When I Quit Being A Wicked Mother-in-law, Everyone Became Obsessed With Me

“Where’s Elliot?”

“He’s sleeping, my lord.”

“I see.”

Nodding, Alexei strode toward his office.

“I still have some work to finish, so bring me a cup of coffee to the office. And…”

As Alexei was about to inquire about Anriche’s well-being, he shook his head and swallowed his words.

It was pointless to ask; she was surely sleeping soundly in her soft, warm bed.

She was the woman who considered herself the most important in the world, so she must be taking good care of herself.

“Um, my lord.”

Just then, the butler following Alexei spoke up.

Alexei glanced back.

“What is it?”

“Today, the lady brought Miss Liliana to the townhouse.”

“…Liliana?”

Alexei stopped in his tracks.

Why on earth did she bring Liliana here?

He had heard that she was doing well at the Rondini Barony.

‘Could it be… that she intends to keep her close to torment her?’

A sharp glint appeared in Alexei’s blue eyes.

“That is…”

The butler continued to explain quietly.

Liliana was not living comfortably in the Rondini household but was, in fact, being treated like a maid at the Rondini Orphanage.

And thus, Anriche had brought Liliana here.

That she had fed, clothed, and treated Liliana well was also part of the explanation.

“…Right now, the lady is sleeping with Miss Liliana.”

The butler concluded his report.

At that moment, Alexei furrowed his brow.

“Wait, did you say Liliana was being treated like a maid?”

“Yes, that’s what I was told.”

“…But Mag has never mentioned anything like that.”

When the decision was made to leave Liliana in the care of the Rondini family, Alexei had instructed Mag to check on her well-being periodically.

Under normal circumstances, he should have entrusted the matter of Liliana to the mistress, Anriche, but…

‘She has no interest in Liliana at all.’

It would be fortunate if she didn’t throw a fit about bringing a lowborn girl into the family.

Thus, the person he came up with as a last resort was Mag, the head maid who had been with him since the Duchy of Valua.

‘Miss Liliana is doing very well.’

That was Mag’s usual catchphrase.

Alexei was seized by a strange sense of discomfort.

“…Since the lady’s and Mag’s statements are so different, we need to clarify the truth.”

The butler, who had been watching Alexei carefully, added cautiously.

Alexei nodded heavily.

“Yes, that makes sense.”

After a moment of contemplation, Alexei spoke.

“For now, let’s keep this under wraps.”

“Then…”

“However, I’m not saying to just let it slide.”

Alexei added firmly.

“The butler should investigate this matter discreetly.”

“Me?”

“Yes. It must be conducted secretly, without anyone finding out.”

“…Understood.”

The butler replied confidently, glancing sidelong at Alexei.

“Then you won’t be asking the lady or Mag directly?”

“……”

Alexei fell silent for a moment.

If it were up to him, he would want to grab Anriche right now and demand, ‘What’s going on?’

After all, Mag was an incredibly loyal maid.

It was more reasonable to suspect that Anriche was trying to drive a wedge between Mag and Alexei rather than to doubt Mag herself.

But…

‘…At least today, she did show some concern for Liliana.’

It was unexpected.

The Anriche he knew had pushed away even her son, not allowing him to approach her.

Of course, they say even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Anriche’s behavior might just be of that sort, but…

“She is the mistress of Valua.”

That fact didn’t change.

And the mistress of Valua should naturally receive the respect befitting her position.

No matter how suspicious she seemed, he couldn’t show any doubt toward her at a time when the truth had not yet been clearly revealed.

“It won’t be too late to make a judgment once the facts are established.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The butler bowed respectfully.

“By the way, how dare the Rondini Barony act like that…”

Alexei’s voice had grown cold.

‘We will take care of her until Liliana comes of age.’

‘Even so, as her relatives, wouldn’t we be able to care for her better?’

Had those kind words all been lies?

He had thought they were warm-hearted enough to run an orphanage.

That was why he had entrusted them with the only daughter of a dear friend.

But… he had no idea they were treating Liliana like that behind the scenes.

Alexei gritted his teeth.

Before hearing about Liliana, he had been unaware, but now that he had, he realized there were many suspicious aspects.

For example…

“I heard that the Rondini Barony recently expanded the orphanage?”

“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard.”

“Where did the funds for that expansion come from?”

… The source of the funds that the Rondini Barony was using so casually.

“About that…”

The butler hesitated, unable to answer right away.

He didn’t know.

Alexei’s gaze sharpened.

“Don’t you know?”

“…I’m sorry. Mag has always said it was ‘fine.’”

The butler was flustered, trying to gauge Alexei’s reaction.

‘I’ve been too complacent.’