Thus Began Your Regret - Chapter 17

“I will present the patent review like this.”

Gilford handed the final summary to Edward across the conference table.

“Good. Proceed as quickly as possible. Before the information leaks elsewhere.”

Even if you work hard to create something new, if you don’t obtain the patent, that technology isn’t yours. If someone steals it and passes the patent review first, it becomes someone else’s property.

So now that the finished product was out, it was a race against time to secure the patent.

“You’re stating the obvious. I won’t even consider anything below the conditions written here for the contract. Is that alright?”

“Of course. If there’s no one calling for that domestically, go abroad.”

“The royal family won’t like that.”

“Then they should make the call themselves.”

Gilford admired his stubbornness. His employer was certainly a reliable man without a shred of patriotism or sentiment.

“Then we’ll conclude this matter here.”

“Do as you wish.”

“Now, let’s move on to the next agenda.”

Gilford said as he gathered the documents he had prepared, tapped them into order, and put them in an envelope.

“How did it go with the gift?”

“The gift…”

Edward’s face hardened. Gilford glanced at him from the corner of his eye and said:

“I anticipated failure, but it seems it failed as expected.”

“Be quiet.”

Edward dismissed his words, flopping back onto the sofa.

“Come to think of it, I forgot to thank Miss Earnest. You pick something and send it to her. Process the payment under my name.”

“Understood. What price range should I aim for?”

“She’s your acquaintance. Do what’s appropriate.”

“Understood.”

Gilford wrote down ‘Appropriate everyday accessory’ in his notebook.

Edward, who had been watching the notebook he was scribbling in, added a comment:

“Add one more thing there.”

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

“About the royal party. I plan to attend this time, so keep that in mind.”

“You’re going with your wife. That’s a good decision.”

Gilford said as he wrote down ‘Attend His Majesty the King’s birthday celebration’.

Originally, Gilford wasn’t one to immediately affirm his words like this. Hearing an unexpected response, Edward felt somewhat uncomfortable and asked:

“What’s with that reaction?”

“You said you have no intention of divorcing, right? Of course it’s better to go together.”

Edward pondered his words for a moment, then let out a small exclamation of disbelief and said:

“You knew?”

“I find the use of ‘you’ a bit disrespectful, but…”

“No. So, did you know?”

“What are you referring to?”

For a moment, Edward was at a loss for words. If asked specifically what he meant, he had no answer.

Watching him, Gilford sighed and said:

“It’s not a recent development that Mrs. Allen has been embroiled in rumors of marital discord.”

“What? Then why didn’t you say anything?”

“I naturally assumed you were going to divorce.”

Edward’s mouth snapped shut at Gilford’s words.

Indeed, this fellow had a history of uttering nonsense about property division and whatnot as soon as he saw him visit the office.

“Everyone probably thinks the same. Either Edward Allen has a mistress, or there’s severe discord between the two.”

“And you thought the latter?”

“Yes. I thought you’d coldly seek a new life as soon as you succeeded. Isn’t it much more efficient to find another woman who speaks well of you than to be a lifelong sinner in front of a woman?”

“This is maddening.”

Edward covered his face with both hands.

Phew, after exhaling deeply once, he suddenly asked as if dumbfounded:

“No, what exactly did you think of me?”

“A cold-hearted businessman. Someone who could abandon even the royal family or his wife if they didn’t recognize your value.”

At least regarding the royal family, that was correct. Unable to deny it upon hearing his words, Edward just scratched his head in frustration.

“Enough. Enough, who exactly are these people with such delusions? Do you know?”

“Including me? There’s no need to look into a list. Just assume it’s everyone.”

Edward felt a surge of irritation at that bold answer. He barely swallowed it down and modified his question to ask again.

“…Who are the ones who voiced these delusions and spoke ill of Louisa? Is there a list for that?”

“Hmm. Off the top of my head, there’s Westwood, Valeria, Sutherland, Rennekton… Ah, Ackerman too.”

Edward waved his hand at the stream of names.

“That’s a lot. Disgustingly many.”

“If you wish, I can make some inquiries and compile a list for you.”

“Yes. It’s not urgent, so take your time. I’ll probably see their faces at that damned party anyway.”

“Understood.”

Gilford took out his notebook again and wrote down the four characters for ‘Purge List’.

For the first time since coming to the capital, Edward began to look forward to a noble’s party.

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Louisa Allen favors deep colors like navy or purple. It’s one of the few things Edward knows about his wife’s preferences.

So when manufacturing her car, he specifically instructed the facility workers to paint it navy.

When he test drove the finished product, the sight of his wife stepping out of that deep navy vehicle, opening her parasol, was so elegant.

Since then, whenever Edward had to choose something for Louisa, he always thought of navy first.

He saw Louisa coming out from afar.

Edward straightened up from where he had been leaning against his wife’s navy car that he had gifted her. Just as he was about to go out to meet her, the faces of those following behind her came into his view.

“What? Congressman Valeria?”

A man usually too busy running around managing his company named after his son was here of all places today.

The faces following behind were also familiar.

“Huh, Rennekton and even Sutherland.”

The names he had heard from Gilford earlier were coming out in a line. In a way, it was almost welcome.

“Look at these guys.”

Surely they hadn’t done anything foolish to Louisa.

As Louisa approached, he forced his facial muscles to relax and smiled gently.

“You must be tired.”

He extended his hand to his wife. Louisa also lightly grasped that hand and said:

“You must be tired from waiting.”

Edward opened the passenger door beside him. Louisa got into the car as he escorted her.

The car ride back was quiet.

“Was everything alright?”

“The meeting was the same as always. Far from anything special, it was boring as usual.”

“I saw some unexpected figures earlier. Those guys didn’t cause any trouble, did they?”

“Of course not. They all have their dignity, so they don’t do such things.”

Louisa deflected her husband’s question appropriately. Edward glanced at his wife’s expression.

The conversation that followed was nothing special.

You look tired. It’s nothing. Did you go to the company? I went and finished important business…

These were things that were once everyday occurrences and sometimes unattainable wishes.

Edward thought as he listened to her small talk.

That they could slowly recover their daily life like this.

But as she engaged in this conversation, Louisa thought.

That she wished she could become a person tough to the core as soon as possible.

So that this time talking with Edward could become an enjoyable time, like catching up with a welcome friend.

The two were lost in different thoughts in the same space.

[This is the timeline separator]

The King’s birthday celebration was approaching.

It’s a busy time for any family, but the servants of the Allen mansion were moving unusually busily in recent years.

The reason was obvious. With the mansion owner’s belated declaration to attend the party, their work had suddenly doubled.

Moreover, it was the first party Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were attending together. She had been worrying and unable to sleep since the previous evening, and finally came out at dawn, saying she would organize their clothes and luggage.

So, on the afternoon before departure.

Mrs. Johnson, who was applying pink powder to Louisa’s cheeks with a large brush, asked Rachel:

“Did you take out the gloves?”

“Yes! I put the gloves, necklace, and earrings in their boxes on top of the dressing table.”

“Good. You did well. When you’re done ironing the master’s handkerchief, please check the madam’s shoes.”

“Yes!”

Rachel’s hands became even busier.

Just then, a knock sounded amidst the bustling women.

Knock knock.

“May I come in?”

The owner of the knock was Edward. Having finished his preparations first, he had come directly to the room, unable to wait for Louisa to finish dressing.

Mrs. Johnson glanced at Louisa’s expression.

“It’s fine. Tell him to come in.”

“Yes, sir. You may enter.”

As soon as the room’s owner gave permission, the door swung open.

Edward, filling the open doorway, saw Louisa wearing an evening dress.

She was wearing a dress that combined white lace and navy satin, and the combination of the two fabrics created a calm yet elegant atmosphere that was perfect for enhancing Louisa’s dignity.

The bustle was not excessively puffed out, but finished at an appropriate level, and the hair ornament, considering that Louisa usually found large flowing hats uncomfortable, was decorated only with flower ornaments, feathers, and small, transparently shining jewels.

Edward let out an exclamation of admiration.

“It suits you well. The eye of the person who chose the dress is excellent.”

“Is that so? I’m glad you like it.”

Louisa said, facing forward as she couldn’t turn her head during makeup.

“Thank you. Does it match well with the master’s dress coat?”

“Indeed. You must have had a hard time preparing.”

“I chose fabrics with embroidery that wasn’t too flashy to give both of you a clean impression. I matched the madam’s ivory decorative fabric with the master’s tie and vest fabric. It was a bit of a struggle to find it at the last minute, but I’m pleased you’re satisfied.”

His suit was a combination of black and ivory, made to maintain an overall standard.

“Anyone who sees you two will think you’re a happily married couple!”

Rachel said, clasping her hands together.

“That’s good, but this collar seems to be getting higher every year. It’s about to poke my chin.”

Edward said, constantly adjusting his collar.

“That’s the fashion for gentlemen these days.”

“Is this tight tie also part of it?”

“Of course.”

“Well. It’s quite troublesome to become a gentleman.”

For someone who usually prefers to wear a loose ascot tie, the tight bow tie seemed quite uncomfortable.

But then.

“Master!”

Suddenly, Paul’s voice calling for him was heard from below.

Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)

One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.

Synopsis:

Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.

Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.

Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.

Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.

There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.