Instead of My Stepsister, I Have Become Engaged to the Son of a Marquis, Who Is Said to Only Have a Year Left to Live - Chapter 27

Chapter 27
Oak Ridge House Chaos

　While Lionel and Edith were visiting their summer home, the Oak Ridge household was in turmoil.

“What on earth is going on!? …Not only are many medicines out of stock, but there aren’t enough medicine makers.Moreover, you say the medicine is no longer effective and there are complaints about its quality?”

　As Earl Oak Ridge, his face red with rage, approached the pale servant, he suddenly remembered that Edith had handed him a document when she had set out for the Marquis de Granvelle’s house.
　Edith had entrusted the documents to him, telling him to hand them over to a trustworthy servant and to have him look over them if possible, but he had never even glanced at them and just left them there.

　The servant’s face went pale, and he answered in an inaudible voice.

“Lady Edith used to manage the inventory of medicines, compound any medicines that were lacking, and even keep the books. But now that Lady Edith has left the Oak Ridge household, that part of her job is, well… missing.”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!”

　The servant trembled as he watched the Earl yell in anger.

“After Lady Edith left, I came to consult with your Lord many times, but every time I told him about the work that Lady Edith had done, he would not listen to me, saying that the work his stepdaughter had done was not that important.”
“…”

　The Earl, who certainly recognized this, shut his mouth in displeasure and told the servant with an irritable look on his face.

“Bring the books here right away.”
“I got it.”

　The servant hurried back and handed him the ledger. He silently turned over the pages, and his face instantly distorted.

“From the day Edith left this house, it’s been a blank slate…”

　The Earl groaned and muttered, scratching his head in confusion.

“Contact Edith at the Marquis of Granvelle’s house as soon as possible. Tell her to come back to the house immediately.”

　However, when the Earl heard from the Marquis of Granvelle that Edith had gone away to her villa with Lionel, he crouched down even more, his head in his hands.

“I never would have imagined that Edith was so deeply involved in the Oak Ridge family’s pharmaceutical business…”
“What’s the matter, father?”

　Dahlia came over to her father, whose face was pale and whose body was aching, with her brows furrowed suspiciously and her arms crossed.

“That’s it…”
“More importantly, would you please listen to me, Father?”

　Dahlia interrupted her father and spoke with an irritated look on her face.

“I was planning to buy a new dress and accessories for an upcoming evening party I’ve been invited to, but when I tried to pay on credit, I was refused. They said I was behind on my payments… Hey, Father, isn’t that strange? The Marquis of Granvelle household should have already forgiven my debts, so you should have plenty of money on hand, right?”
“…Dahlia. Do you do that every time there’s an evening party?”
“Of course, father. I finally made some money, and more than anything, this is to make me look more beautiful. It’s only natural that I should always have the best things.”
“…!”

　The Earl repeatedly opened and closed his mouth as if he wanted to say something in response to his daughter’s words, but finally managed to squeeze out just one word.

“Why is Edith at the Marquis Granvelle villa at such an important time…?”
“…A villa?”

　Dahlia frowned and blinked several times.

“At the villa, Edith? With that Lionel?”
“Oh, I can’t think of anyone else. But now is not the time for that…!”
“…When Lionel was forced onto that girl, was he in a condition to go to a villa or something? He looked like he was on the verge of collapsing at any moment and didn’t seem to have the strength to go on such a trip…”

　Dahlia muttered softly to herself as she tilted her head.