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Chapter – 16
There was not even a slight pang of guilt in my heart.
“Even if he knows, would anything change?”
“I’m still worried he might question it later.”
“Even if we left it alone, Marquis Azbeck would cheat eventually. We only made it happen a little sooner and helped Belian come to her senses. Nothing really changes.”
“But, Lawyer.”
“Yes, Lady Lily.”
“Will Belian really move the way we want? If she was truly afraid of rumors reaching her family, she wouldn’t have done such a thing in the first place.”
“Don’t worry. Human desire is more simple than people think. Belian will never escape such a sweet offer.”
“Can you guarantee that?”
“Yes. If she weren’t faithful to her desires, she wouldn’t have had an affair with the Marquis in the first place. This plan fits her nature perfectly, so you have nothing to worry about.”
A lawyer must swallow a client’s anxiety.
Sometimes like a counselor, sometimes like a friend, and sometimes like a reliable ally.
So I hid my own unease and kept calmly reassuring her.
‘I believe my choice wasn’t wrong.’
One week later, the courtroom
The two-week grace period ended.
The divorce case between former Marquis Azbeck and Lily Sella resumed.
Usually, the disadvantaged side requests a delay. But this time was different.
The winning side—the Marchioness—had requested it, so nothing much changed in court.
“If neither side has anything more to submit, we will conclude the trial.”
“Yes.”
Lily Sella nodded first.
“Does the defendant have anything to say? If not, this divorce trial will end here.”
At that moment, Marquis Azbeck—who had been silently staring at us—ignored the judge and spoke directly to us.
“Why are you so calm?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know you’ll get nothing if this continues, yet you look relaxed. Why are you so calm?!”
“Well, I just heard something amusing.”
“What…?”
“The Belian you hid your money with—she ran away. With all your money. Honestly, that’s far more entertaining than receiving alimony. Losing not only the money you earned your whole life, but even your family’s fortune. Isn’t it hilarious?”
Lily laughed brightly. The Marquis frowned deeply.
“Funny? What’s so funny?!”
“Watching you lose everything while trying to avoid paying alimony. How could that not be fun?”
“That’s—!”
“You should have just paid a little money. Why be greedy?”
“Don’t tell me…”
Realizing too late, he slowly turned his head.
“Was this your doing?”
“Oh my. You guessed right.”
Lily even clapped with an innocent smile.
“What?! You bitch did this?!”
“Father, calling the woman you lived with your whole life ‘bitch’ is crossing the line.”
Andrea, who was present, narrowed her eyes.
“Does this make sense to you?! Your mother seduced that woman and made her run away! Because of that, I lost all my money! Does that make sense?!”
That was when I spoke.
“Why is this Lady Lily’s fault? You entrusted all your money to that woman. That was your mistake. Morally and legally, you’re the one at fault. If you make this an issue, you won’t be safe under the law either. How shameless of you to cause a scene here.”
“Y-you! How dare a woman open her mouth!”
“Regardless, the result is clear.”
“What’s over?! Bring her back! Bring her back! My money! My fortune!”
The judge finally spoke.
The verdict was the same as before.
“The divorce petition between Marquis Azbeck and Marchioness Lily Azbeck is accepted. Seventy percent of the Marquis’s assets will be paid as alimony. This concludes the divorce trial.”
The gavel struck three times.
The divorce was over.
But Marquis Azbeck glared at Lily, shaking with rage.
“How could you do this?! Are you happy handing the family fortune to that crazy woman?!”
“Yes. I’m very happy.”
“What?”
“It was money I was never going to have anyway.”
“Bring her back! If you do, I’ll give you money! Ten percent—no, twenty percent! Do you know how much that money is worth?!”
“I don’t need it. If I truly wanted that money, I wouldn’t have done this.”
“Lily!”
“I like seeing you suffer more than receiving a little money. Let’s go.”
Still smiling, she turned away.
But the Marquis rushed forward and tried to grab her arm. I blocked him.
“Who told you to fall for another woman?”
“W-what?”
“Isn’t all this because of that new woman? Belian tried to stay on your side until the end. Stop now.”
“Father, don’t embarrass yourself any further.”
“Andrea!”
“You’re just reaping what you sowed. Don’t take it so tragically.”
That was the end.
“No! No!”
The Marquis screamed, but no one remained by his side.
We exited the courthouse.
Just like before, many people had gathered because of the Azbeck divorce.
The knights formed a barrier so no one could approach us.
“It’s finally over, Lawyer. Thanks to Iz, I met you, and because of that, I was able to divorce properly. I always thought about divorce, but never imagined actually doing it. Thank you.”
Lily Sella bowed deeply.
“There’s nothing to thank me for. I was just doing my job.”
“But since I didn’t receive money, I won’t be able to pay you properly…”
“Mother, don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
“We all have money too. Don’t worry.”
“If I refuse in this situation, it would be rude. I’ll gratefully accept what you give me.”
I spoke quickly so she wouldn’t feel burdened.
The tense atmosphere finally eased.
“So please don’t feel sorry.”
“Thank you. You worked very hard.”
“Not at all. I got to see something interesting too. But Belian…”
I did not wish happiness for a woman who drove nails into someone else’s heart.
She was released only to bring despair to the Marquis—but I hoped it wouldn’t end there.
That was when Anz smiled brightly.
“Wherever she goes, our family’s knights will spread rumors. Even if she has money, she’ll live alone forever. And if someone chooses her, we’ll tell Father where she is—so he can sue her to reclaim his fortune.”
“Sounds good.”
“Belian’s life will never be happy.”
There was nothing more for me to do.
I nodded as Lily’s children gathered around her.
“It’s time to say goodbye.”
“It’s a shame to part like this, Lawyer.”
“Let’s not meet again. Seeing me again would mean another divorce. I hope everyone lives happily. Then I’ll be going.”
I slowly stepped back.
“I’ll escort you.”
“No. The mercenary office isn’t far. I want to go alone.”
It was time for an outsider to leave.
“We’re worried Father might try to harm you.”
“Oh, don’t worry. Iz’s father assigned knights to protect me last time.”
“Our family can also—”
“A lawyer walking around with too many knights looks like someone desperate for protection. A lawyer must stay close to their client. If I were afraid of this, I couldn’t be a divorce lawyer.”
And with that, I left.
