Transmigrated: I Became My Nemesis's Woman

"What did he do this time?" Edward asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Butler Ben cleared his throat awkwardly, exchanging a brief, knowing glance with his master.

Gavin, however, found Edward’s reaction unexpected. Still, he chose not to dwell on it. Instead, he moved straight to what he came for—planting doubt.

"Grandpa, Xander has recklessly fired Nate’s homeroom teacher," Gavin began, feigning concern. "That man was someone I trusted with my son’s academics. Now that he’s gone, I’m completely helpless."

Edward listened quietly, then gave a small nod.

"Isn’t he the same teacher," Edward replied calmly, "who turns a blind eye while your son bullies other students?"

Gavin’s expression instantly stiffened.

Edward’s face hardened as he leaned back, his gaze turning cold and piercing.

"I am well aware of what your son has been doing under the Emerson name, Gavin," he said evenly. "Just because I choose not to interfere in school matters does not mean I am ignorant. In fact, it makes me wonder whether I should start intervening."

Gavin’s face paled.

He had come here to accuse Xander of abusing power—but instead, he had walked straight into a trap of his own making.

A flicker of dread crept into his chest. If Edward knew this much... what else did he know?

The thought of Edward learning about his son bullying Leo made a chill run down his spine.

"I—I just remembered I have a meeting with an investor," Gavin stammered suddenly.

He fumbled his phone out, pressing it to his ear as he muttered incoherent excuses, already halfway out of his seat.

Without waiting for a response, he turned and hurried away.

Edward watched his retreating figure in silence before shifting his gaze to Butler Ben.

"Find out what that fool was actually talking about," he instructed calmly, his eyes still fixed in the direction Gavin had disappeared.

***

Gavin barely remembered how he made it to his car.

The moment he got inside, his phone buzzed.

"Darling, did you meet Grandpa? How did he react? Did you convince him? Is he on our side now?" Clara’s voice came rushing through, one question after another.

Gavin’s irritation spiked instantly.

When he didn’t respond, she continued, her voice growing more insistent.

"Gavin? Are you listening? What happened—"

"SHUT UP!"

His roar filled the car.

Fortunately, it was soundproof. Outside, nothing stirred. But on the other end of the call, Clara froze as a chill ran down her spine.

"You and your son are nothing but useless burdens," he snapped coldly. "Stop bothering me."

He ended the call without waiting for a reply.

Gavin liked to think of himself as confident, powerful even. But every time he stood in front of Xander... or Edward... he was reduced to nothing.

Cornered. Exposed. Pathetic.

"Damn it..." he growled, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

His eyes flicked toward the mansion in the distance, resentment burning within them.

"Why won’t that old man just die?"

Without lingering for too long, he started the car and drove off, fury simmering beneath the surface.

***

Meanwhile, back at the Emerson mansion, Teddy and the rest of the guards were finally breathing a sigh of relief.

"Haa... what a beautiful day it is, right everyone?" Benny stretched his arms dramatically, looking like a man who had just been granted a second life.

"It really is," Nico agreed with a content nod. "After all, we get to survive another day."

"That’s not surviving, that’s barely escaping," Percy corrected, placing a hand on his chest. "But more importantly..." his eyes lit up, "now that Madam isn’t going anywhere today, should we leave early? Drinks tonight?"

Benny and Nico’s heads snapped toward him in perfect synchronization.

"Yes."

"Absolutely yes."

"We deserve this."

"We need this."

"We earned this."

They nodded like a panel of judges approving a life-changing decision.

"We can’t."

The flat voice cut through their celebration like a knife.

All three turned slowly toward Teddy.

"Teddy..." Benny narrowed his eyes. "Don’t do this. Don’t ruin happiness."

"Teddy, be reasonable," Nico added. "Happiness is rare. Let us hold it."

"Teddy, think about it," Percy chimed in. "Cold drinks. Good food. No Madam staring into your soul."

"We are on duty," Teddy replied calmly, as if he were reading out a rulebook no one asked for.

"I know we are on duty," Percy argued, "but Madam is inside the house. Safe. Secure. Relaxing. Breathing. Existing peacefully. Which means we can also relax a little."

"Yes," Benny added dramatically. "Do you know how long it’s been since I oiled my body and enjoyed life? I am drying up, Teddy. Drying up!"

"That’s... not something we needed to know," Nico muttered.

"Teddy, just say yes," Percy insisted. "One night. We won’t even drink that much."

"Define ’that much,’" Teddy asked.

"...enough to forget stress," Benny answered honestly.

Teddy stared at them.

They stared back.

It turned into a silent battle of wills.

"Fine," Teddy finally said after a long pause.

The three froze.

"...Fine?" Percy repeated cautiously.

"We will leave early," Teddy added.

For one second, silence.

And then—

"YES!"

Benny almost jumped into Nico’s arms.

"I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING I SAID ABOUT YOU!"

"You are a good man, Teddy!" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"You are our leader!"

"You are our light!"

Teddy instantly regretted his decision.

Just as they were about to continue celebrating their imaginary night of freedom—

"Ahem."

The sound froze all four men in place. Slowly... very slowly... they turned around.

Ivy stood right behind them.

No one knew how long she had been there. No one wanted to know.

Benny’s soul left his body.

Percy straightened like a soldier caught in a national scandal.

Nico tried to look invisible.

Teddy... simply closed his eyes for a second.

"Well," Ivy said calmly, crossing her arms, "this sounds like a very important meeting."

Everyone: "..."

"No no, Madam!" Benny panicked. "We were just—uh—discussing... weather!"

"Yes!" Nico jumped in. "Weather changes! Very dangerous!"

"Extremely dangerous," Percy added. "Requires drinks. I mean—precautions!"

Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what kind of precaution involves oiling your body?"

Benny froze. "...skin care?" he offered weakly.

"Is that so? Then how about I make you do something that will oil your brain too?"

Her words made everyone’s jaw drop, but before anyone could explain, they were dragged into the house until they finally understood what she meant.