Chapter 8

Yvonne, despite owing money to the Dromore family, was wearing the latest fashionable dress. Riddle clenched her own dress tightly, feeling a surge of frustration. After all, she had been sold to the Marquess's family for that very reason.

However, she suddenly came to her senses and wondered, was it really safe for Yvonne to wear a corset, given that she was pregnant?

"Poor thing. To be left behind at the ball, and you just got married to Lord Friedrich. Is everything not going well? I'm worried."

Yvonne's face was twisted with a sense of superiority. She had been jealous of Riddle, who was to marry into the Marquess's family simply because she was a noble.

"Yvonne, I brought the cake," Gilbert arrived at that moment.

"Thank you, Gilbert."

However, Gilbert's face stiffened when he saw Riddle sitting in front of Yvonne. Yvonne must have deliberately chosen this timing. It was just like her.

"Does your husband not even bring you food?" she asked, feigning concern.

"My husband seems to be very busy with work," Riddle replied calmly, and her cousin's face contorted with irritation.

"Oh, are you saying that Gilbert is free?" Despite having previously treated Riddle as a country bumpkin and not giving her much attention, Yvonne had become persistently meddlesome ever since Riddle's engagement to the Marquess was decided.

"I didn't say that," Riddle responded as calmly as possible.

You never know what might set her off. If a scene were to break out here, it would only add to the humiliation. Already, curious gazes were gathering around them, and she didn't want to make a big deal out of it.

"You said it. You just said it. Right, Gilbert, you heard it too, didn't you?"

Yvonne made a big fuss to draw attention, and Riddle couldn't help but be impressed that she had managed to get this far in society with such a personality.

"Miss, please stop this here," Riddle said quietly but firmly. She couldn't afford to cause a scene and trouble her husband so early in their marriage.

"You're just jealous because Gilbert doesn't love you, and you're trying to harass me."

How could she come up with such a brazen idea? Riddle never wanted to become someone who would steal others' things to satisfy her own sense of superiority.

"I'm not jealous," Riddle firmly denied, suppressing her irritation and speaking as calmly as possible.

Then Gilbert stepped in front of Yvonne.

"Riddle, I understand how you feel, but I'm the one at fault. So, please don't provoke Yvonne. This is an important time."

(What does he understand about me?)

His words and gaze, filled with concern for Yvonne, pierced Riddle's heart. Until recently, Gilbert had been Riddle's only ally. However, losing control here would play right into Yvonne's hands. Riddle tried to regain her composure.

"It's all because you make fun of her for being an actress's daughter, isn't it?"

Riddle's eyes widened at Gilbert's baseless accusation. She had indeed heard that Yvonne's mother used to be an unsuccessful actress, but she had never really cared. Was this the reason he had distanced himself from her?

Riddle had never thought of Yvonne as a threat, let alone mocked her. Gilbert had believed Yvonne's lies without even checking with Riddle. He must have been instantly captivated by her sophisticated and polished appearance.

Despite their long relationship, it was disheartening to realize that they had failed to build even a basic level of trust. What had she done wrong...?

However, now was not the time to dwell on that. Riddle was now a member of the Weller Marquess family. She had to act in a way that would not disgrace the family name. Despite the pain and the urge to cry, she swallowed it down, lifted her head, and looked at the two of them firmly. However, they were looking in another direction.

"What's going on?"

Friedrich's cold voice rang out. When Riddle realized, he was standing behind her.

"Oh, Lord Friedrich, Riddle is still pining for my fiancé, Gilbert, and is envious of me. What should I do?" Yvonne's words made Riddle's heart sink.

Was Yvonne trying to embarrass Friedrich, who had saved the Dromore family from debt?