Whitney returned to the manor and eagerly opened the documents Cheston had given her. They contained information about Cecilia Weston.
[Cecilia Weston, the second wife of the Duke of Weston, was rumored to be involved in the sudden death of the Duke’s first wife, who suffered from a chronic illness but passed away unexpectedly. The cause of death was unclear, but suspicions were directed at Cecilia, who had already garnered attention as a widow in Hart Fell. Her origins remained undisclosed, earning her the nickname ‘the veiled lady.’Not long after becoming the Duchess of Weston, the Duke himself died. Soon after, Cecilia Weston disappeared along with her daughter. The Duke’s estate was left with nothing but debts. It seemed unusual that such enormous debts accumulated despite the Duke’s investments, rather than losses through gambling.]
“It’s strange that he accumulated so much debt through investments.”
There was no detail on where the investments were made.
Upon examining the wanted poster included in the documents, Whitney’s eyes sparkled. It listed a ‘Louise Ann,’ a woman unlike her mother, with dark brown hair and violet eyes.
“Fraud! Investment!”
The realization hit her. The name on the poster wasn’t her mother’s, but the details hinted at a connection. Could her father’s death also have hidden layers?
Feeling her heart race, Whitney decided to visit the estate to inquire about hair dye. There was also the impending need to meet the Queen, and she had to strategize for that.
Scanning through the invitations she received, none seemed likely to attract the Queen’s attention.
“The Queen won’t care if I attend these.”
Her interest was primarily in Cheston and his mother. Whitney quickly devised a plan, risky but the only viable option at the moment.
The next day, Whitney browsed the newspaper while sipping tea.
“The social season really has everyone excited.”
She noted the various scandals beginning to surface. The news differed greatly from what she heard in the borderlands. She cut out important articles, sticking them onto a paper for her aunt’s easier review.
“This should help Aunt understand things better.”
She placed the compiled papers in an envelope, sealed it with wax, and set it on her desk. Turning to Sonia, who was organizing the library, Whitney mentioned casually, “I need to stop by the estate.”
“Understood. Anything particular you need prepared? I can arrange it in advance.”
“I think it’s better to bring something since we’re visiting. Let’s stop by the dye shop. And I need a small gift…”
“Recently, lace handkerchiefs are trendy in the capital. How about we look at those tomorrow?”
“That sounds good.”
Nodding, Whitney added, “And send a letter to my aunt. Oh, and she mentioned I can freely request anything needed for the debutante ball.”
“I’ll see to it. I’ve researched the latest dress trends, so I’ll base my suggestions on that.”
“Thanks, Sonia.”
Whitney’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the newspaper clippings on her desk. A thought struck her – maybe she could use the newspaper to pique the Queen’s curiosity without risking herself.
She had an idea to draw attention without taking any risks. Since it was the social season, people would be sensitive to fashion trends. She planned to buy another dress from the salon she was visiting and wear it to the events she was invited to.
Feeling relieved with a solution in mind, Whitney felt much lighter.
When the public carriage arrived, Sonia, Whitney, and Haywin left the manor. Their first stop was the salon.
They were momentarily confused to find the door closed, but gently knocking, Lebelom peeked out.
“Closed for business…… Lady Whitney!”
“Mr. Lebelom, the door was closed. Are you closed today?”
Lebelom looked around cautiously, then opened the door and gestured them in. Whitney exchanged a glance with Sonia.
“Shall we go in?”
“Are you sure? If there’s some other scheme…”
“We have the escort knight with us. He’s been making my dresses and has been very helpful, especially in tough times.”
Sonia glanced at Lebelom, then nodded. Once Haywin entered, Lebelom locked the door and drew the curtains for complete privacy.
“Lady Whitney, I was surprised you came without notice.”
“Sorry. I came to see another dress today, but why are you closed? Did my mother send someone to harass you again?”
Whitney frowned, wondering how long such childish acts would continue.
“No, not at all! You don’t have to worry about that. Strong, I mean… Ahem. That’s not the point! How well we understand each other. I was about to contact you about another dress that’s ready.”
Lebelom clapped his hands excitedly, his eyes sparkling. He must have completed something. But Whitney hadn’t ordered any dress except for her debutante ball gown.
“Another dress?”
Lebelom just smiled and led them inside.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
Whitney sat on the sofa, puzzled. The salon seemed tidier than before.
‘Does someone know I’m getting dresses from here?’
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
