Chapter 17

"Come now, Mr. Claude. Please listen to me."

I absolutely don’t want to be handed over.

If I really end up being left with Elise, I’ll probably be floating in some river tomorrow or lying dead in a crowded area.

It’s definitely going to be like that.

Somehow, it feels like she’s the type to do something like that.

I want to believe that Mr. Claude isn’t that cruel—

But since I can’t trust him, I grip his clothes tightly.

I’m not yet ready to confront him head-on, so I desperately plead with Mr. Claude, hoping to get through this without being found out.

I want to continue living as if nothing has changed, just like the past month when I pretended to know nothing.

I didn’t want to get involved in any troublesome fights, Mr. Claude.

You dragged me into this, you devil!

My silent plea for my life, which I’m desperately trying to convey, is met with Mr. Claude, who is skilled at reading the room, gently patting me.

However, he is a ruthless utilitarian.

I have a slight feeling that he will demand something from me later, so I look at him with a somewhat distant gaze.

Since I immediately chose Mr. Claude over Elise, who wants to dispose of both of us, I have to accept it and try my best.

"Mr. Claude!"

As if it’s too troublesome to respond, Mr. Claude, still holding me, turns around, and Elise calls out to his back.

"I will say it again, please leave that lowly person behind. Besides, didn’t you have plans to spend the day with me today? I prepared a lot for today!"

"It’s not like I accepted your invitation. I came here to tell you that the Lindbergh family has been acting too freely in society recently. If you continue to tarnish the Lindbergh family’s reputation, be prepared for the consequences."

"Well, do you believe the words of such insignificant people over me? But, Mr. Claude, such threats won’t work on me. If you do something like that, Andre’s father will surely stop you."

She sounds somewhat smug.

And the atmosphere Mr. Claude is giving off is chilling, making me shiver.

"I see—... Then go ahead and cling to your father. I’d like to hear his reaction. Oh, and Elise, it seems I have a similar taste in women to my father—I prefer young, fresh bodies. Their innocent reactions are quite stimulating."

Stop it.

I don’t want to be left behind, but please don’t provoke her.

Talking about a woman’s age is a big no-no, Mr. Claude.

Moreover, Mr. Claude... are you angry?

The atmosphere you’re giving off is so cold, it’s almost freezing.

"Let’s go to the room. Since we finished early, we have a lot of time left."

That’s why!

I don’t want you to say such things out loud.

The intense gaze is now turning into murderous intent.

Mr. Claude retraces his steps.

Of course, Elise tried to stop him, but for some reason, she couldn’t leave the annex and didn’t step into the main house.

Mr. Claude, somewhat irritably, strides across the hallway and up the stairs.

Then, he kicks open the heavy, grand door.

The violent gesture makes me stiffen in his arms.

The person inside the room also freezes and turns to look at us.

Mr. Claude says one thing to that person.

"Call the tailor and the jeweler immediately."

He then places me on the fluffy sofa, ignoring the person who is staring at us with their mouth agape.

After putting me down, he hurriedly enters the next room and brings back three thick volumes of documents.

Incidentally, the person in the room with me—the secretary who attended the wedding—could only follow Mr. Claude’s movements.

Mr. Claude quickly returns and places the documents on the table in front of me, his cold eyes still fixed on me.

"I’ll let you repay me for saving your life. Read this immediately. You should be able to finish it by tomorrow, right?"

Well...

These are super thick, you know?

From a quick glance, they are filled with very fine text and numbers...

Do you really expect me to finish this by tomorrow?

I feel a gaze and turn to see the secretary looking at me with sympathy.

When I smile and silently plead for help, Mr. Claude glares at me.

At the same time, the secretary turns pale and looks away.

"Given your perceptiveness, I’m sure you understand. Please try your best... and as a success fee, I’ll raise you from the minimum standard of living for the poor to the general minimum standard of living."

Wow! You’re a sure thing!

Yes, I knew it!

Who’s the culprit?

I always thought it was Mr. Claude’s fault.

That’s why I was feeling so down, thinking about killing him.

Indeed, I did say the minimum standard of living, but you’re interpreting it too much to your advantage.

I want to demand compensation.

Mr. Claude is smiling, but his eyes aren’t.

Because of that, I can’t say anything.

"It seems the indirect approach was useless... I made it so you would want to take action yourself. Aren’t you happy?"

I’m not happy at all.

If you have time, please support me with a bookmark and a five-star rating below the ad.