Chapter 13
Arabella raised an eyebrow at the sharp voice. Another fool asking for trouble!
“Clarissa, go tell the steward that this Duke’s estate is no longer mine. From now on, no one is to take any money from my accounts
Clarissa nodded and turned to leave.
Just then, the curtain was roughly pulled aside, and the jewel heads on it rattled loudly.
Charlotte Farrow stormed in, fuming with anger.
She was Charles’s younger sister. Though her status was high, she had inherited Seraphina’s lack of intelligence.
“What do you
i mean by “no one can take money from your accounts? Arabella, now that you’re in the Duke’s estate, your wedding gift
Arabella rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on Talking to such a brainless person was exhausting, and she couldn’t ignore her–otherwise, she’d make a scene.
You can go shout it on the streets, saying I’m not giving you wedding gift money to spend. Let everyone gossip about me behind my
Standing beside her, Clarissa barely managed to hold back her laughter.
Charlotte really did that, the
he only one who’d be ridiculed would be the Duke’s estate, not Arabella.
Only a weak, incompetent family would cover a daughter–in–law’s wedding gift. If that happened, even the Duke of Eldenhurst and Charlie would lose face in front of their peers.
Arabella’s clever manipulation to undermine the Duke’s estate was truly masterful.
Charlotte gritted her teeth, glaring at Arabella. “Don’t think I won’t do it. If you cut off the money for the other households, I’ll go public, and tell everyone. Let’s see if you still have the nerve to show your face.”
Arabella didn’t respond but instead turned to Clarissa
Clarissa understood immediately. Til go to the steward and deliver your message right away.”
Charlotte’s face turned pale at the thought. She didn’t want to go back to the kind of financial hardship she had suffered three years ago.
There were political struggles in the court, rivalries in the inner household, and endless competition among noblewomen. She thought. If I don’t have money, how could I show off? How could I get attention?”
“Arabella, don’t be so bold, Charlotte snapped. “All the respect and privilege you have now is thanks to the Duke’s estate. If you anger my brother, hell divorce you, and you’ll never hold your head up again.”
Arabella saniled faintly, lifting her chin as she gestured toward the courtyard. “Charlotte, you might want to be a little more graceful.
“You wouldn’t want your brother’s concubines to laugh at you. If someone carelessly lets slip what you’ve been doing, you might have trouble finding a good match in the future.
“You” Charlotte was about to retort, but Gabriel hurried in, covering her mouth and glancing at Arabella.
“Mrs. Farrow, the four concubines His Majesty granted have been delivered. You should make the arrangements. Ms. Farrow is still young and doesn’t know better, so please don’t take offense. Ill take her away.”
With that, Gabriel dragged Charlotte out of the room
vabella watched them leave, a mocking smile curling at the corners of her lips.
Clarissa, still standing by her side, asked. “My lady, should I still go to the steward?”
Arabella thought for a moment before replying. “Tell them that any withdrawal of more than 15 dollars from the accounts needs my approval.”
She couldn’t completely sever ties with the Duke’s estate just yet. This family of wolves and tigers would make things complicated. Until
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Chapter 13
de figured out a way to leave without losing her dignity, she had to keep up appearances and play along.
Seraphina had made a valid point–unless Charles agreed to the divorce, she couldn’t truly escape. Taking concubines was considered perfectly normal for men, and even if she went to the authorities, it wouldn’t change anything.
To secure the divorce. Arabella knew she had to find Charles’s weaknesses. If she couldn’t find any, she’d have to create some
“My Lady, what should we do with the concubines?” Rosalie’s voice broke into her thoughts.
Arabella instructed her to bring t
the women in. After asking for each of their names, she gave a few quick orders, then asked for som rooms in the side courtyard to be prepared for them.
She thought. They are sent by His Majesty, but who knows what the king is really plotting? Let Charles handle it
Later that afternoon, Arabella stepped out. She had arranged a meeting with a few of the stewards who managed her wedding gift at the jewel shop.
Inside the room, as soon as Arabella sat down, the stewards immediately began asking after her. “My lady, has the Farrow family caused you any trouble!”
“Yes, we’ve heard about the scandal with Mr. Farrow bringing his concubines and illegitimate children back to Althoria. We’ve all been worried about you.”
“If they’re bothering you, you must let us know. We’ll hire someone to take care of them–no one will dare mess with you again.”
“Yes, we’ll make sure the Duke’s estate is wiped out. You shouldn’t be mistreated like this”
Seeing their genuine concern, Arabella felt her eyes welling up. These people were Alexander’s trusted allies–for more important to her than the entire Farrow family.
I’ve called you here today to ask for your help with a few things,” she said.
“Of course, my lady. What can we do?”
“First, I want to completely sever all ties between my wedding gift and the Duke’s estate. Second, I need you to investigate what connections my father left behind for Charles.
I want to dismantle everything, piece by piece. Third, gather any dirt on Charles–anything that can be used to control him”
One of the stewards, a man named Henry Whitmore, spoke up. “My lady, are you planning to divorce Charles?”
Arabella nodded solemnly, her resolve firm. “Yes, Henry, I intend to divorce him.”
Henry had been Alexander’s trusted attendant. After Alexander’s death, she had come to regard him as a mentor and elder.
There was no one in the world closer to her than Henry. Not even her uncles could compare.
Henry, hearing the answer he’d hoped for, praised her repeatedly. “Don’t worry, my lady. We’ll take care of everything for you.”
The others nodded in agreement.
Arabella raised her head lightly, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill, and then stood to bow to them.
After discussing a few more details, the stewards left.
Henry, however, stayed behind, looking at Arabella as if he had something to say but was hesitant.
Arabella smiled and said, “Henry, if you have something on your mind, just say it.”
Henry chuckled, nodding “There’s a big business opportunity for the shop. I’m not sure what to do, so I thought I’d get your opinion.”
At the mention of money, Arabella immediately sat up strai
straighter, her eyes eager.
Henry, no longer hesitating, explained the situation.
“What is it? Tell me quickly”
A collector of antiques from Althoria was interested in some of the items she had in
imported from Adalo and wanted to buy from her.
Chapter 13
“He said that if we agree to the deal, he’ll take all the Adalo goods for our shop in the future. Looking at the list he provided, we could make around 30 thousand dollars a year.”
30 thousand dollars Arabella’s eyes widened. “That much?”
After a brief pause, she asked, “Can you contact this gentleman? Have him come to the shop. Ill meet him in person before making a decision
“Certainly”
Half an hour later, the door to the ro
“My lady, he’s here.”
room was pushed open, and Henry walked in with a young man.
Arabella slowly raised her gaze. As she looked at the man through the veil, she froze for a moment. This, this isn’t.‘
AD
