Patrice, the Duchess, and Katarina couldn’t recklessly open their mouths either.
Of course, they could have pressed Odette, questioning the veracity of her words.
“The situation has become too big.”
Up to now, they might have concealed the truth within the family of Count Mura, but now that the truth had burst forth from Odette’s mouth, people would undoubtedly go and question Count Mura or those related to him.
[Dash]Is this story true?And if it turns out to be true… it would make a mockery of everyone who had dismissed the tale as false.
“No, it doesn’t even have to go that far.”
If word spread that they had recklessly slandered Count Mura at the Duchess Patrice’s tea party, her reputation would hit rock bottom that very day.
Before others could figure out who had started the conversation, it would be better to cover up the subject.
Katarina, who was quick to make judgments, was the first to bring a warm smile to her face.
“You’re correct, Odette. Thanks to you, an innocent person has been exonerated, and others have been able to clear up misunderstandings. That’s a fortunate event.”
“It’s an overstatement. I just spoke about what I know. It’s not such a big deal.”
As Katarina added a layer of gold leaf to Odette’s face, and Odette blushed, other ladies hastily joined in the conversation.
“It’s no small feat. The courage to speak the truth isn’t something everyone has.”
“I’m very pleased to find that you’re well-suited to be the hostess of Ertman Duke.”
The words “hostess of Ertman” flowed from someone’s mouth.
And Katarina had been waiting for those words to come out.
Because that was the perfect moment to change the subject.
“It’s been quite a long time since Ertman has welcomed a hostess, hasn’t it?”
Initiating the topic, Duchess Patrice and other pre-informed ladies started to chime in.
“You’re right, my lady. There’s been a long vacancy. If only ‘that incident’ hadn’t happened, we could have heard news much earlier. It’s regrettable.”
“At least now, Ertman Duke has officially married the Princess, so the likelihood of the same incident happening again has decreased.”
“Oh, my lady, what a joke.”
Several ladies covered their mouths and chuckled, then continued the conversation.
Naturally, the topic shifted to Valtor’s father, Lutrus.
“Running away with a princess at night, how could a person who has lived a life among high nobles not know shame…”
“The fact that such an impulsive and immoral man was the leader of Ertman is incomprehensible.”
“On the other hand, the current Ertman Duke has received praise since his academy days, hasn’t he?”
They naturally brought the conversation back to Valtor, then added,
“But…traits etched into one’s lineage don’t easily change.”
“Moreover, if it’s a person who has been constantly on the battlefield, they could be sufficiently impulsive and violent.”
Odette caught the meaning of their words in a heartbeat.
They had decided to disparage Valtor now that their attack on Odette had been blocked.
“It might be wise for you to be cautious as well, your highness. You never know with people.”
Blatantly mocking, the lady’s comment turned Odette’s face into a grimace.
In the Wellington Hotel, where Duchess Patrice’s tea party was in full swing.
Beneath the colossal platinum chandelier, which was the unquestionable centerpiece of the Wellington Hotel, were raging hooves traversing the beautifully sculpted floor of white marble.
And the desperate steps to stop it.
“Your Grace, will you really do this? Won’t you reconsider?”
“Let go, Yanick! I don’t say things twice.”
“Duke, your Grace…!”
The attendant following him, Yannick, seemed ready to grab him by the collar at any moment, but the elderly man ahead showed no sign of noticing such an atmosphere.
Moreover, Yannick knew that even if he tried to stop him, it would be futile.
Because the man he was trying to stop was elderly in name only; in reality, he could kill someone with his bare hands if he wanted to.
Arnold Ertman, or the former Duke of Ertman.
Now, he had passed his title to his grandson, Valter, and was known as the Viscount of Puart.
‘How can I stop this man…’
Physically, and in every other sense, it was impossible.
Wearing a three-piece suit and a long coat, adorned with his family’s crest, Arnold looked as fit as ever, proving that his reputation as the empire’s greatest knight was not just for show.
Originally tall and massive, his bulky muscles only added to his imposing figure.
Moreover, his face, hardened by a lifetime of knighthood, seemed to be unfamiliar with the word ‘compromise,’ and his well-groomed beard made him look even more stern.
And it’s like he dodged the ravages of time.
His youthful good looks suggested he must have been a catch in his younger days, and he still looked younger than his actual age.
The only sign of age was his once-black hair now turned gray.
Naturally, this applied to his physical strength as well.
And so, Yannick had to come to a painful realization, shedding invisible tears.
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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