A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Because I Missed You

Emeline was summoned by her father early in the morning and went to meet him.

‘I have a bad feeling about this…’

She, too, had checked the newspaper that morning.

Contrary to the Duke’s claim that he would contact the newspaper, the scandal article was once again prominently published.

‘There were still no photographs, but the details were slightly more elaborate this time.’

Walking with a heavy heart, she entered the room where the Duke awaited her and found her brother and father seated around the reception table.

Bernard was engrossed in reading a letter.

Since he was focused, Antony spoke on his behalf, instructing Emeline to sit across from them.

With somewhat stiff movements, she quietly took her seat.

“Father, what is this about?”

Only then did Bernard lift his head to meet her gaze. His brows furrowed in discontent before he finally spoke.

“Emeline.”

“Yes?”

“You need to visit the newspaper.”

“…Pardon?”

That was something a servant could handle. Why was he sending her instead?

As she stared at him in bewilderment, her gaze fell upon the letter he held in his hand.

“That bastard did this. Zenon Trancium, that insolent fool, is trying to disgrace our family! Because of him, I can’t have the article removed!”

Emeline was stunned.

So this scandal… was intentionally orchestrated by Zenon Trancium?

He had abandoned her and chosen his current fiancée. From what she had seen, they appeared to have a good relationship, so why would he deliberately incite such a scandal?

What was even more baffling was that despite Bernard Delzeier, a duke, personally writing to resolve the matter, his request had been completely ignored.

“Father, what do you mean the article can’t be removed? There must have been some mistake—perhaps if you tried again…”

“No. It’s useless. That newspaper belongs to him.”

“…Did he acquire it?”

“Yes!”

Emeline was at a loss for words. That meant the letter in the Duke’s hands must have confirmed this.

It was the first time she had seen her father unable to get his way. His frustration and suppressed rage were evident.

She looked at him in disbelief.

Zenon Trancium owned a newspaper?

But something about this didn’t add up. That newspaper had long published aggressive articles against Zenon. Even just a few days ago, it had been the same.

And yet, it turned out that this newspaper had been his all along? Did he even have the personal wealth for such an acquisition?

The publication had been in circulation for a long time and was now the most widely read newspaper in the kingdom.

Nothing made sense. It was unsettling, but for now, she focused on the more pressing issue and asked her father,

“Why are you telling me to go there myself? If the newspaper belongs to him…”

Shouldn’t the Duke be stopping her from going instead?

Bernard, his face now dark with anger, remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“…You need to meet him in person. He asked for you.”

“…Ha.”

Emeline let out a short, incredulous laugh.

Earlier, she had been bewildered by the fact that he had orchestrated this scandal, but hearing this demand from Zenon made it all feel real.

What was he thinking?

It was absurd and unbelievable.

Suddenly, she recalled Zenon’s parting words.

“You should know, Emeline Delzeier. I’m going to break your engagement.”

Emeline clenched her teeth. So he had meant it.

And yet, he had gone so far as to risk damaging his own engagement to make this happen. Zenon Trancium was not a foolish man.

Had he lost his ability to think rationally? Or did he truly want to destroy her that badly?

As she swallowed her rising fury and humiliation, Bernard spoke again.

“If a rebuttal article is published denying the claims, then I will personally ensure that bastard pays. How dare he insult our family.”

“Then where should I go, Father?”

“I will send people with you. The coachman has been given the address. Depart as soon as you’re ready.”

“…Understood.”

Emeline rose from her seat and left to prepare.

As soon as she exited, Bernard threw the letter onto the table.

“Just as vulgar as his father… How dare he pull a stunt like this?”

He fumed in rage while Antony chimed in to calm him.

Zenon’s letter, written in his immaculate penmanship, was brief.

[I have received and reviewed your letter requesting a rebuttal article. As the owner of this newspaper, I hold both the authority and responsibility over its contents.

If you do not wish for any further related articles to be published, you must listen to what I have to say.

Do not harm Emeline Delzeier in any way, and send her to me.

If you comply, I will gladly honor your request, Your Grace.]

***

The carriage came to a stop at its destination. As the servant accompanying her opened the door, Emeline stepped out.

Before her stood a rather large newspaper office.

Following her father’s orders, Emeline let out a quiet sigh.

‘…So this was all Zenon Trancium’s doing.’

What was he? What gave him the right to keep barging into her life and turning it upside down?

Now, just hearing the first letter of his name made her feel sick.

He had once given her love and false hope, only to take it all away in the end. His relentless torment of her still hadn’t ended.

With her servant in tow, Emeline entered the newspaper building.

As if expecting her, someone immediately approached.

“You arrived early. Someone upstairs is waiting for you. Please follow me.”

Emeline noticed that he was dressed more finely than those around him. She gave a slight nod.

Following him, she glanced around at the unusually noisy office as they ascended the stairs.

‘Why is it so chaotic here? Are all newspaper offices like this?’

As Emeline subtly observed her surroundings, the man guiding her stopped in front of an office door.

He knocked on the door and promptly opened it.

“You may enter.”

Emeline stepped into what appeared to be a study.

There, sitting casually on the edge of a desk, was a familiar face. The desk behind him was as cluttered as the chaotic scene outside.

As he skimmed through something, he lifted his head and spotted Emeline.

A composed smile appeared on Zenon’s lips.

“You came straight away, Lady Delzeier.”

“…Lord Trancium.”

Emeline addressed him in a cold voice.

Stopping a few steps away from him, she watched as Zenon set aside the document he had been reviewing.

“Why did you summon me here? I heard that this newspaper company belongs to you. Do you expect me to personally beg for a retraction?”

“Well, before we talk, could you send away the person you brought with you?”

Still perched on the desk, Zenon gestured toward the servant accompanying Emeline.

She narrowed her eyes, suspicious of his request.

The man who had escorted her merely stood by the door, waiting outside. If her servant left as well, she would be alone with Zenon.

“Is there a reason we must speak privately? We can talk like this.”

Hearing her wary tone, Zenon raised an eyebrow. “Are you worried I’ll do something improper? There are windows here where anyone can see inside. I only suggested it because it would be more convenient for conversation.”

“It won’t take long. Why bother?”

“If you refuse to listen to me, I won’t do anything for you either. Didn’t you consider that?”

“Ha.”

Emeline let out a short, incredulous laugh.

Zenon nonchalantly shrugged and gestured toward the door with a tilt of his head. It was clear he was giving her a choice—either dismiss her servant or leave together.

In the end, Emeline sent her servant outside.

Now alone with Zenon, she wasted no time and said curtly, “Publish the retraction immediately.”

“Are you giving me orders? That’s amusing. Isn’t it clear that I hold the upper hand here?”

“…Please publish the retraction.”

Zenon smirked, seemingly entertained by her sudden change in approach. Emeline frowned and glared at him.

“Do you find this amusing?”

“A little.”

“You must think I’m a complete fool.”

“Not at all. But it’s interesting, isn’t it? You rushed here over an article with no concrete evidence like photographs.”

His subtle derision made her expression stiffen.

“My reputation is at stake. Of course, I came immediately. You know exactly how damaging a scandal involving you is to me. How much more do you need to ruin my life before you’re satisfied?”

Zenon, who had been silently listening to her, darkened his expression.

“Do you really mean that?”

“Yes, I do. Please, just stop. Stop ruining my life.”

“Emeline Delzeier.”

Zenon called her name in a low voice and then let out a quiet chuckle. His twisted smile held a hint of something wounded.

Fixing his gaze on her, he slowly stood up from the desk and stopped right in front of her.

He was close—only about two hand spans apart.

“You must really hate me.”

“……”

At the moment she was supposed to respond, Emeline found herself speechless.

Zenon Trancium’s expression was strange. Why did he look bitter, as if he was filled with yearning?

It had to be her imagination, yet she remained silent, unable to look away.

As the long, unbroken eye contact stretched on, Zenon’s lips curled into another faint, unreadable smile.

“Why do you hate me, hmm? Answer me, Emeline. We weren’t on bad terms before. What about me do you despise so much?”

His words made Emeline’s face harden instantly.

“…We weren’t on bad terms?”

A chilling sensation ran through her chest. She barely managed to suppress a scoff as she glared at him.

“Of course, it must have been fun for you. Entertaining, even.”

“……”

“But I… I hate you. I hate you so much, I could die.”

Emeline bit out each word as if she was grinding them between her teeth.

Closing her eyes briefly to suppress her emotions, she opened them again and spoke in a much calmer voice.

“Stop wasting my time and publish the retraction. You should know that this scandal harms you as well.”

Zenon remained silent for a moment, then slightly parted his lips as if to speak. Emeline thought she saw his eyelashes tremble faintly.

After a long pause, he let out a dry laugh. Though his lips curved into a smile, his brows furrowed slightly.

In a quiet, hoarse voice, he finally said, “…The retraction will be published tomorrow. I was planning to handle it anyway.”

Emeline narrowed her eyes in suspicion. If he had intended to publish the retraction from the start, why had he called her here?

“If you were going to retract the article so easily, why did you summon me all the way here?”

“Because I missed you.”

“…What?”

“And because I needed confirmation.”

Zenon looked at her with weary eyes and exhaled heavily, his voice almost a sigh.

“Go now. You don’t want to see me any longer than necessary.”

Emeline hesitated, caught between confusion and irritation, then turned on her heel.

“I’m leaving.”

She spoke shortly and left the office, and Zenon silently watched her retreating figure.

Only after the door closed and some time had passed did he finally avert his gaze.

His tired eyes slowly scanned the chaotic room before landing on the window.

The sight of Emeline Delzeier walking away without a shred of hesitation remained vividly in his mind for a long time.