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Chapter : 09
Menson nodded happily.
“My master first saw you at the New Year’s party two years ago, and from that time, he has always liked you. Now his wish is finally coming true.”
Anna stared at him blankly. She felt like her world was falling apart, but Menson looked as cheerful as if something good had happened.
Menson stood up, tucked his cane under his arm, and spoke calmly.
“It’s a bit early, but thinking of the Evercline family’s financial trouble, we plan to book salons, dress shops, and jewelry stores in the capital early next month. You may go there and pick whatever you like when you’re ready.”
Then he gave her a sly smile.
“None of the previous ladies ever got this kind of treatment. You’re lucky, my lady.”
Anna was so shocked that everything went black for a moment. Henry’s fist shook in anger. Lucy, who could tell what was going on, stood close to Anna and glared at Menson.
Menson didn’t care that everyone was against him. After all, he was the winner.
“I’m finished here. We can talk about wedding details later. I’ll see you again soon.”
After he left, the room was silent.
“Ah, miss…”
Lucy was the first to speak. Anna, who had been staring at the door Menson left through, slowly stood up when she heard Lucy’s voice.
“I… need to go to the bank.”
Anna started walking unsteadily. Henry and Lucy quickly came to her side to support her.
“Why do you need to go to the bank?”
“I need my mother’s inheritance.”
Henry and Lucy exchanged sad looks. In just one month, Anna would be dragged away by the old nobleman, so she wanted to sell anything she could to pay the debt.
“Your father is so terrible,” Lucy whispered, her nose red as she tried not to cry. The missing estate manager and the count’s personal debt had made everything worse. Thinking of the huge amount, her mind went blank.
Anna gritted her teeth and sighed. Henry looked at her sadly and said,
“I will go to the police and see if there’s any news about the investigation. And… I’ll visit the count.”
“Henry, I should go—”
But Henry shook his head stubbornly.
“It might be dangerous if you go.”
“Ah…”
Anna remembered Lily Street and stopped speaking. Henry was right. This time, they might even tie her up and serve her to Marquis Nomen. Just thinking about it made her skin crawl.
“I’ll get the carriage ready.”
Henry walked down the hallway with a troubled face. Anna squeezed Lucy’s hand tightly, then followed Henry.
It was going to be a long day.
“It’s hard to turn your mother’s inheritance into cash right away. Most of it is real estate in the south…”
“Is there something wrong in the south?”
Anna leaned in toward the bank worker. Most of her mother’s property was in the southern tourist area.
“You didn’t hear? The weather has been dry and there’s a fire in the south. Your mother’s land is very close to the fire, so all deals are on hold.”
Anna grabbed the table and took a deep breath before asking,
“When will things get better?”
“I’m not sure. Only God knows. Even if it’s fixed soon, selling property always takes time. It will take at least a couple of months.”
“What about the trust account? Can I still not use it?”
Anna asked nervously, and the worker looked sorry.
“As you know, you can only use that money after you get married or turn twenty-five.”
Anna bit her lip. The worker asked carefully,
“If you need money now, I can check about a short-term loan?”
Anna had checked before, but it wasn’t nearly enough, so it was useless.
“No, thank you. That’s alright.”
Anna forced a smile and stood up. The bank worker looked at her in a daze, then remembered to wish her a safe trip.
Going down the steps outside the bank, Anna clenched her teeth. Everything was going wrong. Why did there have to be a fire near her mother’s house?
Suddenly, she stopped walking. On the shiny marble floor with many entrances, she felt frozen in place.
‘Where should I go?’
She had nowhere to go. After running away from Lily Street, Anna had asked all her mother’s old noble friends for help. But they all turned their backs on the Evercline family.
Noble friendships were based on wealth and honor. If you lost one, even long relationships disappeared like a sandcastle in the tide.
Now the Evercline family was invisible to other nobles.
‘But I can’t just do nothing and get dragged away.’
Meanwhile, John’s debt kept growing.
Anna’s last hope was the Haimel family. She remembered Edward saying to come to him for help if anything bad happened.
‘I owe Edward a lot and I feel awkward asking, but…’
But that was before she saw the debt agreement. Now, she didn’t care about her pride—she had to pay the debt no matter what.
‘Even if Marquis Nomen doesn’t kill his wives… most of them died soon after marrying him.’
Anna’s nails scratched the velvet chair as she shuddered in disgust at the thought of Marquis Nomen.
Anna’s carriage stopped in front of the Haimel mansion. Instead of the older butler who always welcomed her, a young stable boy stood there, looking awkward. Anna thought it was strange, but said nothing and took his hand to get out.
Inside, a parlor maid led Anna to the sitting room.
“Where’s Edward?”
Anna sat down on the sofa and asked.
“He came home early this morning and is sleeping.”
“What about Countess Haimel? Is she here?”
Anna started to get up, but the maid quickly waved her hands.
“She went out to visit a friend and will be back in the evening.”
Anna thought for a moment, then said,
“I’ll wait for Edward to wake up.”
She didn’t think he would sleep all day.
“Here…?”
The maid’s face changed in a strange way. Anna blinked and nodded.
“Of course. Can you bring me some tea? Oh, and let me know right away if the countess comes back.”
“Yes…”
The maid replied with an unhappy face and left the room.
Anna stared blankly out the big window of the sitting room. The sun was setting, painting the sky beautifully, but Anna forced herself to hold in her sadness.
She picked up her teacup and gave a bitter smile. She had waited all day, but no one had offered her food or even brought more tea. It was clear they were treating her badly.
‘They might as well just tell me to leave.’
She put down her cup and let out a deep sigh. She hadn’t expected Edward to treat her like this too. She blamed herself. Why did she think Edward would be different? He was just like every other noble.
‘I should go.’
There was no point staying any longer. Anna straightened her back and stood up, but just then, someone knocked and opened the door without waiting for her answer.
“My lady.”
It was a maid she had seen before. The maid came close and whispered in a small voice,
“You should leave. The countess will never see you.”
Anna’s face hardened.
“So she wasn’t really out…”
The maid nodded with sad eyes.
“Young master Edward doesn’t know you’re here. The countess told us not to tell him.”
“I see. Thank you for telling me.”
Anna fixed her face and stood up. She walked quickly across the room and headed for the door. She wanted to get away as soon as possible.
The maid followed and opened the front door for her, then whispered softly,
“My lady, forgive me, but… don’t trust anyone in this house.”
Anna looked at her in surprise. The maid checked that no one was around and spoke even more quietly.
“Don’t trust anyone here.”
Anna stared at her for a moment, then turned and left. She hurried down the steps and got into her family’s carriage. As soon as the door closed, sadness washed over her, but she did not cry. She squeezed her hands tight, holding back the tears.
‘It’s not over yet.’
Anna forced herself not to cry and went home. Henry had finished his errands and was waiting for her. After Anna changed into her indoor clothes, she and Henry talked secretly in Anna’s sitting room.
