Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 108
Chapter 108
Translator: Effe
Editor: Yonnee
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“Having a vacation in a free, luxurious, and extravagant resort where everything is taken care of is the best.”
It might not be known to the golden-spoon nobles, but for those who had to toil away and work outside to earn money, to put food on the table and maintain a humane lifestyle, this happiness was a hundred percent.
“But, how long will I be here?”
“Do you want to leave? Is my hospitality not enough?”
“It’s not that. I feel like I should go back after Stefan’s witness investigation is over.”
Lina was very cautious as her words might sound like she was asking Claire to let Stefan go.
“When he comes out, he’ll need someone to take care of him.”
“I heard most of Mister Heinz’s employees ran away. Of course, many of them ended up being investigated again,” Claire said cautiously, so as not to scare Lina.
Lina replied with a troubled face.
“You can just tell me, Your Ladyship. Did they all get caught?”
“Um…”
“It can’t be helped. I know. Stefan is in a rivalry with Mister Borjans.”
It wasn’t just about the scandal involving the lotus leaf cigarettes. Lina knew that too.
Stefan used his good looks to manipulate people for his own benefit.
There were those who lavishly sacrificed money to him, those who didn’t care about dirtying their hands. They even raised their hands to maids and intimidated the ballet members.
Still, Lina worried about him. She didn’t even know why she felt that way herself.
“I think Stefan needs to be punished. But… I feel like he might need someone by his side when he receives that punishment.”
“Miss Lina, you have such a strong sense of loyalty?”
“Stefan might not think that way, but I consider him like family. Maybe I have a soft spot for him.”
Lina smiled awkwardly.
“My grandmother was carrying me in her back while she was being chased down by the bad guys when Stefan’s mother rescued her. I’ve been with him in the same house since then.”
“Does that mean you don’t have any other family?”
“Probably not. I’ve asked my grandmother, but she wouldn’t tell me, she said there was nothing good to know. Even when she passed away, Stefan held the funeral with me.”
“I see…”
Claire responded and then mentally flipped through various thoughts like cards before setting them aside.
With her tension eased, Lina spoke peacefully.
“I vaguely remember my mother. I thought she was incredibly beautiful, but I don’t remember her face…”
Lina had tried telling her grandmother that story once. Her grandmother scolded her, with a scary face, to forget it. Then she hugged her and cried. Poor child.
Lina knew objectively that she was in a pitiable situation, but she didn’t think of herself as so unfortunate.
Even if she was completely orphaned and without her grandmother, she wouldn’t have been so unhappy there.
As she listened to the music coming from the stage, all the pain would have been forgotten in an instant.
Claire smiled and said,
“I’m sure your mother must have been beautiful. You’re beautiful too, Lina.”
“W-What, something like me…”
Lina’s face turned bright red.
“No, I’m not joking. It’s so strange that Miss Lina worked in the theater for a long time, and no one has ever told you to step onto the stage.”
“I’ve never heard… Of such a thing. I’ve tried to audition, but Stefan told me I didn’t have the talent…”
Lina mumbled.
While Claire maintained a smiling facade, in her heart she roared like thunder.
This made it clear now. This man was either the worst-case of a gaslighting boyfriend or the best-case of a gaslighting older brother. From worst to best, it was just as bad.
She had just naturally intended to bring up the story about the past, but she was genuinely upset.
So pretty and kind, yet not a single person repaying her kindness?
“Miss Lina, go and debut.”
“What?”
“Well, I was going to bring up this topic anyway. I was planning to twist it a little before I brought it up because there’s a natural order to things.”
Claire grabbed her hand and spoke passionately.
“An exclusive contract. As a diamond model. I’ll provide all food, clothing and shelter. I’ll give you 40 million gold as your modeling fee for 10 years.”
“What?”
Not understanding what was being said, let alone having never heard a number like 40 million gold, Lina could do nothing but stare blankly with trembling pupils.
Claire bit her lip and clenched her fist.
“Did I throw out too high a price? I guess you’re still considered a rookie, Miss Lina. Alright, I’ll keep it at 10 million for 20 years under the condition that you remain single until things get better.”
Lina couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“I know you must be joking, Your Ladyship. Just hearing it feels good. If I had 10 million gold, I’d sleep in every day for the rest of my life and do only enjoyable things.”
“Do I seem like someone who jokes about sums like 10 million gold? I’m the owner of the Weaving Guild.”
Amidst the sound of the fountain’s water, Claire’s voice rose sharply.
Lina’s cheeks flushed for no reason. Sensing her eye getting moist, she spoke.
“You’re truly an extraordinary person, Baron.”
“What?”
“If it were someone else in the Baron’s position, they wouldn’t have brought up their owner of a guild status first when saying to trust them. They would have said they were going to be the future Duchess of Klausener.”
“Ah.”
Claire let out a voice as if she had just realized something.
“That’s why I like the Baron.”
Lina said sincerely.
At that moment, they saw a carriage approaching in the distance. It was a carriage bearing the coat of arms of the Schneider County.
Claire thought it was either the Count himself or his eldest son in the carriage.
“It seems like a guest has arrived so I’ll go in first. Is that alright?”
“Oh, of course. Thank you for taking a walk with me.”
Lina politely bowed her head.
Claire turned quickly. Not even the household head of the Schneider County would be able to say anything to the special investigative team that was being formed with the involvement of the Imperial Palace. Perhaps as a preventative measure, that household would ask to silence Levi Times’ mouth.
She was afraid of making Erich speak about it. He was already concerned because of Count Schneider.
‘Levi Times went too far.’
She had not been involved in the outpouring of extras out on the first day. They had already been issued while she was asleep.
At this point, there was no way to erase all the articles while the rotary press was still running. Even if they were deleted, the already printed newspapers would still remain.
So, the plan was to cover up the investigation as originally planned at an appropriate time, focusing on the drug dealer issue.
‘Should I apologize as well?’
She thought she didn’t want to do that as she arrived at the entrance. However, the person getting off the carriage wasn’t the Count or Robert, the Count’s eldest son.
The guards guarding the entrance awkwardly blocked Iris with their bodies.
“His Grace is not meeting anyone today.”
“I heard he would be in the reception room. It’s an open space there. I’ll inform the butler personally.”
“I apologize, Lady Iris.”
“I’m not just anyone who couldn’t visit anytime, am I?”
Claire came at this moment.
“Lady Schneider?”
Claire was slightly surprised. She never thought Iris would come in person.
The guards looked relieved at Claire. They were glad they didn’t have to have a physical altercation with a precious lady.
“What’s going on here?”
“You…!”
Iris fumed and marched toward her with a flushed face.
Claire eagerly awaited what kind of nonsense Iris would spout this time, her heart pounding.
But Iris went straight ahead and slapped Claire across the face.
Slap!
The loud sound made everyone in the mansion entrance freeze.
Even as she took the hit, Claire didn’t immediately understand what had happened at that moment. It was just too absurd.