“Haha, my lovely villainess couldn’t get her act together even though she was divorced with hardly any alimony.”

Alexander chuckled and said.

“Of course, Count Maurice isn’t a stingy man. But how much more could he give with his financial situation?”

“That’s right. He almost claimed there was nothing left for alimony, but there seems to be nothing wrong with his finances. So, I want to check that now.”

“Isn’t it just bragging? Enok predicted that Count Maurice would soon put the territorial rights on the exchange… for sale. His estate is much larger and richer than the Onderra estate.”

Lord Onderra’s ears perked up. Count Maurice’s estate was much larger and richer than the Onderra estate.

If he could get the rights to use Count Maurice’s estate, it would be a great opportunity to accumulate wealth.
“Is that true? Have you heard where he might put it up for sale?”

“Well, I don’t know about that, but considering the urgency, it’s likely to be a place that will sell well, not focused on farmland.”

Alexander shrugged.

“So even if Ellen did receive more alimony, it might not be much.”

“That’s right. Haha.”

“If you find out what else Ellen got, please let me know.”

“Will do.”

Then, Lord Onderra recalled the plan Alexandre had urged him.

In the contract, there was a clause that Lord Onderra and Ellen had to maintain their dignity towards each other.

If there were negative controversies to the extent that both parties knew who was wrong, the party at fault had to compensate double the investment.

Lord Onderra intended to use this clause.

The diamond necklace was obviously of extraordinary value.

Lord Onderra planned to subtly let the rumors of the diamond necklace spread.

He would insinuate that Ellen, taking advantage of the business contract with him, had demanded a high bribe.

Just when Ellen appeared wearing it, the negative and warm gazes of the nobles would undoubtedly focus on her.

The rest could be left to the expanding rumors.

Whether people were angered by her immorality, enchanted by the future and beauty filled with abundance, or wary of her bad personality.

Nobles who were not friendly to the villainess would surely generate various rumors.

But with the villainess Ellen in front of them, no noble would step forward first to condemn her extravagance and arrogance.

If they ended up disgraced together, that wouldn’t be good. So Lord Onderra planned to place a few scapegoats.

Throwing criticism here and there loud enough to be heard, nobles swept up in the atmosphere would surely add their own comments.

In addition, Alexandre and Enok would give Delina a heads-up. When Ellen was stressed, Delina would step forward.

If Alexandre knew Ellen well, he would feel Delina’s presence as a presence like oil poured on a fire trying to mediate the situation.

“Your Majesty, are you planning to stay as long as possible at this party?”

“Perhaps, as it could be the last celebration of my birth.”

Moral controversies and negative public opinion occurring right in front of the king.

Ellen, unable to do anything, would have to pay double the investment, as Lord Onderra had mentioned.

As far as Lord Onderra knew, Ellen didn’t have that much capital.

If Ellen didn’t fulfill the clause, they could file a lawsuit and seize the business. If she did fulfill the clause, bankruptcy was inevitable.

That was why he invested an astonishing amount.

“The contract will be signed a week later. Once it’s finalized, Lady’s mood will probably fly away as Your Majesty mentioned.”

Lord Onderra didn’t hide his naturally sinister laughter.

“But a week later, it will most likely be torn apart into hell for violating the contract.”

Alexander smiled with satisfaction. And when the carriage arrived at the Arua Hotel, he extended his hand to shake hands with Lord Onderra.
“That day is anticipated. Please make my comfort towards Ellen on the day of the party dramatically visible.”

“Oh, Master!”

Entering the mansion after a few days, Philip first encountered Hanna. Perplexed, Hanna hurriedly followed behind Philip’s brisk steps.

“You didn’t give a farewell in advance…”

Without stopping his steps, Philip asked Hanna.

“What about Domingo?”

“He received a call from the bank and went out. He received mail and went early in the morning, so he should be back soon.”

Philip recalled that today was the maturity date of the bank loan. In his memory, it was a considerable amount.

‘I didn’t convey when I would return, so he probably went to request an extension.’

If the bank listened to the butler’s persuasion, it would be fortunate, but if they refused, part of the estate could be seized at an unreasonable price.

‘I have to rotate the funds before the foreclosure process starts.’

Thinking of the worst-case scenario, Philip became more anxious. Concealing his bitter feelings, he asked Hanna.

“So, was there anything unusual in my absence?”

“Madam said she lost the key to the art storage room.”

“Lost the key? Did you find it?”

At Philip’s reaction, Hanna spoke as if something was strange.

“No. But, Master, the lock had been changed.”

Philip stopped his steps, feeling something strange from Hanna’s words.

“So, Master, you probably collected the key and changed the lock, right?”

“What are you talking about? Why would I?”

Hanna smirked.

“It’s really strange. Then who changed the lock?”

Philip felt it was also strange.

“Let’s go and see.”

He headed to the room where Ellen’s artworks were stored. As Hanna mentioned, a new lock was hanging on the door.

“Doesn’t anyone know who installed this? Domingo too?”

“Yes. No one knows.”

“Who were the outsiders who visited the mansion during my absence?”

“After the lady left, Sir Enok and Lady Delina Sore visited. However, the lock had already been changed before that.”

“…”

Philip reconsidered if there was anyone suspicious. Meanwhile, Hanna narrowed down Philip’s suspicion range with a statement.

“Uh… I wonder if someone stole the key from the lady’s bedroom during the party and took advantage of the lax security to change it. The only time outsiders freely came and went was then.”

Only then did Philip recall encountering Delina in front of Ellen’s bedroom.

At that time, he was too concerned about Ellen to pay much attention to Delina’s condition. But her way of greeting, clasping both hands, was a bit odd.

‘Sore’s Lady Delina seems suspicious.’

However, her motive was not understood.

Philip knew that Ellen, facing divorce, had disposed of all her belongings. Although he hadn’t asked about the amount sold, he hadn’t separately heard anything about it.

For now, Philip decided to check the interior.

Since he didn’t know who installed the lock, he couldn’t know the whereabouts of the key.
Philip immediately applied force to the hand holding the lock.

Crack.

The lock came off with a bang. Philip opened the door and checked the interior.