The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 33
“Well, what brings you here today?”
Her aunt eyed Johanna up and down, a look of disapproval evident in her gaze. It seemed she found Johanna’s shabby attire unfit for such a lavish setting.
“If you’re here because of loan sharks, I can’t help you. The amount borrowed must be substantial, and I can’t trust you or your father to repay it. Your younger brother is too young, and you haven’t caught yourself a wealthy man, either.”
“……”
She hadn’t expected to receive help in the first place, but her aunt’s blunt and cold demeanor twisted her insides.
Johanna stared at her aunt with an expressionless face, her words naturally carrying a sharp edge when she finally spoke.
“I’m not here to ask for help; I’m here to repay the debt. You may see me as a shameless beggar, but that’s not the case.”
“What? Repay the debt? Where did you get the money?”
“You don’t need to know that.”
Johanna took an envelope filled with money from the inner pocket of her bag and handed it to her aunt. Her aunt glanced suspiciously at Johanna as she accepted the envelope.
“Exactly 20,000 rubles. Please check.”
“……”
Her aunt didn’t respond to Johanna’s words but quickly opened the envelope to check the amount inside. Her eyes widened as she counted the last bill.
“It’s really 20,000 rubles… Where did you get this money? Did you do something illegal?”
Johanna let out a hollow laugh. Illegal? It was perfectly legal, even if the truth, when revealed, might draw public scorn.
“I received some help.”
“Help? From whom?”
“You don’t need to know that. If you’ve confirmed the money, I’ll be on my way.”
“Wait, Johanna! Hold on a second!”
Her aunt called out to Johanna, who had turned to leave the parlor. Not wanting to continue the conversation, Johanna sighed irritably and looked back. Her aunt scrutinized her face and suddenly asked,
“Did you find yourself a man?”
“……”
Johanna felt a sudden impulse to say yes out of spite. But if she did, her aunt would definitely probe about who he was. So, it was best to say nothing. Feeling a slight headache, Johanna opened her mouth.
“I will tell you soon. It’s difficult to explain right now.”
“Who is it? It couldn’t be… that loan shark, could it?”
“Who? What are you talking about?”
Johanna’s mouth opened and closed in shock at the absurd suggestion. There was only one person her aunt could be referring to: Ilian Rediess.
As if she would ever involve herself with him… The idea was so outrageous that she couldn’t even laugh. Johanna stared at her aunt, frozen.
“No, but Mr. Rediess Came to your house… He is not the type to do that… Something seemed off. I wondered if he had an interest in you.”
“…How did you know he came by?”
“I just happened to find out. An acquaintance of mine saw him in front of your house.”
“Hah…”
Johanna let out a low sigh, curling her lips into a bitter smile. So, her aunt had known how dire the situation was, that a loan shark had come to their house to threaten them, and she still chose to ignore it. Clarisse Littberg was truly a heartless person.
“It is not him.”
“Then who is it?”
“You don’t need to know that. That man Rediess told me I should either sell my body at a nightclub or sell Daniel as a stud.”
“What…?”
Her aunt’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening and closing as if she was at a loss for words. Johanna gave her a cold glare before turning away without any hesitation.
She walked straight to the door and grasped the shiny gold doorknob. Just before she turned it, she remembered something and looked back.
“Aunt, do you know the saying ‘what goes around comes around’?”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“Sometimes, it’s good to be generous to those around you. That way, if you ever fall, there will be someone to catch you.”
“Hah, are you—”
“You never know what might happen in life. Isn’t that right?”
Her aunt opened her mouth to retort, but Johanna didn’t listen. She flung the door open.
With a loud bang, she slammed the door shut and walked into the hallway. A maid standing nearby stared at her in shock, but Johanna ignored her and quickly left the area.
* * *
Just dealing with her aunt had left Johanna feeling utterly exhausted. She wanted nothing more than to go home and collapse into bed, but she still had things to do.
“……”
A six-story newly constructed building in the bustling city center. This was the address on Ilian Rediess’s business card. She was surprised by the clean and luxurious exterior.
‘Running a loan shark business from a place like this.’
No, it wasn’t just loan sharking. Outwardly, he probably ran several legitimate businesses, but if you looked closely, you’d find the core was dark and dirty.
