I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 36

The night-lit council chamber glowed with dim, flickering orange light.

At the great desk sat Leivis, deep in the chair of the house lord, a staff in his hand like a scepter.

Along the wall stood the servants in silence: Anne and Elina, the butler, the housekeeper, and the treasurer Simon Gregory. All kept their heads bowed.

Elina looked gaunt, pale, her hands bound.

Opposite Leivis, a chair had been placed. He turned to Liliana.

“Liliana, sit.”

She obeyed, lowering herself onto the chair.

The room grew taut with silence. When Leivis flicked his staff lightly, all eyes turned to him.

(This scene… could it be…)

Liliana’s heartbeat quickened. She recognized the situation.

“Now then—”

His voice cut the air, tightening it further.

“I summoned you tonight because strange figures were found in the account books and transfer records.”

Liliana’s heart leapt. Everyone present was somehow involved.

Leivis’s gaze fell on her.

“Liliana. Do you admit to sending money to your family, House Valentin?”

(This is the condemnation scene?!)

In the novel, Liliana’s misdeeds were exposed, she was condemned, divorced, and Leivis declared his love for Elina.

Everything matched except Elina was bound and wasted away.

(So, this is the defendant’s seat?! Calm down—)

Leivis had only asked if she had sent money. She had no choice but to answer honestly.

“Yes. My family asked for aid… I sent the gold coins you gave me, all of them.”
“……”

Heavy silence. Leivis checked the ledger.

“Yet the amount does not match. The sum sent to House Valentin is ten times what I gave you.”
“—What?!”

Liliana’s heart pounded. Impossible. How?

“Liliana, any idea?”
“No…”

None. Not a mistake of a zero such would have been caught. Leivis never erred. And her siblings had been delighted.

(Ah… ah…)

Far more money had been sent than she knew. Already spent—on the lavish new clothes she had seen at the ball.

Her world crumbled beneath her.

“What was the procedure?”
“…I gave the coins and the request to Elina…”

She forced the truth out.

Leivis turned to Elina.

“It’s not true!”

Elina cried, tears streaming.

“The mistress ordered me. I knew it was wrong, but I was too afraid to refuse.”

Liliana’s spine chilled.

(What is she saying…?)

She had only asked Elina to deliver the request. No threats, no crime.

Confused, she watched as Leivis pressed calmly.

“Explain.”
“It was the mistress’s order… She gave me coins and a letter, told me to pretend it was that amount, but actually instruct Simon to send ten times more…”

—A lie. She had never said that.

Liliana tried to protest but no words came. Her mouth felt sealed.

(Why…?)

She strained, but only silence. She could not move, as if bound to the chair.

Meanwhile, Elina wept like a tragic heroine.

“There’s no proof but she threatened me! ‘Do as I say, keep quiet!’ I was terrified!”

Leivis listened, face stern, calculating.

His sharp gaze turned on Liliana. She lowered her head, unable to speak.

“Simon Gregory.”
“Yes.”

The treasurer stepped forward.

“Following the maid’s report, I sent the sum as instructed by the mistress.”
“Then why the discrepancy in the books?”

Simon faltered.

“…The mistress wished it kept from you so I altered the records…”
“You falsified the accounts?”

Leivis’s voice cut sharper. Simon dropped his gaze.

“Numbers do not lie. You know that. Any trick leaves traces.”
“…Forgive me…”

Leivis exhaled, set the ledger down.

“Now, the fate of the coins and letter Liliana gave you?”
“The mistress said, to use the coins as hush money for the treasurer.”

Elina’s eyes glistened as she spoke.

—A lie. Liliana wanted to cry out, but no words came.

She was being painted as a corrupt wife, bribing the treasurer, embezzling for her family.

“Simon, did you truly receive the coins?”
“Yes.”
“Where are they? Still with you?”
“Yes. The coins and letter from the mistress are stored here.”

Simon glanced toward the chamber’s vault.

“…Eh.”

Elina’s face changed instantly.