CWMBR 90

Chapter 90

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***

But for some reason, Bridget's expression changed strangely.

"Donna read books to you?"

"Yes."

"………………That girl who read to you was your first love?"

Surprise colored her voice as she asked one question after another. Then she suddenly burst into a hollow laugh.

"Why are you laughing?"

Bridget didn't answer. She just stood motionless in the ruined mansion, laughing as if in utter disbelief, before finally gathering herself and quietly turning away.

She never explained why she had laughed until she left the mansion.

***

Jane returned from her vacation. Upon hearing what had transpired in her absence, she gasped in horror and gasped again.

"I'm throwing out every single one of Mr. Ronan's things in this house right now!"

Furious as if it were her own business, Jane immediately suggested hiring private security. She sighed repeatedly, insisting they should at least hire a strong servant.

Bridget assured her that she had given Ronan strict instructions, so it wouldn't happen again, but Jane remained visibly uneasy. She finally relaxed when she heard that Gilum had agreed to escort Bridget for the time being.

Gilum, who had won Jane's favor in an instant, was treated to tea at the mansion, receiving all manner of encouragement and requests.

Ronan didn't appear at the Grand Theater, and there was little word from Donna either. Bridget, not letting it bother her, began going to work at the theater again. Then, Bertio suddenly stopped showing up without notice, and time passed as she scrambled to cover his absence.

"The results are in. Before the official announcement, I'll share the details with you both first."

Sanne delivered the news that the investigation into their marriage annulment petition had concluded.

***

Bridget entered the very same office where she had first met Sanne. Ain was already there, accompanied by Declan.

"Thank you both for coming."

Sanne smiled faintly and guided Bridget to the sofa. Bridget sat down, keeping a slight distance from Ain, and looked down at the documents placed before her. The investigators' findings were neatly organized there.

Through those documents, Bridget confirmed the photograph Ain had submitted as evidence. Seeing the evidence she'd only heard about with her own eyes felt strange.

Bridget stared at the photo. It was dark and black-and-white, making the side profile appear slightly blurred. Yet the features were almost identical to Bridget's own, so much so that mistaking this woman for Bridget wouldn't have been surprising.

"As this is the decisive evidence proving Mrs. Wise's dishonesty, we investigated it with the utmost care to avoid any errors."

Sanne continued her brief explanation. She noted that the photo was unclear and dark, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions based on it alone. Therefore, she had tracked down the photographer, the subject in the photo, and the location to accurately verify the events and circumstances of that day. All her words were detailed in the documents that followed.

The documents contained statements from Finn and Donna, as well as testimonies from Grand Theater employees. Bridget, who had been calmly skimming through them, paused abruptly upon spotting Hilda's name.

It seemed Hilda had testified that she saw Bridget emerge that early morning, looking around as if being chased by something. Given she had specified the direction of the second-floor duty room, it seemed she had genuinely seen Bridget. Hilda claimed that Bridget's suspicious behavior that dawn must have been part of a deliberate plan to spend the night with Ain.

There was also Bertio's testimony. He had answered that Bridget had once gone as far as a tavern brothel for the Grand Theater. Both testimonies were statements meant to slander Bridget, yet ironically, they also served as proof that Bridget and Ain had spent the night together.

Reading the paper that laid bare exactly what the staff thought of her, Bridget calmly pondered Sanne’s intentions in showing her this.

"We discovered significant details in the photographer's activities. Correspondence with Donna Green. It made uncovering the full story of the incident much easier."

The letters exchanged between the photographer and Donna were brief. In truth, they were closer to notes instructing actions than actual correspondence. How had they obtained these? Bridget marveled at the investigators' resourcefulness as she scanned the contents. The content was composed of only a few fragmented words, almost like a code.

"Donna Green requested this photographer to take her picture, and the result is the photograph you see now. It appears the target was Finn Emerson."

So the photo with Ain Wise was, in other words, a 'fluke'. Sanne said it was difficult to determine Donna's exact motive for leaving behind this photo with Ain. Judging by his expression, he seemed to have heard the subject's statement, but it appeared he couldn't quite make sense of it.

"Regarding the drugs, we've also completed our investigation, but as it's connected to another case, we cannot disclose detailed information here. However, what I can say for certain is..."

Sanne's gaze shifted to Ain, who was quietly looking down at the documents.

"We found no evidence that Lady Wise intentionally administered drugs to Lord Wise."

A silence fell over the office. Neither Ain nor Bridget showed any particular reaction. After glancing between them, Sanne spoke in a clear voice.

"It has been confirmed that you two spent the night together. The lady's pregnancy and miscarriage are also factual. Given the timeline, it is certain that the child bore Lord Wise's bloodline. Up to this point, do either of you wish to raise any objections?"

"No."

Sanne nodded at Ain’s reply and continued.

"Our investigation finds that the grounds for annulment raised by Lord Wise are invalid. These findings will be formally announced and subsequently forwarded to the presiding judge of the Royal Court."

Ain pressed his temples and forehead, seemingly about to say something to Declan. Sanne then turned to Bridget.

"And Lady Wise."

Bridget, who had been sitting quietly, lifted her head. Even though she had just been cleared of an unjust accusation moments ago, no trace of joy could be found in her serene expression.

"The Royal Court has accepted the objection you raised earlier. We acknowledge and regret that your miscarriage stemmed from Lord Wise's inappropriate and irresponsible conduct."

Ain frowned and turned to look at Bridget.

"What are you talking about?"

"Exactly what I said."

Bridget replied calmly. Sanne pulled out a new piece of paper before them.

Ain's expression stiffened as he recognized the royal seal stamped on the envelope. Sanne opened the sealed envelope, took out the letter, and read it aloud.

"The royal family also feels a sense of responsibility for the immature actions of one of its members and offers condolences for the unseen bloodline of the royal house. Therefore, the Royal House of Alencia accepts Lady Wise's request for divorce, promises sufficient compensation, and intends to immediately approve the terms upon mutual agreement between the two parties, without further trial."

Ain frowned sharply.

"Divorce? Who decided that?"

At those words, Sannae glanced at Ain.

"Should the two of you fail to reach a smooth agreement, the matter will be referred to the Royal Court. In that case, Lord Wise—"

Sanne adjusted her glasses with her fingertips and said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"This time, you'll be gracing the front page of the newspapers with your divorce proceedings."

Divorce when one party didn't consent? Ain glared at Sanne in utter disbelief before turning to the side.

"Bridget."

Bridget hadn't even glanced at Ain the entire time. Sitting upright, she stared straight ahead. Sanne addressed her in a somewhat softer tone.

"Mrs. Wise, has your initial opinion changed?"

"No."

Bridget's expression remained unchanged from the start. The same expression she had when she first met Sanne, the day she told her she wanted to end this marriage completely, regardless of the investigation's results.

Seemingly unaware of the gaze beside her, she spoke calmly, her eyes fixed on Sanne.

"The behavior my husband displayed during our short marriage is sufficient grounds for divorce."

Ain froze, speechless. Declan also seemed flustered by this unexpected turn of events.

"Maintaining a marriage where trust between spouses doesn't exist is impossible."

Bridget answered firmly, her expression impassive as she looked at Ain.

"So let's divorce."