THE FAKE LADY AND THE PASTRY SHOP 

When the Countess came looking for me, I had just finished cleaning the stove.

She had indeed investigated my address.

The woman who used to be so cold and harsh now wore a remarkably kind and gentle smile:

“Victoria.”

Hearing that name made me nauseous. Victoria, a truly worthless name to me.

“Hearing that you returned, and since I’m free today, could you come back to the manor and have a meal with your father and me?”

This is what they call ‘if plan A fails, try plan B’.

Remembering my own plan, I suppressed my nausea and nodded in agreement.

The Count’s manor was exceptionally lively tonight.

Because all three members of the Vane family were also present.

Everyone acted gentle and kind toward me. But after putting on a friendly act, they began to reveal their true intentions.

The first to speak was Mrs. Vane: “Victoria, it was our foolishness before that caused you to suffer outside all these years. We’ve thought it through now; please come home with us.”

“I’m living very well in the capital right now, no need.”

My voice was cold, and the smiles on everyone’s faces stiffened.

The eldest son of the Vane family was hot-tempered and couldn’t help but stand up: “Aren’t you just trying to compete with your sister? Do you think I can’t see through your tricks? Look in the mirror and see if you’re worthy! If it weren’t for Vivian, do you think we’d want you back in the Vane family? Don’t push your luck!”

“Oh, you actually said something I agree with.”

I smirked, looking straight at him: “Recently, Maximilian came to find me, saying he wants to marry me! Tell me, which is better: the position of a Duchess, or the daughter of a common merchant?”

“What? Brother Maximilian said he wants to marry you?”

Vivian lost her composure, her eyes instantly turning red.

Everyone else was equally shocked.

The Countess quickly denied it: “How is that possible! With your current status, even if you step into the Duke’s estate, you can only be a mistress. How could he take you as a wife?”

“You all don’t have to believe it!”

The meal was unappetizing anyway. I stood up, pretending to leave.

Mrs. Vane quickly grabbed me, persuading gently: “Victoria, don’t be angry. We were just afraid you were being deceived.”

They exchanged glances, likely brewing some new wicked scheme.

The tense atmosphere instantly vanished, and everyone started flattering me to keep the peace.

No one mentioned taking me away from the capital anymore, nor did they bring up Maximilian.

They only played the emotional card, constantly pouring me wine.

I smirked, pretending not to know.

After a few drinks, I collapsed on the table, pretending to be drunk.

Someone helped me back to my old room. When the Countess closed the door and left, she kept urging and asking, “Has the person arrived yet?”

When the footsteps outside faded away, I opened my eyes.

There were guards at the door.

Just in case, I took an antidote pill from the small pouch at my waist and swallowed it, then quietly climbed out the window to escape.

Returning this time, I had planned to find a way to provoke them into bringing me back to the Count’s manor.

I didn’t expect Maximilian’s appearance to accidentally speed up my plan.

I knew the layout of the manor better than anyone. They were all busy in the backyard right now, and the main study was completely empty.

When I was still a lady here, I knew this family was not clean. Not only did they accept bribes, but they also secretly helped the Second Prince hoard military weapons.

That was why I always harbored the idea of doing business back then. I feared that one day, when the Count’s manor fell, I would still have a way out.

I didn’t expect that one day, I would be the one to expose this secret… 

When I got home, Lucas had just returned.

“I just conveniently did you a favor.”

Sorting the stack of evidence I had stolen, I asked casually: “What favor?”

“I knocked out the Countess and threw her into that room.”

“…?”

“They called a middle-aged man into that room. In the pitch-black night, none of them noticed.”

Saying that, Lucas couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

But I was in no mood to laugh. Because I discovered that among the evidence I gathered, besides the Count’s family, the Vane family was also implicated.

The earliest dates traced back to three years ago.

So… was it all for Vivian?

I frowned.

This was getting quite interesting.

To prevent any delays, I told Lucas to take the token and physical evidence overnight to the Commander of the Royal Guard.

The Commander’s wife was Lady Gwen. When I was in the capital, we didn’t interact much. At that time, she was infatuated with the Prime Minister’s son, and his sister Chloe was my sworn enemy.

But two years ago, we met by chance in a northern town. She was traveling with the Commander to investigate a case and was unfortunately plotted against. By a stroke of fate, I saved her life. The Commander gave me a token, saying I could ask him for help if I ever needed it.

Now was the time to use this favor.

Rumor had it that this Commander was ruthless and feared no faction. Handing the case of the Count and the Second Prince over to him was the most appropriate choice.