CWMBR 117

Chapter 117

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Donna fundamentally had Ronan's steadfast support, but she didn't rely solely on him in every aspect.

She wasn't stupid; she knew full well she needed to build up her own network to some extent. Though her stubborn and jealous nature prevented her from fawning over everyone, she maintained a clear stance at least in front of one or two key people she needed to impress.

Mrs. Hera, the wealthy businessman's wife who had introduced Donna to the dressmaker, was one such person. True to her status as a business tycoon's spouse, she possessed a wide network of useful connections, making her a valuable source of funds for Donna. She also had a sensitive, somewhat easy going nature, which made her an easy target for Donna to manipulate.

Had Bridget approached her from the start, she would likely have defended Donna and branded Bridget a delusional lunatic. She might even have spread rumors calling Bridget a liar before Bridget could expose anything to the press.

So Bridget waited until the press had sufficiently exposed Donna. Thanks to the evidence that surfaced alongside the exposés, public opinion became divided. Even among fans who had blindly supported Donna, some were starting to turn their backs. Most importantly, emboldened by the successive revelations, those who had suffered Donna's tyranny without anywhere to turn began quietly submitting anonymous tips. As a result, the newspapers these days were nothing short of a complete mess.

Mrs. Hera was the type to be subtly swept up in such public currents. She was likely both flustered by the realization that this was not the Donna she knew and feeling betrayed. Now would be the time to contact her.

"Ah, you're here just in time."

Bridget, who had been watching out the window, suddenly stood up. Outside, the postman was dismounting from his horse.

Bridget approached the postman with the parcel she had prepared in advance. The parcel she handed him bore no sender's information.

***

Gilum, who had returned to Sanne, stayed away from Bridget for several days, citing a few matters he needed to check. Bridget told him there was no need for him to rush back, then quietly secluded herself.

Since Ain didn't contact her or visit either, she was able to enjoy a rare quiet daily life. If she didn't read the newspaper, she wouldn't even know the outside world was in turmoil.

Had this peace lasted about five days? A visitor arrived at the mansion.

Two guests arrived by carriage, both women wearing hooded cloaks commonly found in the market.

They didn't appear dangerous at first glance, but the way they had their faces completely covered was highly suspicious. Jane and Wayna said they looked shady and suggested not opening the door, but Bridget, having confirmed the visitors through the window, cheerfully welcomed them inside. The guests seemed more surprised by the door opening so readily.

The woman who had been hesitating at the entrance slipped inside first, glanced around, then led the other woman in. Their demeanor alone made it clear one was a maid and the other her mistress.

"Um, shall I prepare tea in the parlor?"

Jane, who had been eyeing the women suspiciously as they still refused to remove their hoods even inside the mansion, asked Bridget.

Bridget shook her head.

"Prepare it in the upstairs room."

After unpacking everything upstairs, Bridget had given one room to Wayna and was using the remaining room herself. Unlike the relatively open first-floor drawing room, the second floor was much more private. She meant they would talk there.

"This way, please."

At Bridget's matter-of-fact instruction, the maid glanced back at her mistress. When the mistress nodded, the maid quietly remained in place.

Even after sitting across from each other on the sofa in the upstairs room, the guest remained utterly silent. Only after Jane, who had prepared refreshments, left the room did the guest finally speak.

"Why did you send that package?"

Her voice was sharp and laced with tension, the question dripping with hostility. Bridget responded calmly, lifting her teacup.

"What do you mean?"

Her unwavering composure seemed to fuel the other woman's anger. The woman roughly pulled back her hood and raised her voice.

"Just as Donna said, you really are a devious person!"

The person glaring fiercely with eyes wide open was Mrs. Hera. Her pale, makeup-free complexion clearly showed she had been through severe emotional distress recently. Moreover, her squinting expression made it seem she couldn't bear to be around anyone without getting angry.

She continued nervously.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out if you didn't write the sender's name, Madame Wise?"

No way.

If she truly didn't want to be tracked, she wouldn't have sent the parcel via the postman in the first place. Bridget had deliberately delivered it carelessly because she wanted the other party to find her. The parcel alone wouldn't be enough to completely unsettle Mrs. Hera.

"Since you're already certain, I won't waste your time. Yes, I sent it."

Bridget calmly affirmed, taking a sip of tea. The subtle floral scent soothed her mind and body.

"And the reason I sent it is written in the enclosed letter."

"Ha! Who do you take me for?"

Mrs. Hera immediately snorted derisively. But Bridget remained utterly serene.

"As you've likely seen in the papers, the Glynford Grand Theater recently finalized its contract with Donna. While disposing of the belongings she left behind, I discovered the items I sent you."

Lifting her gaze from the floor to meet Mrs. Hera's eyes, Bridget lowered her voice.

"The heartfelt love letter your husband wrote."

Mrs. Hera's face flushed bright red.

"Please forgive me for reading it first without meaning to. I was trying to understand the situation."

"My husband and Donna...! Do you think that makes any sense?"

Mrs. Hera's husband was publicly known as a devoted husband. And rightly so—he was a successful businessman but a commoner, while Mrs. Hera was descended from a noble family that had barely managed to maintain its status.

Such unions were typically the result of mutual advantage. The man coveted Mrs. Hera's family name and noble bloodline, while Mrs. Hera was a naive young noblewoman who had lost her heart to the young businessman who fawned over her.

Yet the businessman lingered around Donna. Perhaps Donna's dazzling charm, a stark contrast to the innocent and delicate Mrs. Hera, had captured his attention.

"This is absurd! What do you know about my husband...?"

"I know nothing. I merely checked the letter and sent it to you."

"Then why?"

"Do you think I revealed an unnecessary truth?"

Mrs. Hera, flushed crimson with fury, fell silent as if speechless. Biting her lower lip until her skin turned pale, she finally looked away from Bridget first.

Regaining her breath with a face that looked ready to cry at any moment, Mrs. Hera asked in a strained voice.

"Why didn't you pass it on to Uncoat?"

It was a most unexpected question. Noticing the doubt lingering in Bridget's silence, Mrs. Hera said in a cold tone.

"Because the materials Uncoat initially released were all things that couldn't be obtained unless you were a key figure at the Grand Theater or someone close to Donna. Anyone with half a brain would know Madame Wise was behind it. Isn't this letter one of the best pieces of evidence to tarnish Donna's reputation?"

Bridget stared silently at Mrs. Hera, who asked in a sharp voice, then blinked slowly.

It wouldn't be difficult to publicly expose this to the press and paint Donna as an immoral woman. Especially with Mrs. Hera's husband parading around as a devoted husband, how much of a stir would releasing this letter cause? Since it tore apart a happily married couple, Donna would face severe condemnation.

But Bridget was more calculating. There was already more than enough evidence to tarnish Donna's reputation; there was no need to add this.

It was actually more advantageous not to make this public. Because.

"No woman would want to throw a couple's discord into the public spotlight."

If this were made public, Mrs. Hera's reputation would also plummet.

"Is that from personal experience?"

"Yes."

When she answered calmly to what was surely a deliberately spiteful question, Mrs. Hera clamped her mouth shut once more. Bridget tipped her teacup again, giving her ample time to think.

Instead of revealing the love letter, Bridget decided to send it to Mrs. Hera. The recipient would inevitably seek out the sender, and they would discover it was Bridget. She might be angry at first, but eventually, she would be grateful.

Even if Donna thought otherwise inside, outwardly she treated her with respect. Bridget concluded it was advantageous to win Mrs. Hera's favor.

Of course, even without that, there was also the feeling that she didn't want to spread rumors about the private misfortunes of someone unrelated.