Logan’s right eyebrow arched upwards while his left eye narrowed.

This was a sign of extreme discomfort and also meant that his patience was running out.

“What do you mean?”

“You know.”

Of course I know. Steve Deniro must have asked if he knew I was a woman too.

Sidney felt irritated by the situation where too many people had found out about the secret, and being interrogated because of it. Even without that, this wasn’t a conversation to have here.

She gestured with her eyes towards the police building, indicating they should change locations. Logan looked up at the brown building and asked:

“What was that bastard trying to show you with his crude hypnosis?”

To miss that. Steve Deniro had wanted to join hands with Logan Redford.

But Sidney thought that since their relationship was already beyond repair, he wouldn’t recklessly do something without thinking after going through the trouble of arranging a meeting using her as a bridgehead.

To solidify an already deteriorated relationship, intimidation would be more effective than persuasion.

“…Is it a warning?”

“How did that bastard find out? Perhaps, Lady Owello…”

“Vicky is not involved!”

When Victoria was mentioned, Sidney blurted out without thinking. Seeing Logan’s eyes widen in surprise, she lowered her gaze to the ground, realizing her mistake.

“…I’ll handle this on my own.”

The smell of cigarettes grew stronger in the heavy silence. Contrary to her expectation of harsh words, Logan said nothing more.

The midday sun hung over the red roof of Marcel City Hall. Steve Deniro’s gaze, which had been following the flocks of birds flying across the blue sky, settled downwards.

The tall figure with platinum blonde hair basking in the sunlight was Logan Redford, and beside him walked the red-haired woman, Sidney Warden.

Steve Deniro clicked his tongue, one corner of his mouth curling.

“Tsk, I quite liked her.”

Logan Redford had never let anyone close to him except Ernest Holden, whom he had known since childhood.

Even then, he always maintained an appropriate distance and drew a line.

Yet Logan Redford always kept Sidney Warden by his side. Naturally, one would assume it was a relationship of necessity.

But according to Walter Asner and Victoria Owello, something didn’t seem right.

As far as Steve Deniro knew, Logan wouldn’t bother keeping someone he disliked by his side for 4 years just to torment them.

However, he didn’t particularly want to continue his ill-fated connection with Logan Redford. If it weren’t for the order to approach him…

Just then, a knock and his aide’s voice came from beyond the door.

“Captain, a guest has arrived.”

“Show them in.”

As soon as Steve gave permission, the door opened and a woman dressed in a black veil and black dress entered.

A gentle smile spread across Steve’s face as he gazed at the woman reflected in the window. He slowly turned around, unclasping his hands from behind his back, and greeted her.

“Lady Catherine, I’ve been waiting for you.”

Catherine Yant de Hamilton extended her hand to the approaching Steve and spoke as if interrogating him.

“I heard Lord Redford and Lord Warden came to visit.”

Steve pretended to kiss Catherine’s hand as he answered.

“Yes, they asked for cooperation in tracking down the Agnes resistance forces that have entered Marcel.”

“You gave permission, of course?”

“Certainly.”

Steve slowly straightened up and smiled brightly.

As if mocking him, one corner of the red lips visible beneath the black veil curved upwards crookedly.

“Speaking of the Agnes resistance… Surely you’re not trying to break away from me and go to Lord Redford, are you?”

After the war, the biggest headache in the current Asner Empire was the Agnes resistance.

If that resistance were to use force here in Marcel, it would jeopardize the position of not only the police but also Duke Yant and Prince Philip.

In other words, this could be an opportunity for Steve Deniro to escape from Duke Yant’s grasp and move to Marquis Redford and Crown Prince Edward.

Steve lowered his eyes at Catherine’s sharp gaze visible through the black veil.

“I’m a lowly bastard who handed over his own leash to Lady Catherine at thirteen just to survive. I may be vulgar, but I’m too cowardly not to know my place, even if I don’t recognize the grace of being raised.”

His soft, melodious voice was low and monotonous, as if reading a book.

Catherine raised her index finger, pressing it firmly against Steve’s left chest where his heart was, and commanded.

“Kneel.”

Steve pulled one leg back and knelt down.

A white paper fluttered down onto the blue carpet. Steve’s pupils trembled slightly as he saw his name written on it.

“Explain properly… why you’re the one my father wants to remarry.”

Steve Deniro slowly raised his head as he picked up the paper with his name on it. The arrogant face and contemptuous gaze hidden behind the black veil were revealed.

Clumsy excuses would only further provoke Catherine’s anger. Steve Deniro spoke gently with a faint smile.

“Because I’m a bastard, it would be convenient for Lady Catherine to dispose of me whenever you wish.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Catherine swung the fan she was holding.

With a dull sound, Steve’s face turned. Red blood slowly seeped from the scratch left by the fan’s ribs.

Still not satisfied, Catherine snapped sharply.

“No matter how urgent, would one entrust fish to a cat? What are you plotting?”

“Duke Yant proposed first. I didn’t have the reason or courage to refuse marriage…”

As Steve trailed off, Catherine flicked her fan, telling him to stand up.

Tapping her palm lightly with the fan, she spoke in a languid tone.

“Fine. We just need to find a suitable husband that my father would be interested in. Preferably someone who can connect me with the leaders of the imperial faction and the neutral faction.”

The leader of the imperial faction was Marquis Redford, and the leader of the neutral faction was Marquis Asner.

For what reason would these two marquises, who had maintained their own lines for a long time, join hands?

But the heirs of the two marquis families, Logan Redford and Walter Asner, were different.

They were even serving together on the Imperial Guard investigation team because of one person…

Steve Deniro spoke with a face that said ‘Surely not’.

“Are you considering Count Sidney Warden?”

“Why not? Isn’t he the one who brought Redford, Asner, and even the Spencer family together? If such a man moves for me… what couldn’t be done?”

Catherine’s lips twitched as she spoke, seeming to like the idea even more.

On the other hand, Steve Deniro responded calmly, removing his smile.

“He has a good reputation as a very capable soldier, and his private life is clean as well. I’m concerned that if you hastily bring him into the Yant ducal family, Lady Catherine might lose her place.”

As if she had heard an amusing joke, Catherine Hamilton covered her mouth with her fan and laughed out loud.

Then suddenly turning serious, she shook her head and said something meaningful.

“Dean Hamilton, was that person incompetent and morally corrupt from the beginning?”

“…”

Did she intentionally corrupt her husband?

Normally, one might show a surprised reaction, but Steve Deniro just smiled faintly like an emotionless doll. As if he already knew, or as if it didn’t matter.

Catherine lifted her chin and slowly extended her hand towards Steve’s shoulder. Whispering in a barely audible voice…

“Unlike those of us who are greedy from birth, most humans can’t escape once they start to fall.”

She lightly tapped Steve’s epaulette. As if emphasizing that everything he now enjoyed was thanks to whom.

“I’m looking forward to it. Like the previous attack, and Lord Redford giving you this good opportunity… It’s all because of Lord Warden, right? I wonder how the man Logan Redford cherishes so much will crumble.”

Steve Deniro, who had been listening quietly, lowered his head and grinned.

Sidney Warden, a woman who would break rather than bend. Would such a person really be swayed by Catherine?

‘Not a chance. The moment she turns her into an enemy, Logan Redford, Victoria Owello, Walter Asner, and all the soldiers who follow her would step up… That would be interesting in its own way.’

Steve, continuing his pleasant imagination, whispered discreetly with his usual gentle smile.

“Whatever you imagine, it will be beyond that.”

Was it instinct that warned her? Catherine paused as she was withdrawing her hand.

She slowly raised her hand to caress the scratch on Steve Deniro’s cheek, muttering as if to herself.

“…I hope I won’t regret keeping you alive, don’t you think?”

Who was she trying to kill?

Sidney Warden, whom she had already tried to kill once through an attack, but had to postpone due to Logan Redford’s intervention? Or Steve Deniro, who presumptiously tried to become Catherine’s husband?

Perhaps both.

‘She’s more than capable of that.’

Steve stared beyond the black veil and gave the answer Catherine wanted.

“I will ensure that Lady Catherine does not regret it.”

Catherine Hamilton poked Steve’s chest with the tip of her fan and snorted.

“Well, such empty words won’t do… Unless you tell me what happened between you and Logan Redford.”