Mom's Possessed - Chapter 8
He quickly made an excuse before the duke could kill him.
“Ah! It’s just my opinion, of course… we should ask the young lady first! Ha. Ha. Haha.”
“Hmm.”
The duke stroked his chin. His sharp gaze turned toward Bonita. The way his eyes softened upon seeing her was remarkable.
“Bonita, what do you think?”
“…Pardon?”
“Won’t you give Daddy a chance to share this wonderful gift together?”
‘Oh my goodness.’
It was as shocking as watching a cruel murderer speak to the puppy he was raising in a babyish tone, saying “Who’s a good boy? Want some food? Aww, so cute.”
Of course… of course…! He had heard stories that when the duchess was alive, the duke would wag his tail like a dog and follow her around. But Ed, who had entered the duke’s household 5 years ago, had never seen such a sight with his own eyes, so the shock was even greater.
Meanwhile, Bonita was gradually opening her heart to Luke’s consistent attitude.
In truth, the reason Bonita had been wary of Luke was because of his appearance and initial hostile reaction toward Aria.
However, Bonita too was greatly curious about the new ‘father’ figure that appeared along with her changed environment. It’s just that, like most children who grew up suppressed, she was careful about showing it outwardly.
Bonita glanced at Luke with round eyes, then quickly turned her head to look at Aria.
“Bonita?”
“Can Mother be with us too?”
Luke froze for a moment at the title ‘Mother’. However, he didn’t want to lose the points he had just earned by correcting that title.
He reluctantly agreed.
“Of course. You can do whatever you want.”
“Then… I’d like that!”
At the child’s permission that finally dropped, Luke sighed in relief and smoothed his insides.
* * *
As soon as the duke’s order was given, the subordinates became busy. Most of the servants and maids were delighted as if it were their own affair that the duke and the mansion’s new young lady would have tea time together.
“It seems the young lady is finally opening her heart to the duke!”
“His Excellency’s face has been terrible lately. He really wanted to go to the floor where the young lady was staying.”
“It’s only natural since they met after 7 years. But it’s really great.”
The mansion’s maids chattered while busily setting up tables and a huge canopy in the garden. They couldn’t let the precious young lady’s skin get tanned by the sunlight.
However, when the duke and the young lady actually came out to the garden, the maids who had been chirping like sparrows looked at the group with strange expressions.
The reason was, of course, due to the blonde beauty who appeared holding Bonita in her arms.
They whispered:
“Is that woman the one called Aria?”
“I’m seeing her for the first time.”
“They say she used to work by the madam’s side.”
“The young lady follows her like a mother.”
Indeed, as they said, Bonita was clinging to Aria like a baby kangaroo.
The young maids with less experience looked at each other.
“But isn’t that common in noble families? The former madam passed away 6 years ago anyway.”
“No, I’m telling you the young lady called her mother? Usually, a nanny is called a nanny, not like that. Unless it’s a remarriage.”
“Hmm. That’s certainly true, but…”
“Wait. Come to think of it, didn’t they say Miss Aria was from a noble family?”
“Have you heard of the surname Hilton?”
“It was probably a baronial family. You know, the one that all died from the plague about 7 years ago.”
“Ah, I heard about that when I was young.”
The three fell silent for a moment.
Though they didn’t speak, their imaginations were probably similar.
Of course, their thoughts and the atmosphere of the three people were completely different. More precisely, it was the duke’s side that didn’t know the truth about Aria.
“Bonita, shall I feed you?”
“Y-yes, I’d like that!”
“Here, say ah-”
“Ah-”
Luke was watching the affectionate mother and daughter with a displeased expression. More precisely, he was looking at Aria.
He unconsciously tapped his foot. Although there was hardly any sound, the perceptive Bonita quickly noticed Luke’s mood and flinched.
Seeing Bonita’s reaction, Aria stared at Luke. Feeling her gaze on him, he made a perplexed expression.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It seems like something is displeasing you?”
“Of course-”
Luke was about to snap, but soon noticed a second gaze staring at him.
“-not at all. Miss Aria, you seem to have a vivid imagination.”
He quickly changed his stance.
Aria, who read all of his psychology, grinned. It was a mischievous smile.
Luke furrowed his brow at the sudden sense of déjà vu.
“You seem completely different. I had no idea you had such a personality.”
“People change when there’s a catalyst, you know.”
Aria added with a meaningful expression.
“I might really be a different person.”
“Nonsense.”
“Haven’t you heard of such magic, Your Grace?”
“No.”
He retorted coldly. His expression was even more rigid than before.
‘Tsk.’
Luke clicked his tongue inwardly.
How many people had approached him like this after Elodie’s death? Those who claimed to know how to revive her were the decent ones.
There were countless others who made ridiculous claims about being Elodie’s reincarnation or having Elodie’s soul inside them. All of them were obviously con artists with ulterior motives.
He quietly sipped his tea.
‘There’s no way.’
Six years ago.
After Elodie’s death, he tried everything to bring her back to life. He even resorted to impossible methods.
However, three attempts ended in complete failure.
Even then, he tried not to give up, but perhaps because he had acted so recklessly, he ended up being tailed by the royal family. It was fortunate that they didn’t discover he was the culprit.
Of course, he didn’t stop his actions even after being tailed. He was still gathering related materials, much more secretly and cautiously than before.
Even now, after several years.
No, even after decades, he would never give up on Elodie.
Even if it meant starting a rebellion.
“Um, Duke?”
“What is it?”
The sinister red eyes swiveled sharply.
Bonita looked at Luke once, then at the cake he had taken just one bite of, and asked hesitantly.
“Is it not good?”
“What…”
Luke’s gaze naturally turned to the cake plate in front of him. Noticing his mistake, he quickly stabbed the cake with his fork.
The next moment, a piece of cake on the fork disappeared completely. Right into Luke’s mouth.
His cheeks bulged like a hamster’s, full of the messily decorated cake. Unable to speak, Luke thought for a moment and gave a thumbs up.
“!”
Startled by his action, Bonita soon burst into laughter at the incongruously bulging cheeks and timid gesture.
Luke was so moved by her reaction that he almost dropped the fork he was holding.
‘She laughed.’
Although it didn’t show at all on the outside, the duke was extremely surprised and touched.
Bonita’s relaxed smile, which he was seeing for the first time, was, well, how should I put it, really…
‘…She resembles her.’
It was like seeing Elodie from the old days.
He blinked his dry eyes.
Of course, he knows.
Bonita is not Elodie.
She may be her daughter, but a child is not a substitute or clone of their parent. Obviously, they shouldn’t be.
In fact, he had just finished affirming to himself several times over the past few days not to think of Bonita as a replacement for Elodie.
Bonita is not precious because she resembles Elodie. He would have loved her just the same if she had been a boy who looked exactly like Luke himself.
A child left behind by his beloved wife.
Bonita was precious to him just for being herself.
He didn’t want to expect Elodie-like aspects from the child, or make her feel such pressure.
At that moment, Aria handed Luke a fork.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean, what am I doing?”
Aria shrugged.
“You kept staring so intently every time I fed her something. I thought you might want to try it too.”
“I.”
He was at a loss for words.
Not because it was absurd, but because it hit the mark. Honestly, he had been envious.
Aria gently grasped Bonita’s shoulder, who was sitting next to her.
“Bonita, it seems the duke wants to feed you some cake. What do you think?”
“Huh? Oh, I, um.”
Bonita looked back and forth between the duke and Aria like a puppy, fidgeting with her fingers.
“Umm…”
A wrinkle formed between her small furrowed brows as she pondered. Luke waited for his daughter’s answer, feeling like a criminal awaiting the king’s verdict. It was the fifth most nerve-wracking moment of his life.
Of course, the first through fourth were all related to Elodie. Naturally.
Finally, the little judge’s verdict was delivered. Bonita nodded with a resolute expression.
Luke’s face lit up.
* * *
At the very moment the three were spending a pleasant afternoon together.
“What? Luke has a daughter?”
The old lady of the Lisianthus family, who was enjoying her recuperation in a quiet mansion, sharply asked back.
At her irascible, clear tone, the maid who had delivered the news quickly explained.
“Yes, madam. They say one of the maids who served the former duchess brought a girl who looks exactly like her.”
“What nonsense is this? That child was stillborn! And Luke isn’t the type to have a child with another woman besides Elodie!”
“That’s true, but…”
“This won’t do.”
The old lady fumed with an angry face.
“How dare they try to pull a con on the Lisianthus family! I must go there at once to expose that fake daughter and give that foolish Luke a kick in the rear!”
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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