Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 86
Eleanor first wrote down on a piece of paper the names of people who had visited her room at least once. Given the circumstances, she had no choice but to think that way.
Her family, maids, butler, Adrian, Kaidel and Hildegard who came briefly last time…
There was no one who wasn’t precious. And no one whom she was suspicious of.
“Ah, this is so ridiculous.”
Eleanor looked at the long list and fell down on the desk, holding her head. Her mentality completely collapsed.
They were all people who cared for and supported Eleanor. Her heart ached just because she had to suspect them.
What was even more heartbreaking was that the seeds of doubt had already been sown in Eleanor’s mind.
“The more this happens, the more clearly I have to find out whose deed it is. Otherwise, I will have to be suspicious of everyone.”
Eleanor crossed out her parents’ and Dwight’s names first. No matter how much she thought about it, it made no sense.
Next, Adrian’s name was erased. They were partners in business. It didn’t make logical sense for him to spill her ideas elsewhere.
Finally, she crossed out the names of Kaidel and Hildegard. The two visited before she wrote the business plan.
After that, about ten names of servants remained on the list. They all felt like family and friends after a long time.
As Eleanor was wrapping her head and contemplating, a thought flashed in her mind.
‘Let’s set a trap.’
If someone was leaking Eleanor’s information to the outside world, there was a high possibility that they would secretly reach out again this time. Usually, such behavior doesn’t stop as a one-time thing.
Eleanor reviewed it at the merchant, but she created a plausible plan using an idea that was judged to lack business feasibility. It was a plan that had a fatal weakness even though you would only nod your head as you listen.
“You seem a little busy these days, Ellen.”
“Yes, the children will soon be going to the Academy… I’m looking to see if there are any useful items.”
“Your face has become noticeably pale these past few days. Don’t overdo it and take it easy. Please?”
The next step was to talk quietly. At a dinner gathering with many employees, Eleanor deliberately brought up the story of that business.
Eleanor secretly looked around, yet no one showed any particular reaction.
She returned to the room and deliberately made a mess on her desk. This was to ensure that even if something disappeared, it would not be noticeable.
It’s been two days since the trap was set like that. As there was no output, Eleanor became a little anxious.
‘Was my premise wrong in the first place…?’
Dahlia told her to be careful of her surroundings, but it may have been the work of an outsider. No, this may not be what Dahlia warned about in the first place.
Just as Eleanor’s confidence began to crumble little by little, someone stepped on a trap.
“…Chloe.”
A hallway on a dark evening. Eleanor, who was standing against the wall, checked the face of the person who had sneaked out of her room.
How would she feel if she found out who the culprit was, Eleanor thought the whole time.
Will her anger boil over? Will she be shaken by the feeling of betrayal?
However, when she came face to face with the pure white face, she felt relieved. Eleanor burst into empty laughter.
“M-Miss.”
The paper rustled in Chloe’s trembling hands.
Eleanor looked down at her fist, clenched so hard that the veins bulged, and calmly opened her mouth.
“It seems that we need to talk.”
***
Eleanor entered her room and sat down on the sofa. Her legs felt weak that she found it difficult to stand.
Chloe, pale as a corpse, knelt down in front of Eleanor. She was so trembling that the sound of her teeth chattering could clearly be heard.
‘Should I tell her to get up?’
After thinking for a moment, Eleanor just pursed her lips. She didn’t even have the energy to say that now.
Eleanor, who had been looking down at her in silence for a long time, opened her mouth.
That was what she wanted to ask the most.
“Why did you do that?”
Her calm voice rang throughout the room. It was a voice that wasn’t warm, yet wasn’t cold either.
The moment she heard that voice, thick tears fell from Chloe’s eyes. Something inside her collapsed.
“I needed m-money. I’m so sorry, Miss.”
Chloe fell to the floor, crying, and told what had happened.
Eleanor quietly listened to her excuses.
Father’s debts, private loans, the weight of being the head of the household.
It may have been unthinkable from Chloe’s perspective, but Eleanor knew such things well.
Although Eleanor was a beloved girl from a noble family and was raised well, in her past life, Yeojin grew up going through all kinds of hardships. If her story of hardship were written down, it would be enough to fill a full-length novel.
“I tried to pull my foot away, yet she said she wouldn’t let me. I was too scared to stop. I’m so sorry, miss.”
“You’re sorry…”
Thus Eleanor was able to understand Chloe. But that didn’t make her mistakes go away.
They were together for 5 years. During that time, she asked her how she was every day, chatted with her about trivial things, and she laughed. In an instant, the faith she had built up collapsed like a sand castle.
Eleanor, who had been compiling her thoughts for a while with her arms crossed, suddenly asked.
“Have you prepared all the necessary money?”
Chloe twitched her lips as if bewildered by her words. Eleanor sighed, her face showing that she didn’t know how to respond.
“Be honest.”
“I-It’s still a little…”
Eleanor stood up from the sofa. Chloe winced and clasped her hands together.
She commanded briefly in a low voice.
“Wake up, Chloe.”
Chloe forced her numb legs to stand up. Her knees were shaking.
‘I guess she’s going to hit me in the face.’
Chloe, standing in front of Eleanor, closed her eyes tightly. However, even after waiting, she didn’t feel any stinging pain.
She slowly opened her eyes. Eleanor asked, tilting her head.
“Why are your eyes closed?”
While Chloe was busy, Eleanor handed Chloe some of her papers. Chloe’s eyes widened greatly as she caught her thought. It was her plan that she was trying to steal.
Eleanor gently placed in her hands the few pages that Chloe, who couldn’t read her writing, had left out.
“Bring it to her and get paid.”
“Miss…?”
“Tell her that I put a lot of effort into making it. That I’ve been concentrating on this for weeks.”
Eleanor slightly raised one corner of her lips. It was a business guaranteed to fail. If possible, she wanted her to invest a lot of money.
No matter how wealthy the Duke Izent family was, it was difficult to not suffer any losses if their business failed. Anais must have been boiling inside, as Mözen language textbooks were also selling meager sales.
‘Try rolling it up and eating it.’
Chloe, completely unaware of Eleanor’s true feelings, was shocked and shook her head.
“I-I can’t do that!”
“If you get the money this time, will you be able to roughly pay off your debt?”
Eleanor asked, ignoring the paper Chloe held out to her. She bit her lip and nodded her head.
“Right. Then take it.”
“I-I can’t…”
Eleanor shook her head.
“It’s fine. Bring it to the person who hired you and make sure you get the money you were promised. What I said earlier was also true. Please tell her as it is without making a single mistake.”
Eleanor reminded her of the words she had to say once again.
Chloe hung her head. Tears fell down onto the paper and splashed everywhere.
“I won’t tell the other maids.”
At Eleanor’s words, Chloe raised her head as if she saw a glimmer of hope.
“D-Do you forgive me?”
“No.”
She crossed her arms tightly and stared at her.
She cared about Chloe, and felt sorry for her situation. She had no intention of letting this go.
Chloe shakes the faith that she had once held tightly. She didn’t know how terrible it must have been to have to doubt the people she cared about.
“I can’t keep you by my side. Because I can’t trust you anymore Chloe.”
Eleanor said firmly. Chloe’s heart sank.
“After a week, I will find a suitable excuse to send you out.”
“Miss, please…”
Chloe got down on her knees again. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks.
Yet Eleanor continued her words unwaveringly.
“The person who ordered this may have hired you because she was worried that word would get out. You will live with being banned for a long time, but that is your responsibility.”
Eleanor gave her a reproachful look. Chloe hung her head.
Yes, she brought it all on herself.
Eleanor opened the safe in the drawer. She filled a small pocket with money equivalent to half a year’s wages and handed it out to Chloe.
“It’s severance pay.”
Chloe’s eyes widened.
She gets kicked out for stealing, but severance pay? It was a ridiculous favor.
Chloe shook her head.
“I can’t take it.”
“I’m not giving you money because you’re act kind. It’s money you earned through working, so just take it.”
Eleanor responded coldly, squeezing the pocket into her hand.
Although it was embarrassing and hateful, it was also true that Chloe had been working hard all this time. Eleanor didn’t want to deny everything until then.
“…Don’t use it to pay off debt. I hope you save it separately and use it for yourself when you need it.”
And just a little bit, she felt sorry for her as she felt like she was seeing herself in her past life.
“Make a separate pocket for yourself. I mean, don’t try to sacrifice your whole life.”
Eleanor gave sincere advice. It came from experience.
Tears welled up in Chloe’s eyes.
She passed by her and headed toward the door.
Her mood sank as she recalled her dark past life for the first time in a long time. Her stomach felt tight, as if a rock had been placed on her chest.
Eleanor, who had held on to the doorknob, slowly turned around.
“Chloe.”
Chloe lifted her head and made eye contact with Eleanor. She looked at Chloe in silence for a moment and then parted her lips.
“If you had come to me and been honest, I would have helped you without hesitation. Because you were precious to me.”
“Miss Eleanor…”
Eleanor’s face, which had been almost expressionless the whole time, gradually fell. All the things she had been holding in broke out in tears.
She asked, looking like she was about to burst into tears.
“Have you really not thought of that?”
Eleanor left the room, closing the door. Chloe sat down and shed tears for a long time.
Regret was always too late.