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Chapter 18
Charles secured the support of Rene, her own path
It wasn’t that Arabella wanted to meddle in other people’s affairs. The truth was, once Cl would become much more difficult.
Even if Penelope hadn’t come today, once she learned about the marriage, she would have found a way to ruin it.
With that in mind, it was better to return the favor and try to win them over–perhaps she could turn them into allies for her own gain. Cecilia sobbed softly, her voice choking. “The Clarke’s Estate is behind this. Seraphina said she’ll arrange a meeting for us soon. Arabella,
I don’t want to marry an old man. He’s so much older than my father–he could even be my grandfather!”
Arabella nodded. “I understand,” She then turned to Penelope. Til handle this. For both you and me. As for the cooperation you mentioned earlier, I need to see some sincerity first”
Penelope, being a sharp woman, immediately understood what Arabella meant by “sincerity.”
“Rest assured, 1ll show my loyalty soon,” she replied.
After seeing Penelope and Cecilia off, Clarissa looked worried. “Do you think this might be a trap set by Seraphina, using Penelope and Cecilia to lead us into it?”
Arabella took a sip of her coffee, her eyes sharp and focused.
“Even the most docile people have their breaking points. Penelope and Cecilia have been oppressed by Seraphina for years–it’s only natural they’d want to resist. We can’t trust her completely, but let’s wait and see.
“Tomorrow, I’ll have Henry look into it and see if the Clarke’s Estate really wants to form a marriage alliance with the Farrow family.”
Clarissa nodded, her head lowered.
ey still not
That evening. Arabella had a feeling Charles would come to Silver Suite. After the unpleasant scene earlier and with the money in hand, he would likely try to pressure her into complying.
For him, the quickest and most effective way would be to force himself on her, making her stay in the Duke’s estate and help him manage everything.
Disgusting? Yes, absolutely. Even worse, right now, she couldn’t escape him.
As expected, within fifteen minutes, there was movement outside, and the doorman reported that Charles would be staying in the main courtyard tonight..
She quietly instructed Clarissa to go to the side rooms
The women the king had gifted to Charles were trapped in the Duke’s estate for life. Competing for his favor was their only way out. Arabella figured they’d need this opportunity.
A moment later, Clarissa returned with the news that Charles had been lured into a side room by one of the concubines, Kaitlin Harvey.
Arabella felt a wave of relief. She had dodged a bullet tonight. If he had been forceful, she wasn’t sure she could have escaped.
What she didn’t know was that, even if she hadn’t warned them, those women would have done everything in their power to lure Charles away. That was the task the kign had given them before leaving the palace.
“My lady, it seems keeping those women around was the right move,” Clarissa leased.
Arabella raised an eyebrow. “They were a gift from the king. I had no choice but to keep them”
The two shared a knowing smile.
The next morning. Someone sent by Henry delivered a letter to Arabella,
After reading its contents, Arabella was both surprised and pleased. She was surprised by how thoroughly Henry had uncovered such
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hidden information, and pleased because Charles, in his arrogance, had tried to bribe the border commanders.
If high–ranking officials in Althoria were colluding with border generals, it was a serious crime. As long as she had this evidence, even if she couldn’t take down the Duke’s estate, she could force Charles to sign the divorce agreement
Standing behind her, Clarissa glanced at the letter out of the corner of her eye and softly asked. “Do you think Henry might have made a
mistake?
“Yesterday, Mr. Farrow mentioned wanting to make some connections in the official world, but he didn’t go into details. How did Henry get this information?”
Arabella narrowed her eyes, considering the question for a moment. Finally, she replied, “Henry has been with my father for decades. He probably has his own sources for this kind of information. I trust him–he wouldn’t harm me.”
Clarissa knew that Henry wouldn’t harm Arabella, but it was always wise to be cautious.
“So, what should we do now?” Clarissa asked.
Arabella gave a cold, humorless suule.
“If he’s asking for 10 thousand dollars to bribe the border generals, what’s the harm in giving it to him? You can’t catch a fish without a bait. Let’s go to Chamber of Roses and pay our respects to Seraphina.”
Clarissa almost laughed out loud. She thought. “Can’t catch a fish without a bait–what a perfect expression! It is so fitting.
At Chamber of Roses, Seraphina was reclining on a couch, with Helena sitting beside her, serving her medicine in a bowl.
After taking a few sips, Seraphina praised, “You’re so filial, unlike Arabella, that bitch. She completely ignores me now.”
Helena lowered her head, hiding the disdain in her eyes. She thought, have been pampered and doted on as a young lady back at my family home, but after coming to Althoria, I not only become a concubine, but also have to serve this old woman.
If I had known things would turn out this way, I would have chosen a different man to climb into bed with.
“What is even worse is Charles, that hypocrite. He claims to love me, but while Lwas unconscious, he spent an entire night with one of the concubines from Silver Suite. Now I have four new rivals. How am I supposed to live with this?”
“Serving one’s mother–in–law is the duty of a wife, Helena said coldly. As for Arabella, I don’t dare to comment
Seraphina morted. “What’s there to not comment on? You gave birth to the Farrow family’s heir. Can she really force you out?”
Helena didn’t respond, simply offering Seraphina another spoonful of soup.”
At that moment, a servant’s voice came from outside. “Mrs. Farrow, Arabella has s come to
pay
her
respects.
Seraphina’s face instantly darkened, a flash of irritation crossing her mind, She felt like throwing her out,
But then she remembered Charles’s visit the night before, when he told her he needed 10 thousand dollars to smooth things over in the official world, and asked her to help him.
She thought, How ridiculous! I have saved up my whole life to gather 10 thousand dollars. If I gave it all to Charles, how would I survive? That
money has to come from Arabella
“Let her in
A moment later, Arabella walked in. “I heard you were unwell, so I came to check on you. Have you seen a doctor? What did they say?”
Though Gabriel hated Arabella deeply, she couldn’t show it. She respectfully replied, “It’s just a cold, nothing serious. A few doses of medicine, and she’ll be fine.”
Arabella let out a small sigh of relief and smiled. “You’re the backbone of this household; you must take good care of yourself.” Seraphina ground her teeth, suppressing her anger. With forced patience, she said, “Charles has just made a great achievement, and now is the perfect time to build connections and win people over in the official world.
“What happened the other day was our fault, and I apologize. Please forgive me. As for the expenses in each household, we can cut back.
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but the money for Charles cannot be sto
stopped. You must help him.
“Once his official position is secured, I’ll have him submit a petition to grant you a title and the respect we deserve as women Arabella had guessed that Charles had approached Seraphina for money, so her sudden change in attitude wasn’t unexpected.
Her visit to Chamber of Roses was meant to use Seraphina to pass money to Charles, pushing him further into his own downfall. Now that Seraphina had given her a way out, Arabella had to make her words sound convincing
“You’re too kind. I’ve been reflecting in Silver Suite for the past few days and realized that Loverreacted. What’s in the past is done. Let’s look forward. You’re right–women’s respect comes from men fighting for it. I will support Charles.”
Seraphina was stunned.
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