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Chapter 22
Arabella nodded. As she looked at the quiet, desolate mansion, her desire to bring life back to the Marquis’s estate grew stronger.
Although she didn’t care for the ways of the second and third branches, she had to admit they were the ones ensuring the family bloodline would continue.
Sometimes, she wondered, If father had remarried after his divorce, would the main branch have had successors by now? Even a half- brother would have been better than having no one to rely on
“Olivia sent word,” Arabella said, breaking the silence. “She wants me to choose one of my uncles to inherit the title, so that I’ll have support.”
Homer paused, thinking for a moment, then shook his head. “Miss, I’m afraid I must disagree with her suggestion. When the Mr. Everhart insisted on dividing the family, it was because he saw through the second and third branches true nature.
“He wanted to distance himself from them. Even before his death, he went to the king and fought for your right to choose the heir. That was part of his thinking. If I may be blunt, the second and third branches aren’t reliable–please, think carefully
Arabella sighed, a helpless look in her eyes. “How could I not understand my father’s good intentions?
“But with no sons under his name, the title would sooner or later go to the second or third branch. Dragging it o wouldn’t change that.” Homer’s eyes flickered, and he lowered his voice. “But Miss, you’re still here”
Arabella blinked in surprise. “Me? What do you mean! In over a hundred years since the founding of Urghpool, there’s never been a precedent for a woman inheriting a title. Even if there were, I wouldn’t want to.
“Don’t I have a peaceful life waiting for me by the lake, surrounded by nature? Who would want to get involved in the scheming and power struggles of Althoria?
Homer grew anxious. “A young lady like you should be enjoying life, not worrying about inheritance! What I mean is, once you’re free. you could remarry, have a son to inherit the title under the Everhart name.
“That way, the Marquis’s estate would have an heir, and you’d have someone to support you.”
Arabella blinked, a playful smile crossing her face. It can work like that?”
Homer eagerly nodded, already lost in dreams of a bright future.
“It would be perfect if you had both a son and a daughter, just like Mr. Everhart and Olivia did when they were young. The whole mansion would be filled with their laughter. It would be so lively!”
Arabella couldn’t bring herself to crush his hopes. At his age, this was probably the extent of his dreams. How could she say no?
As they were talking. Clarissa and Rosalie returned. “My lady, Issac, Diane, Whitney and Patrice have arrived. They’re waiting in the reception hall.”
Arabella nodded and turned to Homer. “Homer, please rest here. It won’t be long.”
Homer quickly grabbed her hand, urging her, “Don’t rush to agree to anything. Think over what I said. Just think about it.”
Once they left the main hall, Rosalie, full of curiosity, asked, “My lady, what did Homer suggest?”
Arabella didn’t hide anything and brielly recounted their conversation.
To her surprise, the two maids‘ eyes lit up as if they had just discovered a hidden treasure.
“My lady, Homer’s idea is brilliant! I completely agree!”
too! Mr. Everhart worked so hard to earn his title–why should others get to inherit it?”
marry again in this lifetime
“I agree
Arabella smiled but didn’t say a word. She wanted to tell them that she had no plans to marry After experiencing the worst kind of marriage and seeing the most despicable men, she had no interest in accepting anyone else into
her life.
Being single wasn’t so bad. Alexander had left her enough money to last ten lifetimes. She could travel, focus on her business, and live a carefree life. The future ahead looked nothing short of wonderful.
As she entered the reception room, the middle–aged men and women sitting around quickly stood up
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“Arabella, why didn’t you
d word I ahead so I could prepare a feast for you?” Diane asked.
“Exactly! Diane knows all your favorite dishes–she’ll make sure there’s a huge spread for you, Issac said.
Whitney and Patrice followed suit, eager to offer their hospitality. Tatrice made a few new outfits for you. You can take them back to the Duke’s estate later.”
“My dear, you’ve lost weight–are you sick?”
Arabella listened to their words with a cold smile in her heart.
The news abour Charles bringing a concubine back had been spreading through Althoria for days. But she wondered, Have any of my so–called dear uncles and aunts gone to the Duke’s estate to confront them?
They are probably hoping I’d be relegated to concubine status so they can control me and pressure me into asking for a title on their behalf. These people are just as manipulative as Charles and Seraphina.
“I came back today to discuss divorce with all of you,” she said, her voice calm.
The smiles on their faces immediately froze.
Issac spoke first. “Why suddenly think about a divorce? Yes, Mr. Farrow bringing a concubine back was wrong, but men are allowed to have multiple wives. Why take it so far and get a divorce?”
Diane quickly chimed in. The Empress Dowager has already approved Helena as a concubine. You’re still the esteemed wife of Mr. Farrow. Don’t act like a spoiled child.”
Whitney, ever more calculated, spoke carefully, trying to reason with her. “Mr. Farrow has made grent contributions in the army. His Majesty plans to promote him to commander of the Royal Vanguard–that’s a position on par with James. His future is limitless,”
Patrice added. “I heard His Majesty also rewarded him with four talented ladies. That’s a unique honor in Althoria.”
One after another, they spoke, their words coming fast and furious, all trying to convince her not to go through with the divorce.
It was the result she had expected. It didn’t surprise her, though it was still a little sad. Even with the lure of a marquisate dangling in front of them, they couldn’t bring themselves to say anything kind
Then again, in their eyes, Charles was a rising star in the court, soon to be on equal footing with the king’s trusted confidant James,
They couldn’t afford to offend him. Since they couldn’t take on the Marquis’s estate, they would instead push all the pressure onto her.
Arabella smiled faintly. Then, an idea occurred to her, and she decided to test them by casually mentioning marrying another man, just to see how low they could go.
“My father only had me as a daughter, and now, with the main branch about to die out, he felt deeply regretful for not having a son.
“If I divorce and return home, I could marry another man, and any children we have could inherit the Everhart surname. What do you. think? Would that work?”
“Would it work? Of course not! Issac and Whitney exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with fury.
The audacity of this girl! She is clearly trying to get her son to inherit the title. No wonder, even three years after Alexander’s death, she hasn’t asked the court for a title. How shameless for a married woman to covet her family’s title they thought
Issac, known for his bad temper, couldn’t hold back any longer. He snapped, “Arabella, don’t be ridiculous! The Marquis’s estate has me and so many cousins. When did it become your son’s turn to inherit the title?”
