If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 82

“So the little rat was hiding after all.”

“Mmph!”

A thick hand reeking of tobacco leaves clamped tightly over her mouth.

Since she was ambushed from behind, she couldn’t see his face, but Georgiana instantly recognized the man by his familiar tone. As he pulled her close, the stench of his body assaulted her nose.

“I caught her! Come and see for yourself—is this the one?”

He called out to Catherine, pretending as though they had merely been talking.

Catherine, who had been watching in amusement, smirked as she shrugged her shoulders at Georgiana’s startled expression.

“See? I told you there was a nosy little thing snooping around every night. And it just so happens to be someone I absolutely despise.”

Ever since she had falsely accused Georgiana and suffered Raymond’s scrutiny for days, Catherine’s hostility toward her had intensified.

“We should tie her up first. Help me.”

As Catherine roughly grabbed her, the man retrieved a rope from the cart and bound her arms and legs tightly. A gag was soon stuffed into her mouth.

“What should we do with this bitch?”

The eyes looking down at her bound form on the ground were filled with malice.

Georgiana trembled uncontrollably.

“What else? We kill her, of course.”

Catherine spoke of murder without hesitation.

“Seems like a waste, though.”

The man’s lecherous gaze swept over Georgiana’s body from head to toe.

“If she talks, we’re all finished. Forget any other ideas—we need to kill her to make sure she never speaks.”

“I understand that, but slaves are rare these days. Someone like her would fetch a hefty price.”

Clicking his tongue as if regretting the loss, he hesitated.

“We absolutely cannot let her live. She must die. If you can’t do it, then I will.”

Afraid that he might entertain the thought of sparing Georgiana, Catherine scowled and glanced around for something sharp. If there had been a blade nearby, she looked ready to strike immediately.

“Spilling blood here wouldn’t be wise. If we’re going to kill her, we should do it somewhere else.”

The man, wary of jeopardizing his business connections, tried to dissuade her.

Catherine mulled it over for a moment before reluctantly nodding.

“Lock her up in the warehouse downtown for now. Tomorrow night, I’ll come and make sure she’s dead with my own eyes. Don’t try to get rid of her before then—don’t even touch her. Keep her there until I arrive.”

“Fine, fine. No need to be so paranoid.”

“If you go against my orders, I’ll cut off all business with you. Keep that in mind.”

“Alright, alright. But what if someone starts asking questions about her disappearance?”

“What’s there to say? We’ll claim she stole from the estate and ran away in the night. There were no witnesses. Once she’s gone, no one will question it. Just keep your mouth shut.”

Even as she handed Georgiana over, Catherine couldn’t hide her anxiety, repeatedly issuing warnings. The man scoffed and shook his head in exasperation.

“Here’s today’s payment.”

The man handed over a money pouch and then covered Georgiana with a large sack.

Darkness swallowed her whole, and before she could even process it, she felt herself being lifted.

The moment she was thrown into the cart, she realized that if she was taken away like this, it would be the end.

She struggled with all her might.

“Feisty one, isn’t she?”

Nearly losing his grip on her, the man hoisted her back up onto his shoulder and tossed her into the middle of the cart. The tobacco sacks beneath her were soft, but she hit her head against the cart’s side, making her dizzy.

“Alright then, I’ll be on my way before anyone shows up.”

“Austin won’t be coming. I used the medicine you gave me last time, and he slept so soundly he didn’t even notice when I poked his face with my finger.”

Catherine let out a gleeful laugh.

“Ha! You’re something else. Sometimes I think you’ve got more guts than I do.”

“Wait a moment. We need to send her belongings with her so it looks like she ran away. Liv, go upstairs and bring down her things along with some of the madam’s valuables.”

Before their conversation had even finished, Georgiana’s consciousness began to wane.

A sticky warmth trickled down the back of her head.

No… this can’t happen…

The scent of blood filled her nose.

As fear consumed her, Georgiana’s mind faded into darkness.

***

“What did you say? Lady Leona has run away?”

Raymond, who had just finished breakfast and arrived late at his office, shot up from his seat upon receiving the report from the butler.

It was the most absurd news he had heard in months.

Of all times, it had to happen while he was away delivering funds to the independence forces.

With the frequent battles against the Imperial Army, more people had been seeking his assistance lately.

Ever since inheriting the plantation, Raymond had been continuously supporting the independence army. With his brother Locke fighting directly for revenge, he felt it was his duty to at least provide support in this way.

Since these meetings had to be conducted discreetly, he had left at night and only returned at dawn. Yet in that short time, another incident had occurred.

Since Veronica’s death, the mansion had been strangely unsettled, and lately, the disturbances had been increasing. Though everything seemed fine on the surface, Raymond, who was more perceptive than he let on, had gradually realized that the head maid was at the center of it all.

Kindness was a weapon to Raymond.

The more he appeared easygoing and mild-mannered, the more people let their guard down and exposed their weaknesses before him. He was fully aware of this and had been collecting evidence, waiting for the right moment to strike.

But even he had not expected this.

The previous accusation had been resolved as a misunderstanding, so why would she run away now?

“When was this discovered?”

“Just… a short while ago. I, too, unusually fell asleep early last night and only woke up late this morning. I apologize.”

Despite having slept deeply, the butler’s eyes were dark with fatigue, and his lips were pale.

“You must not be feeling well. You don’t look great now either, so make sure to visit the physician after the report.”

“Understood.”

“Now, go over everything again. Why do they think Lady Leona ran away?”

“All her belongings are gone, and valuable items are missing as well. Everyone has agreed that she must have planned her escape after being suspected the other day.”

“And you, Austin? Do you believe that?”

At Raymond’s question, the butler adjusted his glasses and replied hesitantly, “I’m not sure. I’ve seen many people, but Lady Leona always had an air of mystery about her. However, I don’t think she would steal from others.”

“Exactly. I think so too.”

Though the butler was old-fashioned and rigid at times, his words were always reliable. Not long after arriving at the mansion, Raymond had understood why his grandfather had insisted that, even if all the other servants were replaced, the butler must remain.

Raymond also agreed with his assessment of her mystery.

Georgiana spoke little except when she was with Angela, making it difficult to read her thoughts. Her refined mannerisms and speech made it hard to imagine her committing any wrongdoing, yet he couldn’t be completely certain about her since he knew so little.

Had Evan been right about investigating her?

Was there some unknown circumstance behind this?

“Since they claim she’s fled, we must at least pretend to pursue her. However, instruct those searching that if they find Lady Leona, she is not to be treated harshly. We must verify the truth first.”

“I will deliver your instructions.”

“Also, assign people to watch Catherine.”

“Do you believe the head maid is involved in this?”

“She has treated Lady Leona with nothing but hostility from the start. But I can’t accuse her without evidence. We must find proof.”

“Understood. I will assign only trusted people to the task.”

“Tell Angela that Lady Leona had to take an urgent leave. If she finds out they parted without a goodbye, it might be too much of a shock for her.”

“I will inform her personal maid.”

After the butler left, Raymond covered his eyes with his palm and slumped back into his chair.

No matter the reason, the fact that she had disappeared from his sight unsettled him.

Ever since he had glimpsed her on that night with Angela, he had found his eyes unconsciously following her—not because he saw her as a woman, but simply because she drew his attention.

Her speech, her gestures, were always composed and still, yet strangely captivating. It wasn’t just him—whenever she appeared, the very atmosphere around her seemed to shift. He had experienced this more than once.

Where could she have gone?

There weren’t many places to hide in the South.

Though he had ordered a search, he felt restless.

Perhaps he should look around nearby. She might have gone for a walk and lost her way.

At last, he changed into his riding gear and stepped out of his room. As he hurried down the corridor, a small figure blocked his path.

“Father! I have something to tell you.”