When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me

Of course, there was nothing wrong with the mail being exchanged.

If there had been a problem, they wouldn’t have been sending letters so openly in the first place.

But…

‘Why did she have to pick a letter sent by Meg?’

Lisa Ferguson.

The alias of Meg, who had been helping the housekeeper behind the scenes since being dismissed from the Duke’s household.

Delphina’s choice to point out that letter was unsettling.

“Of course, Lady, it’s completely fine for you to look at the letters.”

The housekeeper spoke in the softest tone he could muster.

“However, may I ask why you wish to see the letter?”

“Hm, the reason.”

“Surely, you know best that I have been loyally serving you all this time, Lady?”

With those words, the housekeeper feigned a hurt expression, letting his shoulders droop.

“The sudden desire to inspect my mail makes it feel as if you are suspecting me…”

“That’s correct.”

“What?”

The housekeeper’s eyes widened in shock.

Looking into his eyes, Delphina continued clearly.

“I am indeed suspecting you.”

“L-Lady! What on earth…!”

“It’s this woman named ‘Lisa Ferguson.’”

Delphina waved the letter she was holding.

“She seems to be involved in every outsourcing project of Valua.”

Oh no!

The housekeeper felt his heart drop.

‘Could she have possibly gone through the documents one by one?’

In truth, it was inevitable.

It cost a staggering amount to create a fake identity.

Having multiple identities for the sake of participating in outsourcing projects simply didn’t add up financially.

And then…

“W-Well, that’s just because Miss Ferguson is a very diligent intermediary.”

He had a reasonable excuse ready for such a situation.

“She just happened to get involved in Valua’s work because she was following a major project.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The scale of Valua’s business is so large that all intermediaries are eager for a piece of it.”

The housekeeper lamented in a persuasive voice.

“Given that I have taken on Valua’s work several times now, it wouldn’t make sense to tell her to stop participating.”

The excuse was flawless.

After all, there was no legal restriction against a specific intermediary continuously being involved in the affairs of one territory.

‘I thought they wouldn’t suspect me since it’s just one intermediary.’

Even as he clicked his tongue inwardly, the housekeeper smoothly continued his words.

“Excluding such a capable intermediary would be a waste.”

“Then you’re saying that all of this is just a coincidence?”

“Of course, Lady!”

The housekeeper nodded vigorously.

‘Good, as long as I can get through this.’

He thought optimistically.

But then…

“Then we can just meet that intermediary and clear up any misunderstandings.”

At Delphina’s immediate follow-up, the housekeeper’s face froze.

“Excuse me? Meeting the intermediary, what do you mean…?”

“It won’t take long.”

Delphina continued in a chilling tone.

“Alexei went to pick up that intermediary.”

And just then…

“Please, help me…!”

A woman’s desperate plea echoed loudly.

The housekeeper instinctively turned around, swallowing hard without realizing it.

“M-Meg!”

The person being dragged in by the knights was indeed Meg.

Delphina let out a long sigh.

“How unfortunate.”

“L-Lady!”

“I really wanted to believe in you until the end.”

Delphina’s cold voice fell like the blade of an executioner.

The housekeeper fell to his knees with a thud.

“Please forgive me just this once!”

Delphina silently looked down at the pitiful sight of the kneeling housekeeper.

“Our family has served Valua for a long time, hasn’t it?”

“…”

“I have dedicated my life to the Duke and you, my Lady. So, just once…!”

“No.”

Delphina shook her head firmly.

“I have given you several chances.”

“Lady, please…!”

“A chance to lay everything bare and be honest.”

The housekeeper stared up at Delphina blankly.

It was the first time.

Even though Delphina tried to act nonchalant, there was a hint of vulnerability in her demeanor when she had that cold gaze.

“Mother.”

At that moment, Alexei approached his mother’s side.

Delphina took a deep breath.

“The Hansen family can no longer remain as vassals of Valua. Moreover…”

With that, her cold declaration fell over the housekeeper’s head like an executioner’s blade.

“This matter will result in a private sanction from Valua.”

“Excuse me?”

The housekeeper’s eyes widened in shock.

A private sanction from Valua.

He, who had worked in Valua for a long time, understood very well how severe a punishment that would be.

“L-Lady! A private sanction? That’s…!”

The housekeeper flailed about, trying to crawl toward Delphina, but it was all in vain.

Clang.

A sword, still sheathed, blocked the housekeeper’s path.

Alexei, staring at the housekeeper with fierce eyes, gestured with his chin.

“Take both Meg and the housekeeper away.”

“Understood!”

The knights seized the two women roughly, lifting them up.

Both of them screamed as if they were being torn apart.

“Ahhh! Lady, please!”

“Please forgive me! Just spare my life!”

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

The echoing screams gradually faded away.

Delphina didn’t look back even once.

***

The investigation into this incident revealed the underlying circumstances.

‘Bribery.’

Anriche pulled her lips tight in thought.

After inheriting the title of Duke of Valua, Alexei had to spend most of his time engaged in royal duties.

But the problem was that Delphina, having lost her husband, had become emotionally vulnerable and was left alone.

‘Mother must have felt she had no choice but to trust the housekeeper.’

It made sense; at that time, the housekeeper was the only person Delphina could rely on.

The housekeeper had comforted Delphina with kind words and reassurance.

‘After that, he began to exploit Mother’s trust and gradually started to engage in landscaping projects.’

To secure contracts that required substantial budgets, companies did not hesitate to bribe the housekeeper.

In the midst of this, Meg was dismissed.

Then, the housekeeper created a false identity for Meg under the name ‘Lisa Ferguson’ and pressured her to cooperate in his schemes.

‘And then, the rest is history.’

Anriche gazed at Delphina with a bitter expression.

Delphina was trembling slightly, unable to suppress the wave of self-reproach that had washed over her.

“Are you alright, Mother?”

At her concerned question, Delphina startled and looked up.

“I…”

Delphina bit her lip, struggling to find the words.

“It’s practically my fault that this happened.”

At her frail voice, Anriche shook her head in a hurry.

“Mother, why would you say that?”

“If I hadn’t blindly trusted the housekeeper, or if I had at least checked the documents more thoroughly…”

Delphina’s fist, resting on her lap, trembled as she fought against her rising emotions.

“This wouldn’t have happened…”

“Mother.”

“I’m truly sorry to Alexei, and to you as well.”

As for the Duke, that’s understandable. But why me?

Anriche’s eyes widened.

“I’ve viewed you with prejudice until now.”

Ah, so that’s what she meant.

I’m fine, though.

With that thought, Anriche quietly observed Delphina’s expression.

Guilt filled Delphina’s face.

“I know you are kind to the children and dedicated to your duties as the Duchess.”

Delphina exhaled, as if the words were escaping her.

“I’ve been trying to see you in a negative light all this time, even though I knew all that.”

“It’s alright.”

“I’m really sorry, I…”

“Hmm?”

At the unexpected reply, Delphina blinked in surprise.

Anriche smiled warmly at her.

“If I were in your position, I would have done the same.”