From the moment Erin left the mansion, Aiden was awake, and he received a report as well.
“Gael Zahard tried to kill the con artist.”
“So?”
Aiden showed no sign of just waking up. He was immediately assessing the situation with a cold, calculating demeanor.
“The person hired by the boutique’s madame took him away.”
“Why now of all times?”
Aiden murmured quietly, his face showing frustration.
“We tried to seize the opportunity, but it was too well-guarded to make a move.”
After deeply pondering, Aiden eventually furrowed his brow and left the room. There was no chance that Erin wouldn’t realize that he had orchestrated everything.
Anxiety was evident on Aiden’s face. Unable to contain himself, he went out to the front of the mansion, waiting for Erin to return.
***
It was when Erin returned to the Leinster House.
As if he had been waiting only for her, Aiden was there in front of her.
The two locked eyes, and Erin recognized him at first glance. Aiden knew that Erin had the con artist with her and what she had heard from him. They simply looked at each other without saying anything and entered together.
Erin and Aiden sat facing each other at the table in the bedroom.
“The con artist, Erin has him,” Aiden asked straightforwardly without trying to hide or act ignorant.
“Tell me first. What happened?” Erin demanded a response from Aiden.
“I sent the con artist to Zahard. I also provided the necessary methods and support for the process,” Aiden calmly explained what he had done and his plans for the future.
“I was planning to make Zahard fall for my deception and bring about his own downfall.”
Aiden had orchestrated everything in this pharmaceutical business. Erin had not expected such events to unfold in a place she was unaware of, but it was not incredibly shocking.
Aiden had been the villain in the original story.
Disguised as the perfect villain, he had not hesitated to commit cruel acts to create the situation he desired.
However, being with Aiden had made her forget that side of him. As Erin had changed many aspects from the original, the person who had changed the most was Aiden.
So, maybe the fact that he became the villain was completely eliminated. However, just because her expectations were off track, there was no reason to be disappointed in Aiden at all.
As Erin listened to Aiden’s words, she realized that this event had also occurred in the original.
Back then, Aiden had created every situation behind the scenes.
However, there were no consequences for anyone else at that time.
Instead, he had deliberately let the situation escalate, waiting for it to grow worse, and then had caused a problem at the worst possible moment. But not this time.
“Of course, I intended to end everything before it escalated to the point where others became addicted to the drug,” Aiden added, perhaps to prevent Erin from misunderstanding.
And that was not a lie to make it sound good to Erin. He genuinely had intended to do so.
Curious after hearing his story, Erin wondered why Aiden had kept the matter a secret.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. As the words left her mouth, Erin realized that she had not told Aiden about this incident either.
They had both been keeping things from each other, and upon realizing this, she thought that Aiden must have had his own reasons.
And she quickly understood those reasons too. Erin had also hidden the same thing from Aiden, but for a different reason.
“Perhaps, is it because they are my family that I didn’t tell you?” Erin didn’t want to burden Aiden with Zahard’s problem.
“If I were Aiden, I would…”
Thinking from his perspective, there was something he could guess.
Just as Erin had done it for Aiden, perhaps Aiden had done it for Erin.
“Are you worried that I would be upset?” Erin asked, watching Aiden’s reaction. Aiden’s face was expressionless, but there was a small ripple in his eyes.
“Yes,” Aiden’s calm response dissipated. No matter how bad their relationship was, Aiden didn’t want to reveal that he set a trap to ruin them because they were Erin’s family.
Instead of feeling disappointed, Erin’s heart fluttered. So, to make sure that Aiden didn’t misunderstand, she calmly spoke.
“I don’t consider those two as family.” Since becoming a member of the Zahard, Erin hadn’t felt any sense of belonging with them, and they had crossed a line this time.
“Gael Zahard tried to conceal the fact that drugs were involved, and he even tried to kill someone.”
Erin precisely pointed out Zahard’s wrongdoings. “Helena Zahard also did the same. She cooperated in killing the swindler.”
This was thoroughly their choice. So neither Gael nor Helena could be forgiven. “Taking a small dose of the drug isn’t that harmful. Furthermore, it can be neutralized sufficiently,” Aiden said, mentioning that he had prepared a safety measure.
“In that case, there would be almost no harm.” As Erin listened to Aiden’s words, she realized that they had been pursuing their own tasks but shared the same thoughts.
“Let’s expose it at the business presentation. Not only the pharmaceutical business of Gael and Helena Zahard, but also their attempted murder today.” Therefore, Erin nodded as if signaling that she had the same thought.
Their eyes met. With just that, they confirmed and agreed with each other’s thoughts.
And on that day, there was one more opponent that they had to deal with together, besides the Zahard.
“And we should also take care of Elder Siron this time,” Erin said, to which Aiden agreed and added, “The money invested in Zahard by Siron came from the mining revenue.”
Aiden had already looked into it up to that point.
“Is it through official channels?”
“No, I invested with money embezzled from the mines.”
It was something that he had anticipated since Elder Siron’s investment was mentioned. “We also have all the evidence.”
The most important things had been secured as well. So even if he tried to claim that he didn’t know about it in this matter, it would be futile.
Without them noticing, Felix and Mona, who had been behind Erin and Aiden, brought a stack of documents and neatly placed them on the table.
“I have something too. Evidence that narcotics are included in the medicine in the pharmaceutical business.”
They had already obtained some evidence and were seeking to secure more.
“And crucially…,” Erin whispered secretively about the pivotal role that she would play in exposing the pharmaceutical business.
As Erin continued speaking, Aiden became unsettled. His eyes, gradually widening, gazed silently at Erin.
But soon he regained his composure.
“…I see. There’s certainly nothing more certain than that.”
Erin and Aiden shared everything and worked together to make plans.
With the two of them together, their pace doubled, then quadrupled.
***
And at last, the reception for the business briefing was held. Everything was extraordinary, starting from the invitation sent by Gael Zahard.
The golden-framed invitation clearly showed how much effort he had put into this matter.
It was the grandest scale event held by the Zahard family in nearly ten years.
Inside the Zahard’s reception hall, Gael and Helena stood out from among the numerous people.
It was not only because of Gael’s booming voice and Helena’s laughter, but also because of their exceptionally splendid attire.
“Hahaha. We have something very special prepared for today’s reception, so please look forward to it!” They were beaming from ear to ear in their dazzling outfits, while Mila’s expression was not as bright.
Erin casually gave Mila a nod and then walked away.
That was when it happened. Erin locked eyes with Gael.
In response, Gael sneered at her, twisting his lips. His eyes clearly displayed arrogance and haughtiness.
It seemed as if he was implying that no one could ignore him in the future.
He seemed so confident. At first glance, it certainly seemed like the heyday of the Zahard family was approaching.
As evidence, several nobles approached Gael Zahard, showing interest in the business and asking questions.
He believed that the swindler was completely out of the way, so he had no concerns. Erin quietly smirked while observing his demeanor.
“We should enjoy this moment. We may not have the chance to enjoy it until we die.”
Erin calmly watched as they spent what seemed like a fleeting dream.
