This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 108

“I refuse.”

The Marquis’s expression darkened with displeasure, as if the offer wasn’t even worth considering.

“You claimed this was an offer I couldn’t refuse, yet this is what you bring to me?”

What confidence did she have to assume he would hand over the Deftia villa? It was absurd.

“You should hear me out first. You’re quite impatient, aren’t you? If I add a certain condition to this exchange, I’m sure it will be to your liking.”

Elaina spoke clearly and deliberately.

“This contract will be nullified the moment Elaina Grant’s divorce is finalized.”

The Marquis frowned as he studied Elaina, trying to decipher the true meaning behind her words. Then his eyes slowly widened. He sat back down, abandoning his initial attempt to leave. Seeing this, Elaina smiled slightly, as if she had expected his reaction.

“Although you call it the right to use the medicine, you of all people know it is essentially ownership. You will gain full knowledge of its composition and formulation. And yet, all you have to do is temporarily lend me a villa in return. Are you really going to refuse such a deal, Marquis?”

“The reason?”

“Pardon?”

“What is your reason?”

Elaina shrugged. “I thought it was a good deal. Does such a condition really need an explanation?”

The Marquis did not seem pleased. His sharp gaze scrutinized her closely, filled with suspicion. Even Elaina, who had remained composed, felt a flicker of unease.

“Bait is always made to look appetizing. Call it an old man’s paranoia if you wish. But if you don’t tell me the exact reason, I will be forced to find out myself. And you should know, unpleasant things tend to happen in the process.”

The Marquis’s wariness was unexpected. Elaina had thought he would take the bait immediately.

After countless letters passed through Knox and Nathan, they had carefully set the stage. She had gone as far as throwing water at Lyle in the tearoom, raising her voice in public, and even shouting without restraint—all to convince the Marquis.

‘It should have been enough.’

For a brief moment, anxiety flickered in Elaina’s eyes. But remaining silent any longer would only raise further suspicion. The Marquis was already doubtful; she couldn’t afford to make things worse.

Elaina let out a deep sigh. There was no choice but to face him head-on.

“If you must know, there’s only one reason—because Lyle Grant wants it. I simply want to see the look on his face when he realizes he can’t have it.”

“For something so trivial…”

“Of course, I know other things as well. For instance, that the Deftia villa is deeply connected to what happened ten years ago.”

The Marquis’s expression turned icy. Elaina fought to keep her composure, suppressing the tension creeping up her spine.

“Ten years ago?”

“Yes. He’s truly a fool. What use is dwelling on the past? Yet he refuses to let it go. I’m exhausted. I chose the wrong man to marry. I wanted to divorce him, but now he’s using it to blackmail me? How could I tolerate that?”

Elaina spoke as if she were venting to a gossiping noblewoman rather than a dangerous Marquis.

“Lyle Grant must have lost his mind. I suppose it was inevitable—he inherited the blood of that mad Archduke. What connection could a villa possibly have to an event from ten years ago? Does he think magic exists? That someone could lose their mind in an instant? Ha!”

She shook her head in disbelief.

“I told him the same thing. If such power existed, why hasn’t the Marquis of Redwood taken the Emperor’s throne by now? It’s completely absurd.”

Her words made it sound as if she didn’t believe a single thing Lyle had told her. She even went as far as to claim that many in House Grant had grown weary of Lyle’s eccentric behavior.

“No matter how much my father and I tried to help House Grant, what was the point? I’ve finally realized that pouring water into a rotting tree won’t bring it back to life. And now, that man has the audacity to blackmail me? Why should I put up with that?”

Gradually, the Marquis’s expression softened. To him, Elaina seemed nothing more than a naïve noblewoman, her foolishness gradually eroding his initial wariness.

“I must see that detestable man’s face crumble in despair. If I acquire the Deftia villa, Lyle Grant will demand it as a condition for our divorce. But according to our contract…”

“The moment you divorce, the villa returns to me.”

“Exactly. Imagine how he’ll react when he realizes it was all for nothing. He already raves that the Marquis of Redwood was behind everything that happened ten years ago. What do you think he’ll do when he finds out the villa is back in your hands?”

“Hmph.”

“You asked why I’m making this proposal. This is why. I’ve decided that as my alimony for this miserable marriage, I will take pleasure in watching Lyle Grant fall into despair.”

Elaina twisted her lips into a smirk, hoping he wouldn’t notice how forced it was.

***

“Honey, how did it go?”

As soon as Elaina left, the Marchioness hurried after her husband, pressing him for details on how things had unfolded. When she heard that they had agreed to exchange Nathan’s medicine rights for the Deftia villa, her face lit up.

“Really? She’s trading something so valuable for just a villa? Why would she do something so foolish? Well, it’s great news for us, of course.”

To the Marchioness, who only regarded Deftia as a mere villa, her reaction was natural. Seeing his wife’s delight, the Marquis couldn’t shake a peculiar feeling at the back of his mind. Everything had gone almost too smoothly.

Yes, it felt as though he had been an unwitting spectator in a performance crafted solely for one audience.

“She said it’s because Lyle Grant wants that villa. That she wants revenge against him.”

At his words, the Marchioness frowned, puzzled. “Elaina Grant said that? That’s quite surprising. Has her personality changed that much since marriage?”

As a central figure in high society, the Marchioness had encountered Elaina many times. At least from what she had observed, Elaina was never the type to act impulsively out of emotion.

“Honey, what if Elaina Grant changes her mind?”

“Changes her mind? What do you mean?”

“She’s giving up something so valuable for a mere villa? I’ve seen this happen before—people who make rash decisions because of their emotions.”

“Hah. A contract was signed. Even if she regrets it later, she can’t back out now. The penalty fees alone would be enormous.”

Hearing this, the Marchioness let out a relieved sigh. “Then that’s a relief. Even if Lyle Grant and Elaina Grant reconcile, this deal won’t be affected, right?”

“What nonsense. Their relationship is completely shattered—everyone in the capital knows that.”

“Oh, honey. Have you already forgotten about Viscount Origin? What about Count August?”

The Marchioness listed off several names in response, all individuals of notable reputation.

“You remember how fiercely those couples fought, don’t you? Especially Count August—he even brought his illegitimate child into the household, and his wife was so outraged that she nearly threw herself out a window.”

Seeing her husband remain silent, the Marchioness pressed on.

“And yet, look at them now. A few years ago, Countess August personally arranged the marriage of that very child. No one knows what will happen between a husband and wife. You know I’m right.”

Even as she spoke, she looked somewhat reassured by the mention of the contract’s penalty clause.

“It’s a relief, then. A day like this calls for a celebration. I’ll tell the chef to prepare a grand dinner. Make sure to come down soon.”

With an exaggerated flourish, the Marchioness left the room. However, even after she was gone, the Marquis’s face remained uneasy.

They might not get divorced…?

Somehow, his wife’s incessant chatter had shed light on a corner of his mind he hadn’t considered before.

Yet just as he felt he was onto something, the thought slipped away, vanishing into the depths of uncertainty.

“No, that’s impossible.”

The Marquis pondered for a long time, feeling frustrated. In the end, he shook his head. His wife had made a valid point, but he chose to trust what he had seen with his own eyes.

Elaina’s hatred toward Lyle Grant had been real. Convinced of this, the Marquis ignored the lingering unease gnawing at him.

It wasn’t until much later that he realized his mistake.