Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 17

“Have you seen Margot anywhere?” Brianna asked.

One of the children pointed towards the castle. “She went that way a while ago.”

“By herself?”

“Yes.”

What is she up to now?

Lately, Margot had been trying to uncover Brianna’s secrets, though she thought she was being discreet, it was painfully obvious to Brianna. Despite her efforts, Margot hadn’t found anything, and her frustration had been growing.

She’ll probably give up eventually.

As Brianna turned to leave, she remembered that the castle was currently empty because of the festival.

“…Oh no.”

“What’s wrong, sis?” one of the children asked.

Brianna smiled warmly at the child. “Nothing, just need to check on something. Enjoy the festival with your friends.”

Brianna quickly made her way towards her room, hoping Margot wasn’t doing anything too invasive. However, as she arrived, she found Margot just exiting her room.

“Ah!”

Margot looked like she had seen a ghost and quickly hid something behind her back. Brianna, trying to control her rising anger, asked calmly, “Why are you coming out of my room?”

“Oh, um… I needed a sewing needle urgently. Sorry, I should have asked for permission, but you weren’t around.”

“What’s that paper you’re hiding behind your back?”

Margot stepped back, eyes wide with fear. “It’s mine!”

“Margot, I asked what it is. I didn’t ask if it was yours.”

Margot chewed her lip, unable to come up with a further excuse. Brianna grabbed her arm firmly.

“Come with me.”

Once they were in the secluded courtyard, Brianna released her grip and swiftly took the paper from Margot.

“Hey!”

As expected, it was the document where Dowager Countess Linares had transferred her copyrights to Brianna. Brianna’s calm gaze demanded an explanation, but Margot responded with indignation instead.

“Fine, I went through your room. So what? Got a problem with that?”

“You think there’s no problem with stealing?” Brianna held up the document, causing Margot to sneer.

“Technically, it’s not stealing. It’s securing evidence of your wrongdoing.”

“Wrongdoing? What are you talking about?”

“Come on, admit it. You’ve been secretly siphoning off the madam’s wealth, haven’t you? This document is proof!”

Margot’s accusation was so outrageous that Brianna couldn’t help but laugh.

Margot had always been suspicious of Brianna’s intentions, believing her kindness was a facade to gain favor and wealth from the Dowager Countess. But she hadn’t realized Margot’s distrust had reached this extent.

“And how would you know that? You can’t even read.”

“Oh, you think you’re so smart, don’t you? Even if I can’t read, I can recognize a contract when I see one. And it had both your signatures! What other reason could there be for a contract between you and the madam?”

“Do you really think the madam is so easily fooled? That she’d be deceived by me?”

Margot scoffed. “Humph, no matter how smart someone is, their mind becomes dull with age, affecting their judgment.”

“Margot, watch your mouth. I won’t tolerate you insulting the madam.”

“Still pretending to be so righteous. Aren’t you tired of it?”

Margot’s tone turned outright mocking. “What’s the matter? Tried cozying up to Master Florian in the capital and didn’t get the response you wanted? So now you’re after the madam’s money?”

Talking to Margot felt like talking to a wall. Brianna decided to end the pointless conversation.

“Enough. I’ll let this go, but don’t ever do it again.”

“No.”

“What?”

Margot grinned wickedly. “Yeah, I might be illiterate, but that’s why we should take this to the Count. He’ll tell us exactly what this contract says.”

Seeing Brianna’s face turn pale, Margot felt a rush of satisfaction.

I knew it. There’s something in that contract she doesn’t want anyone to see. If it was nothing, she wouldn’t be so afraid to show it.

She had finally found Brianna Everett’s weak spot.

“What’s the matter? You were so confident a moment ago. Let’s go to the Count together.”

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely! So, hand it over!”

Margot lunged at Brianna, trying to snatch the document. Brianna twisted away, pushing Margot back with all her strength, but Margot wasn’t giving up. The struggle continued until—

Clap, clap, clap!

Loud clapping came from the direction of the garden. Margot turned around in fright.

“Who’s there?” she shouted.

A figure slowly rose from a dark bench and walked towards them. As the face became visible, Margot gasped in horror.

“M-M-Madam…”

With an expressionless face, Dowager Countess Linares looked over the two of them, then curled her lips into a faint smile.

“Sorry for interrupting your conversation. But I thought it was rude to continue eavesdropping.”

She heard everything?

Margot retraced her words in her mind.

What did I say earlier? Something about old age affecting judgment…

“P-Please forgive me, madam! I didn’t mean it! Really!”

Margot dropped to her knees, trembling. Her hands, pressed against the ground, shook uncontrollably as she waited for the Dowager Countess’s response.

Of all times, she had to overhear now. Or maybe that wretched Brianna led her here on purpose?

You wicked bitch!

“You’re right, Margot,” the Dowager Countess said, surprisingly softly. “Old age does affect one’s mind. My judgment has indeed become clouded.”

Margot’s hope flickered. Maybe the Dowager Countess would let her off lightly.

But then the Dowager Countess’s voice turned icy. “My judgment was so clouded that I made a grave mistake—keeping you here.”

Margot looked up, stunned. The Dowager Countess’s eyes, far from being dulled by age, were sharp and cold.

“I knew you were troubling Brianna, but I let it go because you two were childhood friends. I thought childhood bonds could be a source of strength. I realize now that I was wrong.”

“Madam…” Margot whispered, panic rising.

“First, let’s correct two things. Brianna didn’t approach Florian; it was the other way around. He’s liked her since childhood.”

The Dowager Countess glanced at the document in Brianna’s hand.

“Second, while it is a contract transferring some of my assets to Brianna, I forced it upon her. She didn’t steal it—I gave it to her.”

Margot’s jaw trembled. She had been raised and nurtured by the Dowager Countess, but to be told that she had not only favored Brianna but also given her part of her wealth…

Why? Out of all the maids, why was Brianna so special?

“And you tried to steal it, so you must face the consequences of touching my property.”

“Your property?” Margot repeated, confused.

“I wrote that contract with my own hands, so it belongs to me. Don’t you agree, Margot?”

Margot’s face turned pale. Stealing from Brianna might have led to public disgrace, but stealing from the Dowager Countess? That could mean imprisonment.

“But I’ll give you a chance, considering our history.”

The Dowager Countess removed a ring from her finger and threw it towards Margot. The ring hit her and fell to the ground, spinning on the dirt before coming to a stop.