“Is your name Edit?”
Patricia asked with an unwavering voice, and ironically, her composure made Viscount Gurthark tense.
“If you are referring to the fourth wife of Portrian Duke, who received a proposal from Viscount Lexion, then yes.”
“It’s not an official marriage yet, I assume.”
“That’s correct.”
Patricia carefully reread the newspaper she had thrown on the table.
The description stated that the child Edit brought was undoubtedly Lexion’s heir.
‘Was it Gilbert’s intention to reveal the fact of the heir now, taking advantage of the accident he caused, and to receive sympathy for hiding the premarital pregnancy?’
In the empire, it was never something noble families boasted about having a child before marriage.
However, due to Gilbert’s foolish attempt to murder the two by visiting the territory, Edit’s premarital childbirth while hiding in Lexion’s territory became an issue that couldn’t be ignored.
It was unexpected for such a situation to arise, and to wait and announce the childbirth news seemed like deliberately complicating matters.
‘I don’t think it’s possible for Lexion Viscount, who proposed at the martial arts tournament and already has a reliable heir, to be troubled in such a situation.’
Patricia knew that forcing Edit with a whip would backfire.
So, it was best to approach by apologizing for her sister’s accident, acknowledging her existence within the social circles, and pretending to extend a friendly hand.
“Edit, we must use that woman as a hostage.”
“What?”
“Her Imperial Majesty, who is frail, has no interest in playing with women, so I am the eldest among the imperial ladies.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Send a letter to Lexion. Tell him that Gilbert will apologize for the problem he caused, and as a reward, as soon as he concludes the marriage, I will give up my maid position.”
Viscount Gurthark’s mind raced for a moment.
‘If Patricia, the Hwangbi, says she will use the future duchess as a maid, it won’t be an easy rebellion…’
Even though Patricia was considered an adult in the imperial aristocracy, Lexion was not an ordinary lower noble.
If there was a hint of imperial blood in their veins, they were not subject to the same respect and scrutiny, and the Lexion Duke, who was actually from the higher aristocracy, often expressed dissent to the emperor.
‘If she resembles the duke’s personality, the viscountess might not have an easygoing character.’
Just as Viscount Gurthark was contemplating how to broach this topic, Patricia burst into laughter.
“Don’t solidify your expression like that, Viscount. I also know that Lexion is not from such a complacent family to blindly serve a fleeting name.”
“…”
“I heard that during the martial arts tournament, Edit, that woman, provided emergency treatment to the child of Countess Coben, right?”
“That’s correct. She has been accepted to the Academy of Medicine, but she hasn’t enrolled due to marriage as of now.”
“Since I have encountered health issues, let’s politely request her, who has medical knowledge for a few months, to take on the role of a maid. Ladies with profound medical expertise are rare, and it would be challenging for them to refuse even when someone in need seeks help.”
Patricia’s words also had some logic. Despite Lexion’s family standing in contrast to Hwangbi, she was the mother of the prospective emperor.
It wasn’t a lifetime commitment to become a maid, and if she refused the plea to assess her health for a few months, rumors could circulate that she turned away a sick person.
“But if she still refuses, there is another way. Think that the Lexion Viscount couple rejected my apology.”
Patricia spoke with an indifferent tone.
However, Viscount Gurthark cautiously speculated that being refused might not be her actual intention.
‘Well, speculations are circulating that the emperor may not make it through this year. Creating a plausible pretext for Lexion to stand against us isn’t a bad idea.’
The viscount knew how cunning his sister could be to achieve what she wanted. He also knew he shouldn’t oppose her intentions.
“I will handle everything as instructed.”
Politely replying under pressure, as he was about to leave, Patricia added a word.
“Oh, make sure Gilbert receives the maximum punishment as soon as you go out. Elise will continue to be raised by the viscount couple in the future.”
“But Elise…”
“If Elizabeth has any absurd thoughts, we must use that child. Humphrey Viscount also needs to handle it carefully. We need to make it look like Gilbert and that person acted unilaterally, so there won’t be any grudges against us.”
“Understood, Hwangbi-nim.”
Viscount Gurthark bowed with even more fear than usual.
Meanwhile, at the Lexion Mansion, a lavish dessert party was taking place, just as extravagant as a formal dinner. Typically, in a manner befitting a duke, Lexion valued formality and etiquette, and quiet conversations would have prevailed in such an atmosphere. However, today was different.
“Lady, Master Adrian is arriving with Lord Adrian.”
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
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Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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