The Art of Reforming Villainous Men - Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Translator: Yonnee
—
‘Even three years from now, Jack’s true identity remains unknown.’
Despite making a name for himself as an immensely wealthy investor and moving freely through high society, Jack’s background had remained a mystery.
The only thing known about him was that he was from the Mathes Principality.
But if Jack truly had a status so secure that he lacked for nothing, would he have needed to leave his homeland and settle in Crawford?
‘Besides, three years from now, Jack will buy the auctioned Zeller manor.’
No matter how wealthy he was, the fact that he had left his country, lived elsewhere for years, and even went as far as purchasing a grand manor…
It all pointed to one conclusion: he had no intention of returning to his homeland.
So.
“Mister Hatzfeld, if you intend to continue operating in the Crawford Empire, there’s no status more secure than the Zeller Duchy. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Jack would not be able to refuse this proposal.
To claim the Zeller Ducal House itself as collateral—who else would dare to come up with such an idea?
‘At the very least.’
Only the Duke of Zeller could.
* * *
Jack Hatzfeld was feeling uncharacteristically shaken for the first time in a while.
‘Adeline Zeller.’
Was the woman standing before him truly the same Adeline he had known all this time?
Up until now, Jack had always defined her in a single way.
A woman who lived by predictable rules, never straying from expectations.
‘A noble lady who had only just graduated from the academy.’
One who, despite her family’s ruin, continued to uphold textbook ideals of nobility and pride as if they were absolute truths.
A swan gliding gracefully over a lake, noble and pristine.
A jewel displayed in a glass case, shining only because of the gazes upon her.
That was Adeline.
And yet—
That very Adeline had just interfered with his plans.
Somehow, she had uncovered a secret that only Jack and Warwick knew, and now, she was standing before him with this ridiculous proposal.
“If I fail to repay the money I receive from you within a year.”
If she became unable to repay her debt to Jack—
“Then I will marry you and transfer full authority over the Zeller Duchy to you. Including the title of ‘Duke’ itself.”
“…Unbelievable. You’re saying you’ll marry me?”
“Do you dislike the idea that much?”
When Jack scoffed in disbelief, Adeline cautiously studied his expression.
“If there’s someone you have feelings for, you’re free to tell me.”
At that, Jack’s brows furrowed.
“There is no such person. More importantly, why should I trust your proposal?”
“Didn’t I just ask you to become my lover? I’ll be your lover until I repay the investment.”
To put it plainly, it was a contractual relationship.
“Think of it as a kind of guarantee. If I’m your lover, no one would question it if we ended up married.”
After all, who’s to say?
“There may be others eyeing your ‘collateral’ as well.”
“…Hah.”
At Adeline’s remark, Jack let out a slow, languid laugh.
A laugh closer to derision than amusement.
“So if you can’t repay the money, you’ll become my wife?”
“That’s right.”
“This just keeps getting more absurd.”
Jack’s lips curled into a smirk, but there was no trace of amusement in his voice.
“The Adeline Zeller I know would never have made a proposal like this.”
His voice trailed off, sharp eyes lazily scanning her from head to toe.
Her golden hair, cascading to her waist.
Her feline-like upturned eyes.
The deep green irises, a symbol of the Zeller family, framed by delicate yet striking features.
And the curves of her body, barely concealed by her black dress.
His gaze wasn’t just observing—
It was devouring.
A brazen, predatory stare, with no attempt to hide his intentions.
His eyes lingered on the tips of her polished shoes before trailing back up to her face.
Despite his deliberate, provocative scrutiny, her expression remained unchanging.
“Did you suddenly grow up in the time I wasn’t looking?”
“…Something like that.”
Adeline answered smoothly.
After all, she had returned from three years into the future.
So it wasn’t entirely untrue.
Had it been the same Adeline from three years ago, even this one glance from Jack would have felt like an unbearable humiliation.
But now, there was nothing she couldn’t do.
Even if it meant taking the hand of the very man who once helped bring down her family.
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