A Week Later
Hailey and Adger were sitting in the carriage on their way to the Great Central Hall.
Hailey remembered that today was the day her brother, Miles, had submitted the documents to give up his position as heir.
Hailey was still thinking about Adger's words about how the novel didn't end.
"You're still thinking about how the novel didn't end, right? I thought you didn't care about what happened to others after you?" Adger asked.
Hailey replied, "Yes, I don't care about what happened to others, but..." Hailey felt things were not as simple as they seemed.
Adger responded, "Hailey, here's the thing. We don't know what will happen, and we have no chance to find out either. So don't worry too much about what comes next, because by then we won't be part of the story anymore."
Hailey nodded. "You're right. There's no way we can know what happened after my execution. We should focus on what we should do now."
Hailey lifted the curtain of the carriage window to look outside at the street market. In her past life, she had never enjoyed life, she had been too immersed in her duties as Crown Princess and trying to impress her fiancé.
She promised herself she would enjoy life to the fullest once everything was done.
Her thoughts drifted back to the past. Her brother should have returned a month ago.
She still didn't understand why he thought she was the reason he "lost" his title when he had willingly given it up.
Finally, they arrived at the Great Central Hall. Adger got off the carriage and helped Hailey step down.
Together, they waited at the entrance for her brother.
They waited for quite a while, but Miles never showed up. After two hours, her uncle Edward arrived and walked in.
Hailey was a bit confused. Nobles had to come themselves for such matters. Adger gestured for her to follow Edward.
They quietly followed Edward and saw him approach an official, speaking to him in a friendly tone.
They moved closer, making sure not to be noticed, until they could hear the conversation.
"That idiot signed the papers without even looking at them..." Edward said, laughing with the official.
"You shouldn't forget the money you promised me once you become a noble," the official said, chuckling.
Edward replied, "Of course, of course. Why not? I'll give you the money I promised. Just make sure the process goes smoothly."
The official nodded, and Edward walked away.
Adger whispered to Hailey, "So your brother never gave up the position. Your uncle deceived him."
Hailey whispered back, "No, Adger... as the head of the family, he's being irresponsible. It was his responsibility to check the documents before signing."
Adger nodded. "The same thing must have happened in your past life, but your uncle pushed all the blame onto you. Maybe that's why your brother hated you?"
Hailey shrugged. "That means he blamed me for his own mistakes. Even if I had deceived him by forging those documents, as he believed, he should have read them before signing them."
Adger smirked and whispered, "Let's go ruin your dear uncle's plan."
Hailey and Adger walked up to the official Edward had spoken with.
The official looked up with an indifferent expression and asked, "How can I help you?"
Hailey placed the documents on the table. "I'm here to apply for the head of the Sinclair estate."
The official didn't look at the documents. "Who are you?"
Hailey replied in a calm tone, "I'm Hailey Sinclair. I brought all the required documents."
The official scoffed. "So you're the one who ran away from the house four years ago. Anyway, I don't care. You're a woman. You shouldn't be bothering with this. These are men's matters."
Adger was annoyed. "I don't think she asked for your advice. Just do your job."
The official glared at Adger. "Who are you, man?"
Adger said, "I'm her husband."
The official looked at Adger, then back at Hailey.
"So you're married? Shouldn't you be taking care of your husband and being a good wife? Forget about these things. These aren't tea party chit-chats. Just leave the hard work to real men."
Adger's eyes narrowed, but his voice remained calm, dripping with sarcasm.
"Real men, huh? Funny. I thought real men actually did their jobs. But here you are, wasting our time with chit chats instead of doing your job."
The official stared at Adger in anger, but Hailey cut in.
"Are you done? I don't think you're the one who should tell me what I should or shouldn't do. If you can't do your job, we'll go to the Royal Court. After all, you agreed to process these documents without the person being present."
Hailey's voice was calm, reminding him that he had agreed to process Miles's renunciation without his presence.
The official sneered, "Oh really? Then you won't become the head of the house if you go to the Royal Court."
Hailey didn't flinch.
"True, but you'll end up in the dungeon for taking bribes and colluding with my uncle."
The official's face turned pale. "W-what are you saying?"
Adger leaned in with a smirk.
"Ah, a cozy dungeon. I can't think of a better place for your family to enjoy your chit chats."
The official began to panic. He knew if this went to court, he'd lose his job and his entire family could be imprisoned.
Clenching his teeth, the official asked, "So... what do you want me to do?"
"You're going to process the renunciation papers of Miles Sinclair, just like the old man requested. But instead of approving his claim to become the next head, you'll process Hailey's claim instead. Got it?" Adger said.
The official started to think.
Hailey interrupted his thought.
"I'll give you a better option than my uncle. If you do as we say, I'll pay you double what my uncle promised and even write a letter to your superior, praising how you refused my uncle's illegal request and acted with integrity. You'll get that promotion. You want it, right?"
The official's eyes lit up. Of course he wanted the promotion.
Who didn't?