# 21
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Devrin, who was talking to someone else, also stopped talking and looked at Karina.
“What's wrong?”
Evelyn asked, and Karina hesitated before answering.
“Lady Evelyn, do you know a maid named Patricia?”
Evelin looked at Karina for a moment and then slowly responded.
“Yes, of course, I know her.”
When Evelin answered confidently, Karina paused for a moment. However, aware that she was watching from somewhere, she recited the lines she had rehearsed.
"So that's a relief. I'm glad you didn't forget Patricia. She's currently being protected by our family."
“Protected?”
“Yes, after she was kicked out of the Duke’s Palace, our family took her in. From what I heard, not only was she faly accused of embezzling household expenses, but she was also subjected to verbal and physical abuse.”
Evelin's facial expression remained indifferent.
“Did Patricia say that?”
“Is there anyone else I can find out from?”
Karina clenched her fist as if she were a fighter for justice.
The provocative conversation between Evelin and Karina began to attract the attention of those around them.
'Hehehehe.'
Rachel hid her satisfied expression and smiled secretly. She knew it was time to fan the flames, and she walked gracefully toward the center of the commotion.
After arriving at Carina's side, Rachel spoke with a regretful look.
“I inadvertently overheard your conversation due to the loud noises. I have to speak loudly in order to take care of the honor of the Honorable House of Leonok, even if it means being rude.”
Rachel deliberately emphasized the part about the “honor of the House of Leonnok,” making it seem like the entire family was being disgraced, not just Evelin.
“Could Lady Karina be wrong? Surely, Evelin wouldn’t do something so cruel to a helpless commoner.”
"...I didn't want to believe it either. But Patricia's body was already covered in marks from the beatings. They were skillfully hidden in places where they wouldn't be visible."
Karina continued, her voice full of anger.
“My father always talked about the spirit of nobility, saying that nobles should help those in need. But to think that the Lady of the House of Leonok, a role model for other nobles, would torture a maid… I really can’t fathom it.”
The people muttered and looked at Evelin. Devrin also frowned and looked at Evelin.
When Rachel saw the situation unfolding as she had hoped, she laughed inwardly.
After all, Devrin wasn't very interested in household affairs. So, he definitely wouldn't know if Evelin was hitting a maid behind his back.
Therefore, such testimony would come as an even greater shock.
“Lady Evelyn, that’s not true, is it? I know that a member of the Noble Duchy of Leonok would never do such a thing.”
Rachel pretended to side with Evelyn, making the situation even worse.
But even if Evelin denied it now, would people believe her? Especially after Kareena mentioned the lash marks.
Rachel waited impatiently for Evelyn's response. Her trembling voice would excite Rachel more than any dance tune at this party.
Contrary to Rachel's expectations, it wasn't Evelyn who took the stand.
“Do you have any evidence that those bruises were caused by Evelyn’s skin?”
Devrin asked Carina in a low, calm voice. Karina panicked for a moment and her eyes widened.
“Proof? That’s what Patricia said. You wouldn’t lie about something like that...”
“So, you are accusing my wife based only on what a maid said?”
“That's not what I meant...”
While Devrin asked her coldly, Karina quickly backed away.
Rachel, who was observing the situation, also frowned.
'Why does Differin intervene?'
He wasn't the type to do this.
Rachel barely managed to smooth out her frowning brows and stepped forward again.
"Mr. Dyffryn, I understand your dissatisfaction, but I believe that Lady Evelyn needs to explain herf. This matter is too shameful to be left unresolved…"
Once again, all eyes were on Evelyn.
Even though she was the target of these prickly glances, Evelin didn't seem overly bothered.
“Yes, I think an explanation is necessary.”
Evelin's voice was very calm.
“First of all, I have never hit a maid. I have never verbally abused her. It is ridiculous for you to ask for evidence in a place that is not a court, but since you insist, I will provide it.”
“Ridiculous?”
Rachel felt a surge of anger at Evelyn's words, which seemed to belittle the situation.
“It has been several months since Patricia left the palace. If I had hit her, the marks would have disappeared by now.”
Karina, moving her eyes nervously, finally spoke in a low voice
“The wounds were deep, so the marks were still faintly visible...”
“Can I check it myf?”
At Evelin's question, Rachel bit her lip.
In fact, there were no bruises.
Of course, they could bruise her skin now, but she wouldn't look dull and old; Rather, it will be new and prominent.
'I never expected her to ask to see it in person...!'
Rachel had expected Evelyn to cry and walk out of the ballroom by then, but she remained unfazed. This wasn't part of the plan.
"You mentioned that Patricia was faly accused of embezzling the household's expenses. The notebooks she kept are still well preserved in the mansion. Showing them to you will serve as proof."
Evelyn deliberately emphasized the word “evidence.” Karina stuttered.
“K-How can we trust this notebook…?”
“The ledger was examined not only by me but also by Sir Rykal who helped run the house.”
Karina could only open and close her mouth without saying anything.
“Let us examine each point as Miss Carina suggested and determine what is right and wrong. But first, there is one thing we need to make clear.”
“If I am proven right, how will you make up for the humiliation you experienced today?”
Karina's face turned pale.
“I…I…”
“Not only my personal honor, but also the reputation of the House of Leonok has been dragged into this, so it is not a matter that should be taken lightly.”
Karina, who was gasping as if she was about to choke, finally bowed her head.
“I'm sorry...”
“I… I recklessly believed the maid’s words and brought shame to the Duchy of Leonok. I retract everything I said...”
When she saw Karina's face turning red as if it was going to explode, Evelin sighed softly and spoke.
“Raise your head, Miss Karina.”
Karina barely raised her face. Her trembling eyes revealed feelings such as confusion, shame, and resentment.
Evelin realized that the real mastermind behind this incident was someone else, so she didn't want to make the situation bigger.
“Be careful with your words next time, especially in a public place like this. Also...”
Evelyn whispered to Karina.
“You better choose your friends wiy if you want to avoid such humiliation again.”
Evelyn, who raised her head, continued talking, looking directly at Rachel.
“Sometimes, there are people who are like poisonous herbs, making others sick just by getting close to them.”
Rachel, who was next to Evelyn, heard the whispering.
Rachel felt strange. More than weird, it was more like feeling dirty.
'Poisonous grass...? It can't be referring to me, can it?'
As the dance music played, the people who gathered around Evelin and Karina gradually dispersed.
Rachel did the same.
After belatedly telling Defrin, “I'm really glad the situation was resolved well,” she gracefully left the scene, maintaining her composure.
But maintaining her composure was only on the surface. Leaning in the corner of the dance floor, Rachel felt as if her insides were burning unbearably.
“Why did things turn out this way?”
Although there was no answer to her question, the last situation kept running through her mind due to her frustration.
Her plan was perfect. But the rift appeared due to Evelin's unexpected behavior.
The Evelin she knew would never stand confidently in such a situation.
“Wasn’t it always her role to stand like a shadow, following Devrin with her eyes whenever they attended parties?”
“And...”
“Why did Devrin come forward first to defend Evelyn?”
Rachel knew better than anyone about their dry relationship.
“Is it because she was still his wife?”
What bothered Rachel more than Evelyn's smooth handling of the crisis was the fact that Devrin stood up for her.
At that moment, those present started talking about the previous situation.
“I never knew Lady Leonok could speak so logically.”
"Indeed. Wasn't she very shy before?"
“She seems different today.”
Rachel's eyes flashed inteny.
She felt like she was going to tear off the pearl necklace she had imported more than a month ago.
At that moment, Karina approached hesitantly.
“Um… Miss Rachel.”
Just in time. Rachel took Carina's hand and took her to the back of the banquet hall where no one was there.
As soon as they arrived, Rachel turned around. Without hesitation, she slapped Kareena across the face.
Karina held her cheek with a puzzled look.
“Why, why…?”
"Be grateful it ended with just a slap. You ruined everything."
Rachel's eyes were cold as she looked at Karina.
“I-I'm sorry...”
Seeing Carina holding her cheek and crying sadly, feeling somewhat relieved after hitting someone, Rachel finally spoke in a more lenient tone.
“You made a big mistake, but I will forgive you this time.”
With tears streaming down her face, Carina looked at Rachel.
Rachel knew what Karina wanted from her.
“You don't expect me to restore your father's position after you failed so miserably, do you?”
Rachel had often used the authority of her father, the Marquis Benford, as her own, and this was one of those times.
The port was controlled by the Binford Trading Company, and Karina's father held a management position in that company.
As trade grew in importance, everyone from commoners to lower nobility competed for such positions.
However, after he was fired from the management position due to a mistake, her family's situation worsened day by day, and Karina was carrying out Rachel's orders to make up for her father's mistake.
“I promised to reinstate my father if I did this...”
“That's only if you do the next job well.”
Rachel turned coldly and walked away first.
Carina stared at Rachel, holding her throbbing cheek.
“You better choose your friends wiy.”
Evelin's words resonated deeply with Karina, even though she wasn't sure if Evelin knew the full extent of what she meant.