This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 107

There was no time for anyone to stop it. With a sharp splash, water was thrown onto Lyle’s face.

A pleasant afternoon breeze drifted through the tearoom. The elegant music that had been playing suddenly cut off.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

As everyone froze in shock, the sound of water dripping from Lyle’s chin echoed loudly in the silence. He wiped his jaw with his sleeve, his gaze so cold it seemed he could tear apart the woman before him at any moment.

The onlookers flinched and averted their gazes. Just witnessing the scene sent shivers down their spines. They were terrified that he might turn his eyes on them. However, the woman standing before him held her head high, seemingly unfamiliar with the concept of fear.

“What do you think? It means you need to come to your senses. Do I really have to explain everything to you?”

“So, you no longer care about maintaining the dignity of the Archduchess? There are many eyes watching. Shouldn’t you be more careful?”

Elaina scoffed at his words.

Placing the transparent glass back on the table, she raised her brow slightly.

“The dignity of the Archduchess? Ha! If such a thing even exists, I’d gladly be rid of it first. And you—do you not have a conscience? How dare you mention that title to me?”

Her face, as cold as the winter wind, fixed on Lyle with a sharp glare.

“Just finalize the paperwork already. Why are you dragging this out?”

She curled her lips into a sneer, her voice laced with ridicule.

“If you’re harboring some foolish expectations, I suggest you abandon them immediately. I will never go back to you.”

A sharp gasp rippled through the onlookers. Some weren’t sure if they were lucky or unfortunate to witness this spectacle today.

The tearoom, located in the heart of the capital’s bustling district, was a favored gathering place for nobles. It had always been difficult to secure a reservation, but its popularity had soared to unprecedented heights among the aristocracy.

The luxurious decor, exquisite tea sets, and fine refreshments were certainly key attractions. However, another undeniable factor contributed to its fame: even after their marriage had completely crumbled, the archducal couple continued to visit the tearoom separately.

The problem was that today, both of them had arrived at the same time.

It was an unseemly disturbance in such an elegant setting, yet no one dared to intervene. In fact, some even feared that the staff might attempt to break up the scene.

Lyle had arrived first, ordering tea while a servant brought him a glass of water. A short while later, Elaina had entered. The flustered staff tried to seat her as far from Lyle as possible. However, sharp-witted as ever, she immediately realized who was there the moment they directed her away from her usual seat by the window.

Unfortunately for the staff, Lyle Grant was an unmistakable presence. Standing tall and straight, he made no attempt to conceal himself, and Elaina found him with ease. Striding directly to his table, she wasted no time—before anyone could stop her, she flung the contents of her glass right at him.

“Are you deaf? I told you to process the paperwork. I have no lingering attachment to the grand title of Archduchess.”

Standing behind Elaina, her maid made no move to stop her, glaring at the man they had once served with open disdain. That alone made it clear how far relations between House Winchester and House Grant had deteriorated.

“I have no intention of granting a divorce.”

Gasps of disbelief filled the tearoom. No intention of divorcing? Did that mean Lyle Grant still had lingering feelings for her?

But… if that were the case, why was his gaze so cold?

The onlookers soon got their answer. As Lyle swept his wet hair back, he spoke with chilling indifference.

“If you want a divorce, transfer Sir Hennet’s medicine rights to me.”

“Ha. Of course. So that was your goal all along.”

Elaina’s voice trembled with betrayal. At that moment, the onlookers sympathized with her completely. Yet, despite her accusation, Lyle remained utterly unshaken, meeting her gaze with unwavering resolve.

“If you truly wish to sever ties with House Grant, that’s the only way.”

Elaina bit her lip and glared at him before scoffing. She tossed her hair over her shoulder with an air of defiance.

“Well then, let’s see about that. Now, disappear from my sight. I’m trying to be civil, but I might just throw hot tea at you next.”

The waiter holding the tea Lyle had ordered looked at her in shock, completely at a loss.

The once-hot tea had already cooled while the two exchanged heated words, but if Lyle, having been insulted twice now, were to lash out—!

Lyle stared at Elaina for a long moment before shrugging.

“I hope you won’t keep me waiting too long. I, too, would like to settle the paperwork as soon as possible.”

Even now, Lyle’s words were laced with aggravation. Elaina clenched her fists and trembled with anger. Seeing her reaction, Lyle smirked in satisfaction and brushed past her.

“Agh!”

Elaina let out a sharp cry—a hysterical scream that was uncharacteristic of the confident woman she had always been.

The sudden clash between them quickly spread like wildfire among the nobles.

The reason their broken relationship remained unresolved was that the Archduke of Grant coveted Nathan Hennet’s medicine rights. Even after accumulating immense wealth from the successful business in Mabel, his greed knew no bounds, and people clicked their tongues in disapproval.

Now, all eyes turned to Elaina. No one believed she would obediently comply with Lyle Grant’s demands.

So, when word spread that Elaina had gone to see the Marquis of Redwood a few days later, people were hardly surprised. They merely nodded, as if expecting it all along.

***

The Marquis of Redwood stroked his mustache as he gazed out the window. The carriage bearing the Winchester ducal crest passed through the grand gates and rolled swiftly toward the estate. A smirk played on the marquis’s thin lips.

“A gift has rolled right into my lap.”

The rumors surrounding Elaina and Lyle had long reached the marquis’s ears, including the humiliating display Elaina had made, an experience she had never endured in her life.

“I have a proposal you won’t be able to refuse.”

Each word in her letter had been penned with deliberate force, saturated with the bitterness of betrayal. The phrase “a proposal you can’t refuse” delighted the marquis no matter how many times he reread it.

Not long after stepping out of her carriage, Elaina arrived at the marquis’s study. He welcomed her with an exaggerated display of hospitality.

“This is the first time we’ve met privately like this, Your Grace the Archduchess.”

At the words “Your Grace the Archduchess,” Elaina’s face twisted in distaste. She shook her head, visibly repulsed.

“You have quite the cruel sense of humor, Marquis. Surely, you know exactly why I’ve come.”

The marquis let out a hearty laugh and gestured for her to take a seat. Before her, an elegant array of refreshments was laid out.

“A cup of tea is all I need. Have the rest removed.”

Elaina addressed the maid preparing the refreshments.

“Oh, but—”

The maid hesitated, unsure of what to do. Elaina arched a brow and turned to the marquis.

“Surely you didn’t think I came all this way just for tea, did you? A single cup will suffice.”

“Haha. Indeed, you’re right. Remove everything. Tell the butler not to let anyone disturb us until further notice.”

The marquis nodded in agreement. As Elaina had pointed out, the refreshments were of little importance—formalities, nothing more.

“Understood, my lord.”

The maid bowed and quickly withdrew. Once the door shut behind her, the marquis fixed Elaina with an intrigued gaze.

“You certainly know how to surprise people. Well, let’s hear this irresistible proposal of yours.”

“Impatient, aren’t we? I thought you’d at least take a sip of tea first.”

Elaina smirked, tilting her head slightly.

“But very well. There’s no need for either of us to waste time. I’ll get straight to the point. I hear you desperately need Nathan Hennet’s medicine rights.”

She crossed her legs at a leisurely pace.