Odette was about to go out for a walk when the news came that she had a phone call. It was said that it was a call from Tira from the dormitory of Gillis Girls' Academy.
Odette hastily hid the bag of food she had prepared for the stray dogs and hurried to the study where the phone was.
-Sister!
She took a deep breath and picked up the receiver, and she heard Tira's cheerful voice.
"How have you been doing? How is your first semester at your new school? Are you doing well in class? Are you eating well?"
– Calm down, sister. You'll run out of breath.
It was only when she heard Tira's giggling laughter that Odette realized that she was acting impatiently. She seemed excited about the phone call after a long time.
Tira answered one by one.
School was more fun as the new school year began. She had many good teachers and friends. Studying was going well. She ate well and added an inch to her waist.
There was not a shadow of a doubt in Tira's cheerful voice as she talked about her school life. It was fortunate and gratifying.
– By the way, sister. I had a dream of father a few days ago.
In the moment of her relief and patting her chest, Tira suddenly uttered unexpected words.
– It was a dream of father sending me to prison, but it was so vividly real…
"Stop."
Bracing herself, Odette hurriedly stopped Tira.
"It has nothing to do with you, so forget it. I made it clear that I would take responsibility."
– But sister…
"Listen up, Tira. If you say that one more time, I will never see you again."
Odette rechecked the tightly closed library door and scolded Tira coldly.
– I'm sorry, sister.
Tira's sullen voice broke the heavy silence.
– I like everything going on now… I guess that's why I was anxious. I've never been this happy. But I was so afraid of what would happen if I lost all of this.
"It's okay, Tira."
Odette soothed Tira with her voice, which had regained its warmth again.
"I will never let that happen."
It was also a firm commitment she made to herself.
-ha. I will really forget everything now. So promise me you won't say such scary things again. Sister has a new family now, but you're still my sister. Without you, I'm alone.
"Okay. I promise."
Odette let out a soft sigh and laughed.
You know, Tira. Actually, you are my only family.
Her unspoken words were buried deep in her heart. Suddenly, memories of her fake family followed.
Tira, with her emotional ups and downs, quickly regained her original cheerfulness. She started talking about learning to ride a bike with her friend. The nice boy from the neighboring boys' school. School festival next month.
The fresh schoolgirl-like stories erased the worries that remained in Odette's heart.
– Oh, sister. Could you come to the parent invitation day? They say that such events are held during the festival, but to me, sister is my mother.
It was near the end of the call when Tira asked a cautious question.
– I don't mean to burden you! You don't have to come if you're busy. They said you don't have to bring your parents.
"I'll check to see if the schedule allows."
Odette delayed giving a definite answer with a suitable excuse.
Karlsvall was a city that could hardly be reached in a day.
No matter how tight the schedule was, she would have to be away for two days, but she needed Bastian's permission to do so. Employers and employees. It was a procedure befitting the relationship he defined.
-okay. I'll call you back next time. I love you, sister. Bye!
It was clear that she was disappointed, but Tira said goodbye in a bright voice. I love you too. By the time Odette whispered, the phone had already been disconnected.
Having clamped down on her heart, Odette left the study with a face that had erased all her personal feelings. It was a perfectly clear and warm day. She didn't want to ruin a good day by being caught up in a useless depression.
Let's accept force majeure.
Let's not dwell on things that can't be helped with your own strength.
Let's find what's best for the situation and enjoy it.
She knew it wouldn't work out, but Odette still made that promise every morning.
It was a ritual that she did not let go of even when life was only getting worse. Then she was able to make it through the day, and the pattern of life that countless days gathered and weaved was beautiful. Odette loved such a life.
"Madam, you have a visitor."
Another sudden news came when Odette returned to her room and looked for the bag of food she had just hidden. Hiding it again under the bed without having no choice, Odette tidied her clothes before opening the bedroom door.
"I didn't know we had any guests today."
"Yes. He said he had no prior appointment, but wanted to ask if he could have a moment of your time."
The head maid politely held out a visiting card she had brought.
Maximin von Xanders.
Odette's eyes widened as she checked the name of the uninvited guest.
***
Bastian saw his father through the window of the car where he looked out inadvertently. It was a street corner passing in front of a high-end shopping district in the downtown area after leaving work early.
Jeff Klauswitz was on his way out of the jewelry store, holding a young woman's hand around Franz's age at most.
It was the first time seeing her, but her appearance was nothing new. Platinum hair and sky blue eyes. A small, innocent beauty. She was, again, a woman who resembled Bastian's dead mother.
A bad taste who constantly searched for a replacement for the woman his father used and abandoned.
Bastian, who let out a brief mockery, withdrew his interest from the ugliness.
This mistress wouldn't last too long, because once she passed the age when his mother died, his father would find the next replacement.
It was a bar to pay homage to his stepmother's indefinite love for Mrs. Klauswitz's position
while enduring such trifles.
Although, of course, his mother would never be second in the magnitude of her foolish love given to her unworthy partner.
As the traffic jam caused by the repair work on the road was cleared, Bastian sped up and pulled out of the city.
The fight to acquire the right to build a railway linking the south and north of Berg was getting fiercer day by day.
The most likely candidate was Jeff Klauswitz, but the situation changed with the emergence of a powerful rival. It was a railway company which Bastian founded in collaboration with LaViere.
Deprived of the right to build that railroad and dealt a major blow, his father would have no choice but to go deeper into the trap he had set.
In his haste, he (Jeff) would make aggressive investments to find a breakthrough. The preparations for that day were now complete. All that was left was to wait for his father to bite the bait.
Passing the border between Lutz and Ardennes, Bastian increased his speed while smoking a cigarette.
In fact, it was not worth the effort. Because even if left alone, his father would self-destruct anyway.
His father had achieved rapid growth with the funds raised through his in-laws with the Illis family, but after that, it remained at a standstill for a long time. Even if he was still going strong, his chances of surviving the fight against the rivals who had pursued him to the bottom were remarkably low.
It was a game that would end as soon as Franz inherited the family business, even if his father managed to get through it by luck.
There was no ending more perfect than this, as the precious son who had worked hard to become a nobleman would eventually destroy the family.
Even so, it wasn't because of the hatred and vengeance that the world was talking about that made him move.
To Bastian, they were already meaningless. It had already been like that since the time he left that family.
His maternal grandfather said it was because they made his heart sick, but Bastian thought differently. If this composure was a product of the illness, it was not bad for him to live with the disease.
But his grandfather wanted it.
Having lived with the resentment of not being able to avenge his daughter who died unjustly, he passed away without even closing his eyes properly. He left everything to his daughter's son.
Being the heir of the Illis family, Bastian inherited more than just a huge inheritance. He had the duty to close the eyes of his maternal grandfather who saved him from that hell and gave him the greatest love and means.
He even wanted to make sure of it once and for all. The great honor and lineage his father had earned at the cost of trampling on his wife and child. Half aristocratic status. Would it really be that good without money?
The answer would come if his father lost everything he had achieved with the money of the junk dealer he despised so much. If his father became broke and was still happy holding that shell, then Bastian thought of respecting his father.
It was important to make this case a success in order to hasten that day. It was also necessary to reduce dependence on LaViere.
Right now, Bastian maintained a friendly relationship with LaViere and cooperated with him, but there was no permanent ally. The reason Sandrine was his best wife was also there. Because the mixed vein was the most effective safety device.
But what if he could fly high without LaViere's wings?
By the time the Gulf of Ardennes began to be visible in the distance, an unfamiliar family suddenly flashed through his mind.
It was not impossible, but there was no reason to take such a thorny path when he had a great alliance that met all the conditions he wanted.
With a clear conclusion, Bastian shifted his gears once more and increased his speed.
"It's the bolt of wisdom."
The bullsh*t fortune-telling of this morning floated over the mansion, which was getting closer and closer.
"It will be a day to gain an important realization."
Odette, who examined the long, thin broken eggshells, continued to speak sophistry without raising an eyebrow.
Bastian was watching to see how far she was going to go, not wanting to stop the scam just yet. He also came to the realization that it would be best to marry Sandrine, so maybe Odette's silly prediction was not wrong after all.
As the sun set, he arrived at the mansion.
After passing the car to the attendant who ran out in surprise, Bastian strode into the lobby. It was just the moment he set foot on the central staircase when the butler, who heard the news of his earlier return, appeared in a hurry.
"Welcome, Master."
"Bastian!"
Just as Lovis had just greeted him, Odette's clear voice was heard.
Bastian turned his head and looked at the landing. Odette, who was on her way down the entrance hall, stopped there. A man holding a child was also with her.
Maximin von Xanders.
An unwelcome guest Bastian didn't know about.