The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 25
Just before the divorce in her past life—
Her husband revealed evidence—actually a forged letter she wrote—showing that her grandfather had interfered in the guardianship trial of House Bayern to secure the marriage.
On top of that, he exposed her role as a loan shark targeting these people.
The appointment of a Chief Justice is the Emperor’s prerogative.
The Emperor, who emphasized the moral obligations of the ruling class, took the ethical transgressions committed by the Chief Justice and his direct descendants very seriously.
One of the reasons the current Emperor could consolidate his power was the respect he earned from his fair and benevolent nature.
‘Given that I was already in the Emperor’s bad books due to the incident at the charity event…’
While she could claim her disruptive behavior in high society was due to matters of love, there was no excuse for usury against commoners, which was pure exploitation of the lower class.
Her husband informed the Imperial Court of these actions, questioning the Chief Justice’s qualifications. Disappointed, the Emperor removed her grandfather from his position.
Following that was the downfall of the illustrious House Taylor…
Regardless of trying to win her husband’s trust, it was a matter that needed to be resolved because it contributed to her grandfather’s downfall.
Nina, seated on the sofa, addressed Charles and the four nightingales who stood awkwardly.
“Please, have a seat.”
Perhaps because it was the first time she offered them seats, they hesitated, looking at each other nervously.
They seemed afraid that sitting in front of their madam would bring her wrath.
‘If I leave them, they’ll keep hesitating like that forever…’
She sighed inwardly and spoke in a stern voice.
“How long will you make me look up at you?”
“N-No, Madam!”
At her words, the nightingales turned pale and quickly sat down.
“You all can read a little, so you should understand the contents of the promissory notes I wrote, correct?”
“Yes, but why…”
Being employees of a noble household, they were somewhat literate.
However, the actual debtors were their elderly mothers or siblings who couldn’t read or write.
‘…So now it’s time to set them free.’
Nina handed them the promissory notes along with a heavy pouch.
“These are the promissory notes, and this is the interest you’ve paid so far. I intend to return it all to you.”
Their faces were filled with bewilderment.
They came prepared to beg on their knees, only to be told they were being freed from their debts.
They knew their madam had been keeping a low profile recently, but they thought it was for recuperation.
“Madam, why are you doing this all of a sudden…?”
Seeing their suspicious reactions, Nina sighed deeply.
She had learned from her husband that apologies alone wouldn’t earn trust.
The same applied to them.
In that case, she needed to give them a reason to feel secure about receiving their money back.
“There is one condition.”
“What kind of condition…?”
“I need you to find out something for me.”
With up to a year left before the divorce, she planned to create a comfortable environment for herself during that time.
Attending social events with her husband was inevitable, but before that, she needed to clean house.
“Is it regarding His Grace the Duke?”
Charles asked, his eyes filled with uncertainty. Nina shook her head.
“No, it has nothing to do with the Duke. It seems someone is leaking household matters, especially to House Nord.”
No matter how much noise she made, and despite it being impossible to completely stop people from talking, something seemed off.
Tracing back the rumors about her in high society always led to the Duchess of House Nord.
“Are you saying that if we find out who’s been leaking information, you’ll forgive our debts and return the interest we’ve paid so far?”
Charles asked again, disbelief evident in his voice. Nina answered quietly.
“And if you carry out my instructions properly, I’ll even provide additional compensation.”
In her previous life, everyone denied knowing anything with one mind and one purpose, making it impossible to identify the culprit…
But if she were to free them from their oppressive debts and offer them sweet rewards?
She looked into the desperate eyes of the nightingales and smiled meaningfully.
