Chapter 25 (1/2)
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Chapter 25
Gastby’s eyes trembled. He was trying to make his brain work.
Eric’s words weren’t wrong. Raising prices tomorrow would mean next month’s funding would be blocked off.
Calculating this, Gatsby regretted his mistake, but at the same time he felt pathetic. To be humiliated by a commoner! He couldn’t believe it. Along with the influence of alcohol, rationality was nowhere to be found.
“Shallow prick who cares only about money!”
So, Gatsby shouted. Eric’s hand came to a halt.
“This is why commoners shouldn’t receive peerage. It becomes like this! You don’t know how to repay the grace given to you!”
“Was it you who gave me my peerage? What does it matter to you what I do with what I rightly earned—”
“And that half-witted Chloe Rolphe! So blind to money that she married a commoner. She should be ashamed!”
“This bastard wants to get beaten up…!”
Eric lifted Gatsby high up by his collar. Then, as his fist headed towards Gatsby, at that moment—
“Please stop!”
A clear, high-pitched voice emerged between them. It was Chloe.
“Just what are you…”
Her hand trembled as it gripped her fan. She looked at Eric’s hand next to Gatsby’s face.
Right then, Eric felt as though his head was doused with cold water.
Did you hear that?
I’m sure you heard it.
What will you think?
Will you think that I’m a commoner who doesn’t know any grace?
“……”
Eric huffed out loudly, letting go. He rearranged his disheveled vest and proudly straightened his shoulders. Then, he smiled brightly.
“Excuse my actions.”
He was back to his usual self. Relaxed, polite.
He left that place and walked through the gaps between the chattering onlookers.
Chloe looked towards Eric’s retreating figure and Gatsby, who had collapsed on the floor. She then approached Gatsby. As the marquisate’s lady of the house, she had to. At this, Eric felt bitter.
He exhaled in despair, feeling Chloe’s absence as she didn’t follow after him.
Chloe placed a hand over her pounding chest.
She was mostly a listener to other people’s conversations. Ha ha, ho ho. It was difficult to listen to these conversations when people were so loud around them, but she didn’t miss it.
It’s always been like this. Chloe could always hear Eric’s voice any time, anywhere. She never overlooked it. That’s why, Chloe was able to hear that exchange as well.
Anger.
Treating her like an easy woman.
When Eric raised his fist, she felt grateful. However, the part that made Chloe herself angry was what the man said next.
‘Shallow prick who cares only about money!’
‘This is why commoners shouldn’t receive peerage.’
And Eric’s expression after he heard this—he looked so empty, as if he lost something. He hesitated to look at Chloe, and it was so sad and miserable that Chloe’s anger towards him had melted away. Her heart ached.
“Excuse me, Madam.”
At this time, Theo, who looked more sober, approached her with a serious look.
“All I can say is that I’m sorry. I apologize deeply. Those guys were drunk, so…”
“I am not going to accept your apology.”
Chloe cut off Theo mid-sentence and said this firmly. Her clear, transparent gaze turned to Theo and his associates.
“It was dangerous and caused enough of a problem that a lawsuit could be filed.”
“I understand, Madam. I’m really sorry.”
“I apologize.”
“However.”
Chloe held her hands together. Her calm expression seemed to show that she could forgive anything. Everyone’s eyes glinted with hope.
“Everyone would only be deemed to be drunk, so I won’t file the lawsuit for nothing.”
“Thank you, Madam. We won’t forget this grace…”
“But my husband might think differently.”
Chloe smiled and lifted her chin as though to laugh at their vain hopes.
“Eric Aslan is more tenacious than you think.”
Her husband would never stay still. Even if Gatsby would file charges against Eric for assault, Gatsby would just pay this back double.
Knowing this well, Theo and his associates hardened their expressions. Chloe curtsied lightly towards them.
“Then, goodbye.”
She left that place in a slight hurry, but nervousness could not be seen in her gait.
Eric was inside the carriage now.
Naturally, Chloe thought that her husband had already gone ahead without her, so she was somewhat surprised. But, this didn’t show in her face. She sat on the other side, face-to-face with him.
“Are you alright?”
She spoke carefully towards Eric, who was just looking out the window. He turned halfway. There seemed to be a terrible sense of helplessness in his gray eyes.