Ethan looked at me with eyes full of doubt, as if wondering if I was being honest.
Well, that makes sense.
Camille was known to flinch at the slightest compliment...
I met Ethan's calm gaze.
In the end, it seemed like he decided to ignore the matter temporarily.
“If you knew that the Baron had ulterior motives, why did you play with him?”
“To reveal his true intentions, of course.”
"Why? Why do you need to do that?"
"I am the Duchess of Dumont. You may not be familiar with social occasions because you avoid them, but when I attend balls, many people approach me, both men and women. They try to curry favor with our house. The more flattery and enthusiasm they make, the more ambitious they become. And I found Baron Bernard very suspicious."
“……”
Ethan seemed genuinely surprised by my explanation, and the two men standing behind him were surprised as well.
They must have never imagined that Camille could think this way.
This was true. Most likely, Camille never thought about why so many people were trying to win her favor.
Perhaps she merely smiled at the compliment, and made empty promises, saying that she would tell her husband things, even though they rarely dined together.
“I'm very aware of the rumors that circulate around me. But it was also a way to test people. When you look foolish, even the most cautious people let their guard down. There's no better way to provoke complacency.”
“……”
Ethan's expression turned from surprise to confusion.
If he had heard this from someone else, he would have dismissed it as nonsense. But hearing it from Camille herself, especially in this context, made it difficult to ignore.
Ethan cleared his throat and calmed himself down.
“You claimed that Baron Bernard was supported by Duke Gerard. What led you to that conclusion?”
"Baron Bernard is nothing but a pawn. He was famous for bewitching rich women and earning small fortunes from them. For someone like him to seek out the 'Dumott's Notebook' - the existence of which many have doubted - would need significant support. He could not have conceived or attempted it without a powerful patron."
The men's faces reflected even greater shock.
Meanwhile, I kept calm.
I felt more comfortable now than when I first incarnated into Camille. The statements I made were carefully prepared and carefully verified.
The quality and number of cards I was holding was much better than when I first tried to bluff my way out.
“How did you know about the existence of the notebook?”
“I overheard a conversation between you and your secretary. That’s how I knew where the real notebook was.”
“No way. If someone was eavesdropping, I would know.”
Ethan's eyes were filled with certainty.
“But I know, right?”
“……”
It made me happy to look at Ethan's face as he said, "Are you saying that again?"
“Think about it. How else? You won’t leave these records exposed, and if I had searched your documents myself, you would have arrested me.”
“No, but-”
“Despite everything, I live with you in the same house, under the same roof. You seem to forget that sometimes.”
“……”
Ethan's eyes wavered for a different reason now.
Oh, he feels a little guilty, doesn't he?
According to the original story, Ethan largely neglected Camille after their marriage.
Of course, from my point of view, it didn't matter at all.
I didn't feel insulted or resentful. I said that just to avert Ethan's gaze.
This might come in handy in the future, I really thought so.
Ethan was silent for a moment before speaking again, “You mentioned that the Baron is a subordinate of Gerard. How did you come to that conclusion?”
I hesitated for a moment at this question, “This...”
This was the hardest part.
No matter how much I reviewed the original story and tried to convince my brain, I couldn't come up with a convincing lie for this.
There was no actual evidence linking the Baron to Gerard.
Duke Gerard was meticulous in such matters.
Upon meeting Liam, he was supposed to use an untraceable person and relay his intentions in a place where there were no witnesses.
He wouldn't leave behind something as incriminating as a letter.
This is why, according to the original story, Ethan initially fails to catch even Gerard's shadow.
“I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that.”
“What?”
“I have reasons not to tell. Maybe one day, but not now.”
“……”
Ethan stared at me quietly, his gaze intense, as if he was trying to see through me.
“Without proof, all your claims are worthless. Do you understand that?”
“There are other ways to prove the relationship between Baron Bernard and Duke Gerard.”
“Like?”
“Get recognition from the Baron.”
“……”
Ethan exchanged glances with Mr. Mael standing behind him.
“Baron Bernard denied everything. He claimed that the notebook was something you brought him without his request. He said he was in financial difficulty and that you had offered him something valuable.”
I deliberately widened my eyes, "Oh, that's an obvious lie. Why would I do something like that?"
“Do you realize that your claims are baseless?”
“The fact that Baron Bernard is determined to do this is proof of that.”
“Explain”
“He was caught seeing a married woman by her husband, the Duke of Dumont specifically. You have the power and justification to destroy him socially and personally. If he didn’t have a strong backer, he wouldn’t have been so bold.”
In the original story, Liam stood by similar claims.
Amid Camille and Liam's conflicting stories, and his lack of conclusive evidence, Ethan ultimately decides to leave Liam.
Naturally, he made sure that Liam was completely outcast from society and could never set foot in the capital again.
“Unless the Baron confesses, this is all just speculation. Do you have a way to force him to confess now?”
“No,” I answered indifferently.
Ethan's facial expression became contorted.
“I warned you not to think you could get away with jokes.”
“What joke did you tell?”
“Why would you suggest getting a confession if you have no way?”
“I just said I can't get a confession ‘right now.’ It will take some time, but I have a way to get him to confess eventually.”
Ethan's eyes lit up at that. It was a wonderful sight to see those eyes that had seemed so rigid suddenly sparkle.
“Explain”
***
The underground prison of the Dumont Estate.
Liam Bernard sat inside the iron bars with a bored expression, his legs crossed.
“Hey, when's the next meal? Looks like it's getting late.”
“Are you complaining about food a few hours after lunch? It will come when it comes. Be quiet and wait,” the guard said with a frown.
"Dude, you're sensitive. Would it hurt to talk nice?" Liam shrugged, mocking the guard.
On the surface, he didn't seem bothered, but it was all just an act.
'Damn, how long do they plan to keep me here?'
Despite persistent questioning, Liam has consistently denied any knowledge of a 'higher power', claiming ignorance of the entire affair.
The investigators seemed to be committed to an endurance battle, repeating the same questions day after day without showing any sign of giving up.