WARDV11

CHAPTER 11

“That… That can’t be. Please check again properly. She said she bought it here.”

Even with the staff double-checking the serial number, there was no record of the necklace in the boutique’s catalog.

Élise’s face flushed with panic when she realized her necklace was a counterfeit.

I interjected with a deliberately sympathetic tone.

“Oh dear, how unfortunate. They say there are a lot of fakes being sold lately, imitating boutique designs. That’s why people warn against buying second-hand items outside the store.”

Of course, if she had actually purchased it from the boutique, it would’ve been impossible for it to be a fake.

‘Which means… Feydan knowingly gave her a counterfeit and passed it off as genuine.’

It also meant he betrayed me over a cheap, fake token of affection.

I smirked bitterly and gently returned the necklace to Élise.

“Still, I’m sure you’ll treasure it, right? After all, the person who gave it to you wanted you to have something special. That feeling doesn’t change, even if the necklace was a fake.”

Élise’s shoulders began trembling with shame as the truth sank in—she had just flaunted a counterfeit in front of everyone.

Then, to make matters worse, one of the clueless staff members chimed in cheerfully.

“Do you remember where you purchased it? We’re trying to trace the vendors since counterfeit goods have become such a problem lately—”

“How would I know that?!”

Élise snapped, unable to contain her frustration, but quickly seemed to realize her mistake. She lowered her voice, forcing a calmer tone.

“…It wasn’t me who bought it. I’ll ask and get back to you with the details.”

With that excuse, she fled the room in a flustered rush.

See? You should’ve just left earlier when I gave you the chance.

I snorted under my breath as I watched her retreating figure, then turned to the madam.

“As for the necklace, let’s go with blue diamonds—but in a different design than that one, of course. And now, may I look at the dresses?”

As I stepped out of the room with the madam—

I heard Élise’s voice from not far away.

“Y-Your Grace the Grand Duke!”

I turned instinctively and saw Idris, now wearing an almost-complete suit, standing face-to-face with Élise.

She looked utterly dazed, as if entranced by his presence.

But Idris’s golden eyes were cold as ice as he stared at her—until he spotted me.

At once, his gaze softened.

“Leticia.”

Just hearing my name in his smooth voice startled me.

Ugh. That voice… Every time I hear it, it still makes me flinch a little.

I quickly composed myself and looked up as he strode over to me.

“Will you take a look and tell me what you think? It means nothing if it doesn’t please you.”

It was just an act, of course—but the fact that he’d rushed over to show me his outfit right after changing…

…is kind of cute.

Suppressing a chuckle, I gently took his firm arm.

“It suits you. Though really, what wouldn’t suit you?”

At that moment, I heard Élise’s soft gasp of shock.

Grinning, I tightened my grip around Idris’s arm and spoke clearly:

“Now, will you help me pick out a dress too?”

Idris opened his mouth to reply—but before he could say anything, a sudden commotion broke out at the boutique’s entrance.

Everyone turned their eyes toward the noise.

Then, the door swung open—and in walked a very familiar face.

“What divorce? You think a small quarrel between husband and wife means anything? These wild rumors about my wife are highly offensive. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to buy her a dress.”

It was Feydan.

And behind him, a swarm of reporters surged into the store.

Showing up at a public boutique right after a scandalous headline had hit? He had to know journalists would be tailing him.

He must’ve wanted to show the world what a loving, devoted husband he is.

Too bad for him—he never imagined I would be here. And certainly not with my new lover.

Still holding Idris’s arm firmly, I called out to my darling husb— no, ex-husband-to-be.

“Feydan?”

At my voice, every eye in the room—Feydan’s and the reporters’ alike—turned toward me.

The sight of me, standing with Idris, sent visible shockwaves through the crowd.

But the one who seemed most shaken of all was—

“…Leticia?”

—none other than Feydan himself.