Louisa’s heart sank at her husband’s weak voice, which she had never heard before. She asked urgently.

“Didn’t you say it was resolved well this morning?”

“It was resolved. It’s just hard to take another hit.”

“Is our divorce such a significant factor?”

“Of course.”

He laughed self-mockingly and said.

“You can imagine what kind of articles will come out soon. If investors get swayed and pull out, ongoing projects will plummet in no time.”

“With the company so unstable, you’ve been dealing with this alone all this time…”

Louisa covered her mouth with her hand. To think that he had been shouldering this burden all by himself, without saying a word to her until it came to this…

“Is there anything else I can do to help?”

“No. There’s nothing for you to do.”

“Ed.”

“Just… give me time. That’s all I ask.”

Even as he asked for her understanding, Edward was adamant. Louisa felt a lump in her throat at his stubborn refusal. But seeing her husband’s pitiful state, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

She resigned herself and answered.

“Alright. When is the project going to be made public?”

“According to plan, by the end of this year, or early next year at the latest.”

“That’s only a few months away. Then let’s proceed with the legal procedures after the project is revealed and on track.”

“Really…?”

“I told you. I want to find a way for all of us to be happy.”

Louisa said with a sincere voice.

May you be able to put down the burden of me and become a little more at ease.

I too will let go of your love that I cannot fill, so that in the future, we may find our own happiness and remain as good memories.

“Thank you.”

With those final words, Edward rose from his seat. If he stayed any longer, he felt he might say something foolish.

But as he was about to leave, he suddenly stopped. Edward opened his mouth heavily.

“You know, Louisa.”

“Yes?”

“You said it yourself. Let’s end our unhappiness here.”

At his words, Louisa couldn’t bring herself to answer and turned her head away.

Edward swallowed the tears that were about to burst forth. He blinked several times, took a deep breath, and then said.

“Were all the moments we spent together… like that?”

At his question, Louisa started to answer but stopped. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to hide the trembling in her voice.

She forced herself to answer with a strained voice.

“No, they weren’t.”

“I see.”

Having heard her answer, Edward quietly closed the door and left.

* * *

Next to the Allen Research Institute, there is a small office.

The original owner of this place was Gilford Theodore, a man who handled so many tasks that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was in charge of all non-research work at Allen Company.

He was also famous for his temperament that didn’t yield even to the president. When he moved to a newly acquired office in the center of the capital, the employees slyly turned the research institute’s office into their communal resting area.

Of course, this was possible because the president’s tyranny had also moved along with Gilford.

“Gilford!”

Edward, who burst in with a bang, called for his long-time employee.

“What is it, sir?”

However, the answer came from behind. Edward quickly turned around.

There stood a man with sharp features who even managed to make spectacles, which other nobles considered unsightly, look stylish.

“What? Why are you coming in behind me?”

“Because I just arrived for work.”

At Gilford’s nonchalant reply, Edward pulled out his pocket watch to check the time.

8:30 AM.

Indeed, he had come a bit early. Edward closed his mouth, unable to say anything.

Gilford passed by him, who was blocking the door, and placed his bag on his leather chair.

Then he took out a small cloth neatly folded in his desk drawer and began wiping the desk with familiar movements. Without even glancing at Edward, he asked.

“What brings you here so early in the morning? You who never seemed to hear when I begged you to come and check just once.”

“How did you get married to your wife? Tell me about it.”

“How else? I treated her well and did it.”

“That’s what I’m asking, how exactly did you do that?”

Gilford threw the used cloth into a basket under the desk. He opened his bag and casually started taking out his belongings one by one as he spoke.

“Why don’t you just get a divorce instead of doing this?”

“What nonsense, no, what?”

Edward, who had been retorting angrily, asked in bewilderment. But he hadn’t misheard. Gilford spoke in a flat tone, as if ordering lunch.

“If you’re worried about property division, I’ll fight my best for you. I’ll try to match the ratio you want as much as possible. Just know that it’s difficult not to give even a penny.”

“Shut your damn mouth, Gilford.”

Edward growled. Gilford only glanced at him once before sitting down. Edward, who had strode up to his desk, spoke each word as if pressing them down.

“I don’t know how you found out, but― no, it’s obvious. It must be Jeffrey. Damn bastard.”

“I haven’t heard anything from Mr. Curtis, and anyone with eyes can see such things.”

Gilford said as he pulled out a large file from the middle of his bookshelf.

“It’s almost time for the employees to arrive, so let’s go to the other room for now. It lowers the company’s credibility.”

* * *

“You need a way to reverse the divorce, you say?”

Gilford crossed his arms, looking very surprised.

Judging by his usual behavior, Edward Allen seemed to be nothing but a man who found his wife bothersome. He thought Edward was just keeping her around due to public pressure, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Yes. You’re married, after all.”

“My wife is not Mrs. Allen.”

“Do you think I don’t know that and am asking?”

“I’m not a psychological counselor either.”

“I know. I’m just asking out of desperation, please.”

That ‘please’ came out of Edward Allen’s mouth. Gilford was surprised once again at this fact. But that was that, and this was this. He made one final confirmation.

“You must not hold me responsible for the outcome, no matter what happens.”

“It can’t get any worse, so just say something.”

This workaholic bastard seemed to be really in a hurry. Feeling that this was enough, Gilford started with the most basic of basics.

“First, I made her interested in me. I expressed my feelings as sweetly as possible, and bought gifts that suited my wife’s tastes.”

“I’ve given many gifts. But Louisa doesn’t like what I buy her.”

Hearing this, Gilford snorted. Who doesn’t like gifts? This bastard must have made a mistake somewhere.

“What did you give her that made her react like that?”

“Many things. Dresses from famous designers, a 100-carat diamond. Ah, you should remember this too. The one I told you to win at the auction at any cost because even the royal family was after it.”

As he listened, Gilford recalled an incident from last year.

It was not long after he had moved to this office. Because of that, he was busy with various things when suddenly the president sent a telegram asking him to attend an auction.

This had happened before, so he suggested hiring a separate secretary, but the conclusion drawn by the president with his terrible personality was quite something.

Instead of hiring a new secretary, he decided to give extra salary for doing secretary work.

Of course, he didn’t refuse the money that was offered, and went to the auction house.

Thanks to that, he was able to witness the rare sight of the royal representative leaving in a huff, which was quite satisfying for him as well.

However, doing what he was told and judging whether the gift was successful were two different things.

Without listening further to his gift list, Gilford asked.

“What exactly were these dresses and jewels? Were they products from designers that Mrs. Allen frequently used?”

Edward thought for a moment and shook his head.

“Well, Louisa doesn’t really have any brands she frequently uses. No consistent taste either. Her style is just similar to what others wear. If I had to pick one thing, it might be that she often wears dark colors?”

As he spoke, recalling his memories, he suddenly added one thing that came to mind.

“Ah, she doesn’t like wearing hats because she finds them cumbersome. So I’ve only bought her a hat once.”

Hearing his words, Gilford closed his eyes gently and nodded. The sense of not giving gifts because she finds them cumbersome, no wonder it failed.

“From my perspective, that’s a big problem too. Do you know how important such things are to women?”

He vented about his wife Diana Theodore’s picky tastes.

“Just because it’s uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s not necessary. Do you wear shoes because they’re comfortable, sir? Even with jewels, it’s not just about being big, there are differences according to the trends at the time. What kind of cutting, whether they want to use it as a necklace or a ring, or even if they want to wear it in their hair. Women really change every time, so how can you dismiss it by saying ‘she doesn’t have any particular taste’?”

Edward looked at Gilford with surprised eyes at the rapid-fire words.

Gilford wrote something quickly on a notepad and said.

“Diana is pregnant so she can’t do it, but my sister-in-law… Emily Earnest. Do you know her?”

When Edward nodded, Gilford handed him the introduction letter he had written and said.

“I’ll assign her to you, so ask her in detail about the current trends while choosing. And when you give the gift, make sure to emphasize how much thought you put into it, how much you were thinking of the other person while choosing it.”