Please Support My Revenge - Chapter 46

The next day, Lobelia left the hotel dressed in what could only be described as the quintessential attire of a typical noblewoman: a pleated skirt, a white blouse, and a cape.

The front of the hotel was busier than usual, as almost every aristocrat in Merdanion was boarding their carriages to attend the Countess of Evion’s party.

There was one and only one reason they were all attending the Countess of Evion’s party.

To catch a glimpse of Jade Ferrado.

“It seems everyone’s faces are practically sparkling with anticipation,” Lobelia murmured to Joel as they climbed into their carriage.

“Is it really alright if I escort you today?” Joel asked nervously as he lifted Lobelia into the carriage.

“It’s unavoidable. Jeremius, the Duke of Ferrado, must make an appearance with me,” Lobelia said, smoothing her skirt with her hand as she settled into the carriage seat.

Today, Joachim also decided to attend the party. If he was going to show his face at the party, it was only natural that he should be with Jade, not Catherine. So, today, Joel was assigned as Lobelia’s escort.

Of course, besides Joel, there were other miners discreetly following Lobelia, protecting her from behind. There was no more trustworthy security inside Merdanion than these miners.

“Let’s go!” Joel called out to the coachman in a slightly awkward tone. The carriage proceeded smoothly and arrived in front of the Countess of Evion’s villa.

“I can’t go in, can I?” Joel asked, looking up at the lavishly decorated villa of the Countess of Evion with a dejected expression.

“Unfortunately not,” Lobelia replied, and Joel’s face fell in an instant.

Lobelia left the carriage in Joel’s care and was swept away by the other nobles as they entered the villa.

“Viscount Sanders is here! Lord Moun is here! Lady Selena…!”

The announcer’s voice was drowned out by the clamor of people, so Lobelia couldn’t see her. She was relieved that, just like last time, she didn’t attract much attention. Regardless, she discreetly entered the hall.

Luckily, today, the Legritina siblings were absent. Perhaps they hadn’t arrived yet, but regardless, it was fortunate that she could secure a seat first.

Lobelia made her way to a secluded corner of the party hall, where there happened to be a sofa hidden behind the draperies. The sofa was occupied by elderly individuals who seemed weary from active participation in the social event, and they paid little attention to Lobelia.

There, Lobelia comfortably settled in and observed the faces of those entering the party.

The Legritina siblings were nowhere to be seen (the elderly folks had murmured that they had left the capital a few days ago). The Count and Countess of Evion entered along with Marlon and Aina.

Lastly, in the final procession, Jade Ferrado made his entrance.

“Oh my, he really is the Duke of Ferrado!”

“So it was true that he came to Merdanion!”

“Why do you think he came? Investment in the mines? Or is it something else special?”

“It’s probably the mines. There’s nothing more to see in Merdanion.”

As soon as Jade appeared, the nobility’s attention was entirely focused on him.

Jade wore a slightly annoyed expression but sincerely answered the nobles’ questions. To succeed in any endeavor in Merdanion, he needed the favorable gaze of the resident nobility.

Lobelia noted that Marlon cast a suspicious glance at Jade but didn’t approach him. Ever since Jade had taken Lobelia as his lover, Marlon had been wary of him, which was quite expected.

However, what surprised her was…

“Aina doesn’t seem interested in Duke Ferrado.”

It was Aina. Given her penchant for seeking attention from anyone and anywhere, Lobelia had expected her to be the first to approach and strike up a conversation with Jade. However, Aina didn’t spare Jade a single glance.

Aina seemed to disregard Jade and was busy moving around the party, searching for something. She lifted draperies, scrutinized servants closely, and when she saw a red-haired woman, she would strike up a conversation to examine her face closely.

“Could it be that she’s looking for me?”

For a moment, chills ran down Lobelia’s spine. She had no idea what Aina’s intentions were in searching for “Catherine Hayard,” but an instinctual warning rang loudly in Lobelia’s mind: “Don’t confront Aina.”

Lobelia kept a careful eye on Aina’s movements and stealthily slipped away from her line of sight. As a result, she naturally blended into the crowd at the party, allowing her to overhear the conversations between the nobles and Jade.

“Why have you come to Merdanion?”

“Seeing that Jeremius Duke is with you, is it an official business visit?”

The nobles continued to barrage Jade with questions.

“No, it’s not an official visit,” Jade replied, and the nobles exchanged meaningful glances.

“Then it’s…?”

“That’s right. Ferrado is considering expanding its business into various fields.”

“Oh my!”

Jade’s revelation had the nobles buzzing with excitement.

“Does that mean the mines…”

At that moment, someone grabbed Lobelia’s arm, and she could no longer eavesdrop on Jade and the nobles’ conversation.

“Isn’t this Miss Catherine?”

Lobelia was about to react to the person who had grabbed her arm, but she restrained herself.

It was Marlon.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

Marlon grinned, and Lobelia felt a shiver run down her arm from the touch of his hand.

“It’s been a while, Viscount Evelentia,” Lobelia replied with an awkward smile as she twisted her arm free from Marlon’s grasp.

“Have you been well? I sent a letter through Lord Rohan, but you know, seeing you in person is another matter…”

As Marlon rambled on, Lobelia noticed Aina giving them a curious look from a distance. Gradually, the attention of the people around them started to shift towards their conversation, though not as intensely as it had been focused on Jade.

“I should finish this before Aina comes closer,” Lobelia thought.

With that in mind, she noted Marlon’s gloomy expression, which seemed to be expecting something from her.

“Well, I haven’t been doing all that well, as you probably heard from Lord Rohan,” Lobelia replied. She could see a greedy glint in Marlon’s eyes.

“That’s why I asked you to return the mines to me.”

“I also want to sell the mines, Viscount, but I haven’t been able to resolve the employment issues.”

Marlon burst into laughter at her response, a hearty laugh that had all the nobles who were subtly watching them turning their heads.

Lobelia confirmed that even Jade had shifted his attention this way, along with the other nobles. It was time to get into the heart of the performance.

“If that’s the problem, I’ve taken care of it, so don’t worry!”

“You’ve resolved it?”

Lobelia feigned ignorance, her eyes widening in mock surprise.

Marlon had brought a bag with him, seemingly prepared in advance, and he called for an attendant to fetch it. From the bag, he pulled out a single document.

“This is…”

“That’s right. It’s a document with the signatures of the members who agreed to annul that foolish contract you wrote.”

“How did you manage to obtain this?”

“I persuaded them. With all my heart and sincerity.”

Lobelia inwardly smirked. She already knew from Joel that Marlon had spent a significant amount of money to secure those signatures from the members.

“So, you just need to return that mine to me without any concerns. Shall we go to the lounge to finalize it?”

Just as Marlon was about to lead Lobelia to the lounge, Jade appeared at the opportune moment.

“Are you Miss Catherine Hayard?”

It was the prearranged cue, and Jade arrived just in time.

“Duke Ferrado…”

Marlon turned toward Jade with an uncomfortable smile, his eyes betraying a hint of anxiety.

“It has been a while. Is this the first time you’re seeing me since sending Lobelia away?”

Marlon spoke with feigned nonchalance, pointing towards Lobelia. However, Jade was unfazed by Marlon’s interruption and turned to Lobelia, asking,

“I asked the lady there. Are you Catherine Hayard?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Lobelia spoke with a trembling voice, as if she were overwhelmed by the simultaneous attention of two high-ranking nobles.

“You’re the owner of the Ninth Mine, right? The one who discovered the gold vein in the mine they thought was dead.”

“Yes? Yes.”

Lobelia still appeared flustered as she answered.

“Wait a moment, Duke Ferrado. Miss Hayard and I are—”

Marlon belatedly realized the gravity of the situation and tried to intervene, but it was too late.

Jade spoke in a loud voice, loud enough for all the nobles present to hear.

“I want to buy that mine.”

The party hall instantly buzzed with excitement. The nobles couldn’t hide their curiosity and openly turned their eager gazes toward Marlon and Jade.

Marlon, who missed the opportunity to escape to the lounge with Lobelia, had a dark look in his eyes.

Although he forced a smile, the awkwardness on Marlon’s face was apparent to everyone.

“What do you mean by that?”

Marlon stepped forward as if he were Lobelia’s spokesperson.

Jade raised an eyebrow and, ignoring Marlon, approached Lobelia.

“The story of the gold vein in the Ninth Mine, which Evelentia abandoned, is well-known even in the capital. I heard the rumors and came to Merdanion swiftly.”

Jade extended his hand, as if offering a handshake.

“This wasn’t in the script.”

For a brief moment, Lobelia was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. However, she quickly regained her composure and followed his lead.

“What do you think? I’ll be more generous than Viscount Evelentia. Are you considering selling me the mine?”

“I…”

“Wait, wait! This isn’t how it should be done!”

Just as Lobelia was about to respond, Marlon intervened and separated the two of them.

“That mine belongs to me!”

“But, as of now, it’s believed to be in the possession of Miss Catherine Hayard.”

“Uh…”

Marlon frowned in exasperation.

“Why on earth is Ferrado suddenly interested in the mine? Just yesterday, Ferrado had no involvement in mining operations.”

The other nobles also looked at Jade, seemingly curious. Marlon’s words were valid; Ferrado had shown no prior interest in mining operations, making Jade’s statement seem out of place.

However, Marlon, unfortunately for himself, had just asked the question that Jade and Lobelia had been eagerly waiting for.

With a radiant smile on his face, Jade opened his mouth to reply.

“Do you know? This time, Lobelia has become the Queen’s representative at the palace.”

The nobles, who had only heard Lobelia’s name in rumors, suddenly became agitated.

“Lobelia, is that her name? She used to be Aina’s maid, and then she became the lover of Duke Ferrado.”

“That’s right!”

“But now she’s the Queen’s representative?”

As the nobles whispered, Jade continued.

“But my lover is quite inept when it comes to making money. However, I can’t let the Queen’s representative sit idle, can I?”

Jade shrugged, playing the role of a smitten man. The gasps and sighs of several women were audible in the vicinity.

“So, I want to connect my lover with a profitable business. I think she’d be pleased if I bought the Ninth Mine. Both Lobelia and the Queen.”

Marlon’s face turned an unhealthy shade at Jade’s words.

“This can’t be allowed!”

In the end, Marlon couldn’t contain himself any longer and shouted without regard for decorum.