Chapter 67
Killian received the documents from Pete with a blank expression, showing no reaction even to his subordinates’ responses.
“Killian! Are you crazy?”
Knox usually refrained from speaking casually to Killian in front of the other members, as he was the boss. But the word “divorce” carried such an enormous impact that even Knox couldn’t help reacting.
It was fortunate that he hadn’t slapped Killian on the spot.
“Hmph.”
At least Giovanni was the most rational among them. He forced himself to remain calm and asked,
“You’re really planning to get a divorce?”
“Not yet.”
“Not yet?” Giovanni clutched the armrest of his chair as a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. Was Killian forgetting all the hardships he went through just to buy the marquis title to marry Emily?
Of course, Killian could forget—most of that hardship had been handled by Giovanni himself.
For the first time, Giovanni wanted to punch the boss in the head.
Frustrated by their conversation, Knox roughly pulled at his tie.
“Did the madam say she wants a divorce first?”
Chambers, who had been quietly sitting, wore a gloomy expression, thinking it might actually make sense if that were the case.
“Do you really think the ungrateful boss brought it up first?”
No matter how he thought about it, it had to be that the madam, intimidated by the mafia, suggested the divorce. If that was the case, why bother getting attached? Chambers already felt a pang of missing the madam.
“This is really noisy.”
When Killian frowned, everyone flinched and fell silent.
“Pete, come to my room and let’s talk.”
“Yes, sir.”
Pete got up and followed Killian, receiving sharp glares from everyone else.
As soon as they entered the room, Killian locked the door so the others couldn’t interfere.
As expected, Knox immediately banged on the door, demanding to be let in.
Killian called out in a deep, commanding voice.
“Chambers! Take him away immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
A small commotion continued outside the door for a few minutes, then it quieted down.
“At least Chambers hasn’t forgotten his duties,” Pete said.
Killian nodded. In this situation, it seemed only Chambers could properly execute his orders.
“By the way, do we just sign these documents and submit them to the court?”
“Yes, but we need the approval of the imperial family.”
The divorce process was complicated, but getting approval wasn’t particularly difficult. Citizens of the empire could divorce easily if they wished.
“Boss, did Alvin bring the documents?”
In a divorce, the crucial issue was the division of property.
“No. He refuses to cooperate since he knows I’m divorcing.”
“Hmmm, then who besides Alvin could prepare a list of the Star family’s assets?”
“There’s no one else, so try persuading Alvin.”
“Me?”
Pete looked quite troubled.
“Boss… I’d rather deal with Knox. I don’t have the confidence to convince Alvin.”
Alvin was the most impenetrable person Pete had ever met. He hated having his values challenged more than anything. Even someone as articulate as Pete would falter against him on certain topics.
Seeing Pete hesitate, Killian, frustrated, tossed the documents aside.
“Forget it. We don’t need a list of assets. Just give Emily whatever she wants.”
Pete looked even more heartbroken as he stared at Killian.
“When will you tell the madam about the divorce?”
Killian hesitated, then spoke in a low voice,
“After Johan’s observation class.”
“…….”
After a moment of silence, Pete scratched his ear and asked again,
“I think I misheard… when?”
“Johan’s observation class.”
Pete thought he’d misheard. He even wondered if Killian meant to behead Johan. In some ways, that might’ve made more sense.
“Why go there suddenly? Did Johan give permission?”
Killian sighed, though he had lost count of how many times.
“The kid asked me to come.”
After thinking it through, Pete nodded knowingly.
“So the madam will go there too, huh?”
Killian glanced at the calendar on his desk. The awkward day was approaching.
“Prepare everything so there won’t be any problems with my divorce.”
“Hmmm, understood.”
Pete replied in a reluctant tone. Outside, Knox continued shouting to be let in.
“Make sure the door is secure when you leave. Don’t let Knox in.”
“That might be difficult, but understood.”
Pete cast a wary glance toward the door, recalling the sharp glares from earlier.
‘Once I step out, I’ll probably get beaten.’
It was good that he was wearing body armor.
The Crown Prince Palace of the Vincent Empire.
Lucius, who had failed to frame Killian for murder, immediately summoned a member of the Giuliano organization.
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
“I didn’t call you just to hear an apology.”
Kairon, the summoned member, cursed silently in his heart. He had thought the operation would succeed, but an unexpected variable had ruined everything.
“Do you know how much trouble I got in with His Highness because of you?”
“I have nothing to say, even if I had ten mouths.”
Kairon lowered his head, scowling. Just for a little scolding, and now he was nagging.
He glanced at his wrist, which had narrowly avoided being broken. Just thinking about it gave him chills.
“But since you’re smart, I’ll give you one more special chance.”
Kairon instinctively furrowed his brow and raised his head.
“What do you mean?”
“This time, properly take care of the Marquis of Star.”
“But…”
Kairon was a mafia working for the Giuliano organization, not for the Crown Prince. His initial approach to Lucius was purely for the organization’s sake.
Lucius frowned at Kairon’s hesitation. As if expecting this, several men over 190 cm tall entered the room, surrounding him.
“Why… why are you doing this!”
Kairon’s legs went weak under their threatening stares.
“Once we’re comrades, shouldn’t we stick together forever?”
‘Damn, comrades? What the hell?’
Sweating, Kairon quickly thought through his options.
Destroying the Star family was something they wanted too, but he couldn’t answer hastily without consulting the organization.
“…Then I have a good idea!”
“What is it?”
‘Ha… I hope this works.’
After a moment of hesitation, Kairon swallowed and spoke.
“The Rezetta family is famous for assassinations. If you want, I can introduce them to you.”
“……”
Lucius didn’t respond, and Kairon grew anxious.
“They can eliminate someone completely without leaving a trace, as long as you pay enough. No complications will arise.”
Lucius pondered the offer.
“I don’t want to involve anyone else…”
“If you’re worried this will leak, don’t be. They’re known for handling things cleanly and without traces.”
“There’s such an organization? Why hasn’t my father dealt with them if they’re dangerous?”
Kairon snorted internally. How could the emperor, whose authority was weak, eliminate one of the four major mafia families of the continent?
Still, he played along outwardly.
“Of course, if the emperor knew, he would have eliminated them long ago. They can still operate because they work secretly.”
Finally, Lucius’s face brightened.
“Good. Connect me with them immediately.”
“Yes, I’ll arrange a meeting and contact you soon.”
“Then go.”
Kairon left the palace hastily, fearing someone might stop him.
Once he left, Lucius sank into the soft sofa, rereading a newspaper article featuring Emily. It described her efforts to clear her husband’s name.
Though the article subtly revealed the failure of his plan, Lucius looked pleased.
“Reading that again?”
His aide sighed, seeing Lucius’s fascination.
“Yes, I never get tired of it.”
The aide was exhausted by the Crown Prince’s obsession with Emily.
“How can such a brave and smart woman exist?”
“You could find other women like her if you look around.”
“But Emily is the perfect crown princess material, isn’t she?”
It made no sense to him. The aide felt as if he might go mad from frustration.
‘If the Empress sees this, it’ll be a disaster.’
Lucius ignored him, folding the newspaper and muttering,
“How can I see Emily again?”
“Well…”
There were many ways, but the aide, who didn’t support his unrequited love, kept silent.
“Any events at the palace soon?”
“Not for a month or two.”
Monthly parties had decreased. The palace’s financial situation was worsening.
“So there will be one in the third month?”
“…Probably.”
The aide counted dates on his fingers.
‘Wasn’t there a hunting competition?’
Lucius leaned back on the sofa, face filled with anticipation.
“I hope everything goes well until then.”
‘Please don’t cause trouble again,’ the aide silently prayed.
