CWMBR 108

Chapter 108

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"What the hell am I looking at?"

Declan shuddered violently, his body shaking. He turned away quickly, his face contorted like someone who'd seen something they shouldn't have. Bridget saw him off impassively.

Jane, who had seen Declan off with Bridget, glanced up at the second floor and asked quietly.

"Are we really supposed to make him do it?"

"He said he would."

"But... he hurt his wrist earlier."

Jane's voice carried a hint of worry, likely recalling how Ain had sprained his wrist catching Bridget when she fell on the stairs.

It felt less like concern for Ain's injury and more like apprehension about whether it might cause bigger problems later.

Bridget, however, remained calm.

"He's not an idiot. Would he push himself to work with a hurt hand? He knows how to take care of himself."

He knew better than anyone else how precious his own bloodline was. He'd take good care of himself, if only to avoid the losses that would occur if he were to fall ill and be bedridden.

Even after Bridget's words, Jane still looked uneasy. Not that she couldn't understand Jane's unease, so Bridget added a subtle suggestion.

"Or just leave him be. Servants don't always do only what they're told. Tell him to find work on his own."

Since she wasn't unaware of his true nature, Jane might have found talking to Ain itself burdensome. Jane shook her head at Bridget's suggestion.

"Oh, I'll just stay in the kitchen."

In the end, Jane chose to avoid Ain altogether. Watching Jane enter the kitchen, constantly clicking her tongue, made her feel inexplicably sorry, as if she’d unnecessarily annoyed an innocent person.

It was fortunate that the atmosphere wasn’t too bad, thanks to Wayna chatting amiably with Jane.

Gilum, who had watched the commotion without making his presence felt, quietly approached Bridget and said,

"No one else could treat Lord Wise like that."

At his admiring remark, Bridget merely shrugged her shoulders. Seeing her expression, which showed little excitement, Gilum gave an awkward smile.

"You don't seem very pleased. "

Truthfully, fatigue outweighed any joy.

It was easier on the mind to simply avoid dealing with those she disliked and despised. Lately, Bridget had come to realize all too keenly that hating people was far more exhausting than liking them. How could people in this world embrace such negative emotions and fight so fiercely with others? Getting angry consumes an enormous amount of energy.

Bridget quietly measured the resentment and hatred she harbored within her heart, letting out a shallow sigh.

Would things get better if Ain just disappeared from her sight?

"This way, he'll leave on his own. He's a proud man."

Given his arrogant nature and unrestrained life, the treatment he received from Bridget must have wounded his pride considerably. After all, hadn't he revealed a crucial truth to her? In his own way, he'd offered help, yet the treatment he got back was wretched. He might stubbornly hold out for now, but that stubbornness wouldn't last long.

Gilum tilted his head at Bridget's words.

"Hmm, that pride of his seems to malfunction properly in front of the lady..."

It was a muttered remark that didn't quite reach Bridget as she began climbing the stairs.

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His claim to be a 'strong and capable servant' wasn't entirely unfounded.

Despite his wrist being more uncomfortable than usual, Ain diligently followed Bridget's instructions. Later, even Bridget momentarily forgot about his wrist issue.

"Wouldn't it be more efficient to place the desk over there instead of here?"

He even offered unsolicited advice on rearranging the room's layout.

Furthermore, just as Bridget had anticipated, Ain took excellent care of himself. After checking his wrist a few times, he began applying a hot, damp towel compress on his own initiative. At mealtimes, he took a seat without being asked. After his break, he helped move furniture, taking care not to overexert himself. He even skillfully found cool water to drink.

Jane was speechless at his brazen behavior, as if he'd lived in this house for years. Wayna was impressed, and Gilum let out a hollow laugh.

Regardless, he genuinely stayed for dinner and left late into the night.

Then he showed up for work again the next day.

The phrase "went to work..." was his own words.

"A verbal agreement is still an agreement, so it's practically the same as being hired. You were considering hiring a servant anyway, weren't you?"

Bridget, who had been watching Ain go to work without being told, crossed her arms with an exasperated look.

"..................Looks like you're ready to draw up a formal contract."

"Shall I prepare one?"

It was obviously just bluffing, but she didn't want to inadvertently fuel that stubbornness. Bridget shook her head coldly.

"No need. You fall short of my hiring standards."

"Fall short?"

"Yes. Your character falls short."

Wayna, who had been peeking from behind Bridget, hurriedly covered her mouth. Jane also quietly averted her gaze.

Ain, having his character criticized to his face, fell silent for a moment, seemingly at a loss for words. But he soon pulled up the corners of his mouth and replied nonchalantly.

"Strong, good with his hands, and good character too. You're a very picky employer. Finding someone who meets those standards will be tough, so I guess I'll have to work longer than expected?"

His pride hurt, so he was stubborn in the strangest ways.

Having reached that conclusion, Bridget decided to ignore him.

Calling the police for trespassing would only lead to watching him grovel, wishing them a pleasant day. She could force him out, but if Wayna reported her for using force, she had no idea whose side the police would take. Above all, they were still legally married. Because of that, the police would likely dismiss any serious issues as a minor domestic dispute and turn a blind eye.

Besides, Bridget didn't have time to engage in a war of nerves with Ain right now. She couldn't leave everything related to her parents' accident solely in Declan's hands. She planned to hire a private investigator to track down the doctor who had issued the death certificate. She also needed to visit the media outlets.

Bridget checked the handbag she had packed the night before once more and bit her lower lip hard.

"Where are you going?"

Ain quietly asked as she hurriedly prepared to leave, ignoring him completely. She didn't even glance his way.

"I drove my car."

Cars were rare, and even fewer people knew how to drive them. Even among the upper class, they typically hired chauffeurs rather than driving themselves. In that sense, Ain was quite unusual.

Back when she first learned he drove, Bridget had found it truly remarkable. And just as she’d secretly wished to ride in it, she discovered Ain had taken Donna for a drive.

At the time, Donna thought Ain was Finn’s driver and assumed the car belonged to Finn too, but... Having seen that car at Ain's rented mansion, Bridget knew from the start that the car belonged to Ain. If he hadn't allowed it, Donna wouldn't have been able to ride in it. Knowing that fact, Bridget had felt a little disheartened.

Unintentionally, unpleasant old memories surfaced, and Bridget's face stiffened naturally.

"It must be nice to be rich."

"When you have a readily available means of transportation, why bother running around trying to hail a carriage?"

"Isn't that seat too precious to just let anyone ride in it? I wouldn't dare get in."

"Anyone……………?"

"Ain."

Bridget, having neatly adjusted her scarf, picked up her hat and spoke calmly.

"You have your first love with the golden hair in the car."

No sooner had Bridget finished speaking than Wayna clapped. Wayna, meeting Ain's gaze, sheepishly lowered her hands, but still didn't forget to offer Bridget quiet encouragement.

"If you keep speaking like that, everyone will be truly happy, ma'am."

"Like that?"

Bridget seemed genuinely puzzled, not quite grasping how her words had sounded. It was understandable; to her, she had simply stated the facts. Seeing her bewildered expression, Wayna gave her a thumbs-up, implying her remark was perfectly timed.

Since yesterday, Wayna had insisted that Bridget needed unconditional support and encouragement, even enlisting Gilum and Jane to offer bafflingly enthusiastic encouragement. Bridget, realizing the current applause was likely an extension of that, turned away.

Just then, the sound of horses pawing the ground reached them from outside. Jane must have summoned the carriage, which had arrived. As Bridget stepped out of the house, Wayna and Gilum immediately followed. And then...

"Why are you getting in?"

"You asked me to serve as a servant. Isn't that asking me to wait on you?"

Of course, that wasn't the meaning at all.

Especially Ain Wise waiting on someone else? Hardly!