‘Come to think of it, one of Claire’s exclusive maids once stole the brooch and secretly placed it in my room, framing me. What was her name again…?’

Riz, yes, her name was Riz.

As she stared at the brooch, a cunning plan suddenly came to Riley’s mind.

Riley quietly looked around.

Once the maid who was following her showed a momentary distraction, Riley slyly removed the brooch, hid it in her sleeve, and left the room.

The maid following her hurriedly followed.

Riley pretended to continue looking around for a bit and then decided it was enough.

“Everyone seems to be quite late. I should be going now.”

“Already? Is it that time?”

“Tell my uncle about this. It’s an invitation to my husband’s birthday party.”

“Oh! Yes, understood.”

“And, although it’s a concern, don’t mention that I looked around the house, especially keep it a secret from Claire. If she finds out that I explored her room, her fiery temper won’t hold back, and she’ll unleash her anger on you.”

The hesitant maid nodded at Riley’s words.

“I understand.”

She would probably keep her mouth shut. No one among the servants would oppose Claire turning the house upside down.

“Well then, I’ll be going. You don’t have to see me off. Someone came to pick me up outside.”

“Understood, Miss. Please take care.”

Pretending to leave the mansion, Riley quietly headed toward the separate building.

As it was the time when the servants were busy, the building was empty. Riley went into the room with Riz’s name among many rooms, slid the stolen brooch under the desk, and left in a hurry.

Rachel greeted Riley when she quickly exited the mansion.

“Is it already over?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought you would stay longer.”

“No one was around.”

“I see. Hurry and get on the carriage.”

Riley and Rachel got on the carriage together. As the carriage started, Riley lowered her voice.

“Rachel.”

“…Yes?”

“There’s something you need to do from now on.”

As Riley’s voice lowered, Rachel’s expression also became serious.

“…What is it?”

“Come here every day and keep an eye on my family’s movements morning and evening.”

“…Every day?”

“Yeah, there will be a big disturbance soon. Maybe one of the maids will be kicked out. You keep watching, and if a dismissed maid comes to you, bring her to me. Can you do that?”

“I can do it, but is it a secret mission?”

“Yeah, don’t let anyone find out.”

“Like a secret mission!”

“Yeah, I trust you, Rachel. You’re the only one I can entrust with this.”

Moved by Riley’s words, Rachel teared up and tightly grabbed Riley’s hand, nodding her head.
“I’ll work hard for you, Miss!”

“Yeah, thank you.”

Riley looked outside the carriage, chin resting on her hand, and contemplated.

‘…I’ll repay them one by one, just the way they did to me.’

If I return the favors they’ve done to me, they will gradually crumble. A suitable bit of manipulation.

Having experienced many things from them, there was nothing I couldn’t do.

‘Now… I won’t just endure, I’ll live.’

If there’s no one suitable to use as a pawn, I’ll create one if I have to.

It was both absurd and bitter to discover a strategy within the memories of past torment. The situation itself, where I had to do the same things as them, was uncomfortable, but there was no other choice.

‘…I hope things work out well.’

Having laid the groundwork, now all that was left was to wait.