Chapter 4

What truly shocked me was Flint's huge business success. He'd recently made a significant profit.

Rhea threw a lavish celebration. When we arrived, Flint had his arm wrapped possessively around her waist, making a toast.

"To have such a kind, virtuous wife is a blessing from god! My fortunes have soared ever since she came into my life!"

Those who'd once looked down on him were now falling over themselves to offer their compliments. No one wanted to be on the bad side of new money, after all.

Rhea was visibly triumphant as she basked in their flattery.

Her gaze skipped past the crowd and fell on me. She hooked a finger in my direction, motioning me closer.

"Why aren't you sitting by my side, Astrid?" she asked. "I've heard Drakon's being sent to the front, and oh, I'm so worried for you! What will you ever do if something happens to him?"

Sure enough, Drakon was leaving. Though he'd promised he'd be back next month, I knew that his chances were slim.

Before he left, he'd taken the emerald bracelet Mother had given me when I got married. He told me that seeing it would give him courage on the battlefield because it reminded him of me.

As much as it pained me, I wouldn't show a hint of distress. Instead, I eyed Rhea's luxurious gown and remarked, "A single bolt of the material you're wearing must cost a fortune. Even if Flint has recently made money, I doubt he can readily afford such extravagance."

Rhea turned proudly. "You have good taste. I bought this gown on credit, but it's only a matter of time before Flint can pay for this little money. Don't worry about it."

As I ran my fingers across the embroidery on her sleeve, I slowly muttered, "Is that so? Flint grew up poor and accustomed to hardship, so he hates reckless spending. I'm guessing he doesn't know you bought this on credit, does he?"

Her hand tightened around her handkerchief as she snapped, "What are you doing?"

Just as I thought, if the mere mention of a single gown could rattle her this badly, their marriage wasn't as solid as she claimed.

"I'm not doing anything, just trying to remind you that the higher you climb, the harder you fall."

With that, I drained my glass and turned to leave.

…

A few days later, Flint's business reached new heights, but a crowd of angry creditors suddenly gathered at his door.

"It's time! Pay up!"

"Stop hiding! We know you have the money!"

It turned out that Rhea had racked up more debt than she could repay, so the creditors had come knocking on her door.

Mother summoned me home in a panic. When I arrived, I found Rhea disheveled and wailing on the floor. "You couldn't have made so much money without my ideas! I deserve what I spent, so how dare you hit me!"

Flint clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles cracked. "I work day and night, rain or shine, while you laze at home all day, doing nothing but dolling yourself up! Now, just as our lives are finally getting better, you bury us in debt. You deserve that beating!"

Mother wept and dabbed at her tears. "Regardless of how much she spent, Rhea chose to marry into your hardship. You shouldn't have beaten her up.

"She's been pampered her whole life, so there's nothing wrong with her having nice things. You're just useless!"

Rhea bit her handkerchief and sobbed. "Even if I've spent all the money, you can earn it back. You're young, so why can't you work a little harder?"

Even I was appalled by their shamelessness, let alone the hot-tempered Flint. He grabbed a wooden stick in the room and struck her hard.

"You parasite! I'll show you what it means to squander and drag me into debt!"

Rhea's screams filled the house. When Mother tried to intervene, Flint kicked her aside.

In the chaos, Rhea saw me coldly observing from a corner and screamed, "I have an idea, Flint! Her husband went to war and hasn't come back since, so he's probably dead! She has more money than she can spend, so if we take hers, we can cover our debts with it!"

Flint paused and turned to look at me standing in the corner. "She's right, Astrid. You're just a woman with no use for all that money, so better give it to me. I'll protect you if anyone picks on you."

Mother instantly chimed in and screamed, "Yes! She has money! Get it from her!"

Not expecting such shameless audacity, I frowned and tried to step back, but Flint blocked me.

"Don't make this difficult, Astrid. With your husband gone, no one's left to protect you, so quietly hand it over now!"

What a pack of thieves!

Instinctively, I grabbed a fruit knife from the table and lifted it high, ready to fight to the death.

Before I could swing, someone grabbed my wrist, and a familiar voice came from behind me.

"Who said her husband's dead?"