“Lastly, if no heir is found, one of the viscountesses will take charge of the circus and the family’s management. That’s all.”
Certainly, the will had a certain format and content, so Nicholas’ will wasn’t particularly lacking in eloquence.
It was just that some phrases caught the eyes of the viscountesses.
“It seems that the ‘dedicated’ wives are the inheritors.”
Elizabeth cast a sarcastic glance at Sophia.
As if asking whether embezzling and even committing adultery was an act of a dedicated wife.
Isabelle pulled out a love letter from Sophia from her basket of paper flowers.
“Sophia, this handwriting is yours.”
Unable to withstand the strong accusations, Sophia decided to switch lanes.
“So now, are you saying I don’t deserve to inherit just because I’ve spent the longest time with the viscount?”
“How can you be so bold after ruining Fortrion?”
“The disgrace was brought by the viscount who deserted the mansion and hung around with gamblers every day. I was just clumsily trying to solve the problems he left behind.”
Sophia made a quick judgment.
The letter she had sent to Whitman had been exposed, so it would soon be deduced that she was also involved in the embezzlement.
She thought it would be better to assert that she had contributed a lot to the family, despite her mistakes.
“The affair with the housekeeper… was because I felt lonely spending time alone in the mansion. Who could have known that Whitman, who seemed so diligent, would commit such a brazen embezzlement?”
The lawyer, who had been receiving bribes from Sophia, discreetly took her side.
“The execution of the will should proceed fairly, ladies.”
“Is it fair to not send someone to a convent after they committed adultery and embezzlement?”
Elizabeth responded coldly, but the lawyer remained resolute.
“The fact that Lady Sophia managed the family’s affairs for 5 years before Lady Elizabeth became the second viscountess cannot be denied.”
“……”
“There’s also no evidence to prove that her not noticing the embezzlement was intentional. Furthermore… you may not be aware, but it’s quite common for ladies to have lovers.”
“If the Viscount had been faithful in his marital life, it wouldn’t be an issue, but given he’s often absent from the estate, Lady Sophia’s actions should not greatly impact the execution of the will.”
Neither Elizabeth nor Isabelle could argue with the lawyers’ words.
It was well-known that Nicholas, upon becoming Viscount, had roamed from tavern to gambling house, neglecting the management of his estate.
Besides, Sophia had been the only Viscountess for five years, so no one could argue if she claimed credit for her efforts during that period.
‘If only I had asserted this earlier.’
When Sophia saw Elizabeth and Isabelle unable to continue speaking, she felt like she had finally found an escape route in a dark tunnel.
If they can’t pin me down on Whitman’s affairs and embezzlement, they won’t be able to harm me.
[If one bears an heir to the family, they will receive an additional 10%.]The moment Sophia thought she had averted the crisis, her eyes fell on the part of the will concerning pregnancy. After all, she had gone through the effort to get Edith pregnant; she should take her additional 10%.
Isn’t the inheritance that will go back to Edith the money they were planning to divert to me through some unfortunate accident?
Sophia gently stroked Edith’s hand while appealing to Elizabeth and Isabelle.
“You both should know why I, who could never get the Viscount to even touch me, gave a room to Edith he brought home.”
“……”
“Do you know how wretched it feels to wish that my husband would at least share his love with another woman, even if it’s not me?”
Sophia continued her plea, talking about how she had learned from her noble mother how important it was to carry on the family line.
“As a devoted Viscountess, I invited Edith into the mansion. If the child Edith is carrying ascends to the head of the family, I believe I deserve some credit.”
“……”
Sophia was indeed the first to find and take care of Edith after the carriage accident.
At that moment, when Elizabeth and Isabelle were at a loss for words.
“…I can’t do this anymore, Sophia.”
Tears shimmered in Edith’s eyes as if she was tormented by guilt, and she withdrew her hand from Sophia’s grip.
She spoke while looking at Sophia, who seemed as disconcerted as when she first heard about the pregnancy scheme.
“Everyone will know the truth in ten months anyway… right?”
Sophia’s pupils quivered at Edith’s words.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
