I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Rose took on the actual role of the head of the family because of their incompetent parents.

Freesia wanted to pull them down from that position immediately, but neither her father nor mother had the intention of relinquishing their authority, even if it was just a nominal title.

“We have no choice but to accept this mansion instead of the money your parents borrowed.”

“To empty the mansion just by showing a few documents? What nonsense is this!”

Pushing the stubborn Lily aside, Freesia calmly countered Lord Gondair’s claim.

“At the moment, our parents are in recovery, and they probably wouldn’t even qualify to borrow money.”

The aftermath of the accident had been too extravagant, and all the responsibility fell on Rose.

Freesia, recalling memories from a past life, found a way to make their parents a “creditor.”

Rose, who hesitated until the end, eventually followed Freesia’s intentions.

“Both of you lack the ability to make rational judgments. Even if the title remains an honorary position, including the delegation of actual duties, everything requires approval from the imperial family, and my sister…”

“This is money borrowed before. It has nothing to do with that.”

“What did you say?”

“I don’t want to do it like this. But since Rose doesn’t seem to understand any reasoning, what can I do?”

Accepting the unexpected promissory note, Freesia carefully read through the details.

Although the date on the document was ten years ago, around the time when their parents had the accident, the format seemed strangely familiar.

The seal and handwriting were undoubtedly their parents’, but why did it feel so uneasy?

Rose had paid off all the debts, but the compound interest over ten years had accumulated to an amount large enough to hand over the mansion.

Even with unnie’s skills, paying off this amount at once was impossible.

And with Rose’s position in the world at risk, a bad news story like this would jeopardize her business, which was just beginning to stabilize.

“Something is strange.”

If it was genuinely a debt to be repaid, it would be appropriate to pay it off, but Lord Gondair was not the right person to bring this lucrative opportunity now.

Holding Lily, who was on the verge of tears, Freesia carefully examined the documents again.

“This is outrageous. Compound interest, how can such an absurd interest be possible!”

“It was legal until eight years ago. You, the clueless Naphièr young master, were still in the clouds back then.”

Until eight years ago, when loan sharking was legal, setting such ridiculous interest rates was entirely possible.

If they still hadn’t paid off the debt from that time, paying the amount specified in the promissory note would be correct. However, an uncomfortable feeling lingered.

“This is clearly a standard promissory note.”

“That’s right. Surely, with such explicit documentation, you won’t deny it, will you?”

“The amount borrowed ten years ago was 50,000 gallons, with interest it’s now 1 million gallons?”

With one gallon being about 10,000 won, 1 million gallons would amount to about 10 billion won in Korean currency.

Even considering their father borrowed 500 million, it was insane that the interest had increased 20 times. It was just too unbelievable.

“Then, considering the rising cost of living and the difficulty of managing the household, our family should be able to accept that amount.”

Lord Gondair, presenting the document as proof of the magic of compound interest, clearly stated the amount that Freesia would have to repay ten years later.

However, Freesia felt a sense of discomfort from this document.

“The standard promissory note format was introduced just last year.”

“What?”

“Stop this low-quality prank, Lord Gondair.”

Freesia quickly realized that this document was forged, but for some reason, Lord Gondair remained completely indifferent to such facts.

“We’ll see who’s making a bad joke when we compare them. If it comes to this, we have no choice but to go to court.”

Why would anyone believe such things?

In the midst of the absurdity, a sharp voice echoed from the entrance.

“Coming to our house, what on earth is this!”

“Oh, Rose. You came at just the right time.”

With a smile marred by excessive arrogance, Lord Gondair firmly held Rose’s hand and sent her a gaze filled with discomfort.

“Although it’s a considerable sum, if you become my daughter-in-law, I might overlook it. If Rose becomes my daughter-in-law, the Devlanc viscount position will be inherited by my son.”

“What are you doing now!”

“If you don’t give a positive answer by tomorrow, we’ll have to go to court with this.”

Why did her usually reliable big sister’s back suddenly seem so small today?

In front of everyone, Lord Gondair pressured Rose by waving the absurd promissory note.

“Everyone, go back to your places. There won’t be any trouble.”

“But, Miss Rose…”

“Matthew, for now, go back home.”

Even if they forced such unreasonable things, it was still an internal matter for the Devlanc family.

“But, sister!”

“Lily, see Matthew off.”

Rose decided to send Matthew away first. The Naphièr couple had taken care of the three Devlanc sisters in place of their incompetent parents. However, turning Lord Gondair into an enemy was something they couldn’t afford to do.

Confirming that the two had left, Rose spoke to Lord Gondair.

“Please leave for today. I need to talk to my younger sisters.”

Even until the end, she maintained her politeness. But Lord Gondair, as if he were providing an extraordinary favor, offered his words with a sticky and unpleasant attitude.

“Well, it’s too much of a burden for you to handle alone.”

Finally, the situation was somewhat settled.

After the uncomfortable guest left, Freesia immediately grabbed Rose’s hands, which seemed like they might collapse at any moment.

“I’ll buy some time. For now, let’s just engage, and I’ll quickly look into your marriage and the mortgage.”

“Sister, do you really believe in these forged documents?”

“The documents are fake, but the debt is real.”

“What?”

“There is a record of borrowing money ten years ago. Father actually received a direct transfer from the bank, even though he didn’t properly use a promissory note.”

“Then, could it be…”

“He probably thought we would reluctantly pay if he pushed a fake promissory note. If we really go to court, we’ll lose.”

In that situation, they had no choice but to sell the mansion and even the title, if necessary, to repay the debt.

“Where on earth did Father spend that money?”

“He squandered it at Lord Gondair’s casino. Not a single coin left, all gone.”

While it was bewildering to witness the reckless actions of her parents, if the borrowed money was indeed real, finding a way to repay it became even more challenging.

“How much can we make?”

“Even if we borrow more using the mansion as collateral, it would end at 200,000 gallons. If we urgently scrape together funds, we might be able to make 300,000, but with interest, it’s still not a realistic amount to repay, reaching 1 million gallons.”

“Ridiculous. 1 million gallons is not pocket change.”

With pre-existing debts hanging over them, another substantial debt would ultimately jeopardize Rose’s business.

“They don’t expect us to repay them. If we go to court, the interest will decrease, but I’m not confident I can pay it off.”

Caught in a corner, her sister sighed multiple times, biting her lips as she forced a smile.

“I’m just trying to finish the Devlanc in my line, which should have ended in my parents’ line, and if I can sell it, I’ll be able to afford your dowry.”

“Sister!”

“That’s why I won’t let them touch you.”

Since her unresponsive parents had turned her into a gold digger, Rose had struggled alone to provide for her two younger siblings.

She’s only twenty-four. So young to be an adult, and yet she’s grown up without ever having to say a word to anyone.

“Are you trying to change everything alone?”

“I can’t let them involve you too. Let’s rest for today; I’m exhausted as well.”

Rose, who had carried the cross alone, was now trying to shield her two younger sisters, both left in shock.

“What happens to us now?”

Lily asked cautiously as she returned from seeing off Matthew.

Freesia hastily adjusted her expression and reassured her sister.

“It’s okay, Lily. Everything’s going to be fine.”

Freesia was supposed to order a new dress for Lily, but the way things are going, she can’t afford it.

If it weren’t for the terrible noose their parents have set around their necks, the happy life of three sisters wouldn’t fall apart.

No matter how much they care for me like real parents, she can’t ask the Nepier Marquis couple for a debt of one million gallons.

Maybe if it were the Crawford Duke.

“Lily, stay by Rose’s side. She probably hasn’t eaten anything, so make sure she has something to eat.”

“Matthew will help. I’ll ask him to help Sohee too.”

“No, don’t do that.”

‘How can I ask a friend to pay off my parents’ debt?’

After giving little Lily a tight hug, Freesia sent her to Rose’s study.

And Freesia walked away with heavy steps.

“I need to go out for a moment.”

Facing Freesia, who insisted on going alone, the old stable keeper willingly volunteered as a coachman.

“My life is not regrettable no matter when I die. If you’re going on a dangerous path, this old life should lead the way even more.”

“Grandfather.”

“My place will be filled by my grandson. Bring me wherever you want.”

He knew very well what it meant to visit him at this ambitious moment.

The man who had been strangely relaxed might have known all about the situation.

Looking at the still unlit room of her sister, Freesia climbed onto the carriage alone.

Perhaps Lily and Rose would definitely try to stop her if they knew her decision, but there is no other choice now.

“Stop! Freesia!”

Matthew, who had not yet returned home, blocked the door while wandering in front of the mansion.

Freesia stopped the carriage, looking at the determined childhood friend.

He was desperately trying to intervene, but Rose’s words made sense.

No matter how much they cared for me like real parents, reaching out to Matthew’s parents again is not something a person should do.

Even Lily, who lacks nothing even if she is brought into the royal family, may not lack anything if sent to Matthew.

“I will tell my father. I will do whatever I can to prevent Rose from sacrificing herself.”

“Matthew, I’m fine.”

“I saw that proposal letter earlier. Are you really going to Duke Crowford?”

For the urgent marriage issue, what the Duke needs is a well-mannered wife.

Freesia, who is not Rose or Lily, knows better than anyone the meaning of choosing herself.

In some ways, it may be a more dreadful hell waiting for her than marrying the son of Viscount Gondair.

Under the inherent arrogance that does not hesitate to kill people when necessary, there is no trace of the two letters, consideration.

“I can’t leave my sister to sacrifice alone.”

“Freesia, I…”

Suppressing the surging emotions, Matthew opened his mouth with a pained expression.

“I love you.”

I hoped he wouldn’t say those words, but there’s always an inevitable sense of sadness.

“Smile Love”