A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Surveillance

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‘What… is this?’

Early in the morning, Emeline picked up the newspaper and froze in shock.

Her name was prominently displayed in large, bold letters as the headline of an article. Alongside it was Zenon’s name.

With trembling eyes, she slowly scanned the content, and upon understanding it, she gasped in horror.

The article detailed multiple secret meetings between the two of them.

It even claimed that their connection began at Count Bruno’s yacht party, providing an unexpectedly sharp account.

‘Did someone actually see us back then?’

Did someone really witness the kiss she shared with Zenon on the yacht?

Her hands gripping the bundle of papers turned deathly pale.

Biting her lips in anxiety, Emeline forced herself to think calmly.

‘At least there are no photos. If I handle this well, I can dismiss it as mere speculation and false reporting.’

After reading through the article twice more, she placed the newspaper down with trembling hands. Her heart pounded violently.

‘Who leaked this information?’

The abrupt development left her feeling dizzy.

And if Zenon Trancium were to confirm that the article was true, there would be nothing she could do to stop it.

Emeline shook her head, imagining the worst-case scenario.

‘No way. As reckless as he is, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to acknowledge a scandal when he already has a fiancée.’

He wouldn’t. He couldn’t.

As she sat in front of the newspaper, consumed by turmoil, a knock came at the door.

So deeply engrossed in her thoughts, Emeline flinched and turned her head.

“Emeline.”

It was Antony’s voice.

Emeline felt as if all the blood in her body had drained away. The moment she dreaded had arrived.

Pressing her trembling lips together, she quietly moved to open the door.

“…Brother.”

Her voice was heavy as she greeted him. Antony looked at her, then shifted his gaze to the table behind her, where the newspaper lay in plain sight.

“You’ve seen the article. Father is asking for you.”

“It’s all false. I swear, Brother.”

It was clear what kind of misunderstanding this would cause. Desperately, Emeline clung to him.

‘This time, I truly don’t deserve this. It’s all a misunderstanding.’

Despite being family, they had always been more attentive to rumors and social norms than to Emeline’s words.

That was how they had stolen her dreams, trampled on her, and broken her. They had prioritized society’s rules over her.

Seeing the anxiety on her face, Antony let out a deep sigh, his voice tinged with mixed emotions.

“Just come with me. Father is waiting.”

Leaving those brief words behind, he coldly turned away.

Watching his retreating figure, Emeline was suddenly gripped by fear. Would they try to reform her again?

She hurried after him, her voice filled with urgency.

“Brother, I’m doing well with Count Renier. I have nothing to do with this scandal.”

It was humiliating, but Emeline had no choice but to plead and appeal to him.

After all, Antony was one of the people who had crushed her dreams. He had taken away the meaning of her life.

Because of him, she still felt empty inside.

She didn’t know what else she might lose. And there was no one else who could help her persuade Father.

As she desperately followed him, Antony suddenly stopped walking. Turning slightly, he stared at Emeline.

“Do you think I wouldn’t know?”

His sharp voice sent a chill down Emeline’s spine. In an instant, fear and unease swallowed her whole.

Antony furrowed his brows briefly before continuing, “The day I returned, Father instructed me to keep an eye on you. To make sure you didn’t get involved with that man again.”

“…What?”

Emeline’s eyes widened.

But Antony had only returned a few days ago. As far as she knew, he could only be aware of the moment she had run into Zenon with Mathis.

As soon as she processed the thought, Antony smirked as if mocking her.

“I took the opportunity to follow your movements. You’ve been meeting him quite often, haven’t you? Ever since Zenon Trancium returned.”

“What are you talking about…?”

Emeline stammered, the color draining from her face.

A wave of confusion crashed over her.

Did he mean he knew about the past as well?

If so, did that mean he also knew about the kiss she had shared with Zenon at the yacht party?

Aghast, she parted her lips, ready to refute him. But Antony, as if tired of hearing excuses, spoke first.

“Oh. I haven’t told Father yet. He still wants to believe you’re his proud daughter. How could I possibly tell him about this disgraceful behavior?”

He turned away and resumed walking. His expression, though faintly visible, looked darker and more conflicted than before.

Standing frozen in place, Emeline snapped back to reality and quickly followed after him.

‘Father doesn’t know…’

She couldn’t feel completely relieved, as there was no telling when Antony might decide to reveal everything. But for now, she could breathe a little easier.

She didn’t understand why he had chosen not to tell their father, but there was no time to dwell on that.

Before she knew it, they had arrived at their father’s office.

Antony knocked on the door first, then glanced back at Emeline before opening it for her.

“Go in.”

“…Alright.”

As Emeline stepped inside, Antony followed behind her.

She tried her best to maintain her composure as she lifted her gaze toward the Duke, who was seated at his desk.

Bernard was rereading the newspaper, his face red with anger. The corners of the paper crumpled beneath his grip.

Emeline stood as calmly as she could before him.

“Father, you called for me.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the Duke lifted his piercing gaze and crumpled the newspaper in his hands.

Then, he threw the crumpled paper at Emeline.

She flinched and clenched her intertwined hands tightly.

“Emeline! Explain yourself. What kind of disgraceful behavior led to such an article?”

“It’s a misunderstanding, Father.”

Her voice trembled as she spoke. Glancing briefly at Antony standing beside her, she continued.

She feared he might reveal everything he had uncovered through his surveillance, but she had to speak up.

“I am not involved with that man. I am engaged to Count Renier. Why would I have any reason to meet him? This is nothing more than a sensationalized article meant to stir interest. Please believe me, Father.”

Emeline bowed her head respectfully and closed her eyes tightly, trying to suppress her unbearable anxiety.

She was terrified that Antony might expose her lies. Even worse, she feared her father wouldn’t listen to a word she said and would lock her away in a dark room once more.

Either way, Emeline was helplessly trapped in a situation she did not create. She seethed with hatred for Zenon Trancium, who had contributed to this mess.

At that moment, Bernard let out a deep breath, seemingly trying to calm himself, before speaking in a harsh voice.

“Antony, do you believe your sister’s words?”

His gaze shifted toward Antony. Emeline swallowed a breath of despair.

As expected, the Duke had no regard for Emeline’s opinions or thoughts.

Her shoulders trembled as hopelessness loomed over her.

Finally, Antony responded.

“…Yes, Father. I do not believe Emeline is lying.”

She looked at him in shock.

This was the same brother who, even when she was falsely accused, would demand that she reflect on herself rather than defend her.

And yet, here he was, taking her side.

Emeline couldn’t help but wonder if Antony had an ulterior motive.

“Then what kind of fool would publish such baseless nonsense?”

The Duke, having taken Antony’s words at face value, clicked his tongue in anger.

Soon after, his gaze fell on Emeline, who stood silently, and he let out a sigh. His expression carried both reluctance and suspicion.

“Did you do something to give them a reason to write this?”

“…That would be impossible, Father.”

Emeline lowered her head slightly. Bernard pressed his temples as if he had a headache and spoke again.

“I will contact the newspaper and have the article retracted immediately. Until your next meeting with Count Renier, do not think about leaving the house. I will inform the Count myself.”

“Yes, Father.”

Emeline replied obediently. The Duke then dismissed her.

She left the office after offering him a polite farewell.

Once the office door had closed, Antony approached his father.

“Father, shall I assist you? I imagine you have many concerns these days.”

“There’s no need. I will handle it. More importantly, Antony, are you certain Emeline hasn’t met with that man?”

“…Of course. I did confirm that she coincidentally ran into him while with Count Renier recently, but she has not met him alone. Emeline has come to her senses—meeting a man like him would be absurd.”

Antony smirked as if the mere idea was laughable.

Taking his words as confirmation, Bernard finally redirected his anger toward the writer responsible for the article.

As the Duke scowled in frustration, Antony furrowed his brow slightly.

He recalled the pale, shaken expression on his sister’s face and exhaled quietly in dissatisfaction. He had tried not to dwell on it, but past memories resurfaced.

“Father, Emeline has not eaten for days now… Isn’t this too much?”

Of course, Antony knew that Emeline’s refusal to eat back then had been a direct consequence of her own actions.

He had never believed his usually composed sister was capable of such deep emotions. He had only intended to teach her that her behavior was improper and lacking in decorum.

But the punishment Emeline had endured had gone far beyond what was reasonable.

Strange people frequently came and went from the mansion. The scent of ink never faded as something was rewritten over and over again. Countless sheets of paper were discarded.

Four years ago, Antony had turned a blind eye.

Even now, he remained silent about the many times Emeline had encountered Zenon Trancium.

A guard had once reported seeing an unfamiliar man meeting Emeline outside the mansion gates, claiming they appeared to be arguing.

From what Antony could deduce, there was no sign of a deep relationship between them.

And that was why he had chosen to defend her today.

The sound of the Duke summoning a servant broke Antony from his thoughts.

A servant quickly arrived.

“You called for me, Master.”

“Deliver this immediately.”

Bernard handed the servant a letter filled with orders to pressure the newspaper into retracting the article.

Antony watched the servant swiftly depart before speaking, “By tomorrow, they will publish a statement retracting the false claims.”

“Yes. Tsk, who in the world would spread such slander?”

Bernard clicked his tongue in frustration and checked the journalist’s name on the article. He finally seemed relieved that the matter was being handled.

The next day, a letter arrived at the Duke’s estate.

Naturally, Bernard assumed it contained an apology and confirmation from the newspaper regarding the article’s removal.

However, upon opening the envelope, his expression stiffened.

The letter had been sent from the newspaper, but the sender’s name written below was unmistakable.

Zenon Trancium.

Even after reading it twice, it was not addressed to Emeline Delzeier. It had been sent directly to the Duke himself.

A sudden unease filled Bernard. He hurriedly grabbed the morning newspaper.

If the newspaper had received his warning, they should have already retracted the article.

But instead of a retraction, what he saw was the scandal printed in an even larger font, filled with even more details than before.

His face turned red with fury as he reread the contents of the letter.

“That… that wretched bastard…!”

The Duke’s furious voice thundered through the room.

“Bring Emeline here immediately!”