I Don’t Know The Original Work

Adrian didn’t even know Winston had bought expensive jewels in the first place. If he had that kind of money, it was obvious Winston would’ve scolded him to invest in the western mines instead.

“No, I didn’t give it to her.”

Adrian hastily denied it. It was a cowardly response, fitting for someone like him.

Vienna’s eyes widened in disbelief that she had truly believed in his love.

“Come to think of it, the design of this necklace looks just like the one my brother bought recently. Didn’t you even ask for a replica as a free sample to check the design?”

In truth, she had no idea about the necklace’s design. She was just bluffing.

Normally, replica samples are discarded. But Adrian, who was both extravagant and miserly, would carefully save even the replicas to hand out to his lower-status lovers. Of course, those lovers all thought they were receiving genuine pieces.

“N-no, that’s… uh…”

Adrian stammered in shame. Cornelia, pretending innocence, tilted her head.

“No wonder the necklace looked familiar. But if you didn’t give it to her… could it be that Vienna stole it?”

Vienna realized too late that she had fallen into a trap.

“N-no! Adrian, please say something!”

“I-I told you, I didn’t give it to her.”

Adrian chose the path that wouldn’t get him scolded by Winston, his father, rather than defending Vienna.

Vienna stared at him in utter devastation.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Adrian weakly added,

“Vienna probably just gave in to curiosity. Can’t we let it slide just this once…?”

“Then you should punish her yourself, Brother.”

“What?”

Both Adrian and Vienna turned to Cornelia in shock. She didn’t even blink.

“She’s my maid, but since she stole from you, you should discipline her. I don’t have the heart to do it myself.”

Cornelia lowered her head, pretending to be distressed, then glanced at Vienna. The girl had gone pale.

“But hitting her is…”

“If you want to let her off, ask Father for permission first. That’s what I’d prefer.”

“Then instead of Vienna getting punished, you’ll be the one scolded by Father. And all the other luxuries you’ve been hiding will come to light, won’t they?”

Winston, who was already scraping together money to invest in the mines, wouldn’t let Adrian’s extravagance slide.

“…Fine. I’ll punish her myself.”

“A-Adrian?!”

Vienna shrieked. Adrian shamelessly replied,

“Then why did you steal my necklace? I didn’t want to do this either.”

“I didn’t steal it! You know that! You were the one who—”

“Vienna!”

Adrian raised his voice.

“If you lie one more time and say I gave it to you, I won’t forgive you.”

“A-Adrian…”

“I’ll go get the cane.”

Thud!—

Vienna collapsed weakly. Adrian didn’t even glance at her as he turned away.

‘That despicable bastard.’

Cornelia quickly grabbed Adrian before he could leave.

“You’re going to bring the cane and hit her yourself?”

“You told me to punish her…”

“I meant for you to order the punishment, not do it with your own hands.”

“What?”

Adrian’s eyes bulged.

“Oh dear, Vienna. My brother actually wanted to hit you himself.”

“Sob… H-hic!”

Unable to bear the betrayal, Vienna finally burst into tears.

‘Crying already? There’s still so much more to cry about.’

Even though another maid would be the one wielding the cane, it would still be harsh.

“Aah! Aaah!”

Cornelia watched impassively as Vienna was beaten.

“Aah! Adrian, please! Stop! Aaah!”

Adrian couldn’t bear to watch and turned his head away.

For Vienna, the pain was one thing, but the humiliation of being beaten by a maid far beneath her in status was unbearable.

“But you’ve tormented Cornelia to the brink of death, haven’t you?”

You reap what you sow.

And besides…

Cornelia bit her lip as she watched the young maid strike Vienna.

‘I hope that naive girl doesn’t fall for Adrian’s tricks.’

That maid was one of the girls Adrian had been trying to seduce.

Neither she nor the other servants would be fooled by his sweet words anymore.

They’d all see how he abandons his women.

***

That Night

Cornelia threw open the window. The late-night air rushed in like a wave.

“Refreshing.”

What felt most refreshing was the fact that there was no one watching her.

Her personal maid, Vienna, had collapsed after the beating, and no replacement had been assigned yet.

‘Which means no one can stop me from going to the auction house.’

Taking Vienna down today had been intentional to slip away unnoticed and head to Baker’s Auction House.

‘Yes, today’s the day Baker’s auction is held!’

Cornelia climbed down the tree outside her window and descended to the ground floor.

Compared to other luxurious mansions, the Iris County estate was modest.

In truth, the Iris family once owned a grand townhouse in the capital.

But they had moved here years ago after Winston squandered their fortune with his disastrous investments, forcing them to sell their properties.

‘That lunatic.’

Still, it wasn’t all bad. A shabby estate like this made it easier to find escape routes.

“Here it is.”

After circling the wall a few times, she spotted a hole hidden behind some bushes. It looked like an old, unrepaired breach.

‘The fact that it’s still here must be divine mercy.’

Every protagonist needs a secret exit, after all.

Crawling through the hole, Cornelia headed to a nearby inn the closest stop for shared carriages.

She disembarked near the auction house where Baker’s auction was being held.

The antique-style building was packed with wealthy attendees, there to buy or simply admire the offerings. Baker’s Auction was the empire’s most prestigious art auction.

“I heard the Duke of Flanders’ diary is up for auction today. Are you here for that?”

“Haha, I was thinking of buying Auguste’s last work Gah! What is that?!”

As Cornelia stepped inside, screams reached her ears. Gasps and shocked exclamations followed.

‘Did a bug appear or something?’

Judging by their reactions, it was as if they’d seen a monster. When Cornelia looked around, she froze.

Everyone was staring at her but they quickly averted their eyes when she met theirs.

‘Don’t tell me… the monster is me?’

The realization struck like lightning.

Now that she thought about it, Cornelia was only a meek lamb around Brody. Outside, she was nothing but a delinquent. She never let insults against Brody slide, always retaliating without fail.

Yet she endured the slander against herself, just as she endured her maid Vienna’s abuse.

But some vile people deliberately provoked her, wanting to see the refined noble lady lose her temper. And foolishly, Cornelia always reacted.

‘On top of that, Father and Brother borrowed money in Cornelia’s name, the Duke’s fiancée and never paid it back.’

It’d be more surprising if her reputation wasn’t ruined.

Cornelia ignored the stares and took a seat in the corner.

“Eek!”

The people around her immediately scrambled away.

‘What, did they see a cockroach?’

Annoyed, Cornelia glared at them before forcing herself to relax.

‘Today’s goal is to quietly buy what I need and leave. Don’t stir up trouble.’

Having no one nearby was actually better. Yes, no one…

‘Still, this blatant ostracization stings a little.’

Just then, a deep, pleasant voice spoke up.

“May I sit here?”

A man took the seat beside her.

Tall and broad-shouldered, his presence was undeniable. Beneath his low-pulled hat, strands of ash-gray hair peeked out.

‘Who is this?’

Asking for permission after sitting down he didn’t seem normal either.

Someone willingly sitting next to the shunned Cornelia, dressed in conspicuously lavish clothing, was likely a nouveau riche commoner.

‘In other words, an extra.’