The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 47
‘Especially if it’s something he brought upon himself…’
Viscount Courtney swallowed dryly and spoke.
“…Your Grace, if you give me a written guarantee here, I will ensure that I get the evidence and confession from my son as you requested.”
Ash’s lips twisted at the audacious demand.
“Are you really in a position to make such demands of me?”
“But I need some assurance…”
Ash’s sharp eyes twitched slightly.
One more word and the lifeline that had been offered might vanish without a trace.
Viscount Courtney had no choice but to back down.
“I understand. I will comply with Your Grace’s wishes, but please keep your promise.”
After Ash nodded and gestured for him to leave, Viscount Courtney hastily gathered the documents in front of him.
It was laughable. Gathering the papers wouldn’t make his corruption disappear.
“Poor fool. He’s relieved, not realizing he’s sold his second son’s future to delay his family’s downfall…”
As Hozi murmured sympathetically at the sight of the quickly departing viscount, Ash muttered through gritted teeth.
“If he wasn’t so stupid, he wouldn’t have pulled such a stunt.”
The exact damages caused by Viscount Courtney hadn’t been calculated yet, but they were certainly significant.
Demanding repayment would be akin to giving him the choice of how he wanted to die, so he had postponed it for now.
Ash had no intention of bearing those losses himself.
“Anyway, the Madam will be quite hurt when she finds out about this.”
Ash, who had risen and was habitually straightening his collar, froze at Hozi’s words.
“She’s trying to change herself, but here you are preparing a dagger. It’s rather unfortunate.”
As if he wasn’t the one who handed over that dagger in the first place, Hozi feigned concern.
“One must be prepared for contingencies.”
Since declaring her intent to change, his wife had shown consistent sincerity in her efforts.
She had even gone as far as to save his life, disregarding her own safety.
Given that, one might think he could trust her at least once.
But rather than trusting and being betrayed, it was wiser to hold onto a card that could counter any threat.
If he let himself be swayed by minor emotional changes and failed to prepare a countermeasure, how could he maintain his position?
“Even though the Madam is preparing an excellent plan, you don’t seem to have any faith in her, Your Grace?”
Ash looked at Hozi, who was siding with Nina and reproaching him, with a sense of disbelief.
What nonsense.
Had he forgotten whose aide he was?
‘Rewarding him would only cause me loss.’
Ash was sure that Hozi had sensed his unusual hesitation in handling matters he would have otherwise dealt with promptly.
Hozi was teasing him, aware that he had felt a strange sense of guilt recently.
Knowing that reacting would only amuse Hozi more, Ash calmed his annoyance and replied nonchalantly.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll use it after the divorce.”
This was an honest truth.
Even though their relationship had become estranged, everyone knew how dearly the Chief Justice and the Duke and Duchess of Taylor had cherished Nina.
Since the cause of their discord was her past misconduct, if she didn’t revert to her old ways, their relationship could quickly mend.
Thus, even if she agreed to a divorce, he couldn’t predict how her family would react.
And when else would he get a chance to hold leverage over a powerful noble family like the Taylors?
This was an opportunity that should be seized while it was available.
Hozi twisted a lock of his long white hair around his finger and smiled meaningfully.
“Well, we’ll have to wait and see about that, won’t we?”
“What do you mean?”
Ash looked at Hozi, who was smiling broadly.
“You’ll see.”
True to his nature, Hozi found immense amusement in this situation, laughing as if he was enjoying a captivating spectacle.
