V1: Chapter 19: Abusing Your Wife May Feel Good for a While, But Winning Her Back Will be a Nightmare.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, you can go back."

After Liang Lin left, Liang Di stood alone facing the full moon outside the window. The moon grew increasingly blood-red, like a human corpse soaked in blood.

"The Langwendi family will rise again."

"Sister Liang Lin, it wouldn't hurt for you to make a small contribution to the Langwendi family, would it?"

The moonlight completely enveloped Liang Di. Bathed in its light, she slowly rose from her wheelchair.

She didn't walk on her own two feet, but rather shuffled along, seemingly unaccustomed to taking long strides, her whole body straining. One foot touched the ground with a sharp, stabbing pain, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

This was the first time in sixteen years that she had walked on her own two feet.

In Auston's study, he was in a good mood. He had learned from Doris that Liang Lin had retrieved the poison, and he eagerly awaited the arrival of his "precious daughter," Liang Lin, who could help him eliminate Liang Di, this "thorn in his side."

Knock, knock, knock~

"Come in."

Head Maid Bellica pushed open the door, carrying a glass of milk and a plate of biscuits. "Madam asked me to bring you milk and biscuits. She said to go to her room after you've finished."

Auston picked up the milk and drank it all in one gulp.

In a good mood, Austin even joked in front of Bellica, "Haha~ Bellica, do you think Miranda is being so enthusiastic today?"

Bellica laughed, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Madam's happy, so am I."

"Bellica, I can see your loyalty. After this crisis is over, I'll give you... a raise."

Bellica was almost 40, but her skin was well-maintained, still taut. Her smile remained unchanged as she lightly uttered, "Duke Auston, I wasn't talking about Lady Miranda."

Auston's smile froze for a moment. He thought he had misheard.

"You... what did you just say?"

“Duke, have you forgotten something?”

Bellica took a step back.

“I’m the little girl Lady Meredith took in on that rainy night twenty years ago.”

Meredith…

He hadn’t heard that name in so long.

Auston felt a wave of dizziness. He wanted to stand up, to point at Bellica and call her a slut.

He staggered to his feet, his steps unsteady, and lunged forward a few steps before collapsing to the ground.

Auston’s eyes rolled back, his body convulsing, and blood-tinged foam trickled from his mouth.

Bellica knelt down, smiling at Auston. She grasped the necklace at her breast, opened the cover, and there stood a portrait of Lady Meredith. Bellica blushed, her eyes gleaming with adoration and worship.

“Mrs. Meredith… if you are in heaven and see me as your daughter Liang Di’s most loyal dog, you would surely praise me with delight, wouldn’t you?”

“Just hearing your praise would be enough for me…”

She affectionately rubbed her cheek against the portrait.

Having said that, she tilted her head, looked at the unconscious Auston on the ground, stood up with satisfaction, walked out of the room, and gently closed the door behind her.

“Miss, I’m done.”

“Well done, Bellica.”

Berica was the one who had been keeping informed of Liang Di, far away in the Magic Tower, from within the Langwendi family mansion.

Bellica was Meredith’s most loyal follower; she loved Meredith more than her own life, even to the point of… a morbid infatuation.

Before Meredith died, she told Bellica the truth about the Langwensi family’s curse, which calmed the crazed Bellica.

Otherwise, upon seeing Meredith’s death, Bellica would immediately seek an opportunity to assassinate Auston.

That wasn’t the time; Auston didn’t fully trust her yet.

Fortunately, Bellica had endured until now.

Therefore, Liang Di had always known about Auston's entire plan. So, that day, when she gave Liang Lin a gemstone necklace, it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, something for fun, a performance.

If Liang Lin had insisted on giving her that poisoned milk, that would have been Liang Lin's death sentence.

But Liang Lin smashed the milk, which was unexpected for Liang Di.

Was it a sudden pang of conscience?

Or was she moved by that small gemstone necklace?

This wasn't like a villainous woman at all!

Think back to when they first met, Liang Lin's arrogant demeanor, her haughty expression, her repulsive speech.

What if this wicked heiress were transformed into a dog lying on the ground, panting with its mouth open?

She must have considered killing her, right?

Liang Lin, this woman, could never hide her scheming.

Liang Di finally tore off her most hypocritical disguise. She was never a compassionate and gentle lady; she was a wicked heiress who particularly enjoyed acting and manipulating others.

As a tentacle girl, her nature dictates a great deal of desire. However, breaking this vow before her legs fully grow might prevent them from ever growing, leaving her forever in tentacle form. Therefore, since Liang Di could remember, she had been bitterly suppressing her desires.

As for having Liang Lin bear her children… she wasn't worthy. To have such a vicious woman as the mother of her child? Forget it, it was impossible.

The next day.

Early morning.

"Ah!!!"

A piercing scream shattered the tranquility of the room. A maid stumbled and ran out of Austin's room, babbling incoherently. The other maids, hearing the commotion, rushed over, only glancing inside before screaming in unison.

"Madam!!! Madam!!"

"Head Maid!"

"Miss!!"

The maids were in complete chaos, not knowing where to run. Some even fainted on the floor; the scene was utterly chaotic.

"What's wrong?"

Bellica walked over unhurriedly, her demeanor nonchalant, as if she weren't the one who had served Auston the poisoned milk the night before.

She reached out and grabbed a flustered maid, asking, "What happened? What are you all doing? Stop scraming!"

The maid's face was pale, devoid of color, her lips trembling. "He-Head Maid, the Duke, the Duke... he... he's collapsed! It seems... it seems he's not breathing!"

Bellica feigned shock.

She pushed the maid aside and strode into Auston's study, kneeling on the floor like the other maids.

"Quick! Quickly tell the young lady and mistress! And fetch the doctor immediately! Hurry!"

The maids scattered, and in less than a minute, Miranda, her skirt billowing, rushed into Auston's study.

"My dear!"

Miranda threw herself at Auston's side, her hands trembling as she brushed aside her husband's disheveled hair.

A bloodless face appeared before her. Auston's eyes were open, but only the whites of his eyes were visible; there were no blue irises.