Chapter 5

I said seriously: "This question is very important. I need to know clearly right now. If you don't tell me, I'll have to investigate myself. If I find out wrong information, it'll cause big trouble."

Michael was startled by my gaze. Since returning home, this was probably the first time he'd seen his carefree little cotton-padded jacket speak to him so seriously.

He first pondered for a moment.

"To be precise, the one connected to foreign capital is Mary."

"Ah, what does this have to do with Mom?"

Michael looked at me meaningfully.

"I even suspect that the one Mr. Lewis originally fancied was Mary."

Ah, this was getting more complicated.

I couldn't help but press on:

"Then how did Elizabeth end up marrying Mr. Lewis? Does she know the foreign capital people too?"

Actually, at this point, I'd already guessed some things.

Nothing more than he admired her, she fancied him, and he couldn't let her go.

Michael told me many things.

I blamed myself for only managing the household, balancing books, and looking after my husband in my previous life, never taking time to listen to circle gossip.

It turned out Mary and Elizabeth came from a wealthy family and, as rare twin sisters, were often brought to social occasions by family elders from a young age.

Over time, they became familiar with Damian Lewis and coincidentally met Victor Monroe, who'd grown up domestically.

Because Old Mr. Lewis, Robert Lewis, had joked about choosing one of them as a daughter-in-law, Damian took it to heart.

The older sister was lively and spirited, the younger sister steady and mature.

The elders all thought Damian fancied the younger sister, so Robert arranged the engagement.

Who knew that upon hearing this, Damian said it was wrong and was about to ask Robert to cancel the arrangement.

But just then, he saw Mary and me walking in hand-in-hand, asking to be engaged.

Hearing them say they were in love, and thinking he'd already arranged Elizabeth for Damian, Robert figured Mary marrying into the Smith family would also help Damian in the future. He waved his hand and agreed directly, even having the sisters get engaged on the same day.

I could imagine how devastated Damian must have been returning to his room.

Then all four married on the same day.

After marriage, both couples were loving and harmonious, becoming a celebrated story.

Especially Damian's devotion to Elizabeth—they were truly inseparable. A year after marriage, they had their eldest son.

By contrast, Michael and Mom still bickered occasionally. Michael said Mom liked to throw little tantrums and often ran back to her parents' home.

They only had me three years after marriage.

Since things went so smoothly, how did foreign capital get involved?

I pressed Michael for a long time, but he also didn't know about the foreign capital connection.

When I pushed too hard, he simply threw up his hands and told me to ask Elizabeth myself.

Hearing that, I lifted my skirt and headed to the club.

Seeing me arrive, Elizabeth was delighted, constantly urging me to eat and drink, then giving me clothes and jewelry.

Feeling emotional, I blurted out:

"If my mom were here, she'd be as gentle and attentive as you."

Hearing this, Elizabeth paused, then stroked my head.

"I'm Mary's sister, which makes me your mother too."

I nodded vigorously, unsure how to broach the subject.

It didn't seem right to barge in and directly ask an elder about their youthful romance.

Elizabeth was indeed clever. Seeing my hesitation, she told me to say whatever I wanted and forget it once I left this room.

In that case, I directly asked about Victor Monroe.

Elizabeth hadn't expected me to ask about him and knocked over her teacup.

The assistant was about to smooth things over, but she signaled it wasn't necessary and had everyone else leave.

Now I really didn't know how to save Elizabeth. Since I'd lived again, I had to make something of it.