Salvation Equation - Chapter 31. Newspaper Articles

Sebastian, who was ironing various newspapers for people to read, clicked his tongue. The part of the newspaper where the iron was resting burned darkly. He barely managed to put the iron away and looked at the contents of the newspaper.

{ The Tragic End of a Millionaire War Hero – But Was it Love That Saved Him? }

In one corner of the picture, Madeline and Ian stood with silly expressions. It was a picture that looked as if they were posing with determination. Ian’s prosthetic leg was not noticeable, but his crutches stood out, and even in the low-quality picture, the side of his face that was damaged could be clearly seen.

“What should I do with this?”

It was hard to believe that a leading British daily newspaper, not even a local newspaper, was publishing such an article of groundless rumors.

“This is an insult to the Nottingham family.”

It was a corrupt age where you could not find any courtesy towards an old family even if you washed your eyes. It was the peak of the universalization of tabloids.

But it was inevitable. How can we undo what the world itself has changed?

It was the emergence of a new world in which nobles, rich people, and celebrities were all consumed in the whirlwind of gossip, and only consumed other people.

The newspaper article caused a minor stir. This was what the article wrote.

The story was about the disabled and ruined eldest son of a Count and is saved by the dedication of an angel-like woman.

It was like a third-rate novel, but the people seemed to be quite moved by it. Telegrams continuously poured in.

Madeline Loenfield’s name wasn’t mentioned, but some wanted to know about this woman, others wanted to donate to the hospital, and the rest…..

The Countess lay down for a while as she was shocked, and Isabel was furious and was running wild. Eric was sweating as he received a lot of calls from all over the place.

Ian Nottingham did nothing. He chose silence.

He was silent at first and then for the first time, raised the issue in front of his family that evening. It was a question.

“What about Miss Loenfield?”

“Forget that, let’s talk about the lawsuit first–.”

“I asked about Miss Loenfield.”

As Ian silently adhered to his question, the strength on Isabel’s shoulders relaxed.

“The same as usual. Brother. The newspaper doesn’t have Madeline’s name on it anyway.”

“…….”

Still, words will be circulating among the hospital people who received the newspaper. Ian was furious and murderous, just by the fact that Madeline Loenfield’s appearance, her face will be gossiped about among people.

Of course, those dark emotions were hidden by his burn scars and facial muscles that had been trained for a long time as a noble.

No one knew what was going on inside Ian. Eric made an idle remark.

“Eh well. In the first place, is it strange for a nurse and a patient to walk together?”

The eyes of the family members turned to Eric. Though, Ian didn’t look at Eric.

Eric cleared his throat.

“As a nurse, she’s just helping a patient recover. Come on, right now we should focus on your recovery, not on this kind of exhausting issue.”

“Does it make sense that you’re older than me? If our family has been insulted, we have to pay it back by double!”

Isabel began fuming. The Countess sighed.

“Eric is right.”

Ian slowly lit a cigarette.

“We don’t have to waste our energy on this. Since it only adds to the suspicion.”

“Brother.”

Isabel seemed upset that she still had to move on without repaying the insult.

“Anyone with common sense would know that Miss Loenfield did it out of sheer sympathy.”

As a nurse, of course, she should have a sense of calling. Sympathy. That was it. Ian’s anger subsided due to his own objectification.

“Sympathy… Don’t say that. And that’s not the point of the matter. Those chattering about a miserable end due to being injured or whatever, they’re the problem!”

Ian glanced at Isabel, then rubbed the slightly burnt cigarette on the tray to put it out.

Let’s stop talking about this now. He pulled out the file again.

“Let’s talk about the hospital finances that we’ll be discussing at the meeting.”

The documents contained a harsh reality and profit and loss calculations. It contained a world where Ian felt the most peaceful.

* * *

“Madeline.”

“Yes, father.”

She wondered what the reason was for a man who rented a two-story house in a nearby village to go all the way to the hospital. Madeline sighed. She had been sending her father money constantly. If it’s not money, what’s the matter now?

Baron Loenfield stood up straight. Sitting in the hospital reception room, he gave advice here and there. The face, once called a very handsome man, had turned vicious over the years.

“This beautiful mansion has become such a hideous place. The world is going to the dogs.”

The Baron frowned as if he didn’t like the smell of disinfectants.

“I’m not sure about that. Isn’t it better right now? At least it’s contributing to society.”

The Baron cleared his throat at Madeline’s words.

“Please speak. It seems like you’re visiting for something.”

The Baron clicked his tongue at Madeline’s cutting remark. He seemed to be lamenting how his gentle and kind daughter became so spiteful. He pulled a newspaper out of his arms.

“Is this article true?”

Madeline quickly snatched the newspaper from the Baron’s grasp. Yesterday’s newspaper headline was the dispute of various countries’ heads over the ceasefire negotiations, with a photo at the corner.

There were two people in the picture.

“…….”

The Baron, who saw Madeline’s expression gradually begin to collapse, touched his forehead.

“Do you intend to get along with the Count?”

“…… What are you–.”

“Well, from what I saw in the photos, he didn’t come back in a good condition, but in a married life… It’s not all about the outside. Of course, appearance is an important factor. But, anyway it’s a good thing.”

“Father.”

‘I’m sick of this’. It’s Madeline’s turn to rub her forehead. How could his father be so selfish?

“…I’m glad you’ve come to your senses now. Their title and the estate…All their wealth in America…. You don’t know how rich the Nottingham family is.”

The power of such a family goes beyond the prime minister and the president. The look on Baron Loenfield’s expression was terrifyingly in awe.

“I don’t want to talk about that.”

“Although Mr. Nottingham has lost the great advantage of being handsome. He was a naturally handsome man. The child between you and him will be worth seeing. I mean. Come on, Madeline, even for a moment, when you maintain your beauty–.”

“Please stop.”

Madeline rose from her seat as she spoke. She couldn’t accept any more insults against Ian and herself.

“Still, according to this newspaper article–.”

“It’s a foolish article.”

The anger caused by pent up frustration was about to burst out. What end of life, what downhill. Stop talking nonsense. A tragic end? By whose words?

She was different in this life. She wanted to argue, with or without grounds.

Madeline’s cheeks were flushed with anger and irritation. She wanted to drag her father out and drive him away if she had the strength.

She left the drawing room not minding what her father said behind her. Then, was soon blocked by a shadow. The identity of the shadow was….

“Ian.”

Madeline’s heart plunged into the abyss. Don’t tell me…

He was trying to enter the drawing room, but it looked like he had been standing still because of the conversation between her and her father.

‘He heard everything….?’

“It wasn’t my intention to eavesdrop.”

“But, that’s what happened.”

Ian laughed despondently. Behind him stood two men in suits. It was clear that he was here to talk about business.

Madeline’s face turned red. To think that they heard all her conversations earlier, she wanted to hide if there was a place to jump into. But it was a dead end.

Ian’s expression was unreadable. Whether he was trying to pretend to be expressionless or was he despising her from the depths of his heart.

There was nothing she could say even if it was the latter. It was a terrible feeling.

She gave a small nod before running without stopping.

She had no choice but to assume things as she ran. Ian may misunderstand her proposal. He may think it was a proposal to aim at his properties and title.

Madeline’s face turned pale. There was no way to defend herself if she were to face such questioning.

Didn’t she actually marry him for wealth without love in her previous life? She wondered what would look different with her current proposal.

“It’s my fault.”

Even if she was rejected. After all, it couldn’t be helped that he didn’t trust her. She was determined to make an effort for him. She wanted to avoid the mistake of her previous life and live happily together.

But it was already too late. She was too late. Even if time turned back, she would always be a nuisance to Ian.

In the end, it might be right for her to leave.

It was when she was wandering outside the hospital like that. A shadow was cast next to her. She turned her body in surprise, and Arlington stood there.

*****