She seemed to have mentioned the down payment after receiving the letter. Upon the realization that she had been sending all the money she had earned to a man, Akkia’s expression hardened.

He felt stifled as if his chest was suddenly constricted. This unpleasant feeling, as if his entire body was violently rejecting something.

“You’re sending all that money, which isn’t a small amount?”

The image of Lea who had been following him around and singing about down payments came to mind.

He had thought she was simply a little more energetic than others. But all that was for this boy called Teo.

“He must be a very special person.”

“Teo? Of course, he’s special. He’s someone I can’t live without.”

Lea, who affirmed without a moment’s hesitation, wore a leisurely smile. A radiant smile he had never seen before, that could illuminate the surroundings.

‘Can’t live without? Is she implying they’re engaged or something?’

Upon that thought, Akkia’s face darkened all at once.

She had been sending money that she earned using his mansion and his possessions to a ‘man.’

A wave of inexplicable irritation surged within him.

“So, are you going to give me the down payment?”

Lea asked in a cheerful tone, oblivious to Akkia’s mood.

‘For whose benefit.’

As he imagined the faceless Teo receiving the money and laughing, his mood sank to the bottom.

His mood was as messed up as it could get.

“No. I told you, I will give you the down payment when you show appropriate results.”

“…”

“So if you want money, work.”

Akkia refused Lea’s request in one fell swoop, his lips twisted.

“But I have been…”

She was already working hard, but how much more work did he want from her? But, Akkia left his seat without intending to hear any more from Lea.

Lea, looking empty at the spot Akkia had occupied, let out a heavy sigh. Judging by his demeanor, it seemed she had again somehow upset the count.

“Why is he like that again?”

They say that people get sensitive if their sexual function has issues.

For the sake of her smooth working environment, she had to cure the count’s unspeakable illness as soon as possible.

‘I should research a cure for ‘that place’ while making the antidote.’

However, her immediate concern was to find money to send to the orphanage. Most of the people who were going to buy supplements from the mansion had already purchased them.

“Speaking of which, isn’t there a market in the village next week?”

Since it wasn’t a regular market, most of the villagers would be out in the square. As she thought about this, Lea’s eyes sparkled.

‘I should sell the supplements at the market that day.’

It was a great opportunity to sell supplements as people from not only Heidern territory but also nearby villages would gather at the square.

“Great! Then I have to make as many supplements as possible to sell!”

Lea was more confident in selling than anyone else.

Word was gradually getting out about how good her supplements were, and if she sold them at a discounted price, they would sell out quickly.
Lea, sporting a triumphant smile, began to move busily again. Thus, Lea spent several days and nights making nutritional supplements.

“Late again today.”

The Count watched the indifferent ticking of the clock’s second hand, letting out a hollow laugh. It was hard to keep track of how many times this had happened.

For the past few days, Lea had started to be a bit late for their scheduled meetings.

At first, it was five or ten minutes late. Now, even thirty minutes had passed and there was no sign of her.

Even on regular consultation days, she had never been late. Today, she managed to be late even on a treatment day.

“What on earth is she doing?”

Reportedly, she was locked in the pharmacy all day, making supplements.

Considering she had filed for leave to coincide with the village market day, it seemed she planned to sell supplements that day.

‘Tsk. Where did she meet such a scoundrel?’

Her salary was not small, but if she had to send large amounts of money, it was undoubtedly to some gambler or a man leeching off women. A pathetic creature taking advantage of women.

Seeing Lea working day and night for such a man somehow left a sour taste in his mouth.

‘She has no eye for men.’

An irritable Count rose from his seat.

Lea likely wouldn’t come even if he waited here.

He headed towards the pharmacy.

The guilt of not paying an advance made him tolerant of her tardiness. But it could no longer be overlooked.

With that thought, he opened the door to the pharmacy. As the door creaked open, he stepped inside to find Lea sprawled on her desk.

“I knew it would come to this.”

The Count, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth, approached her. Then he heard the woman’s faint, uneven breathing.

“You should at least sleep comfortably if you’re going to.”

Looking at the cluttered desk, he could almost sense the struggle she’d had to earn money, and his mood dampened.

And something on the desk caught his eye.

“What’s this.”

Without hesitation, he began to read the letter. Gradually, his expression hardened.