Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 463: Accusation

Chapter 463: Accusation

The chefs promised they would do their best to make up for it once Alfredo, the Head Chef, and Arabella were back.

Thus, Ivan had been cooking his own food recently. But going out of the palace to buy ingredients made him an easier target.

"It was then that she began having me beaten up and repeatedly told me to quit."

Ivan told them how Narcissa had him captured by her people and had him brought somewhere that looked like an empty storehouse and had him beaten up.

Because Ivan always finished quickly during the selection no matter the tasks or tests given, Narcissa seemed to have ended up believing he had somehow gotten his hands on the questionnaires beforehand or had read the instructions about the tasks early on, so he was able to do everything so quickly.

Ivan told her that he had no connections whatsoever and he had no intentions nor need to do such a thing.

But Narcissa did not believe him no matter how many times he said he did not cheat during the selection.

When Ivan challenged Narcissa to ask him questions, she believed he could not answer, he got beaten up more instead.

Narcissa thought he was insulting her and that he was so full of himself even though he got hired because he cheated.

When Narcissa did try asking him questions and he answered perfectly, he got beaten up even more. She did not intend to believe him right from the start.

Narcissa repeatedly told him to quit but Ivan refused no matter what they did to him since he knew that he passed fair and square. Quitting would be akin to accepting that he cheated during the selection instead of passing due to his own efforts.

"She never beat me up herself and had her people do it in her stead. But earlier, she slapped me herself because I walked past her without replying to her question."

[The letter I received from one of His Excellency’s assistants simply said that I needed to go to the specified room with some of my clothes packed. I thought Narcissa said some lies to her family, and they told the Prime Minister. And I thought he was going to fire me while Her Majesty is gone.] Ivan paled at the recollection.

’Raymond is not like that,’ Arabella wanted to say but she understood why such thought crossed Ivan’s mind. If Narcissa created a made-up story and made her family believe it, they could indeed petition for Ivan to be fired, especially if they try to set him up and make false evidence against him.

Thankfully, Narcissa hadn’t done that yet. But what if she does someday?

Ivan explained that Narcissa asked him where he was going, and he was nervous since he was suddenly summoned to the Prime Minister’s office. Thus, he did not even notice her and just passed by.

Narcissa got furious at being ignored and had her guards grab Ivan. She then slapped him and scolded him.

"When I told her I was in a hurry so I will talk to her later and she got even more furious instead and slapped me one more time," Ivan continued.

It was then, on the second slap, that Ronald, who was on the way to the designated meeting place with Raymond witnessed it.

Raymond and Riley who were also headed there happened to see the second slap as well.

[How could she have gone as far as having him beat up? If she believed he cheated, she should have made a complaint on the same day of the selection where we could have immediately taken action and investigated on the spot. But there was no way anyone was able to cheat there. We have made the necessary measures to prevent it.] Raymond facepalmed and sighed deeply after hearing Ivan’s revelation.

[Does he think I am just ruining Narcissa’s reputation?!] Ivan flinched, still scared of Raymond because of his connection with the Ryvaleh Household.

[Why is he looking at me like that again? Does he think I am going to protect Narcissa just because she’s related to Clarisse? Even Clarisse would be furious at this but I don’t want to bother her when she’s already sensitive. I had seen his performance and he is very much capable. I would have hired him myself if Her Majesty did not hire him.]

After all, Ivan was someone Raymond wanted to poach from Arabella. He even asked her if she was sure she was going to hire him, and he hoped she would not so he could get him.

But Arabella already knew about Ivan’s capabilities, so she hired him. She knew Raymond added Ivan Meyer to the documents he sent to her because he topped the exam when he took it.

[I was rather surprised someone with his capabilities was not promoted to a higher position and was unemployed instead. Only later did I know he fought with his superior. But we had that investigated. He was used and abused by his superiors and workmates. Her Majesty knew too.] Raymond glanced at her, wondering what she would do.

"Thank you for telling us, Ivan. I will see to it that this matter is investigated thoroughly," Arabella thanked Ivan first for conquering his fears and speaking up despite the threats on him.

[Did Her Majesty believe me? Was it because of the injuries?]

"It is me who is grateful, Your Majesty. My deepest gratitude for your compassion and patience to listen to this humble servant."

Since Arabella heard from Ivan’s thoughts that he did not eat before going to the meeting place Raymond assigned, she asked Alfredo to prepare a meal first.

"Your Majesty, there’s something I would like to say, may I speak?" Ronald asked.

"Yes, of course. Please speak your mind."

"Recently, Lady Odette and Lady Nadia had both begun eating separately too. I’m not sure if this could be the same or related to Lord Ivan’s case. But I thought I should inform Your Majesty just in case," Ronald expressed, and Ivan was wide-eyed as he recalled something he forgot to tell them.

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