The Art of Reforming Villainous Men - Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Translator: Yonnee
—
Of course, given that Jack had been managing the Zeller family’s assets, his frequent visits to the ducal residence were not particularly surprising.
However, a visit at such a late hour was hardly appropriate.
Already unable to sleep due to a marriage she had no desire for, Adeline’s displeasure was evident as she responded.
—I have to. You know as well as I do, Mister Hatzfeld, that there’s no other way to resolve this debt. Of all the people I sought out, Julian was the only one willing to pay that sum.
—Are you certain there was no one else? Not a single person?
—That’s right.
Men who could casually throw away such an exorbitant sum, yet had nothing but money and ambition, were hardly common.
Most were disqualified from the start.
Adeline had barely come to terms with this inescapable reality, yet now, for some reason, this man had appeared to make her even more unsettled.
—I fail to see the point of your question, Mister Hatzfeld. Unless—are you offering to pay off my debt in his place?
—If I were, would you marry me instead—right now?
—…What?
—Why not? You’re marrying Julian McKenney for his money anyway.
At the unexpected words, Adeline was momentarily at a loss for words.
Jack’s tone as he spoke of marriage was looser, rougher than usual.
She couldn’t be certain, but he might have been drinking.
Because of that, it was difficult to tell whether he was serious or joking.
It would have helped if she could at least read his expression.
But they stood in the darkness, and the shadows cast across Jack’s face made him look just as cold and ruthless as ever.
As Adeline, still caught off guard, failed to respond, a short silence stretched between them.
Then, Jack let out a quiet scoff.
—…The bride-to-be looks like she’s about to fall apart. You should fix that expression—it was just a joke.
Before she realized it, Jack had stepped in closer.
His fingertips lightly tapped her stiff cheek.
Only then did his face come into clear view—just as indifferent and composed as ever.
—Unfortunately, I’m done cleaning up after your father.
—…Hah.
The breath she had been holding escaped as a hollow laugh.
—So you came all the way here, on the night before my wedding, just to say that, Mister Hatzfeld?
Even as a joke, this was in no way amusing.
Annoyed, Adeline slapped away the hand that had touched her cheek.
—If you’re not here to help, then stop talking about my marriage. I’m not in the mood for jokes.
—…Is that so.
Jack’s gaze lingered briefly on the hand she had pushed away.
By then, his tone had already returned to its usual, measured coldness.
He pulled something from inside his coat and set it down in front of her.
—My resignation. The contract for asset management was with His Grace, Duke Diego Zeller, and now that he’s gone, the contract is void. There’s no reason for me to be here any longer.
Congratulations on your marriage, Adeline.
With those parting words, Jack left.
And after that night, Adeline never saw him again.
‘I never imagined we’d meet again under those circumstances.’
In truth, even now, if Jack so desired, he could single-handedly bring down the Zeller family.
With his vast wealth and the insider knowledge he had gained as the family’s asset manager, he held more power over the duchy than anyone else.
In the past, the naïve Adeline had trusted Jack without question.
But now.
‘Jack knows better than anyone the current state of the Zeller Duchy.’
That meant that if she could turn him to her side, he would be the strongest ally she could possibly have.
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