CWMBR 111

Chapter 111

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Gilum watched Bridget unfold today's Uncoat while seated at the dining table with a look of wonder.

He seemed quite surprised by the variety of items Bridget had handed over to Uncoat. It wasn't just one or two either, meaning Donna's name would dominate Uncoat's pages for quite some time.

"Why haven't you used it until now?"

Gilum, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, casually asked. Bridget pursed her lips without taking her eyes off the paper.

"I couldn't shake the Grand Theater's sole source of income with my own hands."

There was no need to delve deeper; since Donna was the star actress who kept the Grand Theater afloat, Bridget had overlooked everything.

Donna's tyranny knew no bounds, but with Ronan and the local dignitaries he introduced backing her, any trouble was buried in an instant. As the Grand Theater's owner, Bridget had no power to rein in Donna's behavior.

No... maybe all that was just an excuse. If Bridget had stood up against injustice and exposed something to the press like she was doing now, things might have been different.

Bridget folded the newspaper she had finished reading and set it aside. Gilum picked it up and opened the section with Donna's article again.

"I didn't realize you'd kept all this evidence."

"Not so much left behind as needing to be dealt with all at once."

Bridget sipped her now-cold tea.

"Reporters were always following Donna, and many people asked me about her private life too. With so many eyes watching, these things had to be disposed of discreetly at the incinerator. Visiting too often would have looked suspicious, so I had to move carefully, keeping my wits about me."

She even had to watch the employees' reactions. While the staff mostly served as representatives for Ronan, Donna didn't fully trust them either. Consequently, disposing of any traces that could cause trouble for Donna fell entirely to Bridget. After all, Bridget was the one who would guard Donna's secrets most thoroughly for the sake of the Grand Theater’s survival.

To be honest, this was also her fault. She had used the fact that Donna was the Grand Theater's sole source of income as an excuse to turn a blind eye to her unreasonable tyranny. From the victim's perspective, weren't the perpetrator and those who stood by and watched the same kind of people? Even the reason she exposed Donna's true nature now was for her own selfish gain. It was nothing short of shameful behavior.

Bridget stared silently at the papers.

"Normally, I would have burned them all. I just... was distracted and forgot."

Donna and Ronan probably believed with absolute certainty that Bridget would have disposed of these long ago. Had she not become entangled with Ain and endured various trials, she would have disposed of the letters and such at the incinerator as usual. In that sense, she had unwittingly stabbed them in the back.

When the first article appeared, they probably laughed it off without a hint of tension. The second article too... Actors frequently used recorders to check their vocal projection or breathing while rehearsing. It was the kind of thing you could dismiss as an unfortunate leak.

But the story changed with Donna's personal correspondence. It was Bridget who had arranged the meetings with local dignitaries and made the arrangements for Donna's travel at their invitation. Likewise, it was Bridget who managed the personal letters and parcels that required careful handling to prevent leaks.

Looking back, it wasn't really surprising that Donna ignored Bridget. After all that personal service, Donna couldn't have seen Bridget as the owner of the Grand Theater. She probably saw her as little more than her own personal maid. So now, realizing Bridget was behind the article Uncoat exposed, she must be furious.

Bridget unfolded a new newspaper. It was the one that had recently carried an interview about Donna's recent activities, one of the media outlets close to Donna.

"She was always very jealous………………"

This newly published article was about the Glynford Grand Theater, focusing primarily on the incompetence and jealous nature of its owner, Bridget. It was likely commissioned by Donna. It seemed like an attempt to shift the mood by attacking the Glynford Grand Theater and Bridget. Whatever. Bridget intended to keep feeding the tabloids with stories regardless.

Bridget, who had been reading the article criticizing her with quite explicit words without much emotion, lifted her head at the gaze she sensed beside her. Ain, who had 'clocked in' at her mansion again today, was watching her.

Come to think of it, why wasn't Ain saying anything?

Honestly, while preparing the exposé on Donna, Bridget had expected Ain to intervene. Didn't he firmly believe Donna was his first love?

He himself, well, he said he's repaid his debt now or whatever, but what did that even mean? After getting so upset over the fact that he spent the night with her, not Donna? Bridget had seen that man, who was always so permissive towards Donna, right up close. No matter what he said about repaying favors, he could only act that way because he liked the other person to some degree.

So naturally, she expected him to show some displeasure over this matter too. Or perhaps take personal action to shield Donna. Like preventing the article from being published, for instance.

But Uncoat's article was running smoothly, and Ain seemed completely disinterested on the surface.

"A letter has arrived."

Bridget, who had been eyeing Ain suspiciously, took the letter he offered. They were the morning deliveries. While Mrs. Ottertz was serving tea, he must have stepped out briefly and retrieved the letters from the mailbox.

It was technically part of the servant's duties. She hadn't expected him to do it himself, though.

Bridget opened the letters starting with the one sent by express mail.

"The police headquarters contacted you separately, I see."

"Ah, yes."

Gilum glanced at it and pretended to know what it was. Bridget nodded and unfolded the paper.

"They have their pride too, after all."

"What pride? They got played by an actress."

Ain snarked almost before Bridget finished speaking, as if to himself. Bridget read the paper and replied calmly.

"If we're pointing fingers, you're no different."

"What?"

"You got played by Donna's lies too."

He should have been furious, but no retort came. Bridget rolled her eyes slightly, glancing at Ain beyond the letter. His expression was cold. Someone unfamiliar with him would likely notice nothing unusual.

But to Bridget, who had unwittingly engaged in various verbal spats with him these past few days, he looked utterly defeated. Surprisingly so.

But rather than pity, it seemed downright disgusting. So, with a touch of spite, Bridget asked.

"Are you okay?"

"What?"

"You must be feeling awkward about Donna’s situation."

Even at Bridget's words, Ain wore an expression of utter indifference.

"She's reaping the consequences of her own actions. Why should I care?"

Bridget let out a hollow laugh at that.

"I figured she'd do the same thing again, clinging to you like that over some 'first love' nonsense."

"The circumstances of that woman trying to deceive me and the Wise family have all been exposed. How long do you expect me to keep overlooking her?"

Come to think of it, he had a point. The embarrassing situation they found themselves in after the royal announcement was entirely due to the photo Donna had handed over. Setting aside Ain's foolishness in believing it without a second thought, it was undeniable that Donna had intended to cause trouble.

If anyone else had done that, they would have paid the price long ago. It was actually surprising that Ain hadn't demanded compensation from Donna after the truth about the photo came out.

...Come to think of it, Ain hadn't publicly demanded any compensation from Donna at all.

Realizing this fact anew, Bridget felt her mood sink. It wasn't exactly pleasant to notice that Ain was still being soft on Donna.

"The important person to me right now isn't that woman. It's you."

Thanks to that, Bridget could laugh off Ain’s words without hesitation.

"You think I'm more important?"

"Of course. You're my wife."

Bridget downed the last of her tea in one gulp. For some reason, anger welled up inside her.

"Drop that title. We're splitting up soon. Pretending to be affectionate now is pointless."

Despite her cold rebuke, Ain remained unperturbed.

"This isn't pretending. Even if we're splitting up soon, the fact that you're my wife right now is an objective truth."

Noticing her cup was empty, he lifted the teapot.

"Tea?"

"No, thanks."

His pride should be reaching its limit by now, yet she couldn't fathom what scheme drove him to wait on her hand and foot like this.

Bridget withdrew her gaze with a displeased expression. As she turned the newspaper pages with rough hands, Ain’s low voice reached her ear.

"The woman I remember might have been a bit dim, but she had no malice. Her innocent act was just typical of a child raised to be loved."

"Dim………………."

Bridget clenched her teeth without realizing it. Ain was obliviously blabbering away, but Bridget knew the true subject of that word. Therefore, she couldn't bring herself to agree with that assessment.

Stupid? Who's the stupid one now?

"Isn't calling her stupid a bit hasty?"

"She was stupid. She didn't even know what the Wise family was. And seeing as she doesn't remember that time, it seems that bad head of hers is still the same."

"Not knowing the Wise family is proof of stupidity......."

"Hm?"

"Nothing."

"Why that look?"

"I said nothing."