Chapter 21

Since Rickman had forbidden her from bringing any maids from the Everchen household, Agnes had no one she could confide in about such things.

It was not that the Everchen maids were unqualified. The reason had clearly been something else. Agnes swallowed the bitter smile that almost escaped her lips and answered obediently.

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

“Good. Very good.”

Any ordinary woman would have been shocked, angry, or in tears at a situation like this, but Agnes showed none of those emotions.

Rickman seemed pleased by that and gently patted her shoulder.

“I knew I chose well. If you raise our son properly, you will live comfortably as Countess Overhen for the rest of your life.”

Ten months later, Agnes became Noah’s mother.

True to his meticulous nature, Rickman had planned everything perfectly. Only a handful of people knew Noah was not her biological child. Rickman himself, Agnes, his secretary, his butler, the nanny he trusted, and finally, Noah’s real mother, Penny.

Agnes did not know if Penny had ever told anyone else. She had never met the woman, nor had she ever wanted to.

Still, sometimes she wondered.

Would a man as obsessive as Rickman really have allowed the mother of his illegitimate son to live freely?

The unease she had occasionally felt around his office back then might have been because of that.

At the time, Agnes had not pursued her suspicions any further. Since she was only living as Rickman’s doll, her thoughts had meant nothing.

And more than that, she had been too distracted by her growing love for Noah. Each day, he changed a little, smiling more, reaching for her more. That love made her forget everything else. She only wished for him to stay safe, to smile, to grow up healthy and happy.

In the end, that blind affection had done him no good.

‘This time, I have to do something. Even if it is something small.’

Rickman had gone to great lengths to conceal the fact that Noah was born to a common woman. To him, it was a disgrace to his honor.

And if there truly was a basement connected to his office and Penny was being kept there, that too would tarnish his image as the perfect gentleman.

Agnes planned to use that fact as her weapon, to negotiate with him for custody until Noah came of age.

Of course, if Dylan could rescue Noah through safer and less dangerous means, that would be best.

‘But this method carries the risk that Noah might learn about his birth.’

She did not intend to take the matter to trial, yet the possibility lingered in her mind.

‘Noah believes I am his real mother. If he finds out otherwise, it will break him.’

So this was what Agnes wanted.

1. Have Dylan use his power and influence to bring Noah back safely and quietly.
2. If that fails, find Penny and use her as leverage to negotiate with Rickman, while keeping everything completely hidden from Noah.

In short, Agnes’s visit to the agency was a form of insurance.

After signing the contract Rebecca handed her, Agnes rose from her seat.

Fortunately, the fee was manageable, something she could afford with the money she had been saving to live alone with Noah.

“Hmm, this will be tricky, but I will handle it. It is my job, after all, and I am quite good at it. You will see.”

Rebecca grinned as she swaggered to the door and opened it for her. Outside, Lizzie and Pavel immediately hurried over.

“My lady, are you all right?”

“Are you unharmed?”

“What, did you think I was going to eat her alive? We had a perfectly civilized conversation, thank you very much.”

Rebecca replied in her usual brusque tone, then flashed Agnes a sly smile, rubbing her hands together eagerly.

“Give me a little time and I will bring you some good news, all right?”

“I will count on you.”

Agnes nodded politely and stepped out of the agency.

“My lady, are you truly all right?”

“I am a little tired, but yes, I am fine.”

Lizzie looked worried, but Agnes smiled gently. She really was fine. It had been strange and unfamiliar, but also strangely empowering.

Yet before she could even take a breath of fresh air after leaving the narrow alley, her mood plummeted.

“…Agnes?”

A man she had never wanted to see again stood before her.

Rickman, as always, wore an impeccable suit. His dark blond hair was neatly slicked back and his sharp eyebrows twitched in their familiar, disdainful way.

Agnes loathed that face. The twisted arrogance, the way he looked down on anyone he considered beneath him, it was the face of a man who took pleasure in crushing others under his heel.

She instinctively took a step back but quickly straightened her posture and met her former husband’s gaze head-on.

“…Rickman.”

“It has been a while, Agnes.”

Unlike her, who fought to hide her disgust, Rickman seemed genuinely pleased by their unexpected encounter. His eyes swept over her from head to toe, prompting Pavel to step forward and grip his sword.

“How dare you look at the lady with such insolence. Avert your gaze at once.”

“Who are you?”

Though Pavel had spoken, Rickman only glanced at him briefly before turning his eyes back to Agnes, expecting her to explain.

With a weary sigh, she replied, “This is Sir Pavel of House Vasteron. Please treat him with respect. Sir Pavel, this is Count Overhen.”

At that, Pavel released his sword and offered a brief bow, though one hand remained close to the hilt.

His posture left no doubt that he was still on guard, ready to protect her at any moment.

Rickman scoffed, clearly amused by the display, then turned his gaze back to Agnes.

“What business does a woman like you have in a filthy place like this?”

“A filthy place? From what I have seen…”

Rickman raised a hand to cut her off.

“Enough. You still have that annoying habit of speaking too frankly. But I suppose that is not a bad thing.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means you are still fit to raise a child.”

Lizzie looked horrified, and Pavel’s face twisted in disgust.

While the two of them bristled with anger, Agnes grew calmer. Her face went pale, but not with shame or rage, only quiet composure.

Rickman admired that about her. He had always liked how she could remain serene in any situation, never shouting or making a scene like a commoner.

Satisfied, he looked past her shoulder, down the alley she had just come from.

“You could not have had any other reason to be here. You must have gone to that agency. Trying to dig up my secrets, are you?”

“This has nothing to do with you.”

“Do not lie. I already know you have been snooping around, trying to take Noah back. You even went to Count Paula, did you not? And now you are here, in a place you would never have stepped foot in otherwise. There can only be one reason.”

Rickman spoke as if he knew everything about her, and humiliatingly, he was not entirely wrong.

He had always regarded Agnes as one of his more valuable possessions and paid close attention to her actions. It was not affection, only control.

Now certain of why she was here, Rickman’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

“Naïve Agnes. Did you really think you could find anything useful in a place like that? This is why I told you to consult me before doing anything foolish.”

“No matter what foolish thing I do, it has nothing to do with you anymore. I am no longer Countess Overhen. I am not your wife.”

“Agnes.”

Rickman gave a short laugh and reached for her wrist, the gesture he had used countless times when they were married. She flinched instinctively.

“Any further discourtesy will not be tolerated.”

Thankfully, Pavel was there this time.

Agnes felt a rush of gratitude that she had insisted on bringing him along. The escort she had not needed inside the agency was now essential.

When Pavel drew his sword, Rickman raised both hands in mock surrender and stepped back, smirking.

“Agnes, I told you before. The mother of my son is Countess Overhen. Without me, you could never be Noah’s mother.”

“…I am his mother.”

“You can tell yourself that all you want, but it will never make it true. You are not that foolish, are you?”