Michael cast his glance at Marianne. Then he recalled the name of the detective in charge written in the incident report.

He remembered it as a woman’s name. Perhaps a female police officer rumored, he thought. The name reminded him of his first love’s pain, so his gaze lingered longer.

“Why is the detective in charge named Marianne Haverk? It’s surprising that Mrs. Schneider is at the police station, but she uses the name Marianne Cloje, not Marianne Schneider?”

“…….”

“Could they have divorced?”

As he said that, Michael knew it was impossible. If the two had divorced, the world should already have been abuzz.

The newspapers would have been plastered with their names, and everyone with a mouth would have had to talk about it. After all, this was Schneider’s territory, Blauburg.

No, it would have been the same even if it weren’t Blauburg. Christoph was one of the most famous men in the empire.

“Aha.”

The next moment, laughter burst from Michael’s mouth. Christoph, who had been arrogant just before, had closed his mouth like a person who had lost his words.

Michael’s gaze moved slowly. It scanned Christoph’s tightly closed lips, clenched fists, and things like rigid glares.

“I see.”

Michael eventually nodded. His gaze now shifted to Marianne. He narrowed his eyes. In his mind, he quickly combined a few clues.

Marianne Cloje, Blauburg, Christoph Schneider.

He felt he finally understood the whole story. Michael’s mouth curved into a smile.

“So, Christoph.”

That meant there was a chance for him too. How painfully he had regretted after losing Marianne. The sense of defeat at the time could not be soothed even with alcohol. Perhaps the most regretful moment of his life.

But miraculously, God gave him a second chance. Perhaps even the last opportunity.

“Yes, so it was. Hahaha.”

Christoph watched Michael, who wore a meaningful smile, with his eyes full of disbelief. His clenched lower jaw quivered slightly.

“Michael.”

Christoph called his name in a cold voice. Michael casually stuck his hand in his trouser pocket and looked back at him with a smiling face.

“Speak, Christoph.”

“I know what you are thinking. But I warn you, you won’t have a chance.”

“Ha.”

A sense of exhilaration slowly spread in Michael’s chest. He had never seen Christoph so uncomposed. The great Christoph Schneider was worried that Marianne would be snatched away from him.

What could describe the feeling of that moment? Pleasure, satisfaction, or thrill. No, no word was enough. Michael felt intoxicated by the sense of victory, feeling like he had beaten Christoph for the first time.

He looked squarely at Christoph, his deep green eyes sparkling coldly.

“We’ll see. That’s something we’ll have to wait and find out.”

Finally, Christoph clicked his tongue. The man before him was not the old Michael Hindenburg. A polished and solid adult man was dealing with Christoph leisurely.

And Christoph swallowed silence in unknown anxiety. An ominous premonition coiled around his feet like a snake and slithered up his calf.

Wherever Michael’s gaze touched, his skin shrank uncomfortably. Extremely unpleasant.

Christoph tightened his fist. Otherwise, he felt he might blow Michael’s jaw off right then and there.

Damn it.

(This is a time separator.)

“What did you talk about with Michael?”

Christoph interrogated her as if in pursuit. His eyes were anxiously concerned in a way she had never seen before.

“Why?” Marianne was about to ask but closed her mouth again. The moment she asked that, it felt as though she would return to being Mrs. Schneider again.

That was not what Marianne wanted. After catching her breath, she responded in a deliberately casual tone.

“I didn’t say anything that would harm you.”

“That’s not it, Marianne.”
Christoph, seemingly exasperated, licked his lips. Then, as if having a thought, he swallowed back the rest of what he was going to say.

In their school days, only two people were unaware of Michael’s unrequited love, known to everyone else. Marianne and Michael, the two involved.

And Christoph had no intention of sharing this fact with his own words. He had not even a speck of interest in providing an opportunity for Marianne to become conscious of Michael as a man.

Marianne asked him, anxiously rubbing her chin. Her blue eyes were filled with a hint of curiosity and a bit of tension.

“Did the thing you went to… go well?”

“It won’t be easy.”

Christoph faintly furrowed his brows. His expression wasn’t particularly good, considering he had spoken loudly to Michael. Unconsciously startled, Marianne shuddered.

“I checked with the presiding judge, a very conservative person. He won’t easily declare innocence. Michael probably knows this as well. He’s worked in Blau Berg longer than me. In many ways, it’s a fight that favors him.”

“Then what…”

Marianne’s face clouded with worry. Her strong blue eyes trembled incessantly.

Is she worrying about me, or the boy?