Chapter 19
+8 Pearls
After transferring the management of the household, I shut myself away in my penthouse, refusing to see anyone outside of my immediate circle. The world outside could go on without me–I was done playing their games.
I even stopped dining at the grand estate, opting instead for home–cooked meals in my private kitchen. Fiona and Bella, my most trusted staff, personally sourced ingredients and prepared my food, ensuring I had no need to rely on anyone from the Warren family.
The moment I withdrew my people from the estate, chaos crupted. Beatrice, scrambling to manage the mess, had to promote inexperienced staff to fill the void left behind. It didn’t take long for the cracks to show. With Adrian’s wedding just around the corner, the lack of personnel was glaringly obvious. Everything was running behind schedule, the mansion slipping into disarray.
When Beatrice reported the situation to Evelyn, the older woman pressed a hand to her forehead, clearly frustrated.
“I never thought she’d be so selfish,” Evelyn huffed. “I must have been blind to treat her so well. She never even had to follow any of the family’s rules.”
Beatrice, though she wouldn’t say it aloud, knew this wasn’t entirely fair. When she had married into the family, she had been forced to follow protocol. But Cassandra’s circumstances had been. different–she had walked into this family with wealth, handled the household’s finances, and had even personally taken care of Evelyn during her illnesses. Still, Beatrice wasn’t foolish enough to argue with her mother–in–law,
Instead, she carefully changed the subject. “Mother, we’re already short on funds. How are we supposed to hire new staff?”
Despite her anger, Evelyn wasn’t ready to let go of the idea of squeezing more money out of me. She mulled it over before saying, “Ask someone from the second branch of the family to speak. with her. She’s always had a good relationship with them.”
“I already tried,” Beatrice admitted. “Aunt refused. She said it wasn’t her place to interfere. Besides, she’s still trying to figure out the betrothal gifts.”
Evelyn’s brow furrowed. “Has she found a solution yet?”
“She says the only option is to sell the remaining properties.”
Evelyn let out a sharp breath. “Sell the properties?”
Over the years, the family had slowly been liquidating assets to keep themselves afloat. Now, only a handful of prime locations remained. Selling them would be a last resort.
After a long pause, Evelyn made her decision. “Then sell them. We’ll buy them back later. Adrian and Vivian will secure more business deals and with time, we’ll rebuild.”
She woud WIET SECT
Cammad had once beltenes IT A
incompetent code in me at M
Wealth and ower always had a way of meaning lovelines and at least than the 1.
as Bella en
e my per gite
ede sundit.
belling of their properties the informed me folding her arme a
“The Waren family B’selling of their pro bracing for my reaction.
an eyeboom “Wel, des don’t have many chinez opocos len, die
Bella’s eyes darkened with frusmod. “When the problem dipping into your internance WT
they had no
— owe it
Adram–eng
being nam build
I smiled setting my brush down the ink still wer knew I wouldn’t refuse. Back then I thought I was suppo somerking for our future.”
Anna, who had been tending to the small sauce in the comme len own timer chodidle. And wither did he do wh
do with t so–called succmp? Incrend of repaying you he used his actme seems to secure
a marriage with
an
eaned back in pay chair rubbing my templ
chair, rubbing my temples. Suppose that’s the price of beleving in someone who never trul
truly saw me as his equal
There was a long silence before I spoke again, my voice gheer this “I just want the seperation papers to come through so we can leave this place I don’t want to hear a abour their struggles or their plans”
But the days stretched on. Three four, five, and still the edict didn’t e
Instead, news came that Evelyn had fallen ill again. Withque Nathaniel’s treatments her condinon had worsened Chest pains, they said Shoemes of breath. The symptoms worse by the day.
I sighed tapping my fingers at the polished wood of my desk. There had been a time when I would have rushed to her side without a second thought. But I wasn’t that woman anymore.
“If it means we can part on good terms. I might ask Nathaniel to continue treating her.” I admitted finally “But I won’t pay for it. They have to figure that out on their own.
Anna smirked “Let’s see how long they last before they come knocking on your door for another
1:15 PM
Chapter 19
I gave her a knowing look. “Let them try.”
Because this time, I wasn’t going to be their safety net.
Send Gifts
