A False Salvation For Lady

Chapter 8

8. The Horrible In-Laws Gathering (2)

Cordelia looked at Alicia, who was smiling sarcastically, with indifferent eyes.

Alicia was not related to her by blood; she was merely the wife of her father-in-law’s closest aide.

Yet, in this household, she acted like an unofficial sister-in-law and always spoke in this roundabout, mocking way.

If someone asked whether all nobles behaved like this, Cordelia would have thought otherwise.

Speaking indirectly was supposed to mean knowing how to refuse or suggest something without offending others — mocking others, regardless of status, was simply wrong.

“Has the formal dinner already started, Alicia?”

“Hehe. Oh no, not yet.”

Alicia’s murky green eyes sharpened at last, as she silently scored Cordelia from head to toe on her appearance today.

“Cordelia, you’re from a much older and more distinguished count’s family, aren’t you? Richard dotes on you so much for being such a cultured daughter-in-law.”

“……”

“So you should come early and show your face. Especially since you haven’t contributed much to this family.”

Richard’s wife had passed away early without bearing any children, so honestly, if Lucas hadn’t appeared, the closest aide could have inherited the business.

Thus, from Alicia’s perspective, Lucas’s appearance seemed to have torn away all of Richard’s favor from her husband.

And when Cordelia, bearing the name of the Hastings family, arrived, it only deepened Alicia’s feelings of inferiority.

No matter how ruined her family fortune was, a count’s daughter-in-law was still a point of pride for the DuCaine family.

At first, Cordelia had tried hard not to mind Alicia’s constant petty provocations.

‘Even if there are factional fights within the family, I at least wanted to get along publicly.’

Having grown up an only child, Cordelia had secretly longed for a relationship where they could lean on each other like sisters, which made Alicia’s prickly nature all the more hurtful.

But now, Cordelia, who had stayed silent for as long as she could, let out a cold sigh.

She had been trying not to show her feelings of betrayal toward her husband in front of others, but her patience was reaching its limit.

“Alicia. I’m sorry if my late arrival disrupted the preparations. But there’s no need for you to remind me of it by belittling your own family.”

“What? When did I ever do that, Cordelia? I was just—”

“If you don’t remember, that’s fine. I just hope you’ll refrain from doing so in the future.”

Alicia’s face turned red as she glared at her. Cordelia, who outwardly seemed like a graceful woman who could overlook the petty matters of the world, was actually someone who, out of guilt, would often give Alicia gifts or take care of tedious household chores for her.

Alicia had enjoyed that kindness all too comfortably — but this was the first time Cordelia had called her out so directly.

“Cordelia, are you trying to—”

But just then, as they reached the end of the stairs,

“There you are, Lucas! Cordelia!”

Appeared the very cause of this subtle competition — her father-in-law, beaming brightly.

The middle-aged man, with sharp blue eyes and stylishly graying blond hair swept back, opened his arms wide to welcome the couple.

The way he smiled with such seasoned ease reminded Cordelia of Lucas — and made her shudder inwardly with fear and a sense of betrayal.

“It’s been too long, Cordelia. Have you been well?”

“It has indeed been a while, Richard. I hope you’ve been in good health?”

“Healthy as ever! Seeing my beloved daughter-in-law makes my heart feel lighter. Come, let’s go inside.”

Richard peeled Cordelia away from Alicia’s arm and personally escorted her into the house.

Behind her, Cordelia could feel Alicia’s fierce glare burning into her back.

Yet for Cordelia, all this attention was nothing short of horrifying — because the one who had benefited most from her family’s downfall was none other than her father-in-law.

The more she thought about it, the more foolish she felt for having once been intimidated by such a man, for having fumbled to apologize whenever Alicia threw words soaked in jealousy at her.

‘I was pathetic to ever think I could fit into this family.’

The house that had once dazzled her with admiration now seemed like nothing more than a palace decorated with greed and deceit.

And today was no different.

In the most luxurious dining room, an extravagant full-course meal — with over ten different dishes — was laid out for just five people.

‘This is excessive, even for a family dinner.’

Even as a count’s daughter, Cordelia had never seen anything like this among family.

But this was Richard’s taste, so there was nothing she could do.

By the time the steak, still dripping with blood, was served, her father-in-law began to steer the conversation.

“Come to think of it, has it already been over a year since you two got married, Lucas?”

“It has, Father.”

“I’ve prepared a gift. Take it with you when you leave. And Cordelia, congratulations.”

“Thank you very much.”

Here it comes. Cordelia inwardly broke out in a cold sweat, but she forced herself to smile as if nothing were wrong.

“Haha. I hope you’ve had a wonderful first year together. I’ll be praying that a boy resembling you and Lucas will soon arrive in your household.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

“It might be a bit embarrassing, but I’ve also included some medicinal herbs that are good for the body. I hope you’ll find them to your liking.”

“Yes…”

She had heard words like these several times even before her wedding anniversary.

Normally, she would have simply brushed it off as her father-in-law’s well-meaning wishes.

But now, it chilled her to realize that this was a man who could kill without batting an eye.

The thought made her shudder and feel a fresh wave of fear.

If Lucas had helped grow this family’s influence, just how had he done it?

And just how actively had Richard supported those methods, even if they were wrong?

Cordelia gripped her napkin tightly in both hands under the table.

Fortunately, the attention soon shifted away from her — to the couple sitting to Richard’s right.

“But while Lucas here is steadily climbing the ranks…”

Richard’s words, tinged with a clicking of his tongue, carried a clear rebuke.

Randolph, who had been glaring at Lucas with smoldering eyes, flinched.

“Lucas managed to resolve the oil business deal, but lately your performance has been… disappointing.”

“Richard, sir—!”

“And the wine business I entrusted to you — even though Prohibition has been repealed, why is recovery still so slow?”

“T-that’s…”

“Haa. When Lucas was involved, the results were decent. But it seems you’re struggling on your own, aren’t you?”

At Richard’s heavy sigh, both Randolph and Alicia turned pale.

Watching from across the table, Cordelia felt sick to her stomach — but Lucas didn’t just let the situation slide.

“Please don’t be too hard on him, Father. Haven’t we heard that some great men are late bloomers? Randolph is just storing up his strength to become one of the greats.”

“You— Lucas—”

“Come now, let’s have a toast to Randolph!”

Lucas raised his glass with a sparkling smile toward the trembling Randolph.

What are you looking at, you idiot?

The mocking glint in his eyes said it all, and watching Randolph grit his teeth in impotent rage was pure entertainment for him.

However, when Lucas cast a sideways glance at his noble wife, the smile disappeared from his face.

‘Tch. Her self-control is something else.’

She must have realized exactly what the old man had been hinting at, yet she neither paled nor trembled.

With her long, elegant neck, impeccable posture, and slightly lowered brows, she maintained a flawless, composed elegance without a single crack showing.

She had been like that since she was fourteen — no wonder.

Still, something about it made a low burn of frustration stir inside him.

Especially considering she didn’t even bother to wear the wedding ring he had given her…

Before long, the main course ended, and by the time le fromage — the cheese course — was served, Richard casually spoke.

“When the meal is over, Lucas, come to my study. There’s something important we need to discuss.”

While father and son were away, the room where the two women of the house remained was tense as a sheet of ice.

Cordelia’s stomach churned — the earlier chaos that Richard had stirred up at the so-called family feast had left her feeling completely nauseous.

‘Feels like I’m practicing morning sickness even though I’m not pregnant yet.’

As she was lost in that bitter thought, Alicia — who had been silently glaring at her with hard, sharp eyes — finally curled her lips into a sneer.

“Ha. Unbelievable.”

Normally, Alicia would have tried to maintain a show of dignity, almost competing with Cordelia.

But right now, her anger was so intense that she let the sarcasm bleed out unfiltered.

“Cordelia. No matter how much Richard dotes on you, how can you be so clueless?”

“Pardon?”

“No matter how prestigious your family name might have been, didn’t your tutors ever teach you how to read a room?”