Whitney descended from the attic to the ground floor and headed to the study where her stepmother, Lady Orleans, was likely to be.
“Please tell mother.”
“…What’s the matter? The lady is currently busy with the household affairs of the Orleans estate.”
Butler Gabriel blocked Whitney’s way.
“Just for a moment. Mother hates disturbances, as you well know.”
“Are you going to cause a commotion if not allowed in?”
Gabriel scoffed, knowing full well she wouldn’t. Since the duke’s death, Whitney had never caused trouble, always following what Lady Orleans and Melissa commanded.
She believed every tragedy was her fault.
“Fine, if you won’t tell her, I’ll wait here until you do.”
“Sigh. Wait here, then. I take no responsibility if the lady gets angry.”
After her father’s death, everything changed. Even the maids and the long-serving butler of Orleans were all dismissed.
She held all the rights but her stepmother wielded all the power, acting on her behalf. Whitney knew she had to rightfully reclaim what was hers.
As the rightful heiress of the Orleans estate, everything under her mother’s control should rightfully be hers once she came of age.
But there was still time until she reached adulthood. If she claimed authority now, it would be disadvantageous for her. Therefore, Whitney had to think and act wisely.
“You may enter.”
Upon the butler’s permission, she cautiously entered the office. Cecilia Weston, her stepmother, was a lady from the fallen Weston marquisate, and becoming the Duchess of Orleans might have been the biggest fortune of her life.
For Whitney, however, it was a misfortune that should never have happened.
“Did you forget I told you to stay out of sight in the attic? Whitney, just seeing you reminds me of the late duke and pains my heart.”
Upon Whitney’s entry, her mother put away the papers she was working on.
‘You’re still good at lying. No wonder Melissa is too.’
Whitney remembered her stepmother at the funeral, dry-eyed and emotionless.
“I know, but I thought I should do my part too. I need a dress for the debutante ball.”
“…A dress? Why would you need such a luxury? You won’t even be part of the social scene.”
Her mother, draped in a dress adorned with various jewels and satin gloves embedded with pearls, made this claim. She indulged in luxury under the excuse that everyone would talk if she dressed somberly after her husband’s death.
“I was thinking of you, Mother. If I wear a shabby dress, it might tarnish your reputation… People might say you treat me poorly because I’m not blood-related and the duke is gone.”
“Look at you! Are you trying to insinuate something? Have I not fed, clothed, and sheltered you all this time, and now you’d fabricate stories if I don’t get you a dress?”
She stood up sharply, her pointed nails poised as if to tear paper.
‘She always pinched or scratched where it wouldn’t show.’
Whitney slowly shook her head.
“I’m doing this so I won’t be a burden on the Orleans estate. I’ve heard Sister Melissa is the center of the social circles. I want to help her. Please, I’ll just quietly sit in my place and return, so don’t worry about that.”
“Fine, you should have at least one dress. I’ll take care of it. And even when you become an adult, I think I should continue managing the estate affairs. What do you think?”
“…Please do. What would I know about it?”
Stepmother Weston smiled, lifting the corners of her mouth.
“Okay, I’ll get you a dress. If only you always listen obediently like this, maybe I could even feel like embracing you, despite being reminded of the late duke.”
She continued to spill heartless words until the end. Whitney left the study with a smile on her face.
The second drawer. It seemed that was where the financial documents of the estate were kept.
A few days later, either because of her mother’s or the butler’s loose lips, Laiel spoke to Whitney.
“The weather is nice, why don’t you go out for a walk? It will be convenient for me to clean if you leave.”
“…Clean now? You never cleaned my room, and now you’re acting strange.”
Whitney mocked Laiel’s unusual behavior. Cleaning the attic had always been her responsibility, as per her mother’s command to clean up her own sleeping area since she did nothing but eat and sleep in the estate.
“I’ll clean my room myself, you don’t have to.”
“You wouldn’t let me clean for you? Seems like you’re used to maid’s work. A lady should maintain her dignity.”
Laiel pushed her out of the room, as if shooing her away.
Laiel, who never cared for her, must have had a reason for acting this way. Reluctantly, Whitney went downstairs.
She had been avoiding Melissa by knowing her schedule, assuming Melissa would wait to cross paths with her eventually, as it would hurt her pride to seek Whitney out.
“Oh, it’s rare to see your face.”
Whitney had never requested anything from her mother. Melissa must have been curious about her intentions after hearing she asked for a dress.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
