My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 161

Thierry paused for a moment. It wasn’t because he was unsure of what to say, but rather a strategic move to capture Ethan’s full attention.

“Let’s make a deal.”

“A deal?”

“His Majesty said he’d grant Dumont ‘a portion’ of the confiscated lands. But I’m certain it’ll be an insignificant parcel. His Majesty wouldn’t want Dumont to grow any more powerful than it already is.”

Ethan stared silently at Thierry.

“That’s why it’s in Dumont’s interest to negotiate with me directly. His Majesty wants this matter settled quietly, and if you agree, Duke Dumont, everything can be resolved cleanly.”

“So what exactly are you proposing?”

“Tell His Majesty that you don’t wish for severe punishment. Say that this matter has been resolved by mutual agreement. In return, I’ll cede Marlen and Suiden to Dumont.”

In terms of land area, Marlen and Suiden made up only about a quarter of what the Girard dukedom held. But in terms of resources, they were the most valuable. Ethan surely knew this well.

Yet his face remained not just impassive, but icy.

“Is that all?”

“Of course, I’ll also pay a generous settlement. Far more than what you’d receive through the imperial court.”

Thierry continued speaking before Ethan could respond.

“I’ll also disband the intelligence division. And I’ll give my word that we’ll never again plot anything against Dumont. That was the root cause of all this to begin with.”

“……”

Ethan said nothing. Not even his expression or gaze revealed anything. Thierry felt his lips going dry with unease.

“Of course, everything I’ve said so far is just our proposal. If there’s anything else you want, say it. We’re willing to negotiate.”

At that, Ethan finally opened his mouth. “There is something I want.”

“What is it?”

“The complete downfall of House Girard.”

“……”

Thierry’s face hardened.

Ethan continued in a slow voice, “You thought you could sway me with land or money? You’ve underestimated me. I already have more than enough of both. Even if you offered your entire domain, not just Marlen and Suiden, I’d still refuse.”

There wasn’t even the faintest hint of a sneer on Ethan’s lips. He looked Thierry straight in the eye and asked, “Is that all you had to say?”

“……”

In truth, he hadn’t been entirely unprepared for this response.

Even during the trial, it had been clear how deeply Ethan Dumont had sharpened his blade over the years. Given the grudge and hatred he held for House Girard, it would’ve been strange if he accepted such terms so easily.

“So be it,” Thierry muttered quietly.

“Giving up?”

“Hardly. I simply thought a peaceful resolution would be better for both sides…”

Thierry raised his head and looked at Ethan again.

“I have proof that the Duchess of Dumont had an affair. If you don’t want that revealed, you’d best accept my offer.”

“……”

There was still no change in Ethan’s expression. Without blinking, he replied, “Surely you don’t mean Liam Bernard.”

Thierry let out a short laugh. “Of course not. This is far more recent. I have letters exchanged between the Duchess and her secret lover. Handwriting experts have already confirmed that the handwriting belongs to her.”

Thierry continued in a composed tone, “You don’t have to believe me. The moment I give the word, copies will be delivered to every newspaper in the capital. You’ll be able to read the names and contents for yourself in tomorrow’s paper—unless you make the right choice right now.”

“……”

Ethan stared at Thierry in silence, then said, “You said it was more recent than Bernard?”

“Yes. You might assume there was no opportunity because she was under watch and restriction, but women—once they set their minds to it—”

Ethan cut him off mid-sentence, muttering, “Then you must mean Alberto Butchi.”

“……”

Thierry instinctively stiffened.

Alberto Butchi was the alias Nicolas had used when approaching the Duchess.

“Or should I say, Nicolas Sadun?”

“……”

At Ethan’s added words, Thierry felt a cold sweat running down his back.

When Nicolas first reported the matter to Marlon, Marlon had said, “It might be a trap set by Dumont, so let’s observe for now.”

Unfortunately, it seemed his father’s instincts had been right on the mark.

“You seemed to think you had quite the trump card. How unfortunate. Neither I nor Camille are as careless as you assumed.”

“…It’s still too early to declare victory. As I said, that letter was written by the Duchess herself. Once it becomes public, no matter what Dumont says to deny it, people won’t believe it. It’s the perfect kind of gossip for the masses to devour.”

In truth, the accuracy of such rumors didn’t matter. The higher and more well-known the target’s status, the more people indulged in scandal.

“So if I want to protect Camille’s reputation, I should take your deal? That’s the best card you’ve got?”

Thierry silently stared at Ethan.

He knew this was a desperate move. But with his back against the wall, he had no other options. The idea to use Nicolas had come to him like grasping at straws.

He hadn’t ruled out the possibility that the letter was a trap. Even then, he’d concluded that threatening to expose it was his only choice.

Ethan was deeply attached to his wife. Some men committed incomprehensible acts for the women they loved. Thierry could only hope Ethan was one of them.

Ethan said quietly, “Too bad. Things won’t go the way you want.”

“…So you don’t care if your wife is branded with a disgraceful reputation?”

“Of course I don’t. Because it’s not going to happen in the first place.”

“Are you certain? I’ve instructed them to send the letters to the newspapers the moment I become unreachable after this visit. No matter how fast you act, you’ll be too late.”

It wasn’t a bluff. Even cornered as he was, Thierry had planned at least that far ahead.

“I doubt it. I already have that letter in my possession.”

At Ethan’s quiet reply, Thierry froze.

“…What? That’s impossible. The letter should be—”

“With Nicolas Sadun. Not your secretary. And it was probably Nicolas who volunteered to deliver the letters to the papers, right? Figuring that would make him less likely to be intercepted.”

“……”

No way.

His lips formed the words, but no sound came. His throat had gone dry.

“That’s right.”

It was all thanks to Camille.

Ethan recalled something she had said just before the trial.

“Thierry Girard will use every trick he can to win this trial. Do you remember the name Nicolas Sadun? The intelligence agent I mentioned before.”

“The one who approached you, pretending to fall for you?”

Camille nodded. “He has a handwritten letter from me. Thierry might try to use it, so we should act first. Let’s try persuading Nicolas.”

“Persuade him? With money?”

“No. I have a more certain way. Actually…”

Thierry, now pale, stared blankly into space. He seemed to have forgotten that Ethan was even there.

‘He did put up a decent fight, but in the end, he’s nothing like his father.’

Ethan stood and stepped closer to the bars.

“Let me tell you one more thing you didn’t know.”

“……”

At Ethan’s words, Thierry looked up at him in a daze. Ethan whispered quietly, “Nicolas Sadun is actually your half-brother. Marlon kept him close because of that.”

“……”

Thierry’s eyes flew wide open.

Leaving the stunned Thierry behind, Ethan turned and walked out of the prison.

***

“Ethan.”

I rose to greet Ethan as he entered. Smiling, he placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

“How did it go?”

“Perfectly. Everything went exactly according to your plan.”

As he spoke, Ethan glanced to the side of the room. There stood Mael and Jacques—and one more person.

It was Nicolas.