Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 12

Diane’s expression twisted. This was a problem. As Nicholas said, there was no way Epirosa would cooperate with her willingly.

 

“Where did that wench even learn such a skill? She’s useless in every way.”

 

Stella let out a sigh as well. “It seems it will be difficult for me to present this ointment to grandfather.”

 

“Still, we can’t just let that wench go around bragging, can we?”

 

“That’s why we need to get rid of all the ointment.”

 

“Get rid of the ointment?” Nicholas asked.

 

“If I can’t present it to grandfather, then that wench shouldn’t be able to either. So we have to make sure she can’t even bring it up.”

 

At Stella’s words, Diane nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Epirosa must never win father-in-law’s favor with this ointment.” Diane’s gaze turned icy. “I’ll summon Epirosa and Madam Mona immediately.”

 

* * *

Crash! A pile of green ointment jars spilled out of the sack. They were my ointments, stolen by Diane’s hired hands. Judging by the sheer amount, they must have ransacked the entire house. One of the jars rolled across the floor and stopped at Diane’s feet.

 

Smash! Diane stomped on the jar, crushing it deliberately for all to see. I flinched as if I had been shattered along with it. I could see Stella and Nicholas sneering at me.

 

Diane glared at the rest of the ointment as if she was ready to crush them all underfoot. But there’s way too much to destroy all of it. It was thanks to my generosity —I’d handed them out freely to many poor servants who couldn’t afford expensive ointment despite their injuries.

 

And now Diane took them all by force. Even if they don’t say it, their resentment must be brewing.

 

Was that why? Or perhaps this was Madam Mona’s revenge for Stella ruining her daughter’s leg? Madam Mona hadn’t reported anything about the ointment to Diane. She was the same woman who usually reported even the most trivial matters to Diane. It seemed Diane was bothered by that as well.

 

“Mona, were you aware that this ointment had spread throughout the household?” Diane asked coldly.

 

“No, I had no idea,” Madam Mona lied without a single change in her expression.

 

“You didn’t know?”

 

“Yes. It seems the lower servants hid it from me so well that I only just found out.” Madam Mona looked up at Diane with an expression of innocence. Even I, knowing the truth, might have been fooled by her face.

 

Diane seemed uncertain as well. But as she continued to harbor suspicion, Madam Mona pleaded desperately.

 

“If I had known, why wouldn’t I have told you, Madam? Have I ever hidden even a single thing from you until now? Madam, do you not trust me?”

 

Madam Mona even managed to squeeze out tears as if she were truly wronged. It was such a brilliant performance that I almost wanted to learn from her.

 

Stella, who had been watching the scene, stepped forward. “Mather, do you really think Madam Mona would deliberately hide this from us? Please trust her. If Madam Mona is at fault, it’s only for failing to properly manage her subordinates.”

 

Stella pretended to defend Madam Mona while subtly pointing out her mistake. That was Stella’s way of speaking. In any case, it seemed like the interrogation of Madam Mona had come to an end.

 

Now, it was my turn—the one who was ‘suddenly dragged in without knowing why and pretending to be terrified.’ As expected, Stella’s gaze landed on me.

 

“The problem is Epirosa.”

 

At that, Diane placed her hands on her hips and glared at me. “No matter how wild you grew up outside, how could you carelessly hand out something like this? Do you think this is still the slums where you used to live?” She then tapped her chest with her fist as if she was frustrated. “I can’t have a moment’s peace because of your reckless behavior.”

 

She sounded as if she was genuinely worried about me. Even Nicholas, who had been quietly standing by, chimed in.

 

“Exactly. I was so shocked that I immediately informed Mother. Why would you distribute ointment when you don’t even know what it’s made of?”

 

I scoffed internally. I had deliberately given the ointment to the employees close to Nicholas. Karen had told me—after experiencing the effects of the ointment, Nicholas had rushed to Diane, saying, ‘I’ll show this miracle medicine and be praised!’ And now, he was acting as if it was a problem. Unbelievable.

 

Compared to Nicholas, Stella, who pretended to be concerned, was at least consistent.

 

“Epirosa, what were you thinking using some unidentified drug? What if it caused side effects? If that happened, we wouldn’t even be able to help you.”

 

I held back the sneer that was about to escape. In my past life, I really thought she said those things out of genuine concern for me. So when I followed her advice, she would take all the credit.

 

“Why would this be your achievement? If you’d claimed it, no one would have cared. I stepped up for your sake. How can you say that?”

 

But when things went wrong for me.

 

“Why should I help with that too? Try solving your problems on your own for once.”

 

She would push me further off the cliff rather than lend a hand. Her fake concern was wrapped in a facade that didn’t even hold up. I won’t fall for it anymore.

 

I glanced around with a face pretending to be terrified, then hung my head low. “I’m sorry, Aunt. I was short-sighted. I just wanted to help the employees.”

 

Diane’s eyes twitched slightly at the word ‘Aunt.’ “With your position, who are you to help others? You need to know your place.” But soon, she looked down at me with the face of a benevolent superior, graciously accepting the apology of a foolish subordinate. “If you were my daughter, I would’ve disciplined you thoroughly. But I’ll overlook it this time. However, all the ointment will be destroyed.”

 

“Mother, you still need to punish her.” Nicholas egged Diane on.

 

Diane shook her head, telling him to stop. “If I punish her, she might use the ointment as an excuse to slander me to father-in-law. How could I risk that.” Her words, dripping with mock kindness, made Nicholas chuckle.

 

My pale cheeks turned bright red, and I lowered my head even further. Stella approached me as I stood there.

 

“Epirosa, don’t be too disheartened.”

 

Stella comforted me, gently stroking my cheek with a kind expression. When I looked up, she smiled brightly.

 

“Instead, if you ever make something like this again, tell me first. That way, I can help you prepare for any situation.”

 

“…”

 

Help me? More like stealing the credit for my work.

 

When I just stared at her without responding, Stella’s gaze turned cold.

 

“If you can’t tell me… then don’t ever make something like this again. And don’t even mention this ointment to anyone.”

 

Kind one moment, icy the next. Her skill at wielding both the carrot and the stick was impressive.

 

In my past life, I might’ve grabbed her arm and begged, ‘I’ll tell you everything first from now on!’

 

If I weren’t the one who made this ointment, but just some servant, they would have gotten rid of that personal and claimed they made it themselves.

 

I lowered my head as if I had no choice. “Okay. I’ll do as you say.”

 

“That’s the spirit, Epirosa!” Stella beamed brightly and grabbed both of my hands firmly. “I’ll keep helping you from now on. Just trust me.”

 

Diane, who had been watching the two of us, turned to Madam Mona and spoke. “Make sure to keep an eye on Epirosa so she doesn’t make another mistake, Mona.”

 

“Yes, Madam. Understood.”

 

It was clear she meant to have me watched. But it was pointless. I had no intention of making ‘that ointment’ again. At least not for now. After all, the ointment had already spread everywhere it needed to go.

 

Now, I just have to wait. Wait for my opportunity to come. And for them to fall into the trap.

 

* * *

A few days later, at the Grand Duchy Blanche. Someone appeared at the front gate of the mansion, shouting at the top of their lungs.

 

“Your Excellency! Your Excellency! It’s me, Viscount Molon!”

 

The one banging on the gate so rudely was none other than Viscount Molon, who had stormed out of the estate on his own accord not long ago. The sudden commotion brought the servants running out.

 

“You can’t cause a scene here.”

 

“Let me meet the grand duke! Right now!”

 

“Do you have an appointment…?”

 

“Who cares about an appointment? I said let me see him! I know he’s here!” Viscount Molon shoved past the servants trying to block him and stormed into the mansion.

 

“You can’t do this!”

 

The butler and footmen, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, tried to restrain Viscount Molon, but it was no use. His eyes were half-crazed.

 

“You all have ‘that ointment,’ don’t you? Hand it over right now!”

 

“‘That ointment’? What are you talking about?”

 

“The miraculous ointment that heals wounds instantly and even soothes my skin condition just by applying it!” Viscount Molon screamed like a madman, his voice echoing through the hall.

 

The servants avoided his gaze, turning their heads away.

 

“How does Viscount Molon know about that ointment?”

 

“But Madam Diane confiscated all of it and had it destroyed, didn’t she?”

 

“She even threatened to kick us out if we ever mentioned it. We don’t even have any left.”

 

Unaware of the servants’ murmur, the butler wore a troubled expression. “I have no idea what you mean. If it’s ointment you need, you should consult a doctor.”

 

“Don’t play dumb with me! Move aside, you useless fool! I’ll speak to the grand duke myself!”

 

Viscount Molon shoved the elderly butler aside and stormed forward. No one dared to stop the nearly deranged viscount.

 

“What is the meaning of this rudeness!”

 

A thunderous voice erupted from the second-floor staircase.