“You shameless thing, without a clue. How dare you insult my son like that?”

Abruptly ceasing his wild gesticulations, the Earl of Blanchett loosened his cravat, fuming with indignation.

Olivia, her cheek swollen, glared back at the Earl.

“When did you become so articulate? Did you talk back like this to your husband, too? Is that why you were thrown out?”

The Earl of Blanchett, who had been shouting, suddenly turned around and barked at the servants standing behind him.

“Hit her.”

The black cane pointed at none other than Ann.

Crouching on the floor, Ann covered her head with her hands and shivered in fear. Olivia, shocked by this, glared at the Earl.

“Don’t do this to Ann.”

“You received a hefty alimony. Bring it.”

“Earl!”

“Do you want your maid to die?”

Olivia stared back at the Earl, her gaze growing more fierce.

“I’m okay, please don’t give in. Miss— Ah!”

Before the cane could hit Ann’s head, Olivia swiftly caught it.

“I’ll give you the money. Just don’t hurt her.”

Swallowing her raging anger, Olivia’s eyes brimmed with clear resolve.

The Earl of Blanchett stared into her bright blue eyes.

Elena.

‘I must have this child. It’s necessary.’

So pale, her skin almost porcelain, with thick brown hair fluttering as she ran into his embrace, his dearly beloved daughter. That’s why his betrayal and rage swallowed him more deeply.

‘What did I do to raise you?’

‘Sorry, Father. But I can’t do that with him. Please let me have this child!’

You matched your friend’s husband and dragged our family name through the mud!

As their eyes met, the Earl of Blanchett’s memory rewound twenty years.

“Seize her.”

His strained voice cracked. His focused gaze lost its sharpness.

Two strong men grasped Olivia, rendering her immobile.

With withered hands, the Earl viciously grabbed Olivia’s hair.

Ann, screaming, rushed over and shielded Olivia with her half-crouched body.

The Earl’s brutal fists knocked Ann down. The usual violent outburst ensued.

The Earl of Blanchett often confronted his once-beloved daughter, Elena, in this manner.

Olivia. Olivia.

Even after the divorce, her name incessantly circled around Johann, agitating him.

Everywhere he went, that damned Olivia Blanchett.

Even today’s newspaper dedicated a corner to her.

Had the scandal erupted in Rondos, he would have quashed it immediately. The repercussions from across the sea were tiresome.

“Sir, could you please look here for a moment?”

A photographer guided Johann’s weary gaze toward the camera lens.

Dressed in a black suit with a blue tie, Johann relaxed his mouth and looked straight ahead. The sunlight streaming through the window made his neatly combed blonde hair shine brightly.

“Yes, that’s good. Perfect. I’ll take the picture now.”

The photographer, unable to hide his excitement in front of the perfect subject, disappeared behind the black cover, counted to three, and flash! The room went dark.

‘I love you, Johann.’

At that moment, Olivia’s voice echoed in his head, causing Johann to frown involuntarily.

Damn it.

His irritation soared with the addition of the photo with Edgar. Johann closed his eyes for a moment, and the photographer nervously swallowed.

Is something displeasing?

Sweat formed in his hand clutching the pen.

An exceptional figure who succeeded in every venture with his keen animal instincts. Noble Rondos bloodline. And handsome to boot.

Life is unfair.
Journalist Harrison’s conclusion was just that. He, too, wanted to cast a vote on how incredibly unfair it was.

Eventually, Johann slowly opened his eyes. His royal ash-gray eyes showed a hint of redness, suggesting a lack of sleep.

Johann leaned back languidly.

“Let’s begin.”

With a low voice, Johann signaled the start of the interview.

“Yes.”

Ahem. Clearing his throat from waiting, Harrison moved his gaze to the question sheet.

“I heard that the new Leopold Hotel opening in Ritten will be the largest in the Kingdom of Brit. Is this part of an offensive strategy targeting the Lancelot family?”

Johann’s indifferent gaze met the journalist. Harrison tensed up and focused on Johann.

“It might be better to change the question.”

Johann, crossing his long legs, calmly directed.

Feeling like he hit a wall with the first question, Harrison stumbled.

“Ah… Yes, then, again…”

Caught off guard by the sudden request, the journalist’s mind fumbled.

What displeased him? The mention of ‘Lancelot’? After a few self-questions, Harrison cautiously began speaking, observing Johann’s reactions.

“The Ritten Hotel project, is it part of innovative management following global trends?”

Harrison emphasized ‘global’ and ‘innovative’ in his question.

Johann nodded briefly in affirmation.

Internally sighing with relief, the journalist moved to the next question.

“Will you be attending the opening event?”

“Perhaps.”

“Former Duchess Leopold is currently in Ritten, I hear…”

The journalist trailed off at Johann’s increasingly cold gaze but didn’t lose his journalistic duty. Or rather, he tried hard not to lose it, stumbling over his words.