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Revenge is done with money.
"I'd like a divorce, Leticia."
Clink.
The teacup clinked against the saucer.
Inside the sunlit greenhouse.
Leticia alternated her gaze between her husband, sitting in front of her, and the delicate woman with an innocent impression sitting beside him.
The woman's clothes, jewelry, even the perfume she wore.
"Leticia, the Marquis I'm working with this time is very devoted to his daughter. Could you pick out a gift for his daughter? Women are better at these things."
Everything was carefully selected by her at the request of her husband, Feidan.
Chosen meticulously so that her husband's taste would not be embarrassing, only the finest were carefully selected.
"I wasn't going to talk about it until the Founding Festival, thinking about your reputation, but I don't have time."
"Feidan."
The woman sitting next to Feidan grabbed him as if to stop him.
He held her delicate hand as if to reassure her, delivering the news.
"Elise is pregnant."
The gaze that warmly looked at Elise quickly cooled down and turned to Leticia.
There was not a trace of guilt in his eyes.
"As you know, how many women want to have their once-in-a-lifetime wedding while heavily pregnant?"
Feidan forced understanding and consideration on Leticia, handing over the prepared divorce papers.
"I'll make sure you get enough alimony, so settle your affairs by the Founding Festival. If we're going to settle it anyway, there's no need for us to drag it out, right?"
Leticia stared blankly at the divorce papers presented in front of her before raising her hand.
Feidan frowned and embraced Elise protectively.
"I told you to fix that habit of yours—"
But Leticia's hand reached for the golden call bell placed on one side of the table.
As if to mock him, the bell rang out with a clear sound.
Soon after, Leticia's direct maid, Erin, came to the greenhouse.
"You called, Madam."
"Erin, go and get my fountain pen."
It was Leticia's first words after hearing the divorce notice, her expression calm throughout.
'Is she accepting it so easily?'
Feidan looked at Leticia with suspicion.
The usual Leticia would have either cried and begged or slapped Elise.
Because Leticia was a woman who blindly loved Feidan.
But the current Leticia was indifferent.
No, rather...
It even seemed like there was a faint smile on her lips.
'No, she can't be giving up this easily. She must be plotting something.'
Feidan, who had felt a strange sense of superiority whenever she clung to him and shed tears, was very displeased with this appearance.
In the meantime, Erin returned with the fountain pen.
Leticia, unlike Feidan's expectations, quietly signed the documents he handed over.
And then...
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Congratulations on your pregnancy."
She raised both hands and applauded loudly.
With a very bright smile on her face.
"If you're done, can I get up first?"
"...What?"
Feidan looked up at her with a dazed face.
The woman he thought would cling to him was getting up as if she had no regrets.
"W-wait! Leticia!"
Feidan awkwardly rose to his feet, but Leticia turned and headed towards the mansion.
However, there was a presence following behind her.
"Just a moment, Madam...!"
A delicate voice, trembling like a bird.
It was Elise.
"Is there something you need?"
"I wanted to talk to Madam. His Excellency was worried, but Madam isn't cruel enough to hit a pregnant woman, right?"
Right?
Elise smiled, caressing her still flat stomach as if to show it off.
It was a smile filled with subtle superiority.
"You know, actually—"
But before Elise could finish her sentence.
Leticia, who had been looking at her indifferently, strode up to her and whispered in her ear.
Very quietly, in a voice that only Elise could hear.
"I hated you from the start."
The words she was about to say.
"...!"
Elise, startled, inhaled sharply.
'How... how did she know? Is she reading my mind?'
Her gaze towards Leticia shook violently.
"So I lied about being pregnant. To kick you out."
"H-how..."
"Tell His Excellency if you want. But who would believe you?"
Leticia smiled sweetly at Elise, who was only gaping in surprise.
"I knew."
"What...?"
"Everything."
"What does that mean—"
"Actually, I know the future."
Elise could only stare blankly at Leticia, who was saying things she couldn't understand.
"Go tell Feidan. But who would believe that?"
Leticia returned the words that she would have said to her and took a step back, saying.
"Thank you. For taking out the trash for me."
Leticia smiled brightly and turned away.
Tap tap.
Her footsteps moving away were very light.
Because today.
It was the day she had been eagerly waiting for.
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