The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 33
“…Have you been well?”
At Duke Granvil’s warm greeting, Nina collected herself and forced a smile.
“Yes. And you, Duke? Have you been healthy?”
“Of course, I’ve been well.”
“…….”
An awkward silence followed.
It seemed the Duke had also heard the rumors about her begging her husband for intimacy.
A mix of pity and worry was evident in his eyes.
“I’ve greeted you, so I’ll take my leave now. You should talk to the other guests as well.”
“Well…”
“It’s okay. I’ll greet you again before I leave.”
As Duchess Granvil shot her a sharp look, as if to say ‘just leave already’, Nina gave a bitter smile.
She hadn’t intended to have a long conversation anyway.
The important thing now was to prevent the accident that would happen today.
The chandelier, decorated with dozens, hundreds of crystals, weighed as much as an adult.
If that heavy thing were to fall on someone’s head, anyone could guess what would happen.
Nina first checked the problematic chandelier.
A shiver ran down her spine.
Marquis Saldersford was standing in the same spot as in her past life when the accident occurred.
The chandelier still showed no visible signs of trouble.
…But the fact that the Marquis was standing there meant the accident was imminent.
The gory scene from her past flashed before her eyes for a moment.
Nina, pale with tension, approached him.
“…It’s been a while, Marquis Saldersford.”
“Yes, it has.”
Allen M. Saldersford.
With dark reddish-brown hair and eyes, a height just over 180cm, a solid build, and a kind expression.
After finishing his reply, he slightly turned his body to avoid facing her directly.
It was enough to make her feel unwelcome.
She hadn’t expected a warm response.
Every time they met, they exchanged only cold, formal greetings.
So, she hadn’t tried to get close to him either.
“…I heard your estate is quite far from here. Wasn’t the journey hard?”
“As you can see, I’m fine.”
Allen replied curtly, spinning his champagne glass.
His relaxed eyes and gestures clearly indicated that he found talking to her boring.
Usually, such subtle hints were enough for people to step back, but Nina couldn’t.
There was a potential weapon dangling overhead.
She had to keep the conversation going, no matter what.
“…Did you know there was an earthquake at dawn?”
“Well, if it was dawn, I must have been sleeping.”
“Our wine cellar was a mess because of the earthquake, so…”
Creak.
A faint noise that one could only hear if all their nerves were focused on the ceiling.
An ominous feeling, as if sharp crystals could rain down at any moment.
Goosebumps rose on Nina’s skin as she quickly glanced up at the ceiling and continued.
“…Didn’t you just hear a strange sound?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Just now, a strange noise… Anyway, wouldn’t it be better to come over here? After hearing about the earthquake this morning, I just have a very bad feeling.”
Unaware of Nina’s concern, Allen took a sip of champagne and spoke leisurely.
“I don’t know what your intentions are in approaching me, but if you’re planning to use me for something, you’d better give up.”
“Intentions? I have no such thing. I just mentioned it because I have a bad feeling. I think you’re overreacting.”
“Overreacting, you say. Well…”
Allen scoffed softly and, in a gentle yet chilly voice, asked her to leave.
“Isn’t it better to avoid strange rumors involving you? So, please, understand and step aside. Kindly, leave.”
To top it off, he even gestured with his chin.
Despite his gentle appearance, he clearly showed hostility toward her.
This won’t do.
I need to be a bit more brazen.
“Why should I leave?”
Please.
“Then should I, a guest, leave?”
Please, please…
“You could. This place doesn’t belong to you. If you don’t want to deal with me, you should leave. That’s the most certain way.”
Please…!
However, it seemed my shamelessness had only fueled his competitive spirit.
Instead of leaving, he leisurely sipped his champagne and stared at me, as if to see who would win.
