Naomi clasped her hands together.

She had devoted her entire life to Wesley. After Viscount Wesley’s death, she dedicated her youth to Esme. But in the end, Esme discarded Naomi like an old shoe. For some unknown reason, she suddenly became fixated on Josephine and left for the hotel with only that maid.

Naomi had to quickly rent an inn for the family members who suddenly lost their place to go. And she had to do it with her own money.

Then, to survive and for the sake of Wesley’s family, she joined hands with Adeline. Many people left during that process, but she thought it couldn’t be helped. Everyone has their own path to follow, after all.

But Adeline’s side did not suit Naomi.

‘If things continue like this, I’ll be pushed out again.’

That was Naomi’s greatest fear.

Noble households had a clear hierarchy. It was easy to rule and control the junior maids rising from below.

If they acted arrogantly, you could kick them out or starve them. If they didn’t listen, you could beat them. Then, at the right time, if you offered a carrot, they would follow Naomi’s words well.

But Privet Street was different.

It was a competitive structure where those with loud voices and good social skills could easily surpass their superiors.

“How have I endured all this time……”

Naomi bit her chapped lips. That’s why she threw away all her pride and came to the hotel. Golden Avery Hotel. The place where Wesley’s family was currently staying.

The reason she came here, taking advantage of Adeline’s absence, was to meet Esme.

However, after coming so boldly, she was just sitting blankly in the lobby, unable to go up.

Would Esme even be happy to see her if she went? That woman who only cared about herself.

She was good at bestowing money, but had no talent for taking care of people. Naomi buried her face of regret in her palms.

‘Should I just give up on everything……’

Her thoughts changed countless times, like flipping a hand.

As Naomi sat like that for a long time, she felt someone’s presence in front of her. Naomi raised her head.

“Hey. Long time no see, Naomi.”

“……Sir Thomas.”

Naomi pronounced Thomas’s name in a low voice. Coincidentally, to meet Thomas at this timing. Naomi let out a small laugh. This might be fate showing Naomi the way.

“Have you been well?”

“……”

“You seem to have lost some weight. I heard Esme drove out all the servants, including you? That’s just like her. She only cares about herself. She has a nasty personality too.”

“……What business do you have?”

Naomi asked dryly. Thomas licked his lips with his tongue. With a smooth smile, Thomas shrugged his shoulders.

“Why so cold between us? I came running because I was glad to see you.”

Thomas laughed vulgarly and stretched out his legs. Naturally lifting Naomi’s dress, Thomas winked.

“Are you going to stay like this? I’m staying on the third floor here. I came to persuade Esme.”

Naomi clenched her fists.

She knew why she was hesitating. Esme was a woman who would never be the answer for Naomi. The reason Esme had been accommodating to Naomi all this time was because she was Wesley’s head maid.

Now that all of that had become useless, Naomi had become worthless.

Thomas, who goes crazy for any skirt, might be better……

‘He’s good for using, at least.’

Naomi stood up from her seat. Thomas, who had been doing lewd things under the table, also stood up casually. Placing his hand on Naomi’s waist, Thomas led her to the stairs.

“You can’t imagine how much I’ve missed you all this time.”

I know he’s been going around gambling dens and flashy entertainment districts all this time, despite saying things like that. It was none other than Naomi who helped persuade Esme to let Thomas take over the Wesley trading company.

While Esme had thick earlobes, she had thin ears, and she fell for it completely just by having the same words whispered to her a few times.

But as soon as Thomas got what he wanted, he abandoned Naomi.

The siblings were rotten in character as a pair. Ignoring the dirty gaze scanning her chest, Naomi moved mechanically, pretending not to notice.

No matter how harsh Esme is, she won’t completely abandon her own blood. She will surely call Thomas back at the right time.

Naomi glanced at Thomas.

Thomas might think he’s using Naomi, but that’s absolutely not the case. This is Naomi’s game. Thomas is just a card in her hand, moving according to Naomi’s will.

Even as she lay on Thomas’s bed and lifted her skirt, Naomi was lost in thought.

Either stick with Thomas and run away with what he has, or devour Thomas whole.

After all, family registers sometimes exert mysterious powers.

*

“Naomi hasn’t returned?”

“No, my lady.”

Hmm. The first deserter has appeared. The maids were glancing at each other with slightly anxious faces. It was understandable since Naomi, who had been leading them, had disappeared. Naomi had been struggling to adapt to the shop all along, so it couldn’t be helped. She probably went to find her own way.

But I couldn’t lose these people who were adapting well. Of course, there’s only one way to ease anxiety.

I generously opened the money pouch I had prepared for today.

“It’s regrettable, but it can’t be helped. Except for Naomi’s share.”

“What is this, my lady?”

“The reward for your hard work for this shop so far.”

Making patterns, cutting fabric, and sewing. What could be better than this to comfort those who worked tirelessly? Moreover, I needed to show them that I, too, could spend money as well as Esme.

“Oh my. This much?”

“Of course. You’re all doing good work. Did you see the faces of the people buying clothes? We didn’t just sell them clothes. We sold them a life. Those people can now go out to work wearing those clothes.”

“But you’re selling the clothes at such low prices……”

“Don’t worry too much about that. There will be people who will spend money for us.”

Saying that, I revealed the highest quality furs I had been carefully keeping. They were furs so splendid that people’s mouths fell open.

“I’m thinking of making accessories and clothes for nobles with these and selling them. We absolutely can’t sell these cheaply. We’re planning to fill our pockets with these. What do you think, any designs coming to mind? I’m thinking of rewarding good ideas.”

“Me, me……!”

The maids raised their hands one after another. Those who move for money are easiest to rule with money. I curled up the corners of my mouth.

Today, in just one day, rumors about Lilide’s clothing shop spread throughout the entire North. It meant that there were many people waiting for someone to save them from this hell.

Even though it was the first day, 30 reservation numbers were sold.

Edward, who was listening to this news, smirked. He was having a meal at the hotel for a business meeting. He was in a good mood as he had smoothly concluded the contract for building a new hotel this time.

He calculated that he could earn as much as he spent.

Baron Solaide, the owner of the Golden Avery Hotel, was a man who had nothing but money. Suddenly, a boom hit the real estate industry, and those who owned prime land raked in money, and he was one of them.

The Golden Avery Hotel was started with that overflowing money. Starting from the North, it was spreading to the southern regions, but since Baron Solaide himself was originally from the North, he liked doing business with Northerners.

Edward was also one of those Northerners.

“Congratulations once again, Your Excellency. Everything is going smoothly. As you said, we’re planning to spread the word that it’s the Duke of Vincent’s family sponsoring Lilide’s clothing shop.”

Edward moistened his throat with water.

There were rumors that the furs coming out of Lilide’s clothing shop were priced low compared to their quality.

But what if word gets out that Vincent is behind it?

People will become excited by the name Vincent.

“Handle it well.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“You do your work very well, Count.”

As Edward was about to get up after giving a brief compliment in a good mood, he saw a familiar woman sitting by the window. With a man he didn’t know at all.

“Adeline?”

Edward narrowed his eyes. He felt his good mood dropping a little. Lilide had lifted his mood to heaven, and now… She really is an extraordinary woman.