Contrary to her thin and somewhat delicate appearance, she had quite a low and solid voice. Maiana, momentarily speechless at the bold response, soon lightened up, nodded, and said with a light smile.
“Got it, Miss Ivie. I’m Maiana Dotson, a maid taking care of Lady. I’ll be the one interviewing you. Is that okay?”
Ivie, still with an expressionless face, spoke a moment later.
“Are you a maid?”
“No, just a maid. The head maid is Miss Kosa, and if you start working here, I’ll introduce you to her later. I can’t keep talking here, so will you follow me?”
Ivie nodded. Her expression seemed to be a pile of questions, but Maiana deliberately pretended not to notice and took the lead. However, her mind was not at ease.
‘Something is definitely not right here. There isn’t a single person among those who came to work who seems ordinary!’
Although she knew nothing about Ivie yet, she certainly didn’t seem to have an ordinary personality. Maiana, without realizing it, let out a short sigh.
Ivie quietly followed behind. Looking up at the lofty ceiling, she remarked, “The mansion is really big. I believe it’s a castle even if you call it a mansion.”
In response to that, Maiana turned around with a smile, looking back at Ivie.
“I thought the same when I first saw this place.”
“Compared to where I used to work, it’s almost like a barn here. Oh, I don’t mean it in a bad way. It was a really small house because it wasn’t noble.”
“Even if it’s a noble, not everyone lives in a grand mansion like this. Seeing people selling family pedigrees and titles, I can say that.”
Suddenly, Grete’s face came to her mind. Escaped Grete… What would she be doing by now? Is she still alive? Or…
‘No, no. It’s not the time to think about someone like Grete now. There are more important things than that.’
As Maiana ascended the stairs leading east, her movements abruptly stopped. At the end of the stairs, where the railing ended, Joseline stood. She stood as upright as usual, dressed no differently from other times, but her face appeared even darker than before. As if her appearance would become a desolate swamp…
‘And in that swamp, there would be toads with bundles of poison croaking. Toads with lumpy and grotesque bodies.’
Maiana thought. Holding onto the railing, she glanced at Joseline for a moment, then bowed lightly in greeting before turning her gaze towards Ivie.
“Master of the House.”
Ivie’s gaze moved towards the top of the stairs. At that moment, Maiana seemed to have seen Joseline’s lower jaw move diagonally, even hearing a slight grinding sound of teeth.
“Nice to meet you, Master.”
Ivie bowed with respect. However, her reaction was somewhat different from other maids.
Those who saw Joseline for the first time were usually intimidated or frightened. Even Maiana, on the day she first came to the mansion, was fidgety under Joseline’s strange pressure.
But Ivie was different. Not only did she raise her head stiffly without showing any signs of being crushed by Joseline’s strange pressure, but she also met Joseline’s eyes directly.
‘She seems to have quite a strong personality…’
Maiana thought.
Joseline, standing still like a ominous statue, stared at Maiana.
“What is this nonsense?”
Maiana responded, “What do you mean, Master?”
“Who allowed bringing such a filthy woman into this mansion?”
At the offensive remark, Maiana inadvertently glanced at Ivie. Surprisingly, Ivie remained expressionless. Despite undoubtedly hearing words directed at her, she had an indifferent face, as if she hadn’t heard what Joseline said.
Maiana said, “Miss Ivie will be staying on the east side from today to serve Lady Ariante. The master ordered me to meet Ivie, and if Ivie is judged to be a suitable candidate to serve Lady, I will report to Sir Jemelo. Therefore, Master, you don’t need to concern yourself with this matter. It’s the master’s command, and the decisive judgment will be made by Sir Jemelo.”
Maiana deliberately emphasized the words ‘the master’s command’ twice, adding strength to her voice. It was, of course, a warning directed at Joseline.
Joseline’s face turned earthy. The trembling hand holding the railing was shaking, and the desire to rush over and slap Maiana’s cheek right away was evident.
But Maiana knew she couldn’t do that, and above all, Joseline herself knew it too. Because she knew that recently, Cedillo’s eyes were watching her more coldly than ever…
Self-restraint was necessary. If she wanted to dedicate herself to this mansion, if she wanted to pull out that girl who clouded Cedillo’s eyes…
“How long you can act arrogantly, let’s see about that.”
Maiana’s lips twisted as if to say something, show it or not.
“I will also see how long you can intimidate me, Master. If you have no business, I will leave now. I have to decide Ivie’s fate before Lady returns.”
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.]
