Chapter 23
With that, Issac slammed the coffee cup onto the floor, shattering it.
Diane immediately followed up with harsh words, “You’re planning to divorce because Mr. Farrow took a concubine, aren’t you? Let me guess you’ve been seeing some man on the side and want to bring him into the Marquis’s estate for your own pleasure.
“Arabella, listen carefully; as long as my husband and son are around, the title will never be yours. And don’t you dare follow in your mother’s footsteps–abandoning your respected position as the wife of a noble family to run off with some lowly man.
“Your mother could never show her face in Althoria after what she did. Do you want to end up like her, branded with shame for the rest of your life?”
Arabella’s fists clenched tightly. Her mother had always been a sore point for her, a wound she had never fully healed.
She despised that woman, who had abandoned her family. And now, they were using her mother’s disgrace to attack and humiliate her. How could she bear it?
She had thought their cruelty had reached its limit, but it seemed they were capable of even more venomous words,
She thought. Diane, you’re wrong! If I help them rise to power, I won’t gain anything. They’ll drain me dry and leave me with nothing. never allowing me to stand up again.
Arabella slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on Whitney. “Whitney, what do you think?”
Whitney, much more perceptive, saw through her calm demeanor despite the harsh words from the second branch. He guessed that she was testing them.
If they sided with the second branch and continued to berate her, none of them would have a chance at the title. He thought. This girl is more stubborn than her father ever is
He said sympathetically, I understand you’ve been wronged, and it’s natural to want a divorce. But Mr. Farrow has to agree, doesn’t he? “For these past few years. I’ve been urging you to petition the court for the title, not just for the title’s sake, but because it’s in your best interest. The Marquis’s estate needs a master, and with that, you’ll have a support system.
“Of course, the title belongs to your father, and the late king promised you the right to choose the heir. We have no right to interfere.
“If you truly want to divorce and bring in another man, we will support you. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
Issac was stunned, looking at Whitney in disbelief. “What nonsense are you talking about, Whitney?”
Diane, whose anger was starting to subside, slowly began to realize something was off. She began to catch on. ‘Damn it, Arabella is testing us, and we have said so many hurtful things.
“Arabella. I didn’t mean it like that she started, trying to explain.
Before she could continue, Patrice, having caught Whitney’s subtle signal, quickly cut her off. “Arabella, if you’re determined to divorce, I support you
Arabella couldn’t help but smile inwardly. The third branch is quick on the uptake, but unfortunately… it is too late.
Even if I were to choose an heir, I wouldn’t choose from the second or third branches. The Everhart family has many other branches to choose from
She said, “I was just joking with you earlier. Charles is capable–why would I want to divorce him? As for the title, my son has the Duke’s estate to inherit, so why should I be concerned with my family’s title?:
Tomorrow, I’ll visit the palace to ask Olivia for her opinion and see what she says.”
Issac suddenly understood.
As he thought back to the smooth responses from the third branch and comparing them to his own and Diane’s, a cold sweat started to form on his back. He had a feeling the Marquis’s title was slipping further from his reach.
“Arabella, I was just angry earlier and said things I didn’t mean. Please don’t take it to heart.” With that, he shot an angry glare at Diane.
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He thought. What a fool, digging up old wounds from the past and deliberately poking at someone’s sore spot.
Duane, realizing her mistake, looked at Arabella with a defeated expression. “Arabella, I know my mouth can get me into trouble, but I didn’t mean any harm. Just take it as nonsense and let it go in one car and out the other.”
‘No malice, she says?‘ Arabella inwardly sneered but kept her expression polite.
“Uncles, aunts, you should head back now. F’ll need more time to think over the matter of the title
Without a word, Whitney and Patrice left the reception room.
Issac wanted to say something to smooth h things over, but after meeting Arabella’s impatient gaze, he simply turned and walked out.
Seeing Diane still standing there, stunned, he hissed. “You clueless woman, what are you still doing here? Are you trying to make a spectacle of us?”
Once they had left. Arabella rubbed her tired forehead, feeling the weight of the situation.
Clarissa, who had been standing to the side, looked worried. “Do you think they’ll go to the Duke’s estate and tell them about your plan to divorce?
Arabella scoffed. People like them, blinded by vanity, think everyone else craves wealth and power. Charles is in the spotlight right now, so they probably think I’ll cling to the Duke’s estate.
“Today, they’ll just think I’m testing their loyalty to me. They won’t think much deeper.”
Clarissa breathed a sigh of relief, but then asked, “Are you just stringing them along for some reason?
Arabella lowered her eyes.slightly, her voice firm. “I want them to tear each other apart. Once they’ve both weakened each other. I’ll support a branch of the family to inherit the title”
Clarissa chuckled. I bet they never saw that coming. You’re going straight for the heart of the problem,”
A few days ago, the Empress Dowager had summoned Carmella the daughter of the Fitzpatrick’s estate, to the palace to transcribe sacred texts. It was said that she stayed overnight at Mercy Palace and didn’t return to her family.
Once the news got out, Althoria was in an uproar. Not because of anything else, but because everyone was speculating whether the Empress Dowager and the king had already decided on Carmella as the future Empress.
e verge of
The two most beautiful women in Althoria–one married into the Duke’s estate, her marriage in ruins, and the other on the becoming Empress, poised to rule the entire kingdom.
They had the same noble status, the same breathtaking beauty, yet their fates couldn’t have been more different. The difference was clear one had a powerful father and brothers, the other did not.
Arabella had once been admired for her beauty and grace, but with the death of Alexander, she had been reduced to nothing, trampled underfoot.
In Silver Suite, Arabella was copying Bible.
Rosalie stood beside her, gossiping excitedly, spilling all the rumors she’d picked up from the marketplace. “My lady, it’s so unfair! They’ve put Carmella on a pedestal while dragging you through the mud.”
Arabella smiled as she continued writing. “They’re not wrong. Right now, I really am just dirt beneath their feet. How can I compare to Ms. Dixon? She has a father who’s the head of all the officials, while my father has turned to dust
“Besides, she’s marrying better than I did. In the future, when I see her, I have to bow and show respect,”
Rosalie burst into tears. “Why should she get everything?”
Arabella laughed softly. “Because she’ll be the mother of the nation. If I don’t bow, I’ll lose my life”
Clarissa entered, holding a tray with a bowl of soup. “You’re just teasing her. Once we’re in the south, far from the king, who will we bow
Rosalie scratched her head, smiling through her tears. “You’re right”
Clarissa didn’t want to deal with the confused Rosalie, so she just handed the bowl to Arabella.
“My lady, I think Carmella will be attending the Princess’s birthday banquet tomorrow. Maybe you should skip it to avoid drawing
attention,” she said.
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