“It already seemed like their relationship was nearing its end… and there’s no guarantee that madman won’t go to the Duke. Wouldn’t it be better to tip off old man Hector in advance?”

“What nonsense! Do you want me to drive away the golden goose? We have to hold out until the end. Hector can wait until then.”

“The position of the Duke’s wife won’t last just because we endure…”

“Don’t talk about what you don’t know. It’s not over until the divorce is final. We haven’t seen Helena or that man. We know nothing. Understand?”

Helena had clearly said she left the Duke’s house on her own.

It seemed already over, but Eric had no choice but to nod to Matilda’s fierce glare.

“Yes, yes. Of course.”

Underneath the bright chandeliers that lit up the hall like daytime, soft music and laughter mingled.

Eugene clicked his tongue internally and swallowed his wine as if chewing grapes.
“‘The taste remains the same.’

If it weren’t for the fact that the hostess was his own mother, he would have never stepped foot in such ostentatiousness.

No matter how much her influence waned after her husband’s death, her prickly nature hadn’t subsided. The event rivaled royal banquets in scale, with dazzling extravagance shining in every corner.

Eugene, suppressing his annoyance, waited patiently for the hostess to appear, planning to show his face and leave. Luckily, before his patience wore thin, the awaited figure appeared. The lavishly adorned elderly lady approached, fluttering her fan.

‘It’s been a long time, Eugene.’

‘Our perceptions of time must differ, mother. It seems like I see you too often.’

‘You’re still as heartless as ever.’

‘You never asked me to change.’

Their first exchange, though blood relatives, was filled with chilly undertones. Despite this, Christine nonchalantly continued.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. When I die, bury me with plenty of diamonds. A lifeless stone that never changes is much more lovable than people. Every time I see you, I become more certain of it.’

Eugene’s barely contained irritation flickered across his face.

Christine smiled quietly at him. Her face, though marked by cruel time, still held remarkable beauty. However, she acted as if even a single wrinkle was unacceptable, covering her mouth with her fan.

She then gestured towards the empty seat next to Eugene.

‘By the way, where is that girl? She used to follow you around like a lovesick puppy.’

That girl.

In informal settings, Christine referred to Helena in this manner.

Not as Lady Evergail, nor as the affectionate daughter-in-law, but simply ‘that girl.’

Eugene diplomatically corrected her term.

‘My wife is not feeling well and is resting. She probably won’t be able to attend social gatherings for a while, so perhaps you should avoid planning any for the time being.’

At this, Christine’s eyes immediately hardened.

‘You’re making excuses again. You’re getting lazier… Sitting on an undeserved position and not fulfilling your duties. It’s shameful.’

‘I don’t believe entertaining my mother-in-law’s whims is part of a daughter-in-law’s duties.’

‘If that’s the case, you should have just not lied in the first place.’

Christine dropped her fan, openly displaying her anger.

‘Every time I see her, she’s becoming more and more insolent. Last month, she had the audacity to suggest we should scale down our parties in case of a possible famine. Her excuses are as impoverished as she is. Had I known she would talk back to me like this, I would have corrected her behavior more strictly back then.’

Christine signaled the surrounding nobles to join the conversation, waving her folded fan slightly.

Baron, who had been eagerly waiting for a chance to chime in, quickly approached Christine and whispered.

‘Oh, how thoughtless. Why don’t you understand his grace’s feelings, madam? The Duke must be tired of seeing the same wife every day. Please indulge him for just one day.'”
Countess, intertwining her hand with the Count’s arm, laughed heartily.

“That’s why they say people should mingle with their own kind. In a marriage, there should be understanding between partners.”

“Fortunately, my wife and I never tire of each other, even seeing each other every day.”

Watching the group, who barked like Christine’s loyal dogs, Eugene let out a small scoff.

If they were stripped of their revolting flesh, they would be indistinguishable skeletons, yet they hold such pride. Are they going to put a price on their bone fragments?

Eugene really wasn’t in the mood to swallow such distasteful conversations today.

So he let it out bluntly.

“That might be the Count’s own delusion, I’m afraid.”

His short statement fell heavily, flipping the flow of the air. The once free-flowing atmosphere began to gravitate towards one person.

Christine, who had been laughing leisurely, the Baron and his wife, and the nobles who had been watching in agreement, all held their breath and looked at Eugene.

Eugene, unconcerned, threw a scornful look at the Countess.

“If someone would accept her, she’d abandon her child and husband and run to them in a heartbeat. Considering how vividly you still remember clinging to me, it doesn’t seem like such an old memory. I’d understand if you want to test my memory, but if it’s about patience…”

Turning his gaze to the Count, Eugene’s face was completely devoid of any mockery. Only a suffocating air of authority remained in his sharp, golden eyes.

“Well, I’m not sure how much more I can tolerate.”

Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.

The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…

Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.

Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.

The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”

When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…

The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced