Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Translator: Effe

Editor: Yonnee

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He tightened the tension once again. Claire took a quick breath. She had thought the bathtub water was hot, but in an instant, the heat surged inside her to the point where it tickled.

Erich’s wet shirt clung to his body. Claire reached out and pulled him closer.

“Strange.”

“What is?”

“I know that there’s a lot of urgency right now, but I don’t want to let go of this moment.”

Claire whispered as she held his arm and pulled him closer.

These expensive silk clothes might get ruined, but they didn’t feel important at all.

Claire placed her hand on his chest. And then, his lips descended again. Erich’s hand, which had been playing with her collarbone, slipped into the water.

Claire suddenly asked,

“By the way, didn’t you have any aftereffects?”

“……”

“I knew it. I’ve been deceived.”

She blurted out as if she were incredulous. Erich responded without even a hint of a smile.

“You knew it was a lie anyway, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t.”

“You didn’t know and yet you fell for it like tha—”

Splash!

Before Erich could finish his sentence, Claire pulled him forcefully.

It wouldn’t have been a big deal to resist, but Erich’s upper body was dragged into the bathtub as if succumbing to her strength.

“Claire.”

“You’re seriously infuriating.”

Claire wrapped her hands around his cheek and lightly brushed her lips against his.

“I guess you must be sincere about this. Allowing someone to enter the bathtub fully clothed.”

“Is that the issue right now?”

“It’s about a question of identity.”

“Ha.”

Despite Erich’s incredulous sound, he entered the bathtub obediently, causing the water to overflow.

Wet strands of hair clung to his forehead. Claire brushed them aside and smiled.

“Now that I’m the patient this time, you should be the one to do your best.”

“Absurd. Is it the time for you to plead with me to do my best because you’re the patient?”

“Ah.”

In the next moment, Claire’s back hit the edge of the bathtub, causing water to surge and overflow once more.

Erich’s hands supported her neck and head to ensure she didn’t hit the water or get bruised.

A wave of heat surged into Claire’s body, hotter than the water.

Her feet splashed the water. It took just a moment for thoughts and words to fly away.

* * *

The scent of sweets filled the Duke’s office.

Claire, with her flushed cheeks from the excessively long bath, indulged in the vanilla éclaire and sweet potato latte placed on the table.

She didn’t even realize she was hungry when she first got up. But as the tension eased and her energy depleted, she found herself craving carbohydrates and sugar like crazy. The request for sweet potato and milk together earned her a strange look from the head chef of the mansion, but Claire ignored the confusion.

“In the end, problems have arisen. Well, considering we had to mobilize the police and fire department.”

To Claire, it felt like a bigger issue than gathering the security department and guards. Of course, she understood how mobilizing an armed group of nobles could be perceived.

Willhelm spoke.

“Chairperson Neumann sent a missive last night. Through the mediation of the imperial family, they plan to establish a special investigation team in the House of Representatives.”

“So, they’re asking for evidence. The investigation team hasn’t been formed yet, right?”

“Not yet. But things have become more difficult.”

“Did they catch Borjans?”

Erich shook his head.

Thomas managed to escape during the fire. Erich was furious that a key figure had slipped by, but with the imperial family and the house of representatives’ surveillance, he couldn’t do as he pleased.

Claire touched her swollen lower lip and was deep in thought.

“We need to find him first. This is undoubtedly connected to high-ranking nobility.”

“We’ll do our best.”

“Once again, it seems like all evidence has been destroyed. Even if the person who started the fire didn’t have that intention.”

“But the ledger is still there. You managed to get it out even in the midst of that.”

“That’s right.”

Claire chuckled.

They can hand over the pawns anytime. The police department and the special investigation team wouldn’t protect such individuals.

Who they needed to capture were the nobles pulling the strings behind the scenes. Yesterday’s arrested organization members may be worthless scoundrels when examined one by one, but compared to the leaders who sat at the top of the pyramid and gathered money, their punishment was at a small-fry level.

Claire spoke.

“But I hope we don’t compromise at a reasonable level.”

Erich faintly smiled. It was a cold smile.

“No way. Even if they say the ledger you brought is genuine, there’s no need to deliberately compromise. We’ve already decided to send someone.”

“Hmm.”

Claire looked at Erich with a slightly strange feeling. It was a bit awkward because she had never seen him get so angry.

“What?”

“What I mean by not compromising was that I hoped the evidence on this side wouldn’t be exposed to the point where it would be better if they didn’t find out… Something like that.”

“Your life was almost in danger. To drag them to the gallows is already enough mercy.”

“Is the crime of messing with a duke’s fiancée that serious?”

Erich gave Claire a stern look. Claire cleared her throat with reddened cheeks.

“Sorry. I just wanted to make sure.”

“It’s fortunate that you know how to apologize.”

“I’m in a weakened state. Cut me some slack.”

Erich gestured for her to come closer. Since she had no intention of going to kiss him in front of others just because she did something wrong, Claire changed the subject.

“Oh, by the way, was Lina handed over to the other side?”

“Lina…? Oh, you mean the maid. Maximillian saw her face, so I arranged for her to be protected. The police department probably won’t know, so there’s no need to inform them.”

“I see.”

Claire breathed a sigh of relief.

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