For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 137

Since being rescued at thirteen, how did Cassius Lysander manage to survive?

‘How else? By relying on my exceptional looks and intellect, of course.’

Though Theodora Norton had helped him for a while, she was ultimately just the matriarch of the Norton family. It was difficult for her to take care of a survivor from a completely different black magic lineage for long.

Of course, if he had been whiny, Theodora would have helped even more—after all, she intended to groom him as a potential husband for her daughter.

‘Ridiculous.’

Even the Sabnac family, notorious for abandoning humanity, recognized him as rebellious.

“Too defiant. Maybe it would have been better to just dispose of him.”

“His magic skills are nothing to speak of anyway.”

“Still, might as well make him useful for experiments.”

He grew up hearing such comments until just before being sealed, and each time, he vowed to himself, “Just wait and see.”

He would survive—thriving on his own. With that mindset, he accepted Theodora Norton’s coercive offer without regret.

“I can just live my life ignoring things until your daughter turns twenty-four, right?”

“If you wish—but you won’t need help?”

“I’ll manage on my own, so don’t worry, Mrs.”

And so, he turned away from Theodora Norton without hesitation. Afterward, he used the magical abilities the family had dismissed as ‘useless.’

‘No need to create anything spectacular anyway.’

Humans are naturally drawn to pleasure, aren’t they?

‘A slightly stimulating object is more than enough.’

He charmed investors with his striking appearance, subtly stoking their secret desires to accumulate wealth. If those who treated him as mere ‘material’ could see him now, they’d be furious.

He could show them his success and then dispose of them—but aside from that, his new life was relatively satisfying.

However, just as beautiful flowers attract insects, as time passed, more people tried to overstep boundaries.

“Mr. Lysander, you’re remarkable—starting a business alone.”

“Not at all. It’s thanks to the lady viewing me favorably.”

“Still, not many could accomplish this starting from an orphan’s position.”

“…..”

“I hope I can be a special comfort to you, Mr. Lysander.”

Whenever he heard such words, Cassius gave a half-smile, as if knowing their intentions. People were more willing to judge as they pleased. But inwardly, he laughed at them.

‘Yes, yes, don’t talk nonsense and just move along.’

Those people weren’t exactly leading perfect lives themselves, yet they dared pity him? Comfort? Both a century ago and now, everyone was desperate to look down on him.

‘That’s nobles for you.’

The more he dealt with them, the more nauseating they became. His future bride would probably be no different. So when Eugenie Norton got a fiance, he sincerely wished.

‘I hope she gets along with that fiance.’

Even Theodora Norton couldn’t manipulate her daughter’s heart with magic. If she had the means to control people’s emotions, she’d have fixed her own fate first.

Yet Eugenie Norton ended up hitting her fiance’s head with a textbook. Knowing that, Cassius felt a twinge in his chest.

‘Ugh… so far from freedom…!’

Married to a full-fledged noble who was stuck in a boring graduate school—what kind of fun is that?

Still, he endured his dislike and went to propose with an evening primrose bouquet. He knew he had to satisfy her as much as possible according to his pride.

Yet, to be clear: he did not like Eugenie Norton—not even a little. At least, not until the first night, before she started questioning the ‘contract limits’ one by one.

‘Hmm, she’s not as stupid as I thought.’

Thankfully, she wasn’t just a pretty face with butterflies in her head.

‘If you’re going to restrict someone’s freedom, at least have the sense to do it right.’

Her attitude of indulging in pleasures without restraint was acceptable. After all, if their relationship lacked affection, it might as well be enjoyable.

‘In that sense, not bad at all.’

She was, in fact, a decent contract partner: emotionally straightforward, not clinging as if she owned him, and willing to let him approach comfortably.