CWMBR 106

Chapter 106

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“It just happened.”

“Yeah, it just happened.”

Bridget didn’t press further. Instead, she quietly turned away. She left the room, her face, as white as snow and almost devoid of emotion.  Ain quickly followed.

“Where are you going?”

“To see Mr. Rogers. Is he in your office right now?”

"What about Declan?"

"It's personal."

Though she called it personal, it wasn't hard to see it was an extension of their earlier conversation. Ain glanced around the still-disorganized house as he spoke.

"You've got work to do. Why bother going yourself? Tell me, and I can pass it on."

"You can leave the rest to Mrs. Ottertz. And as I said, it's personal. I have no reason to tell you."

Bridget drew a line with Ain without a moment's hesitation. It was an attitude so cold it bordered on outright indifference.

Seeing her turn away as if leaving no room for further involvement, Ain blurted out somewhat urgently.

"Declan recently became the exclusive counsel for the Wise family."

Ain, who had blurted it out abruptly, added an explanation like an excuse when his eyes met Bridget's.

"………………It's not so much 'became' as it is 'under discussion'."

Bridget concluded simply.

"Then I suppose I'll have to find another lawyer."

As she turned to leave without hesitation, Ain quickly stepped in front of her. Facing her, who left him no room to intervene, a wave of anxiety washed over him, as if she were being chased by someone.

"It'll be hard to find someone more skilled than Declan."

"What are you trying to say?"

Bridget asked in a dry voice, and Ain paused. His lips twitched before he spoke in a measured tone.

"Even if Declan becomes the Wise family's exclusive counsel, you're Madame Wise. You have the standing to negotiate with him."

"I have no intention of undoing the divorce just to negotiate with Mr. Rogers."

"Of course not."

Ain absentmindedly licked his lips. Never before had his words tangled like this in any situation, and for the first time in his life, he doubted his own eloquence. Was it just his imagination that his words kept coming out incoherently? He only wanted to say he would help her, but conveying that to her proved surprisingly difficult. Perhaps it was because the response he expected when he openly offered help was all too obvious.

He didn't want to hear the answer, 'I don't need your help.'

"What I mean is, when Declan takes on a case, I briefly review it too. There's no need to hide it from me."

"Ah, so Mr. Rogers only takes cases you approve of? Did you get his consent?"

But no matter how he phrased it, persuading Bridget seemed hopeless. Ain finally sighed, his voice half-resigned.

"Fine, I'll be honest."

Sweeping his hair back, he continued in the most rational tone he could manage.

"Whatever you intend to do, if there's something you can use, you should use it. Isn't that right? Especially if it leads to a smoother outcome."

"So you're telling me to use you."

"Yes. If there's an angle to exploit, why wouldn't you?"

Bridget's green eyes stared intently at Ain, as if trying to gauge his true intentions. After watching him for a moment, she slowly parted her lips.

"If I use you, are you sure you won't expect anything in return?"

It was a sincere question. It was also a declaration that she remained steadfast in her desire for divorce, and no help he offered would sway her resolve.

"I have no intention of negotiating with you. If we proceed as you suggest, this relationship will offer you no benefit whatsoever."

"………………My benefit is not your concern."

Indeed it was. Bridget fully agreed with Ain's opinion, yet she couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"I'm curious—why this sudden change of heart?"

She asked flatly, her expression showing no hint of curiosity.

"Is life boring? So you feel like doing things you never did before?"

"Like I said, I did something wrong to you."

"Do you even understand that it was wrong?"

A faint smile touched Bridget's lips. It was a smile born purely of utter bewilderment.

"Given your personality, it seems normal for you to get angry and ask what you did wrong. It suits you better to feel wronged, saying you were deceived too."

Bridget understood Ain perfectly. Ain, who had been inwardly angry just days ago, was now speechless, his lips pressed tightly together. Even that anger and resentment had faded with time. His initial fury hadn't been justified in the first place.

He knew this rationally, but had refused to admit it. Now, Ain had no intention of explaining his grievances or rage to her. Instead, he was merely seeking any excuse to entangle himself with her, who wouldn't even engage with him. If he didn't do that, he'd probably spend all day trying to find peace of mind by the Valea River. It was a futile endeavor.

Bridget, watching him without refuting but also showing no intention of backing down, let out a short sigh.

"Fine."

The moment Ain's eyes lit up at the affirmation from Bridget's lips, she said in an indifferent tone.

"Then why don't you go fetch Mr. Rogers?"

"What?"

"As you said, it seems unnecessary for me to make the trip myself. I need a moment to gather my thoughts."

Bridget glanced down briefly at the death certificate in her hand before lifting her head again.

"You said to use you? As you can see, I don't have another servant at home. I need someone to handle that role. I was actually considering hiring a strong, capable servant this time... but..."

"I'll go."

Before Bridget could finish her sentence, Ain replied curtly.

"What's so hard about that?"

He answered with a tone laced with half-hearted defiance, then spun away abruptly. Just then, he spotted Wayna and Jane craning their necks near the staircase, watching them. Seeing Ain striding purposefully toward the stairs, they jumped back in surprise, stumbling awkwardly aside. Ain passed them without so much as a glance.

Ain left the mansion without looking back, appearing slightly angry at first glance. Bridget stood calmly at the second-floor balcony, watching Ain's retreating figure until he disappeared from view.

Jane, who had been staring at the entrance where Ain had left with a worried look, muttered to herself.

"Is this really the right thing?"

Jane and Wayna hadn't deliberately eavesdropped on the Wise couple's conversation. They'd merely overheard a few words exchanged as the two stepped into the hallway, and among them, Bridget's instruction for Ain to "serve as a servant" had particularly struck them.

Jane, who knew Ain’s true identity, looked worried, fearing Ain might fly into a rage and retaliate. Wayna, however, shrugged indifferently.

 "What's not right about it? He's the one who made such a fuss about suing the woman who carried his baby. The lady is actually being kind-hearted. If it were me, I'd have broken both his legs just to make sure he never showed his ugly face again."

Bridget, who was about to go upstairs, reacted without thinking.

"That sounds like a good solution."

"What do you mean? Should I give it a try?"

Wayna looked at Bridget with sparkling eyes. She must know full well it was impossible, yet she said such things purely to comfort her. Bridget gave her a faint, grateful smile.

"If the bodyguard I barely managed to secure gets arrested by the police, I'll be the only one who loses out. Just saying it is enough, Wayna."

"Just let me know if you ever need anything. But ma'am, you look terrible. Are you all right?"

"Should I call Magnus?"

Bridget shook her head at Wayna and Jane's question.

"I'm fine. I'll be on the third floor. Call me when Mr. Rogers arrives."

After giving that instruction, Bridget turned toward the third floor. The faint smile she had managed to force vanished without a trace, as if washed away by a wave.

***

The doctor's name on the death certificate was different. The document's issuance time also showed that the one Bridget had was dated later.

Bridget carefully traced the names of her parents written on that paper.

How far could a person truly sink into evil?

Did justice only exist in fairy tales?

Her fingertips grew cold.