CHAPTER 89…………………………
Inside the carriage, Adele’s eyes were calm.
All she did was elegantly flip through the papers in her hands without saying a word. Xerox, unable to bear the silence any longer, finally spoke up.
“Are you all right, Adele?”
“Hmm?”
“You just… seem a little tense.”
The truth was, Adele and Xerox had been cold toward each other since the day before. They spoke only when necessary for business—no casual greetings, no friendly small talk.
Given the reason for their distance, it was impossible for either of them to smile.
“Um… about Noella.”
“Stop. I don’t want to hear about her.”
“…Yeah, I know. But she looked really miserable last night. She didn’t sleep a wink.”
“So you were with her the whole time, huh?”
“Ah… well…”
Adele, who had been staring only at her papers, finally shot him a sharp look.
Flustered, Xerox waved his hands and stammered, “It’s not what you’re thinking! I swear! She just asked me to stay for a bit…”
“I’m sure she did.”
“She said she was scared, so I was just going to stay until she fell asleep—but then I fell asleep first…”
His voice was small and full of guilt.
He knew better than to act carelessly, especially before their engagement and with Count Sergio and Adele watching him closely. But when Noella, with tears shimmering in her eyes, clutched his collar, there was little he could do.
“‘You’re leaving too? If even you go, what’ll happen to me…?’ she said, sobbing.”
“I have something important to prepare with Adele,” he’d tried to explain.
“You can do that here, beside me,” she’d pleaded.
“Phew…”
Xerox tugged at his tie and sighed. Adele, watching him with a look of mild disdain, turned back to her papers.
She already knew all the contents, but rereading them was better than watching that pitiful display.
“What exactly do you see in Noella, anyway?”
“Eh? Well…”
“What are you pretending to think about? Is it because she’s pretty?”
“No! It’s not that! Really!”
His flushed denial was so vehement that it almost convinced her it wasn’t about looks after all.
Adele raised her eyebrows, and Xerox, embarrassed, ducked his head and muttered, “It’s just… she looked lonely. Every time I visited your house, she was always by herself.”
“You’ve fallen hard, haven’t you,” Adele murmured under her breath, shaking her head.
It was all a setup, you fool! She knew you were soft-hearted!
But she had no right—or reason—to scold him.
She was a married woman, with a respectable husband. Xerox was merely an old friend.
And besides, once a man truly believes in his feelings, no one else’s words will reach him.
“Well, Xerox, you’re an adult. It’s your choice.”
“Adele…”
“But if you really mean to marry her, don’t forget—you’ll have to take responsibility for everything that comes with it.”
That was the best Adele could offer him—as a friend, and as the successor to their merchant guild.
She had no desire to vent her anger on innocent Xerox when they had more important matters ahead.
When the carriage stopped, Adele gathered her papers.
“Let’s go.”
“Y-Yeah.”
Xerox scrambled after her. Even if she was still cold, her mild tone was enough to make him breathe easier.
Refusing the coachman’s offer of a parasol, Adele adjusted her hat and looked up at the courthouse.
“So this is it,” she murmured.
The place where my dream begins.
For a noble-born lady, there weren’t many occasions to visit a courthouse—but for business like this, she welcomed it.
She’d been here countless times before, following her father. Nearly half of their vast family lands had been won through auctions in this very place.
“There are more carriages than I expected.”
“Well, considering the land in question…”
Xerox glanced at the long line of carriages beside theirs. Practically every influential house and merchant guild in the South had come.
“Still, most of them probably don’t intend to win. They know you’re bidding.”
“Right. They just want to show face—pretend they were part of the big fight.”
Adele smiled faintly, seeing through their motives. The crowd of reporters already gathered outside proved how big this event was.
It was like buying out downtown Gangnam in Seoul—no wonder it drew attention.
Free publicity, huh? Guess they couldn’t resist.
Tomorrow morning’s paper would print the auction results in huge letters, and those people just wanted their names printed nearby.
Annoying, maybe—but not bad.
Better to have a few “competitors” for show than to look greedy doing everything alone.
“Lady Adele—no, Madam! Over here, please!”
“There’s talk you plan to purchase the Marquis of Ranken’s estate on Claude 17th Street! How do you intend to use it afterward? Just one comment, please!”
“…Adele, go on inside. I’ll handle this.”
Before she could take a single step, reporters swarmed forward. Xerox moved to shield her, urging her toward the entrance.
Adele simply checked the ribbon on her hat and turned with a graceful smile.
Stay with me, she signaled with a glance.
“My, my. I didn’t expect such a crowd for something so trivial.”
“Madam! Is it true that you’ll be relocating the Yuden Trading Company headquarters?”
“Well, we can’t say for sure yet. I’m just another bidder like everyone else.”
It was clearly unbelievable, but when Adele spoke, people couldn’t help but listen.
With both hands politely clasped, she looked around at the reporters.
“But if I do win, since this is land rich with southern history, I’ll make sure it’s used in a way that fulfills everyone’s expectations.”
“As expected! And, um—”
“Just one more question, please!”
A reporter in the middle raised his pen high.
“There are rumors of an incident between your younger siblings at the Count Sergio estate yesterday. Could you comment—?”
“You’re from the Southern Weekly, correct?”
“Uh, yes…?”
Even faced with a barbed question, Adele remained elegant.
Her father had once told her: Sometimes, a meaningful smile is more powerful than words.
“Ah, yes, the Southern Weekly. A fine publication.”
“L-Lady…”
“Go on then—what were you saying about my siblings?”
“I-It’s nothing.”
Of course. Anyone who made their living on reputation knew better.
Once Adele spoke your name aloud, your future became uncertain.
Land, buildings, advertising revenue, donations—if the Sergio family withdrew its support, survival itself became a struggle.
Not that she’d ever done it before—but she never said she wouldn’t.
“What a pity. I really wanted to hear those rumors about my family firsthand.”
“Ha… ha-ha…”
“Do let me know if you remember. I’m always available.”
The man laughed awkwardly, and Adele smiled brightly back. You should’ve known when to stop.
She had little interest in controlling the press.
Facts were facts—so what?
Better to be blunt than to lie and be caught later.
But bringing up gossip here, in public? That was just foolish. Especially from a man who’d done it before.
He was the same one who’d once spread the rumor that Count Sergio had fathered dozens of illegitimate children across the South.
“I’ll remember that—you said you have something to tell me.”
“Ah, no, I just—”
“Well then, I’ll be going. Take care, everyone.”
“Wait! Just one sketch, please!”
That much, she allowed.
Adele posed gracefully at the top of the steps, and the scratch of pens filled the air.
She was a bit tired, but far from exhausted. Wealth didn’t come free—and fame always came with its price.
Jealousy, slander, admiration—none of it was new.
“…”
What was that?
Even amid the noise, she noticed a different gaze—a pair of eyes that felt different.
Turning toward the source, Adele looked down the steps, where a familiar-looking journalist stood—no, not a journalist, a lady.
Her hat was narrow-brimmed satin, adorned with lavish decorations. High-end, but not southern in style.
“…Xerox, are there any bidders from the capital today?”
“Not that I know of. No merchant credentials from there.”
“Really?”
Adele murmured just loud enough for him to hear as the lady in the ornate hat ascended the steps. A delicate floral scent trailed behind her.
“…”
Their eyes almost met, then passed each other.
A faint tension rippled between them, but Adele’s smile—her “reporter smile”—didn’t falter. Beneath her hat, the other lady’s lips curved just as smoothly.
Who is she? I’ve never seen her before.
“Madam! Please, one more look this way!”
“Ah…”
Adele tore her gaze away from the mysterious lady and flashed a radiant smile at the shouting journalist.
Even as goosebumps prickled under her dress, she ignored them. Maybe she was nervous after all.
And when you’re nervous, the best thing to do is—smile even wider.
“Is this good enough?”
A delighted murmur swept through the crowd. Reporters gasped, enchanted by the beauty of her smile.
Behind the commotion, the lady finally reached the courthouse entrance.
Just before stepping inside, she lifted her hat. Pirel quickly handed her a handkerchief and a jeweled mirror.
Checking her reflection, Chloe smirked—and glanced back over her shoulder.
“…Well. Looks like I’m the prettier one.”
