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Chapter 3
So I Went to Sleep and Woke Up With 4 Billion Won
‘Story time: I went to sleep and woke up with 4 billion won.txt’
This was exactly the kind of situation that would rack up a million views online.
Yes!
Hajin clenched her fist tightly.
If I get divorced, I receive 4 billion won?
‘Alright, good. From today onward, I am Diabella, and Diabella is me. From this moment on, we are one person! Everyone shall address me accordingly.’
Hajin—or rather, Diabella—made the declaration inwardly to no one in particular.
At this point, even if this wasn’t reality, she was determined to make it reality.
Just to be sure, she confirmed things once more with the butler.
According to his explanation, this country had a dowry and separation settlement system for married women.
Even if a woman divorced or became widowed after marriage, it ensured she would still be able to live comfortably.
When a woman married, the husband matched the amount of money she brought from her family.
The combined total became the “departure fund” the wife could take with her in the event of divorce or widowhood.
In modern terms, it was almost like life insurance.
Before marriage, women of the Luten Empire used their parents’ money. After marriage, they used their husband’s money with permission.
Unless divorced or widowed, it was rare for a woman to possess assets entirely of her own.
‘Okay. Deal! Then divorce is obviously the best outcome.’
Was there any reason not to get divorced?
It wasn’t like she’d suddenly fallen desperately in love with the man she’d only just met today.
Ah, though…
He really was absurdly handsome.
Without realizing it, Diabella swallowed hard as she remembered her husband’s face from earlier.
Raymond de Crimton.
Just as described in the novel, he looked like a painting come to life.
‘Aaaah! Have I lost my mind? Why did I just swallow like that?!’
No one could hear her inner thoughts, but she still felt embarrassed and buried her face while stomping her feet.
Watching this, the butler’s complexion turned even paler.
“Madam, the baron’s daughter wishes to see you.”
At that moment, a maid announced a visitor.
“You may go.”
After dismissing the butler—who was secretly sighing in relief—Diabella ordered them to let the guest in.
Whoever it was, she’d deal with it after meeting them.
“Marchioness! Are you feeling alright? I was so worried something terrible had happened to you!”
‘…Who?’
Not recognizing the woman at all, Diabella chose not to respond immediately and instead quietly observed her.
Bright blonde hair.
Large, slightly drooping eyes that gave off a gentle impression.
Delicate nose and lips.
She looked exactly like the stereotypical innocent noble lady.
If Diabella was a striking black rose, then this young woman was a fragile white rose.
‘What a contrast. Like a villainess and a saint.’
Then suddenly, realization hit her.
The only friend Diabella had in the novel.
The kind-hearted noble lady who captured the Marquis’s heart and replaced Diabella after her death.
“Angelica Miles, daughter of Baron Miles?”
“Yes, it’s me. Why are you acting as though we’ve never met? Surely you haven’t forgotten your most loyal companion and closest friend? Are you still unwell?”
She looked as though tears might spill from her huge eyes at any moment as she gently fussed over Diabella.
‘…Something feels off.’
This was Angelica—the woman everyone in the novel praised as an angel.
Of course, her tone and actions appeared perfectly kind and caring.
But something felt wrong.
‘If Angelica is supposedly that kind, and we’re supposedly such close friends, why doesn’t she look happy that I woke up?’
That was it.
Her voice sounded worried, but it didn’t feel sincere.
Instead of genuine concern, there was a strange look hidden behind those gentle eyes.
Like she was curious about something.
Trying to confirm something.
As if…
She was unsettled because someone who should have died had survived instead.
Without saying a word, Diabella simply stared at her.
When you suspect someone of something, directly accusing them often only makes them defensive.
Sometimes silently looking at them as though you already know everything worked far better.
After all, a guilty conscience betrays itself.
“Ah, well…”
Just as expected.
Even though Angelica had made such a dramatic fuss earlier about how relieved she was that Diabella survived, the moment Diabella remained silent, Angelica couldn’t endure the tension anymore and spoke first.
“I truly don’t understand what happened. I prepared the fake poison exactly as we discussed, Marchioness. So why did your condition become so critical…?”
Oh?
Well, well, well.
Before possessing this world, the last thing Hajin had read in the web novel was the scene where Diabella tried to avoid divorce by drinking fake poison, only to end up consuming real poison that someone had switched in—and dying.
Afterward, the baron’s daughter remarried the Marquis and became the new Marchioness.
That was where Hajin had stopped reading before falling asleep, so she never learned what happened afterward.
‘The novel never revealed who switched the poison.’
Diabella thought about it.
Since so many people hated Diabella for being a notorious villainess, she’d simply assumed it had been one of them.
Or perhaps Raymond himself had ordered it because he could no longer tolerate her constant attempts to avoid divorce.
‘Though… he didn’t really seem like that kind of person.’
Diabella remembered his warm hands and the look in his eyes, so different from his cold voice.
‘No. Get a grip.’
Maybe it was because she’d never seen a man that handsome before, but every time she thought about his face, she lost focus instantly.
‘Still, I never expected the culprit to be this close.’
Shaking Raymond’s face from her thoughts, Diabella fixed Angelica with a cold stare.
“…Who do you think did it?”
“I-I don’t know. I only believed it was medicine that would make you sleep briefly.”
No, you probably thought it was a strong poison that would kill me instantly.
Angelica’s face turned pale.
She clearly hadn’t expected Diabella to wake up and interrogate her immediately, leaving her with no prepared excuses.
“You recommended medicine to me without even knowing its true nature?”
“I-I’m sorry! I truly had no ill intentions! I only wanted to help you avoid the divorce!”
What’s with her voice getting louder and louder?
Angelica glanced toward the door while steadily raising her voice.
Then, the moment footsteps approached—
Tears suddenly burst from her eyes.
“The Marchioness asked me to bring her fake poison for her performance! I only followed her wishes!”
Bang!
The door flew open with unbelievable timing, and Marquis Raymond entered the room.
“What nonsense is this?! You orchestrated the entire performance yourself, and now you blame an innocent baron’s daughter?”
Wow.
Perfect timing.
You could be an actor.
“Yes.”
Diabella rose to her feet.
“I will gladly accept punishment for staging a false performance.”
“Don’t try claiming innocence or pretending you knew nothing—…what?”
Raymond’s mouth fell open.
He had clearly expected her to deny everything.
“…No, this is my fault for failing to obtain the proper medicine. The Marchioness bears no blame.”
Seeing Diabella unexpectedly admit fault, Angelica suddenly looked relieved and quickly moved to defend her.
“That’s right. Lady Miles bears significant responsibility.”
Diabella nodded calmly.
“…Pardon?”
Angelica jerked her head up, tears still on her cheeks.
“Haa. Weren’t you just saying moments ago that everything was your wife’s fault? Did I mishear?”
Raymond frowned tiredly.
He was sick of her usual pattern—causing trouble, then wriggling free of responsibility afterward.
“Yes, I admit my wrongdoing. I staged the performance to avoid divorce. But does that deserve death? Someone dared to hand poison to me, the Marchioness.”
Raymond’s expression darkened further.
“Poison? You’re clearly alive and well right now.”
“No. What I drank was unquestionably poison. I nearly died. It’s a miracle I survived. If you doubt me, ask the physician.”
In the original story, Diabella had definitely died after drinking it.
The only reason she survived now was probably because Hajin had possessed her body and altered the course of the novel.
That unexpected outcome was why Angelica looked so panicked.
Diabella was certain of it.
“…”
Raymond knew Diabella had indeed been in critical condition.
But he had simply assumed it was the result of one of her reckless stunts spiraling out of control.
That was why he’d been so furious and exhausted with her—because she’d gambled even her own life in another manipulative scheme.
The more he’d worried for her, the stronger his feelings of betrayal became when he believed he’d been deceived again.
But the possibility that someone had actually attempted to murder her?
That thought had never crossed his mind.
“Yes, it was definitely poison.”
Though Raymond remained silent, Diabella continued speaking unfazed.
“Someone intended murder. That threatens not only me, but the entire Marquis household. Can you guarantee a person bold enough to do this wouldn’t target you or the Dowager Marchioness next?”
“I-I truly didn’t know! I only brought medicine meant to make her sleep briefly… sob…”
At this rate she’s going to flood the room with tears.
Diabella looked down at Angelica with obvious displeasure.
Angelica trembled delicately as she cried pitifully.
It was exactly the sort of vulnerable appearance most men would instantly fall for.
Well?
What will you do now?
Are you still going to take her side?
Though considering he married Angelica immediately after Diabella died in the original story, Diabella wasn’t expecting much.
Yet surprisingly—
Raymond was staring at Angelica coldly as well.
“Lady Miles. Where did you obtain this medicine?”
“F-from an old wandering man in the marketplace…”
Ah.
So the culprit conveniently couldn’t be found.
Did she really think she could slide past this so easily just because she cried prettily?
“You naturally remember his face and appearance, don’t you?”
Ignoring Angelica’s tears entirely, Raymond pressed her sharply.
“H-he wore an old robe, so I couldn’t see clearly… sob…”
Can she not finish a single sentence properly?
“You fed suspicious medicine purchased from an unidentified stranger to the Marchioness?!”
Whoa.
The thunderous shout startled even Diabella.
What is this situation?
“How dare you involve the Crimton family in something like this? Bellop—take Lady Miles away and investigate everything thoroughly!”
From behind Raymond, Bellop suddenly emerged like a shadow.
He was Raymond’s loyal aide, always following silently behind him.
Well, there it is.
Guess mentioning the Marquis family and the Dowager Marchioness worked after all.
“…And you, Madam.”
Yes? What about me?
“How exactly do you intend to pay for staging this performance? Surely you’re not planning to smooth things over with words again.”
Of course not.
She already had her answer prepared.
Diabella looked directly into his deep green eyes, then at the sharp line of his nose.
And when her gaze landed on his red lips, she unconsciously swallowed again.
No.
Don’t get distracted.
Focus.
Think about the 4 billion won.
“As punishment for staging this performance… I will divorce you.”
So hand over the money.
Give me the money.
