CWMBR 130

Chapter 130

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Hiding her displeasure, Mrs. Callaway took a sip of tea before suddenly speaking up.

"By the way, is Madame Wise's mansion just a temporary residence? It looks like it might collapse any moment."

Mrs. Callaway recalled the mansion she had seen earlier. It was so small it was almost laughable to call it a mansion. Even the Callaway family servants' quarters were better than that. For it to be Madame Wise's mansion, yet such a cramped building? Worse still, other houses were pressed close on either side. It didn't look safe in any way.

She knew well there had been serious discord with Ain Wise, but ultimately that issue had been resolved through royal intervention. If so, wasn't it only right that Madame Wise enjoyed everything she deserved? Even if it was a temporary lodging for a brief stay, it meant she should be provided a place befitting that status.

"The structure is flimsy, and the materials used are all cheap and shoddy. Even if it's a temporary residence, isn't it a bit dangerous to put the lady in such a place?"

Declan, who had been listening quietly, let out a hollow laugh. Mrs. Callaway's eyes were set so high up that the house seemed like it might collapse, but to Declan, it was just an ordinary family home. Just a common, run-of-the-mill family home you'd see anywhere.

Yet Ain nodded deeply, seeming to share Mrs. Callaway's concern. He even called over Fergus, who was buried in work, and instructed him in a serious tone.

"Add a few mansions to that list."

'That list' referred to the items soon to be paid to Bridget under the name of alimony. Fergus, who updated 'that list' daily, understood exactly what was meant without needing specifics. Rubbing his darkened eye sockets, he sighed.

"There are already many."

"Add different types, not just what's already there."

Different types? Did he mean one per floor? Or perhaps by the number of windows? Or maybe even arrange them by roof color?

All manner of complaints surged at his boss's absurd order, but Fergus forced his lips tightly shut. Only, deep inside, he found himself wishing for the Wise couple's swift divorce. Otherwise, this list would likely just keep getting updated forever.

Beside him, Iliont, unable to muster the courage to cling to his mistress's skirt and plead, merely stared at his boss with a slightly pitying look as he filled the innocent paper with dense writing.

Whether aware or not of the aides lost in their own thoughts, Ain continued the conversation impassively.

"Are you going straight up?"

"Wherever I go, I'm treated like this. I suppose I should return."

Mrs. Callaway, replying with a hint of complaint, raised her eyebrows and countered.

"And when does Lord Wise plan to go to the capital?"

"I have no particular business there."

Ain had never been one to diligently attend social events. His routine involved frequently relocating for his investment ventures, and when he did occasionally visit the capital, it was solely to pursue business connections or meetings offering some advantage. Even that had all changed recently, though.

Mrs. Callaway tilted her head at Ain's answer.

"But you haven't properly introduced your wife to society yet. It's only been a year since your marriage, hasn't it?"

Ain's expression grew peculiar at Mrs. Callaway's words. Had it truly been a year since he married Bridget?

He hadn't really lived a married life, so he hadn't noticed time passing. Estimating the time Bridget had spent in Breford and the period since moving here, it did seem roughly a year had passed.

"You know my wedding date better than I do."

"How could I forget that memorable date? Your wedding was handled so fast. I was astonished to hear that such an event, which should have been celebrated grandly on the Wise family estate, was instead rushed through in a provincial town chapel. Everyone was flustered, not even knowing where to send congratulatory gifts."

Ain's expression darkened slightly. He stroked his teacup and replied coldly.

"I didn't receive any such gifts."

"Word spread far and wide that the atmosphere was unpleasant. Who would want to celebrate a wedding where the groom didn't even wear proper formal attire?"

Ain's fingers, which had been idly twirling the teacup handle, froze stiff. A chill spread through his stomach as if he'd swallowed a whole block of ice.

"Back then, I truly believed Lord Wise was firmly ensnared by some woman. But judging by his actions, perhaps it wasn't quite like that after all."

"I was the one who ensnared her."

"But Madame Wise isn't nobility, is she? She married into a family she wouldn't normally have been entangled with. She should be grateful for the rest of her life."

Mrs. Callaway said this with an expression that suggested she didn't think much of it. She probably thought Ain was just making idle chatter.

After a moment of silence, he replied in a subdued voice.

"Being mocked by the whole world for being entangled with a husband of such vile conduct is not something to be grateful for."

"Wasn't that why you wanted to buy this entire city?"

Ain almost sneered without realizing it.

In the past, he might have agreed with Mrs. Callaway, but the Ain of today knew how hollow those words were. If buying the entire city and giving it away could compensate for Bridget's time, he would have done it long ago.

"It's not the first time people have taken an interest in your investments, and rumors are spreading like wildfire around this backwater about you splashing out money left and right. Some are even preparing to pour their fortunes into following you, without knowing what they're getting into. Those who think a gold mine has been discovered will be quite disappointed when they learn the truth."

"The more investment capital, the better."

Ain casually averted his gaze. Outside the window lay the now familiar streets of Glynford.

"At this rate, we might as well replace every single stone rolling around on the road."

Of course, road maintenance wasn't Ain's responsibility, but if money flooded the city, wouldn't even the stones paving the roads be replaced with prettier ones?

Mrs. Callaway gave a hollow laugh at Ain’s words.

"If you think so highly of the lady, why not bring her up to the center and show her off?"

Her expression was quite serious.

"I heard she hasn't attended a single family gathering? Everyone's puzzled since there's been no word after the royal announcement. All eyes are on when she'll finally make an appearance."

Although Mrs. Callaway had become entangled with the Wise couple over an unpleasant matter this time... minor disputes among nobles had always existed. The issue involving Finn Emerson could become serious if nitpicked, but conversely, it could also serve as an opportunity to foster closer ties. And typically, in such cases, all aristocrats chose to pursue suitable compromises and camaraderie for the sake of the future.

Even though Mrs. Callaway was annoyed by Bridget's ridiculous threats, she could easily offer Bridget a gracious smile at their next meeting. After all, she was Madame Wise.

"To become the future mistress of the Wise household, she must cultivate friendships throughout society. The husband can't manage the entire household alone, can he? I've heard she ran the Grand Theater, but that's simply a matter of hiring someone to manage it permanently. To bear a proper heir, she must maintain her health. She knows this better than anyone, having already suffered one tragic loss. She seems rather frail..."

"Bridget's health wasn't the cause of the miscarriage."

Ain cut Mrs. Callaway off with a cold voice.

"It happened because I left her in the mountains and neglected her entirely."

Bridget's miscarriage wasn't exactly a secret. Since it had been the very trigger for the annulment lawsuit, most people knew about it. Yet hearing others casually mention the issue felt odd.

Yes, this was truly strange. Ain suddenly imagined Bridget's feelings, having faced this situation long before him. Even Ain, who felt relatively less affection for the baby, felt this way. What must she have felt, seeing people gossiping about her miscarriage? She was the one who had written so tenderly about the baby.

"So that's what they're saying at headquarters? That Bridget miscarried because she didn't take care of herself?"

Ain, who had been speaking in a stiff voice, let out a hollow sigh.

Talking with Mrs. Callaway like this made it hit home even harder. What he had done in the past wasn't something that could be resolved by throwing a little money at it or saying a few words. He couldn't even begin to grasp where to start fixing this, or if he could handle it himself.

"If anyone else spreads such rumors, would you kindly set the record straight, Mrs. Callaway? That Ain Wise neglected his pregnant wife and sent his heir away with his own hands."

Ain's sharp, tense expression made Mrs. Callaway close her mouth with a peculiar look. After a moment of silence, she spoke calmly.

"I misspoke."

Mrs. Callaway, having readily apologized for her careless remark, offered Ain a composed comfort.

"Don't be too heartbroken. You can have another heir, sir."

Ain turned away coldly. She knew full well he wasn't the one who needed comforting. But Mrs. Callaway, misreading his expression, added with a sympathetic look,

"Of course, the loss of the child who left will never fade."

What Bridget had lost was not the Wise family heir. What she had lost was her child, who would have been her only family.

Through Bridget's letters, Ain understood how vast the gulf between them truly was. He dared not even begin to fathom the depth of Bridget's loss.

Ain's blue eyes darkened and sank.

"I suppose so."