~Chapter 79~
Even though Janus didn’t answer much, Egbert seemed to have reached his own conclusion.
“Anyway. You’re clever.”
Egbert clicked his tongue.
Leaning back on the sofa opposite Janus, Egbert scratched his chin.
“What was your weakness again?”
The question was absurd from the start.
Janus let out a short, dry laugh.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Ha. Fair enough. Things have gotten complicated.”
The dark circles under Egbert’s eyes made his expression look even meaner as he spoke.
“As far as I know, you have no weaknesses. No family, no big interest in money, and you don’t break the law. Grandpa chose you exactly to his taste.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“That’s why I’ve always clashed with you.”
Even that sounded almost like gratitude.
Janus kept a small smile.
“Anais is amazing too, placing you here. I keep admiring it. That’s why, even with a double major, you graduated top in that place full of geniuses. Anais also fits Grandpa’s taste perfectly.”
It was something that would make Anais proud.
“But, you know… I didn’t learn nothing beside Grandpa. I have the title of Marquis Graham, after all.”
Janus barely managed to maintain a smile. Egbert was always cunning when cornered.
He often used this skill especially when he caused trouble and was scolded by Sezares.
Janus bit his inner lip in unease.
Egbert’s eyes glimmered strangely, and it didn’t feel good.
“You can look forward to it, Janus. I’ll be the one to deliver it to Anais.”
Deliver what?
Janus tried hard not to show his confusion.
“I plan to take everything Anais cherishes.”
How exactly?
Egbert left Janus with only that unnerving mystery as he stood and walked away.
Watching Egbert leave, a shadow fell over Janus’ eyes.
“Haah…”
His sigh was long and heavy.
Egbert always gets what he wants. Seeing Herres with a flushed, disheveled face and the terrified guards, Janus could imagine the trouble he’d caused.
“…Herres. Let’s go to the hospital.”
“No, sir. That’s not necessary.”
Herres shook his head calmly.
“I’ll stay by your side.”
After a brief hesitation, he nodded.
Egbert looked at me with murderous eyes, which made me uneasy.
I had self-defense training and could beat most men, but I wanted to prepare for anything unexpected.
“Then let’s go together in a little while.”
Herres nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
He asked me quietly, so only I could hear.
“Should I report this to the authorities?”
“No. It won’t help.”
Someone like Egbert couldn’t be caught by ordinary means. Even Constantine would hesitate. They’d just let the two of them handle it.
It was unfair—but what could I do?
Society is made this way.
If you can’t change it, you have to learn to use it. I would handle him myself.
“Why do you look so scared meeting your husband, Anna?”
“Husband?” My words were sharp. Baldwin would have been upset to hear that.
Crazy man.
“What brings you here, Marquis Graham?”
“Don’t look so stiff, Anna. Seeing you like that upsets me. Do you know what I’ve been through lately?”
I didn’t want to know. I didn’t even want to speak.
“You know…”
Egbert’s voice dropped unnaturally low. He chuckled.
“Sophia is dead. Christ left with her.”
Hearing that felt like being caught in a net. My neck stiffened.
Egbert lifted his lips in a cruel grin.
“She poisoned herself. Isn’t it funny? She ruined my life, yet she dies first.”
Who ruined whose life?
Sophia and Egbert had been each other’s downfall. If anything, they ruined each other’s lives.
“Anais, everything you hated is gone. Nothing remains to oppose you. So just stop and go home.”
Egbert spoke forcefully.
I listened quietly and murmured under my breath.
“I have always made my intentions clear. I will never go back. I don’t understand why we are even doing this, Marquis.”
Egbert rubbed his temple with one finger. His eyes shone fiercely.
He looked… chilling.
“I expected that. Even Janus, whom you installed as director, didn’t move. Those Grandpa favors usually don’t.”
Egbert narrowed his eyes.
“It bothers me. Anna, I’ve never been denied what I wanted. You don’t know how angry I am right now.”
He smiled coldly.
“Soon, you’ll be by my side. I’ll destroy everything you care about.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
“Losing them one by one will make you see sense.”
Egbert pointed at Herres with his finger.
“By then, that arrogant fool won’t even lift his head in front of me. He’ll already be dead.”
I kept my mouth shut. The thought I had once lived with such a man as my husband was humiliating.
Egbert stared at me in silence for a long while before standing.
“Then see you next time, Anais. I hope your heart changes, even a little.”
Even after he left, I couldn’t breathe for a long time. Finally, exhaling, I said:
“…Herres, let’s go to the hospital.”
“Sir, are you okay? You look very pale.”
“After the hospital, let’s get something good to eat.”
“…Sir?”
“To deal with people like that, you need a full stomach. Do you want anything?”
Herres looked at me with a concerned expression.
“If not, I’ll eat whatever I want. And don’t go alone, Herres.”
You never know what he might do.
Herres showed his strong arm and smiled brightly.
“Don’t worry about that, sir!”
Seeing that cheerful face reassured me a little. I realized I needed someone I could trust.
Using the information guild or mercenaries was an option.
But only temporary. They weren’t loyal—they could betray me for money.
I needed people I could truly trust.
I hadn’t built that network yet. My people weren’t skilled in discreetly gathering intelligence.
But I had a deus ex machina that could balance everything.
Baldwin.
The House of Constantine.
How far could I use Constantine’s power?
I had to find out.
Anais had never visited Baldwin’s company since her wedding.
For the first time, the employees of Constantine Inc. saw Baldwin’s expression change.
His face softened like petals scattering in the wind—astonishing.
“Baldwin, I hope I didn’t arrive too suddenly. Did I take your time?”
Baldwin shook his head.
His office in Constantine Inc. was called an impenetrable fortress. No one could enter without permission, not even a finger. Many had turned away at the door, including the matriarch.
But with Anais, the door opened without resistance.
Baldwin entered with her and drew the curtains on the windows.
Seeing this, Luterick gave instructions to the staff.
“Do not look for the director until the Grand Duchess leaves. Do not come within ten meters.”
The employees nodded awkwardly, smiling.
They had just witnessed something amazing—they didn’t want to provoke the Grand Duchess’ ire by approaching.
They turned their attention elsewhere.
Baldwin kept smiling at Anais.
He was delighted she had walked willingly into his territory. It was a bright spot in his otherwise dull days.
“Was I too impatient? We could have talked tonight. Ah, maybe I should just leave.”
Anais looked regretful.
[Not at all. Today’s schedule was just canceled.]
It was true. Luterick was probably running around to rearrange things.
“Then that’s good. Actually, Egbert came by today.”
Baldwin raised an eyebrow.
[Marquis Graham.]
“Pardon?”
Baldwin pointed at his notebook with emphasis.
[Marquis Graham.]
It was as if he forbade saying any other word.
