The Art of Reforming Villainous Men - Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Translator: Yonnee
—
Millein didn’t even glance in Adeline’s direction and simply continued his conversation with the acquaintance beside him.
A thorough, absolute disregard. Quite literally.
In the shock that froze her like ice, Adeline realized.
—…I see.
Millein was no longer the person she had once known.
They could no longer return to the warm relationship they’d shared in the past.
Only then did Adeline begin to consider that the rumors she had denied might actually be true.
‘Well, even so…’
She never imagined he would show up again, and this time to bring ruin to her house.
Still, thanks to Millein’s own confession, she was at least fortunate to know that the fall of House Zeller had all begun with him.
‘The first thing I need to deal with is Millein.’
That was why Adeline involved Jack and made him her lover.
They would be signing a contract anyway, so why go so far as to kiss him and pretend to be in a relationship?
There was only one reason.
‘To make Millein and Jack keep each other in check.’
So from the moment she brought Jack to the tearoom, Adeline had been anticipating this very moment.
Jack, kissing her.
And Millein, witnessing it.
‘Now Millein will keep an eye on Jack.’
And since Jack had a stake in House Zeller as collateral, he wouldn’t dare think of joining hands with Millein to bring the house down.
Of course, if the plan failed, there was a risk that House Zeller could end up completely in Jack’s hands.
‘But I already have insurance prepared for that side, so it’s fine for now.’
Adeline recalled the conversation she had with Jack before the kiss.
—Unbelievable. You’re saying you’ll marry me?
—Do you dislike the idea that much? If you have feelings for, you’re free to tell me.
—…There’s no such person.
Before denying her words, Jack furrowed his brows and fell into a brief silence.
It could have been taken as a sign of displeasure, but Adeline knew the real reason.
‘Because Jack has someone he’s in love with.’
It wasn’t a story that needed much explaining.
In the three years since Adeline’s marriage, Jack had never been involved with anyone.
Considering the libertine nature of Crawford’s high society, that was quite the anomaly, enough that someone once asked him about it.
—Did you get your thing cut off or something? With so many lovely young ladies around, I’ve never heard a single rumor. Do you even know what love is?
In response to that crass joke, Jack unexpectedly spoke up.
—I know it. I’ve had a long-standing first love. But now she’s a respectable lady, so I can’t even dream of approaching her.
There are, from time to time, noblewomen who avoid promiscuity and dislike keeping lovers.
No need to look far. Adeline herself was one of them.
So Jack’s confession stirred high society for quite some time.
‘That such a successful, wealthy man has long harbored unrequited love for a married woman.’
For gossip-mongers, it was the perfect morsel.
And the fact that the cold-blooded Jack turned out to be a hopeless romantic only made the twist more tantalizing.
For Adeline, it was an especially fortunate development.
‘As long as Jack has someone he loves, he won’t want to marry me.’
If possible, it might even be best to find that woman and bring her and Jack together.
So what remained was…
Knock knock.
At that moment, a knock came from behind, followed by a familiar low voice.
“Milady, I’m coming in.”
Click. The door opened, and near-silent footsteps entered the room.
Even then, Adeline continued to face away from the door, staring only at the blonde woman in the mirror.
That face, once full of cold indifference, turned as she shifted her body…
With a gentle, naïve smile.
“What is it, Carlisle? It’s quite late.”
Standing before her was a man with long flaxen hair, tied to one side with a black satin ribbon.
His name was Carlisle Devay.
The loyal butler of House Zeller.
The man who would betray the house three years later.
And.
The man who would leave Adeline with the deepest wound.
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