The Art of Reforming Villainous Men - Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Translator: Yonnee
—
In noble families, it is generally the head of the household who handles the family’s affairs.
However, there is one exception.
A title can be revoked without going through the head of the household only when the bank files for the family’s bankruptcy.
And that process begins with the submission of documents concerning the family’s ability to repay its debts.
“A household that can’t even repay its debts, pretending to be nobility. Don’t you find that laughable?”
When a bank files for a noble family’s bankruptcy, it’s essentially a request for an assessment of the family’s qualifications as nobility.
In this case, the once-prestigious Zeller Duchy was revealed to be a façade, with nothing to its name but a mountain of debt—its disgrace laid bare for all to see.
“The imperial family has decided to revoke the Zeller Ducal title and put all House Zeller’s assets up for auction. The creditors need their money, after all.”
The Zeller Ducal title was revoked.
House Zeller was no longer a ducal house or even a noble family.
Moreover, the mansion, which had been held as collateral by the bank, along with all remaining assets, had already been auctioned off.
To summarize it in a single sentence—
“Do you understand now? The Zeller Duchy no longer exists.”
The Zeller Duchy, which Adeline and her father had devoted their lives to protecting, had vanished.
Now, Adeline was the only one left bearing the Zeller name.
“To inform you of one more thing—the revoked title has been granted to me.”
Not as the Zeller Ducal title, but under a new name: the Latif Ducal title.
“And the mansion that was auctioned off has been purchased by Mister Jack Hatzfeld, standing right here.”
Jack, who had managed the Zeller family’s assets in the past, had already been an up-and-coming businessman at the time, steadily growing his fortune.
Currently, Jack’s wealth ranked among the top three in the capital, so purchasing the Zeller mansion was hardly a burden for him.
Jack stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Adeline, who stood frozen in shock.
His cold gaze, filled with disdain, was fixed on her, and his face, sharp as a sheer cliff, twisted into a crooked smile.
“I’m not sure if you remember, Adeline Zeller, but we often met in this mansion when your father was still alive. Ah, now that I think about it, there was that one night too.”
The night before your wedding.
“I remember thinking how beautiful this mansion was, and how I’d like to own it one day. I never imagined I’d acquire it under these circumstances.”
His voice, low and menacing, slashed through Adeline’s insides like a blade.
His tone, his smile, his gaze—everything exuded the composure of a victor.
At the same time, it was a clear expression of ridicule and contempt directed at her.
“…No.”
Grinding her teeth, a suppressed voice escaped from Adeline’s lips.
“That can’t be. Something must be wrong.”
Adeline had only been away for two weeks.
And yet, in that short time, the Zeller family had declared bankruptcy, and its title, property, and mansion had all fallen into someone else’s hands?
“If the bank intended to submit documents to the imperial family, they would have contacted the Zeller Duchy first. If there had been an evaluation of qualifications, there’s no way I wouldn’t have known.”
Everything Millein had said couldn’t have happened without the knowledge of the Zeller family.
And during the two weeks that Adeline had been away from the capital—
Someone had been managing the mansion on her behalf as acting head of the household.
“…Carlisle Devay.”
Carlisle, the loyal butler who, like Adeline, had devoted his life to the Zeller family.
He was the person who had provided immense support in maintaining the Zeller family.
He was even considered one of the key pillars holding up the household.
Because of Carlisle’s unwavering loyalty, Adeline had entrusted him with managing the family affairs while she was away.
He had witnessed firsthand all the efforts she had made to protect the Zeller Duchy, so she had believed that he would never stand idly by and let the family collapse.
Want to read more? Advanced chapters are available on Patreon! (for selected novels only)
≪ Discord ≫
≪ Novel Updates ≫
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
