Mikhail, who smiled meaningfully, changed the subject again.
“But shouldn’t we make him confess in front of everyone else? What are you going to do if he changes his words later?”
Karina felt relieved at the change in topic and said as if it was no problem.
“If we get the evidence he mentioned, he won’t be able to change his words easily later. What I wanted from the beginning was solid evidence.”
“Then that acting earlier was to find out where the evidence was?”
“That’s right.”
Karina agreed.
The evidence was evidence, but there was actually another purpose.
More important than the evidence was ‘Genon thinking that Caroline betrayed him’.
Genon would talk as he pleased to the people around him, saying that he was wronged, and the noble ladies who were close to him would defend him and protect him.
‘No matter how much he tries to keep quiet about what happened today, it will spread quickly through people’s mouths.’
That’s why I had also invited Count Medius, who owned a large media outlet, to the event.
If it became clear that such an unpleasant incident had occurred, it was only a matter of time before Caroline would be talked about.
No. Even at this very moment, the people in the hall would be talking about what had happened in the study.
‘I need to make sure that Caroline experiences the same thing I experienced in the past, being criticized and condemned by everyone.’
Genon’s work was enough to give Karina strength for what she was about to do.
This incident alone was not enough to deal a big blow to Caroline.
‘What I want is for Caroline to fall so low that she can never recover.’
Karina’s eyes sank deeply.
“Now that I know where the evidence is, it’s a race against time. I need to secure the evidence before today ends.”
Karina asked Mikhail with a serious face.
“Can you go to Genon’s mansion and retrieve the evidence? The sooner the better.”
“That’s easy for me. I’ll be back soon.”
Mikhail smiled, gently raising the corners of his mouth.
‘What the hell is this!’
Caroline chewed her lips impatiently.
‘When on earth did that brazen thing ever gather people? The plan fell through!’
Caroline narrowed her eyes and frowned.
Even though Genon was a famous womanizer and a swindler, he was still a member of the Count’s family. The situation was different from the last banquet.
It would have been difficult to silence Genon by threatening or killing him.
There were quite a few high-society ladies who liked him and protected him, living up to his reputation as a womanizer, so it would have been difficult for her to clean up the mess on her own.
Caroline was on the verge of anger.
As soon as she left the study, she called her maid.
‘You have to tell this quietly and without anyone knowing. You can’t let anyone find out! Understood?’
She handed her a hastily scribbled note and returned to the venue.
Then she started looking for Revals.
Originally, she had avoided meeting him closely in public, but now she had no time to worry about that.
However, no matter how hard she searched, she couldn’t find Revals.
“Things have gotten so messed up, where on earth is Revals!”
Caroline’s displeased eyes caught sight of the back of Lady Lamberda, Revals’ younger sister.
Caroline walked straight to her and grabbed her shoulder, turning her around.
“Ouch!”
Lady Lamberda stumbled, groaning as her shoulder was grabbed by a rough hand.
“Caroline?”
Lady Lamberda looked at Caroline with surprised eyes at the sudden situation.
“Lady Lamberda. Where is Revals right now?”
“Huh? My brother?”
Lady Lamberda couldn’t hide her embarrassment at Caroline’s behavior of suddenly looking for her brother.
“My second brother said he wouldn’t be able to attend the event today because of mining work.”
“How can you tell me that now?”
“Huh? Oh, sorry... I’m sorry.”
Lady Lamberda apologized for Caroline’s irritated scolding without knowing what was going on.
“But Caroline. Are you by any chance close to Brother Revals?”
“Why are you suddenly asking that?”
Caroline reacted sensitively.
“Just now, Revals... You called my brother by his name.”
“...!”
Caroline’s eyes opened wide.
Only then did Caroline realize that she had made a mistake.
She was so excited that she unconsciously called him by his name as usual.
“I’ve never seen you meet with my brother separately, so I didn’t know you were close.”
“...”
Caroline, who was speechless for a moment, just turned her eyes and looked around.
Those around her were glancing at them with curious eyes.
Some were listening, waiting for Caroline’s next words.
“...Mine.”
Caroline managed to spit out an excuse that came to her mind.
“Yes. Mine!”
Caroline forced a formal smile.
“We met to help him with the mining business, right? I called him by his name so I wouldn’t be confused with the eldest son of the Lamberda family, but I made a mistake.”
“Ah.... yes.”
However, even after hearing Caroline’s words, Lady Lamberda couldn’t erase her nervous expression.
At the time when her father, the head of the Lamberda family, and her brother Revals met Caroline because of the mining business.
Her eldest brother had been away for quite some time in the capital on business, so she knew that he was not in the north. She immediately realized that Caroline was lying, but she was not so tactless as to say it out loud.
“I have something to do, so I will excuse myself.”
Caroline quickly left as if she was busy.
However, the whispers around her grew louder as she left.
“The Princess called the second son of the Lamberda family by his name?”
“She said that to was not confused with the eldest son.”
“I thought it was too informal and friendly for that?”
“That’s right. I’m sure she only called him by his name, ‘Revals.’”
The words people were saying one by one grew louder.
“Lady Lamberda. Do you know anything?”
One of the ladies, covering her mouth with a fan, peeked at Lady Lamberda.
“Well. I don’t know either.”
Since she really didn’t know anything, Lady Lamberda had no choice but to answer like that.
Karina returned to the venue.
‘Where is Caroline?’
Karina’s wandering gaze caught sight of Caroline talking to businessmen in the distance. She scanned the faces of those talking to Caroline.
‘They’re all in the report Selena gave me.’
The investigation of them had already been entrusted to the ‘flower shop’ and the overall understanding was complete.
After checking the contents of the report, it was clear that Caroline was taking advantage of not only the orphanage but also many other places. She was selecting businesses that would receive investment funds from the North in exchange for bribes, or designating businesses that would receive relief funds for the poor and receive a portion of the funds in return.
“But shouldn’t we make him confess in front of everyone else? What are you going to do if he changes his words later?”
Karina felt relieved at the change in topic and said as if it was no problem.
“If we get the evidence he mentioned, he won’t be able to change his words easily later. What I wanted from the beginning was solid evidence.”
“Then that acting earlier was to find out where the evidence was?”
“That’s right.”
Karina agreed.
The evidence was evidence, but there was actually another purpose.
More important than the evidence was ‘Genon thinking that Caroline betrayed him’.
Genon would talk as he pleased to the people around him, saying that he was wronged, and the noble ladies who were close to him would defend him and protect him.
‘No matter how much he tries to keep quiet about what happened today, it will spread quickly through people’s mouths.’
That’s why I had also invited Count Medius, who owned a large media outlet, to the event.
If it became clear that such an unpleasant incident had occurred, it was only a matter of time before Caroline would be talked about.
No. Even at this very moment, the people in the hall would be talking about what had happened in the study.
‘I need to make sure that Caroline experiences the same thing I experienced in the past, being criticized and condemned by everyone.’
Genon’s work was enough to give Karina strength for what she was about to do.
This incident alone was not enough to deal a big blow to Caroline.
‘What I want is for Caroline to fall so low that she can never recover.’
Karina’s eyes sank deeply.
“Now that I know where the evidence is, it’s a race against time. I need to secure the evidence before today ends.”
Karina asked Mikhail with a serious face.
“Can you go to Genon’s mansion and retrieve the evidence? The sooner the better.”
“That’s easy for me. I’ll be back soon.”
Mikhail smiled, gently raising the corners of his mouth.
***
‘What the hell is this!’
Caroline chewed her lips impatiently.
‘When on earth did that brazen thing ever gather people? The plan fell through!’
Caroline narrowed her eyes and frowned.
Even though Genon was a famous womanizer and a swindler, he was still a member of the Count’s family. The situation was different from the last banquet.
It would have been difficult to silence Genon by threatening or killing him.
There were quite a few high-society ladies who liked him and protected him, living up to his reputation as a womanizer, so it would have been difficult for her to clean up the mess on her own.
Caroline was on the verge of anger.
As soon as she left the study, she called her maid.
‘You have to tell this quietly and without anyone knowing. You can’t let anyone find out! Understood?’
She handed her a hastily scribbled note and returned to the venue.
Then she started looking for Revals.
Originally, she had avoided meeting him closely in public, but now she had no time to worry about that.
However, no matter how hard she searched, she couldn’t find Revals.
“Things have gotten so messed up, where on earth is Revals!”
Caroline’s displeased eyes caught sight of the back of Lady Lamberda, Revals’ younger sister.
Caroline walked straight to her and grabbed her shoulder, turning her around.
“Ouch!”
Lady Lamberda stumbled, groaning as her shoulder was grabbed by a rough hand.
“Caroline?”
Lady Lamberda looked at Caroline with surprised eyes at the sudden situation.
“Lady Lamberda. Where is Revals right now?”
“Huh? My brother?”
Lady Lamberda couldn’t hide her embarrassment at Caroline’s behavior of suddenly looking for her brother.
“My second brother said he wouldn’t be able to attend the event today because of mining work.”
“How can you tell me that now?”
“Huh? Oh, sorry... I’m sorry.”
Lady Lamberda apologized for Caroline’s irritated scolding without knowing what was going on.
“But Caroline. Are you by any chance close to Brother Revals?”
“Why are you suddenly asking that?”
Caroline reacted sensitively.
“Just now, Revals... You called my brother by his name.”
“...!”
Caroline’s eyes opened wide.
Only then did Caroline realize that she had made a mistake.
She was so excited that she unconsciously called him by his name as usual.
“I’ve never seen you meet with my brother separately, so I didn’t know you were close.”
“...”
Caroline, who was speechless for a moment, just turned her eyes and looked around.
Those around her were glancing at them with curious eyes.
Some were listening, waiting for Caroline’s next words.
“...Mine.”
Caroline managed to spit out an excuse that came to her mind.
“Yes. Mine!”
Caroline forced a formal smile.
“We met to help him with the mining business, right? I called him by his name so I wouldn’t be confused with the eldest son of the Lamberda family, but I made a mistake.”
“Ah.... yes.”
However, even after hearing Caroline’s words, Lady Lamberda couldn’t erase her nervous expression.
At the time when her father, the head of the Lamberda family, and her brother Revals met Caroline because of the mining business.
Her eldest brother had been away for quite some time in the capital on business, so she knew that he was not in the north. She immediately realized that Caroline was lying, but she was not so tactless as to say it out loud.
“I have something to do, so I will excuse myself.”
Caroline quickly left as if she was busy.
However, the whispers around her grew louder as she left.
“The Princess called the second son of the Lamberda family by his name?”
“She said that to was not confused with the eldest son.”
“I thought it was too informal and friendly for that?”
“That’s right. I’m sure she only called him by his name, ‘Revals.’”
The words people were saying one by one grew louder.
“Lady Lamberda. Do you know anything?”
One of the ladies, covering her mouth with a fan, peeked at Lady Lamberda.
“Well. I don’t know either.”
Since she really didn’t know anything, Lady Lamberda had no choice but to answer like that.
***
Karina returned to the venue.
‘Where is Caroline?’
Karina’s wandering gaze caught sight of Caroline talking to businessmen in the distance. She scanned the faces of those talking to Caroline.
‘They’re all in the report Selena gave me.’
The investigation of them had already been entrusted to the ‘flower shop’ and the overall understanding was complete.
After checking the contents of the report, it was clear that Caroline was taking advantage of not only the orphanage but also many other places. She was selecting businesses that would receive investment funds from the North in exchange for bribes, or designating businesses that would receive relief funds for the poor and receive a portion of the funds in return.
There were also considerable amounts of goods and bribes that she received in exchange for land, documents for mansions, or expensive items such as jewels, perfumes, and expensive silks.
To be honest, when Karina first investigated the orphanage, she didn’t know it would be this much.
‘It’s fortunate that I’ve reached out to so many places. I’ll be able to handle it for sure.’
Karina smiled inwardly.
She planned to start pressuring Caroline in earnest when Mikhail found the evidence that Genon had mentioned.
‘I wonder if he’s arrived at Count Genon’s house by now?’
Karina thought, estimating the time Mikhail left.
At that moment.
“Your Highness. I’m here.”
It was Mikhail’s voice.
Karina looked back at him with a surprised expression.
He was standing there smiling brightly.
“You’re already back?”
Mikhail winked at Karina’s surprised question and smiled.
“You haven’t forgotten that I’m a wizard, have you?”
“Ah...”
She had forgotten.
“I’m more capable than you think. So use me a little more, Your Highness.”
Mikhail made eye contact with Karina and said playfully.
Karina snickered.
Michael showed Karina the evidence that he had found.
That evidence was quite useful.
After this matter was successfully concluded, it was a large bill of exchange and a letter of transfer of the mansion that Genon had agreed to receive from Caroline. The letter of transfer contained Caroline's signature, stating that she would hand over to him a quaint five-story mansion in the Lenton area.
To be honest, when Karina first investigated the orphanage, she didn’t know it would be this much.
‘It’s fortunate that I’ve reached out to so many places. I’ll be able to handle it for sure.’
Karina smiled inwardly.
She planned to start pressuring Caroline in earnest when Mikhail found the evidence that Genon had mentioned.
‘I wonder if he’s arrived at Count Genon’s house by now?’
Karina thought, estimating the time Mikhail left.
At that moment.
“Your Highness. I’m here.”
It was Mikhail’s voice.
Karina looked back at him with a surprised expression.
He was standing there smiling brightly.
“You’re already back?”
Mikhail winked at Karina’s surprised question and smiled.
“You haven’t forgotten that I’m a wizard, have you?”
“Ah...”
She had forgotten.
“I’m more capable than you think. So use me a little more, Your Highness.”
Mikhail made eye contact with Karina and said playfully.
Karina snickered.
Michael showed Karina the evidence that he had found.
That evidence was quite useful.
After this matter was successfully concluded, it was a large bill of exchange and a letter of transfer of the mansion that Genon had agreed to receive from Caroline. The letter of transfer contained Caroline's signature, stating that she would hand over to him a quaint five-story mansion in the Lenton area.
The Lenton area was not too far from the center where the nobles were gathered, but the transportation was inconvenient and the surrounding area was remote, so there were not as many people coming and going as expected.
When Karina recalled, it was the mansion that she had heard Genon used as a place to lure noblewomen and enjoy secret meetings.
Karina sneered.
In the past and present.
The reason she remembered this mansion so clearly even though she had never been there was simple.
It was the mansion that the Grand Duchess had built to seduce Genon, that other women took turns using the mansion, that she only did stupid things for others, etc.
It was because it was the mansion that people who liked to gossip used to belittle Karina and make fun of her.
'At the time, I didn't know why they were making up stories, so I was furious. Caroline gave it to him?'
When she realized that this fact had been distorted and spread, she laughed in vain.
'It was even more rotten than I thought. Thanks to that, it's really perfect.'
With this much evidence, she thought there was no need to wait for Jeremiah to question and investigate Lord Genon separately.
Karina immediately approached Caroline.
"...?"
Caroline faced Karina without hiding her displeasure.
“Your Highness. I thought you went back to your room, but you’re still here?”
Caroline’s tone was extremely harsh as she spoke.
“Yes, I still have work to do.”
Karina replied with a smile.
“You know so many businessmen, Princess? How strange.”
“What could be strange? As I’ve helped you with various things, they come to me first here and there. I can’t just turn down a hand that asks for help.”
Caroline nodded to the gathered businessmen and spoke proudly.
“Oh my, you even helped businessmen who have almost no contact with the Grand Duchess?”
Karina pretended to be surprised and closely examined their faces one by one.
Some of the businessmen who received Karina’s gaze directly coughed and lowered their heads or avoided eye contact.
The remaining few nodded at her with their eyes sparkling, perhaps thinking that this was a chance to impress the Grand Duchess.
Karina turned her gaze back to Caroline and continued speaking.
“You must be so busy just managing the internal affairs of the Grand Duke’s family, but you’re amazing.”
“It’s nothing.”
At that moment, Karina said with an indifferent expression.
“By the way, Lord Lamberda didn’t come today. Is there something going on? Oh, of course, I’m talking about Count Lamberda’s second son, Lord Revals.”
Caroline’s shoulders flinched when Revals’ name was mentioned.
Karina snickered at that and looked at Caroline.
“What if there’s no one to help you at a time like this?”
Caroline furrowed her brows and asked in response to Karina’s pitiful attitude.
“Well. Helping me? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Caroline glared at Karina and turned her head away.
Judging from her reaction, it seemed like that guy named Revals was quite deeply involved.
At that moment, Jeremiah entered the venue.
Caroline, who had discovered him, quickly approached Jeremiah.
“Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”
“Why are you looking for me, Sister?”
As Jeremiah spoke, an icy aura rose from him.
When Karina recalled, it was the mansion that she had heard Genon used as a place to lure noblewomen and enjoy secret meetings.
Karina sneered.
In the past and present.
The reason she remembered this mansion so clearly even though she had never been there was simple.
It was the mansion that the Grand Duchess had built to seduce Genon, that other women took turns using the mansion, that she only did stupid things for others, etc.
It was because it was the mansion that people who liked to gossip used to belittle Karina and make fun of her.
'At the time, I didn't know why they were making up stories, so I was furious. Caroline gave it to him?'
When she realized that this fact had been distorted and spread, she laughed in vain.
'It was even more rotten than I thought. Thanks to that, it's really perfect.'
With this much evidence, she thought there was no need to wait for Jeremiah to question and investigate Lord Genon separately.
Karina immediately approached Caroline.
"...?"
Caroline faced Karina without hiding her displeasure.
“Your Highness. I thought you went back to your room, but you’re still here?”
Caroline’s tone was extremely harsh as she spoke.
“Yes, I still have work to do.”
Karina replied with a smile.
“You know so many businessmen, Princess? How strange.”
“What could be strange? As I’ve helped you with various things, they come to me first here and there. I can’t just turn down a hand that asks for help.”
Caroline nodded to the gathered businessmen and spoke proudly.
“Oh my, you even helped businessmen who have almost no contact with the Grand Duchess?”
Karina pretended to be surprised and closely examined their faces one by one.
Some of the businessmen who received Karina’s gaze directly coughed and lowered their heads or avoided eye contact.
The remaining few nodded at her with their eyes sparkling, perhaps thinking that this was a chance to impress the Grand Duchess.
Karina turned her gaze back to Caroline and continued speaking.
“You must be so busy just managing the internal affairs of the Grand Duke’s family, but you’re amazing.”
“It’s nothing.”
At that moment, Karina said with an indifferent expression.
“By the way, Lord Lamberda didn’t come today. Is there something going on? Oh, of course, I’m talking about Count Lamberda’s second son, Lord Revals.”
Caroline’s shoulders flinched when Revals’ name was mentioned.
Karina snickered at that and looked at Caroline.
“What if there’s no one to help you at a time like this?”
Caroline furrowed her brows and asked in response to Karina’s pitiful attitude.
“Well. Helping me? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Caroline glared at Karina and turned her head away.
Judging from her reaction, it seemed like that guy named Revals was quite deeply involved.
At that moment, Jeremiah entered the venue.
Caroline, who had discovered him, quickly approached Jeremiah.
“Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”
“Why are you looking for me, Sister?”
As Jeremiah spoke, an icy aura rose from him.
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