< — Meeting People — > (2)
Anita’s gaze was cold as she watched the Duchess leave the break room. After going through a lot of heartache, Anita’s atmosphere had changed in the past year. As she lost weight, her cheeks grew hollow, her impression became stronger and her temperament hardened.
A large amount of funds was suddenly pulled out from her company without notice. She didn’t have time to find why and had run all over the place trying to settle it. Although she has managed to avoid bankruptcy, most of the shares in her company went into other people’s hands. The only thing left was a superficial shell. The attack of funds that tore down the foundation of her family business was only the beginning. The aide of the Duke of Taran came and gave a cruel finish.
[You did something you shouldn’t have done. If you don’t have the ability to handle investigating someone else, don’t do it. My lord was very offended. If this is done again in the future, be prepared to pay the price. This is just a very light warning(1). My lord has no forgiveness for those that ignore his warning.]
Fabian already didn’t like the Countess of Falcon and had contemptuously relayed his master’s warning. After Fabian left, Anita fainted out of humiliation and was ill for a few days. When Anita woke up, her eyes were filled with venom.
‘So you have been communicating with that female novelist.’
Anita thought that Princess Vivian found out about her through the female novelist. Then went on to tattle to the Duke of Taran.
The Duke was a man of great pride. Even if it was an affectionless marriage, he would be unhappy if someone went after his person. However, the punishment he gave her was too much. There was no reason for the Duke to go that far.
‘How badly did she speak of me?’
Princess Vivian must have gone above and beyond in her tales to the Duke and acted as if she was bullied or something. It was indeed the case of a frog getting killed by an accidentally thrown stone. Princess Vivian threw a stone without any aim and she was hit by that stone.
‘Do you think I will fall like this? Even if I die, I won’t die alone.’
Anita was born the youngest daughter of a fallen aristocrat and thanks to her appearance, she got married to a wealthy man. Within a few months of marriage, her husband died of a sudden cardiac arrest. Anita became rich in an instant. Since she had money, she also wanted to have status. She got a baron who had fallen for her to divorce and then married him. In just half a year, her second husband fell off a horse and died.
Her third husband was Count Falcon, whom she met while she was doing business. Anita was greedy for status and the Count needed money. They got married to fulfill each other’s needs. After a year of marriage, the count went to another country on tea business and died of a fever. Anita did not have any children with her dead husband, nor did he designate a successor to inherit his title. Unless she remarried, according to the law, she was the Countess until death. The youngest daughter of a fallen aristocrat had become a wealthy Countess.
It was not her fault that her husbands died. But people pointed fingers at Anita and said she was cursed. She fought against prejudice and lived clenching her teeth. She was harsh on others as much as she was harsh on herself. Even if people cursed and swore at her from behind, she closed her ears to it. It was because of such venomosity that she was able to get so far. She wanted to become famous in the high society with her wealth and status. But that didn’t go as she wished.
Rather than being famous, Anita was an outsider. The noblewomen were sticklers for class and hated Anita. They used the reason that she was inauspicious but the way Anita saw it, that was only an excuse and the truth was ugly jealousy.
Unlike the pretentious noblewomen who only knew how to gossip about others, Anita could converse with the men. She was able to discuss the economy and talk about business. She also looked attractive. As though showing off, Anita did not refuse the males that were tempted by her and if necessary, she sometimes did the tempting. She didn’t care if they were married or unmarried.
‘You think you are excluding me? I am the one excluding all of you.’
She sneered at the noblewomen and held her head upright. Her business was continuously successful and unlike other women, she didn’t have to cater to her husband every time she spent money. If she had to go to balls, she was adorned in very luxurious dresses and jewelries. The wealthier she got, the more the women in the high society could not ignore her. There were even some who clung to her, hoping to get crumbs. The world worked in funny ways. Anita took her few followers and played an active role in the social circles.
After doing it for a few years, she realized the high society was nothing special and lost interest. And after that, she did not participate in social activities unless it was absolutely necessary. She wasn’t interested in anything other than increasing her money. She was pouring more of her energy into expanding her business.
Then she met the Duke of Taran. For the first time ever, Anita felt a sense of fulfilment like she had gotten it all. Everything was perfect. It was a solid castle that she had built by giving it her all.
But the castle she had painstakingly built was torn down with one word from a woman who was lucky enough to be born a princess and lucky enough to become a Duchess. Anita had thought it was sturdy but seeing her castle collapse in an instant, she was overcome with shock. When she asked those that had sucked up to her for help, they all turned tail and ran. All the wealth and people suddenly seemed like an illusion.
‘I have to at least see what she looks like.’
Anita tried to get an invitation to the tea party that the Duchess was going to attend. She mobilized her contacts and connections. Count Jordan blew his horn claiming that he would come to her rescue but said something else with an awkward expression.
[Hmm. So I talked to my wife. Ahem. Things are a little…]
Even without listening to the end, it was obvious. They must have mocked that someone on the Countess of Falcon’s level could not get into the party. In the end, she failed to get an invitation and felt a sense of deprivation and misery. If her business was doing well, she would not have suffered such humiliation. At this thought, her resentment against the Duchess grew.
Anita stood far away and watched the ducal couple enter the celebration party venue. For a moment, her heart throbbed seeing the unchanging Duke of Taran and she watched as the Duchess receive people’s gazes with a sparkling dress and triumphant expression as if she had the entire world. Her stomach churned and she could not keep watching.
She evaded the crowd and went to the break room. In the break room, she met Lady Alvin. Lady Alvin was one of the contacts that Anita was steadily putting effort into. Thanks to her well-to-do brother, Lady Alvin was a young miss that had grown up without lacking anything. For Anita who was a seasoned merchant, scratching her itch and gently humoring her was child’s play.
Lady Alvin thought of Anita as a friend. Although her reputation in society wasn’t great, the Countess of Falcon was a rare woman with great business talents. Such a person stuck to her, humored her, gave her advice and with that advice, she made a gain on investments. Because of this gain, her brother praised her and rather than the Countess of Falcon pointing out her contribution, she praised her for being excellent and brilliant. She was a really nice person.
Even though Anita was having business difficulties, Lady Alvin talked with her more frequently. Lady Alvin comforted Anita by saying that it was her turn to help. But in fact, her sincerity was because her inferiority complex from when the Countess of Falcon was at the peak of her success had disappeared.
As the two women got closer, Lady Alvin occasionally talked about the situation at home. As of recent, she lamented and spoke about what happened between her sister-in-law and the Duchess.
‘She is not ordinary.’ (Anita)
Anita had to correct her thinking that made light of the Duchess and thought of her as a young princess that didn’t know the realities of life.
[Lady Alvin can try giving a sincere apology on their behalf. If things go well, Count Alvin will be pleased and reward Lady Alvin.]
Tempted by Anita’s enticement, Lady Alvin approached the Duchess and offered an apology. But she did not get the reply she wanted. Anita acted like she was comforting Lady Alvin but inwardly, she was collecting information about the Duchess.
‘She can’t be taken lightly. Her character is stronger than I thought.’
Anita abandoned her plan of approaching the Duchess. There would be an opportunity someday. There was a large difference in status between her and the Duchess but this difference was not absolute. Anita’s life was evidence of this.
‘The Duchess is a great beauty? The Duke has fallen in love? Bullshit!’
Anita did not believe the rumors. It was likely she wouldn’t believe it even if she saw it with her own eyes. She had reached a state where she only saw what she wanted to see and heard what she wanted to hear. The Anita who made calm judgements was no more.
Translator’s Corner:
1. Here, he’s referring to the pulling out of funds.
My lord: He doesn’t say ‘my lord’. He says ‘that person’. I put ‘my lord’ so you know who he’s talking about.
*.*.*
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 17.2 - November 19, 2024
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 17.1 - November 19, 2024
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 16.2 - November 11, 2024
What I can say is Hugo needs more torture before realize Lucia loves him.
Can be said he destroying many woman’s future before his marriage.
A fine woman become fog-blinded woman that only knows jealousy and can’t think clear.
Yes.. But actually those women knew in the beginning what kind of person Duke was… They are already told in the beginning that Duke cannot give his heart.. but all of them knew that but still take the risk.. But in the end they end up willingly give in their heart… The difference in Lucia..she bargain her heart in beginning too and spoken first.. When Duke really give his heart to someone… They couldn’t believe it and don’t want to believe.. Actually if Lucia not MC.. And Duke heart cannot be moved.. She becomes miserable than most of them…
But I agree with you Hugh to suffer more..
Yeah look at previous life wife, she was very miserable
They are all adults, and none have been coerced or forced to focus with the Duke. On the contrary, they more than wanted (and some still want) stay with Hugh.
Hugh has always been sincere and true “Never give me your heart”, everyone knew they couldn’t fall in love with him, otherwise he would leave them.
Of course we can’t rule our hearts, but we shouldn’t blame the Duke either, he never lied to any of them, he was always sincere.
Concordo plenamente com você.
Tragic that a good woman was ruined just like that
That’s why you don’t go ninja on a friend of someone’s wife.
She was never a good woman to begin with
Thanks for the new chapter!
Thanks for the update. 🙂
Sigh, another woman who’s lost her cognitive reasoning. I’m not saying her situation isn’t that it’s unbelievable, just, I wanted a situation with more… something other then a woman scorned by Hugh’s never was there love. But I guess we have to confront his spurned exs first. And there’s also that other princess who had a crush on Hugh that Lucia hasn’t met yet…her sister I guess. Hard to remember them and our Lu are related though. I’m tickled pink thinking about how the King is weirdly proud of Lucia!
Yeah… in these types of drama novels the female love rivals are always terrible. You never get any who realize there are more fish in the sea.
There are never any realistic females in these stories. It’s sad. But more so annoying.
I don’t think it’s unrealistic. I mean look at Hugh, he wanted to kill David just because he flirted with Lucia lol Plus back in school girls would fight with each other just for a guy or having the same crush. There’s nothing unrealistic about in fact, it’s the most realistic reason. There’s nothing unusual with having your heart broken and being bitter about it. Even I was jealous when my crush fell in love with someone else (I didn’t do revenge tho) Although I guess because the it’s a fantasy novel, women are a lot more extreme
Right , her sister has already told Kwiz that she would consider being a 2nd wife. Bold of her ,I would say. But also stupid.
Ugh, does she want to have some dramatic harem fight story like life?
I hope this princess sister goes to find her own man someplace else. If Kwiz makes ann edict Hugo may be forced to marry her. And Kwiz could just die.
Nah, this king doesn’t seem stupid, he KNOWS Hugh too. Even if he doesn’t find out that Hugh’s in love with Lucia he would never force anything like this on him. He is the one in need of Hugh not the other way around.
I don’t think he’s going to do that.
She never said that though? Kwiz suggested it not Katherine (the other princess).
Whelp… She isn’t heeding the warning. Things are going to get even messier with the lady. She could of just let go. How good is Hugo anyway? He seems to be an incubus. :O
Many thanks
Must be the sex
You got that right!!!!!!
This is a case of thinking that your stuff is so good that no matter whoever he would be with he would come back for more of yours. He met Lucia and it was game over.Anita had been nurtured and protected financially more than any of the other women. And Hugo was a beast in bed. So what if he only came and stayed a few days every few months. Anita’s goal was to keep her gold mine with her .But she thought of herself as his equal. Lucia had never been loved and needed security. For that she studied her man and endured to maintain her haven. She did not expect that love would come from this.Hugo needed a legitmate heir and she offered him a way to do it. I think that because Lucia only asked for what was in the contract from Hugo she gave an unpressured relief when he returned home.
Well Said, I totally agree to this.
Hugo can be relieved because Lucia never ask materialistic matter in bed just like Anita and other women. She only asked permission to hang out or maintaining the household. No matter how tragic a person life is, the fact that Anita is greedy is the truth. Lucia is not greedy hence the reason why Hugo feels safe with her.
What I found ridiculous from most of novel when involved one side love (maybe real life too) … most of them hurt by their crush that already have someone but seldom they put blame on “that said crush” ..push all the blame to the partner of the said crush…
Where’s in this case Anita put the blame on Lucia even though Hugo the one withdraw his investment and make treats and she didn’t know Anita until she back to capital but no.. Not once she put blame to Hugh…
Cowardice, that’s what I call it.This is so true even in real life. Anita was still getting financial and social benefits even after Hugo left her. Now she may lose everything, maybe even her life.That is if she messes with Lucia again.
Haha that’s we called for human true nature, broh. Blame someone you can consider light to crush.
Other than sex, really Hugo isn’t that great. He’s not romantic nor lovey with the women, he kinda treats them like sex dolls. Don’t know why they’re so obsessed for just appearance and performance. Lemme tell you girls don’t look at just that.
Unfortunately, in real life girls are attracted to men who treat them like shit.
I think it’s the same reason why women kept trying to be concubines to the king way back when. The power and riches that comes from the marriage.
Thanks Ruby c:
Wave bye bye to Anita everyone. She’s going to die from stupidity.
A delusional woman is scary….sigh….what a annoying pest
Dammit Hugo! Your past relationships were so messy that they’re coming after your innocent wife! I’ve had enough of this lovesick women who thirsts for the Duke’s D. Get over it ladies!
It’s Anita’s retribution for seeking out one of the few women like Sofia that Hugo engaged with on his own accord. She mocked others thinking she will triumph over all of the temporary ones xD this is what you get.
I can only feel sorry for Sofia tbh, the rest of the women threw themselves at the Duke for money and fame, they approached him with insincere intentions and fell for him later on, but Sofia is the only one who’s mentioned as the one that did not seek out the Duke first. Although she definitely was overly bitter at the tea party and sought out her own demise.
In reality it is rather sad to say that Sofia, Lucia and Anita could have been good friends or at least be on good terms if it had not been for Hugo
The b*tch Anita will meet her doom soon, very soon~🤣🤣🤣
I wonder… Would Anita marry the Duke that Sofia married in the first lifetime?? It’s actually quite sad to see that someone as strong and independent as her become so blinded and twisted because of a hopeless love….
On a lighter note if I ever get a fox, Imma name it kwiz!
I’m a little sad for all these sad ex-lovers, even though Hugh has been sincere from the start, it’s not easy to boss around.
I hope that Countess Falcon, Sofia, among others, follow their own paths and be happy in their own ways. Without disturbing our lovebirds.
Thanks for the chapter!
Wow. She’s even crazier that last time we saw her
« They used the reason that she was inauspicious but the way Anita saw it, that was only an excuse and the truth was ugly jealousy »
Obviously, a very high opinion of herself.
« ‘How badly did she speak of me?’
Princess Vivian must have gone above and beyond in her tales to the Duke and acted as if she was bullied or something. »
Yep, you really think everyone is as dirty, hypocrite, jealous and manipulative as you are.
Can’t believe if she really thinks that everyone is naturally selfish and cruel or if she actually LIKES to think that everyone has dirty thoughts and actions (and if she does, is it because she doesn’t want to admit that it’s the kind of person that SHE is)
Obviously, she really doesn’t want to admit that Lucia had the ability to obtain what she couldn’t
Though I love the story so much, but I can also feel the pain of Anita and Sofia, indeed a one-sided love is hard. 💔
Although I agree for Sofia, but I’m not sure this was really love in Anita’s case, more like an obsession and a desire for conquest.
I just can’t help but have the feeling that she’s not capable of truly loving someone