CH 31

Liv’s bakery was on the first floor. On the second floor, her family lived in a large flat.

Scarlett entered the cosy room, with the window facing towards her studio. She turned to Liv.

“Seriously, ask someone else. Is my divorce such a matter of intrigue? Are the people in this town strange?”

“Did anyone drag you to live in this town? You’re the one who came on your own two feet; who are you to blame us?” Liv shrugged and dragged a chair to the window where Scarlett sat.

She placed her breadbasket in the middle. She then took the filter paper and started pouring coffee.

Despite Liv’s immature curiosity, it was her tantalising coffee that brought Scarlett over. The girl knew how to brew.

As Scarlett let out a happy exclamation from her sip of hot coffee, Liv poured out her questions as if she had been anticipating this moment.

“Do nobles do arranged marriages? You are the only member of a noble family on 7th Avenue.”

“Mrs Paradis, a jeweller, is also a noble.”

“Let’s say she’s not one. Anyway, tell me, was it an arranged marriage?”

“Yes.”

“Amazing....”

Except for a few nobles and very wealthy people, it was natural for Salantians to be liberal in their relationships.

Liv continued.

“By the way, don’t the Crimsons have wealth? Why are you so poor?”

“Am I poor? I have my own shop.”

“Which you rent monthly. I thought the Crimson family would have at least one building, even for a five or six-year-old.”

“Is that so? My uncle took it all away before I learned about money.”

“So you have no money. After all, every House* has a money problem.”

*Noble house

Fortunately, to Scarlett’s pretence of calmness, Liv responded casually.

She took out a cherry Danish and ate it.

When she started eating, Liv asked if she could no longer run away.

“So, why did your ex-husband come?”

“It’s a bit complicated, to say the least.... well... he arrested a criminal, and I guess he must have needed my testimony.”

“Criminal? What criminal?”

“I can’t go into too much detail. I think it’s confidential, mmm.”

“What do you mean confidential?”

Liv was timid, but her eyes were full of curiosity.

“I’m getting more and more curious. No, I was going to join you. in cursing your ex whilst you ate.”

“He’s a person who hasn’t done much to be sworn at.”

“Then why did you divorce?”

“That’s it.”

As she spoke, trying to grab another Danish with pecans, Liv slapped her on the back of her hand.

“This is not worth eating. What, is your ex-husband doing something that I can’t tell anyone?”

“Well.”

Scarlett, who had an appetite for hot Danish, was worried and talked about Viktor’s shortcomings.

“To tell you the downside, he doesn’t laugh a lot. I haven’t seen a big smile in two years. Of course, he doesn’t cry in bed….”

Scarlett bit her mouth as she spoke, and Liv asked, quickly cutting her danish in half to her.

“What in bed?”

“Not really... He didn’t seem to like it very much. Is it my problem?”

“You will find out when you meet another man.”

As Liv giggled, Scarlett sighed.

“Just. Anyway, you should never go anywhere talking about your ex. got it?” Scarlett continued.

“Ugh, I know, I know.”

Still, she talked about Viktor Dumfelt’s weakness. She didn’t want to say more about him.

Instead of continuing her words, Scarlett took another bite of the Danish.

The Danish with maple syrup was so delicious that she ate it all up instantly. She looked at Liv.

“We were the same person from start to finish, but our shortcomings just escalated.”

Whilst they were chatting, Liv went out onto the balcony when she heard a commotion outside. She returned questioningly.

“Hey, Scarlett. Why’s there a navy carriage in front of your store?”

“What?”

Scarlett looked out along the balcony and stared in surprise.

“I have to go! Thanks for the Danish!”

She hurriedly left and ran to the store.

♔♔♔

When she arrived at the watch shop, she saw Viktor, his men, and his secretary, Blight, peering into the store from the front of the carriage.

“Why are you here?”

Scarlett was startled and asked the first question. Viktor spoke as he flicked through the watch shop.

“I came to buy a watch.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? The main store is on 3rd Avenue, so buy it there. My name is not out there yet, so the jewellers don’t sell exquisite jewels. So, there I don’t sell no such thing as a high-end watch....”

Without hearing her words, Viktor entered the store.

Deputy Captain Evan followed behind him, raising his empty wrist to Scarlett.

“Then I will buy it. I have a lot of money, but I can’t afford a better watch than my boss.”

“Sir Wright!”

Scarlett called out angrily. Pallin, who had been watching, followed sneakily into the shop.