ITAYA 65

~Chapter 65~

Late in the evening.

I received an invitation from Gwenndolyn. She was hosting her ladies’ reading club and wanted me to attend—with Countess Crenbel.

It looked like I would have some free time tomorrow afternoon.

If she was going out of her way to invite me, she must be planning something again.

I tapped my lips thoughtfully.

I actually needed to meet with Countess Crenbel anyway. I finally had proof that her husband had gambled. With this, I could push Countess Crenbel out of Gwenndolyn’s little scheme. So, of course, I replied that I would attend.

I wasn’t worried about whatever Gwenndolyn was plotting. She had grown up like a flower in a greenhouse—she could never beat me.

There was nothing to worry about.

“Ella, pick out a dress for me to wear to the reading tomorrow. I have to go to the bank in the morning, so choose something not too flashy.”

“Yes, Your Grace. But… are you really going to the reading?”

Ella asked with a gloomy face. She looked like she thought I was walking into a fire by myself.

Seeing her worried face made me laugh.

Ella always treated me like a child left alone by the water, even though she was only a year older than me.

But I didn’t dislike Ella for that.

“Thank you for worrying, Ella. But I’m not that weak. Don’t worry.”

Ella sighed, looking deflated. She still seemed unhappy but didn’t add anything more.

I really liked how Ella knew where to draw the line.

I was lucky to have her on my side.

Baldwin remembered what Ella had said to him last night.

‘Lady Gwenndolyn has invited Her Grace to the reading.’

Baldwin looked at Anais, who was smiling brightly. Her lips were shaped like a pink heart, and her face sparkled with excitement.

Even when she fell asleep in his arms last night, she seemed so happy—not like someone going into a battle.

Baldwin brushed his hair back.

She wasn’t tense at all. Of course, there wouldn’t be any violence at a reading, but still…

Gwenndolyn was someone who cared too much about acting like a noble lady.

‘If Her Grace comes home hurt… I know I’m overstepping, but I’m so worried.’

Ella had come to him so late, looking desperate to protect her “fragile” mistress.

Baldwin admired Ella’s boldness.

But he really doubted Anais was weak at all.

“So the hospital director is stepping down and will leave within three days.”

Baldwin smirked.

See?

“I’ve already chosen who’ll be the next hospital director. All the board members at Sezares Hospital have taken money from Graham Bank.”

He meant that he had the power to do what he wanted.

“My grandfather even gave me Graham Bank’s secret ledgers, but I never thought I’d use them like this.”

Anais smiled mischievously.

“Even though the board members’ names aren’t in the ledgers, all the important people have taken money from Graham Bank. I thought I’d use that as a weapon someday.”

Anais was not weak at all.

And her way was much more elegant than Baldwin’s.

Baldwin had planned to pressure the hospital director or convince the Emperor if needed, even using illegal means to get the medicine.

Next, he would destroy Egbert—even if not physically, at least socially.

But Anais handled everything before Baldwin’s own plan could even start.

Baldwin rested his chin in his hand and smiled.

Anais’s cleverness softened his usual sharp mood.

“Baldwin, let me know if you ever need help. Maybe someday I can be your knight in shining armor.”

[If I ever really need it, I’ll ask.]

Anais blushed a little.

After a short silence, her next words were so cute he almost wanted to eat her up.

“I’ll always be by your side, too.”

He never imagined she’d say something like that.

Baldwin wiped his face with his hand.

What was he supposed to do?

He felt more and more addicted to Anais. She was taking over even the darkest parts of him.

She wasn’t afraid to claim all of him.

[I look forward to it.]

“What?”

[The day you come to my rescue.]

Anais smiled with big, cat-like eyes. She looked like a cat purring happily in the sunlight.

“I look forward to it, too. To the day I get to be Baldwin’s knight. But I hope that day never comes.”

Ella’s worries were useless.

Somehow, he just knew.

Anais would come home to him as the queen of the jungle—just like always.

The noblewomen at the reading would have no choice but to kneel to the victor.

Just like Baldwin did now.

She had already won him.

Today, the dowager said she wouldn’t attend the reading.

Probably because of what happened Friday night. She hadn’t come out of her room since then.

I shook my head.

Maybe Rosemarlin was being crushed by the weight of a life she could never handle.

I picked out a deep purple dress to wear to the reading. In the sunlight, it looked almost like Baldwin’s eyes—beautiful and mysterious.

It was just what I wanted: proper, elegant, and with a bit of glamour.

Ella made a delicious iced coffee for me.

Soon, I arrived at Graham Bank.

I greeted the early-morning staff and went upstairs to the second floor. Janus was already at work.

Janus and Heres had just returned late Sunday night after finishing things in Hertel.

“Mr. Janus.”

“You’re here early.”

“I have plans this afternoon. Is Heres not in yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“Mr. Janus, do you have a moment to talk?”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Janus set his paperwork aside and sat across from me. There were light snacks on the table.

“I went to Sezares Hospital recently.”

Janus’s face turned somber. He knew about my parents staying there. He’d run into them a few times before, for example, when they were witnesses at my first wedding.

He also knew Egbert had messed with things.

“Are they being kicked out?”

“No. The hospital director is stepping down soon. I’m planning to make him the branch director in Hertel.”

Without the hospital board, I’d only have to persuade my Aunt Freya. That made things easier.

“It’s a different kind of job, but he’s been doing administration for a long time. I’m sure he’ll adapt.”

“Yes, I agree. He managed Sezares Hospital very well. He’s good with finance, too. Even if there are some mistakes at first, he’ll be fine.”

“Do you already have someone in mind for the hospital director job?”

Janus seemed to guess that I did.

“Yes.”

I answered firmly.

“Please take that position, Mr. Janus.”

Janus’s eyes grew wide.

He was a lawyer, but he’d learned a lot under Grandpa Sezares and done many different jobs.

He hadn’t just worked as a lawyer.

As Janus had just said, people who do well in one field often do well elsewhere.

Janus was one of those people.

“M-me? You mean me?”

“Yes, Mr. Janus. It won’t be hard to convince the board.”

Janus swallowed nervously.

“You really believe I can do it?”

“Of course. I’ll miss working with you, though.”

And there would be a gap to fill. Heres couldn’t do everything alone.

So I was planning to hire another secretary—and another honest lawyer for Graham Bank.