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Chapter 94
After dancing with Lucas to show off, Lucy calmly left the party.
Once Lucy, followed by Lucas, had left, Jessica’s birthday party became chaotic.
Of course, the topic everyone was talking about was Jessica’s younger sister, Lucy, who had returned to the capital, and the Grand Duke Cretaine who attended the party.
Jessica couldn’t hold back her anger, feeling that her birthday party had been ruined because of Lucy.
To make matters worse, just as the party was winding down, the Baron and Baroness Diallo, who had no idea of the situation, arrived at the party, turning Jessica’s emotions upside down once again.
“Oh my! Jessica, you look absolutely stunning today. Happy birthday, my dear daughter!”
The Baroness Diallo congratulated Jessica in a kind voice, but Jessica didn’t find any of the words pleasant.
“Jessica, why such a gloomy expression on such a joyful day?”
The Baron Diallo asked, unaware of her feelings.
“Father! Let’s step aside for a moment. I need to talk to you!”
Jessica pulled the Baron outside the party hall and began to explain, in detail, about Lucy’s unexpected visit that day.
“W-what! Is that true? Lucy… really came here?”
“Didn’t you say before that Lucy would handle things on her own? How on earth did she manage it that she ended up seeking me out?”
The Baron had stopped searching for Lucy after a mysterious stranger appeared at his mansion.
“So she’s still alive after all!”
“What should we do now? Everyone at the party saw it! How on earth are we supposed to deal with this?”
Jessica jumped around in frustration, and the Baron held his forehead, frowning.
“So she said she would come to see me soon, right?”
“Yes. She said she’d come properly, to send regards to Mother as well. That’s what she said.”
Jessica recounted Lucy’s words, letting out a bitter laugh in disbelief.
“She didn’t mention where she’s staying?”
“Do you think I had the mind to ask that? She suddenly appeared and ruined my birthday party! And Father, why did you arrive so late? If you had been there, maybe it wouldn’t have come to this!”
Now, Jessica’s resentment shifted toward the Baron.
“Since she said she would come see me, let’s wait a bit. I’ll handle her myself. You don’t need to worry, and if she comes again, contact me immediately.”
Without properly celebrating Jessica’s birthday, the Baron hurriedly left.
That night, he ordered mercenaries to search for Lucy.
The Baron searched from nearby inns to the outskirts of the capital but could not find her.
The next evening, after Jessica’s party, the newly hired butler, Haiven, knocked on Lucy’s door.
“Master, you need to come out. There’s a visitor who wants to see you, and they said if I mention the name Dino, you’ll know who it is.”
“Dino? Show him to the parlor. I’ll come down shortly.”
Lucy quickly changed into something comfortable and headed to the parlor.
‘Dino, who’s supposed to be in Tyren, what’s he doing here?’
She wondered if his sudden visit might mean something important had happened.
In the parlor, Dino was sitting casually on the sofa, looking around.
“Dino! What brings you here?”
“Whew! This place is really nice. But isn’t being a noble too inconvenient? Even meeting once is such a hassle.”
Dino whistled, then stood up and faced Lucy.
“I’m thinking of expanding my business to the capital. But apparently, word of you has already spread here. They say Lucy Diallo, who ran off with a man, has returned!”
He spread his arms dramatically, as if reciting lines from a play.
“Baron Diallo even sent people all over the capital last night searching for you.”
Dino chuckled as if amused.
“I expected it, but it’s happening faster than I thought.”
Lucy nodded.
“So, what’s the plan? Let me know if you need my help.”
“Well, that depends on how Baron Diallo reacts. I plan to meet him first.”
Lucy sat on the sofa and gestured for him to sit as well.
“Oh, this is going to be fun! Can I come along?”
Lucy gave him an incredulous look.
“The real reason I came today isn’t just to warn you that Baron Diallo is looking for you. I actually have a favor to ask.”
Dino stopped smiling and got to the point.
“A favor? You want something from me?”
Lucy tilted her head, curious about what he could possibly ask of her.
“Actually, I haven’t been in Magnus for long. As you know, the kind of work I do… well, during the process of integrating organizations, the mansion I was supposed to stay in got a little damaged.”
Dino scratched his cheek and continued.
“Repairing it will take some time, and I haven’t found a proper place to stay in the meantime. But your house is big and nice.”
He pointed toward the air with his finger and smiled brightly.
“No way…”
Lucy opened her mouth, a worried expression on her face.
“Of course. Remember when I hid you in that cabin in the mountains when you had nowhere else to go? So now it’s your turn to return the favor. I’ll stay here for a while.”
Lucy couldn’t help but laugh at Dino’s shameless request.
“In such a big house, you really don’t have a single room to stay? Is your household really that poor?”
Dino teased.
It wasn’t that there wasn’t a room for him.
But as a leader of an underworld organization, his presence would attract dangerous visitors constantly.
Lucy frowned, deep in thought.
“I know exactly what you’re worried about. Don’t worry about my subordinates—they won’t step foot in this house. And nothing will put you in danger because of me. I promise!”
Dino, reading her mind, spoke first.
‘I owe Dino a lot. It won’t be hard to give him a room for a few days.’
Lucy nodded to herself.
“Alright. Then make me another promise. You must not threaten or pick fights with the mansion staff! Just stay quietly as if you’re not even here. If you promise, I’ll give you a room.”
“I promise. Do I have to pay rent? If necessary, I can pay anything.”
“No! I have plenty of money now!”
Lucy cut him off, offended.
“Then let’s start your stay tonight.”
Dino whistled happily as he stood up.
As Lucy left the parlor with Dino, she was surprised to see Shan guarding the entrance.
“Shan, how long have you been there?”
“Who is this visitor, and why is he here?”
Shan glared at Dino.
“Hey, is it Shan? Long time no see. Let’s get along from now on.”
Dino smiled warmly and waved at Shan from behind Lucy.
“Well… Dino will also be staying here for a while. You two shouldn’t fight, okay?”
Lucy awkwardly smiled, knowing they didn’t get along.
“You’re letting a dangerous person into the mansion?”
Shan frowned, staring at Dino.
“Hey, isn’t that too much, saying that to my face? I’d get hurt.”
Dino clutched his chest and made a sorrowful expression.
“Oh! By the way, Anna is also staying here. I beg you, Dino. Don’t fight with Shan or Anna—get along!”
“Oh! Anna’s here too. I wonder how she’ll react to me. But she isn’t cooking here herself, right?”
At Dino’s words, Lucy already felt a headache coming on.
