CWMBR 87

Chapter 87

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"Gilum may be my assistant, but he's also an excellent bodyguard. I have other investigators, so losing Gilum alone won't be a major problem."

Honestly, he looked like a frail scholar on the surface, so it was true he didn't seem very dependable. Bridget, who had been staring at Gilum with a worried look without realizing it, asked cautiously.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Of course I'm fine."

Gilum nodded readily and smiled. Indeed, he seemed quite confident. Contrary to his appearance, he likely possessed a certain degree of physical strength.

Even so, a part of Bridget still felt uneasy. It was especially so since he was passing off work that wasn't even his responsibility. But Sanne nodded as if everything was settled and gave Gilum a gentle push forward.

"Yes, then you can take him with you from now on. Oh, are you planning to continue living at your residence?"

Sanna's gaze shifted toward Bridget's mansion, its curtains drawn tightly.

"………………For now."

"I heard uninvited guests broke into your residence."

The implication was clear: wouldn't it be better to relocate? But Bridget lowered her gaze and replied calmly.

"That's right. But I doubt I can make such rash moves anymore. I intended to talk to them.”

It was an absurdly naive statement. Sanne sighed involuntarily and adjusted her slipping glasses.

"If they were people open to dialogue, this unfortunate incident wouldn't have happened."

Of course, Bridget knew how simplistic her words sounded. So she wasn't particularly bothered by Sanne's bewildered reaction. Bridget smiled faintly.

"Yes, we can't communicate. That's why I'm resorting to blackmail."

Sanne faltered at her calm retort. Gilum also glanced back at Bridget, looking slightly startled. Bridget still wore that serene smile.

"Fortunately, I've found something to blackmail them with."

Sanne, who had been staring at Bridget with a dazed expression, soon nodded calmly. With Sanne's encouragement, Bridget resumed her steps, which had paused briefly.

Her destination was the Grand Theater.

***

When Ronan found Bridget in the Grand Theater office, he couldn't hide his surprise at seeing her.

"Bridget?"

Seeing Ronan facing her with an unflinching expression, Bridget felt a chill settle in her chest. Even though she'd thought it through thoroughly last night and reached a conclusion, actually facing him now felt somehow unsettling. It felt even more so when she recalled the woman in the white coat and the burly men who had come for her.

How could he remain so utterly unshaken? Especially after seeing with his own eyes that his attempt had failed.

"No, your complexion has worsened in just a few days."

Even the look of concern he gave her seemed utterly natural. Bridget realized anew just how skilled he was at controlling his expressions.

"Uncle."

"Yes."

Bridget fell silent for a moment. Perhaps her words would be nothing more than... meaningless sounds, but still, she spoke to him, pouring her last wish into them.

"You might want to call me crazy, but please don't."

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't want our relationship to end on the worst possible terms."

"Bridget."

Ronan, who had been staring at Bridget with an expression of utter bewilderment, let out a deep sigh as if to show his disbelief.

"I know things haven't been easy for you. You've suffered a lot since your parents passed away. It wouldn't be strange at all if your judgment was impaired. When people are struggling, it's right to take a break and get treatment. In my opinion………………”

"So you're going to force me into hospitalization? What right do you have, Uncle?"

"Right? As your only blood relative, of course!"

Ronan retorted, jumping up. At the phrase 'only blood relative,' Bridget couldn't help but chuckle.

"I'm sorry, Uncle, but I'm still married. You're not my guardian. Moreover, I'm under royal investigation, making it difficult for me to move freely. How do you think abducting me would be interpreted by the public?"

"Hmph, the investigation should be wrapping up soon."

Ronan declared with an air of confidence. He seemed to have gathered information on his own regarding Bridget's investigation and the separate matter the royal investigators were looking into. Seeing that he knew news Bridget had only heard yesterday, it appeared he had connected with someone closely involved in the investigation.

Bridget, who had been staring at Ronan, averted her gaze. The nameplate she had covered was now standing upright again.

It was undoubtedly Ronan who had restored it to its original state during the days she hadn't been present.

So, a happy ending was impossible after all.

"Uncle, I don't think it's strange to prioritize your own child over your niece."

"What?"

Bridget tiptoed lightly toward the desk.

"But if you want to nurture your child's talent, I wish you'd do it yourself instead of using your niece's inheritance. I have absolutely no intention of letting anyone take my parents' precious legacy away from me."

The color drained from Ronan's face. Staring at Bridget with bewildered eyes, he stammered out a reply.

"You... What... What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

"Donna's an actress who thrives on public attention and adoration. Wouldn't it be terribly distressing if unnecessary details of her private life were exposed?"

Bridget picked up the nameplate.

"Are you threatening me now?"

"There are plenty of media outlets eager for details of Donna Green's private life."

Bridget shrugged and tossed the nameplate into the trash can. Ronan watched his nameplate get tossed away, his lips twitching. Stunned into silence, he stood there blankly, unable to say anything.

"But it's not too late. It doesn't have to get that bad, does it?"

Bridget no longer saw her father's face in Ronan's. The man standing before her was simply a man whose entire focus was wrapped up in protecting the daughter he'd gained through dishonorable conduct.

Though he'd stepped aside to let Bridget and Ronan talk freely, Gilum was waiting just outside the office. Thanks to that, he seemed to have overheard their entire conversation.

Bridget felt a little embarrassed, as it was a family matter too shameful to share with others, but she quickly shook off the feeling. Her dignity had long since vanished, starting when the investigation into her marriage began. She'd even blabbed about her wedding night to a stranger, so this level of family gossip was nothing new.

"You're quite the moderate pacifist, aren't you?"

Gilum, who had been quietly following Bridget as she left the Grand Theater immediately after her conversation with Ronan, suddenly spoke up. Bridget turned back at him in surprise.

"Me?"

"If it were me, I would have handed him over to the police. I would have locked him up in a holding cell first, then found a way to fully restrain him. After all, adultery carries such a shameful stigma; it's the perfect way to escalate matters."

Of course, everyone engages in all sorts of things behind closed doors, but that remains implicit transgression, kept hidden. A man like Ronan, unmarried, bringing his illegitimate child to live with him and raising it... How should one put it? Was that crossing the line?

What's more, Donna openly had a father back in the country. Given she bore the Green surname, it seemed her father had accepted her as his own daughter. But how many people would willingly give their surname to someone they knew was not biologically theirs? Given the circumstances, it was highly likely he was unaware.

Their story, regardless of the degree of guilt, was undoubtedly a scandalous issue that would cause social uproar. For Donna, who craved people's attention and affection, she surely wouldn't want this story exposed. The same went for Ronan, who had worked so hard to elevate Donna into a beloved actress.

Bridget understood Gilum’s words but shook her head.

"Well, there's no real evidence, you see. It's purely my speculation. Besides, even without exposing this messy affair, there are legal issues to contend with, and I really don't want to go there."

If she had to find proof, Ronan's reaction itself would be proof enough. And even with just speculation, she could easily write sensational articles. If she wanted, she could make the whole of Glynford buzz with this story.

But Bridget didn't feel it was necessary to go that far. After all, there were already plenty of grounds for questioning the suspicious operational records alone; there was no need to drag in private matters and turn it into a mudslinging fight.

Gilum laughed hollowly at Bridget's answer.

"You really are a pacifist."

"I just find fair and legal methods more comfortable."