karl Babenhausen, the second son of the Babenhausen family, has requested an urgent meeting.”
Leonid lifted his head from Johanna’s bare shoulder.
The lingering warmth of intimacy, along with the pleasant, languid pheromones, filled the space around them. Afternoon sunlight streamed in through the glass, casting a golden glow over the cozy and peaceful room. They were seated on the sofa, surrounded by a serene atmosphere.
Leonid delayed his reply, savoring Johanna’s scent. The sweet fragrance of osmanthus mingled with her unique aroma, creating a heady scent that left him entranced. He brushed his nose along her neck, pressing a gentle kiss there.
Johanna absentmindedly combed her fingers through Leonid’s dark hair as he clung close to her side.
“Karl Babenhausen is here.”
“…….”
“Why is he here? I have no business with him.”
“…….”
“Or did he come to see you?”
His irritation was clear in his tone. Johanna, momentarily frozen, met his smoldering sunset-colored eyes, still brimming with an intensity that could ignite at any moment, even though their rut had passed.
“…There’s no particular reason he’d come to see me either…”
There was no reason for Karl to be seeking her, so she replied only that much. If there was business, it must be with Leonid, though she couldn’t guess what it might be.
“How bothersome…”
Muttering in a voice tinged with annoyance, he tightened his arms around Johanna’s waist, drawing her closer. His lips, which had been trailing along her neck, moved lower to her collarbone. Leonid licked there briefly before giving a light kiss, leaving a petal-like red mark.
Her body was already covered in traces he’d left, signs of his constant attention. There was hardly a day they didn’t indulge, so the marks never had a chance to fade.
