~Chapter 144~
Harriet thought Lauren would quickly back down, but instead, she raised her voice as if she had gained support.
“I apologize for causing a disturbance at the Duke’s joyful party. But, you see, I had to face that woman sooner or later.”
It was a lie. Lauren had never come to the Pellon family to argue before. If she had, they wouldnāt have let her in anyway, so the result would have been the same.
But today, Lauren knew Roxana would be here, and she had clearly prepared to play the victim for everyone to see.
“I want to ask everyone: Is it right to adopt a non-blood relative to take the place of the rightful heir?”
Lauren, knowing she might be disliked by the Duke’s family, didnāt hold back in attacking Roxana and Trisha, accusing them of destroying the family.
“This is ruining a family! How upset the late Oster must be from the afterlife!”
Lauren pulled out her handkerchief and began wiping her eyes dramatically.
“Talking about family matters in a place like this is not very respectful, Mrs. Marshall.”
Jeremiah warned Lauren to calm down, but Lauren wasnāt alone. She had brought her friends and relatives from her husbandās side to back her up.
“Laurenās situation is pitiful, my dear. She tried to meet them, but they refused, so sheās speaking out here.”
“Yes. How do we know how sheās treated in the Pellon household, when they locked their doors?”
“Her letter isnāt trustworthy. Who knows if it was written under duress or while drugged, or if someone else wrote it for her?”
“Lady Pellon, you should decide. Is it right to adopt someone when a legitimate relative is already there? A smart woman like you wouldnāt do such a thing.”
As her allies continued to defend her, whispers started among the crowd. Many of them had wondered about Roxana’s sudden adoption as the Pellon heir. “Didn’t they have a niece?” they probably thought.
Lauren wiped her tears and then raised her voice again.
“Roxana Balvenas was born to a drug-addicted father and an unknown woman! Her mother ran away, and her father died in an accident. Sheās literally nothing more than a beggar from the slums, but my brother, Oster, pitied her and took her in!”
Then she glared at Roxana with eyes full of hatred.
“She has no gratitude for his kindness and now seduces a weak old man into this ridiculous adoption process! How could this be allowed?”
Lauren revealed Roxanaās background, but when Roxana didnāt defend herself, the mood in the room shifted.
“Is it true sheās from the slums?”
“Goodness, if thatās true, then Lady Pellon must have made a mistake.”
Hearing these whispers, Lauren boldly pointed at Roxana and said, “If you have any shame, cancel your adoption and go back to your rightful place! Otherwise, I will formally raise this issue with His Majesty the Emperor!”
Her threat to appeal to the Emperor silenced the room. People thought Lauren might have a chance to win, especially since no one wanted to be associated with a commoner.
But just then, a clear voice rang out.
“Youāre terribly mistaken.”
Laurenās eyes turned to see Harriet, smiling playfully beside Roxana.
“Harriet Listerwell! How dare you interfere in this matter!”
“No, Iām here to protect my aunt Roxana. And just so you know, the one who gave the order was Grandmother Trisha.”
Harriet slowly stepped forward.
Roxana lightly grabbed her sleeve, but Harriet smiled and gently brushed her hand away.
“Listening to you, I realize youāre misunderstanding things, and Iām here to correct that.”
“You? What do you know about the Pellon family?”
“When Aunt Trisha adopted Roxana, she submitted all the necessary documents to the nobility. Thereās the medical report showing Lucero Pellon could never have children after thirty, and a notarized document stating that Lauren could be registered in the Pellon family but would not inherit the titleā¦”
“Shut up!”
Laurenās face turned pale as she shouted at Harriet.
Harriet could tell that Lauren already knew this truth.
“It seems like you already knew, but you still wanted to take the Pellon heirship?”
“Donāt lie! If you keep slandering me, Iāll make sure you face the consequences too. Iāll sue you!”
“Go ahead.”
Harriet nodded calmly.
“Either way, a lawsuit against the Marshall family is coming soon. Trisha and Roxana are calm, but theyāre actually very angry. I think you know exactly why theyāre angry.”
Harriet stepped closer to Lauren, her anger simmering just beneath the surface, remembering the day Trisha almost didnāt wake up.
Lauren, sensing the intensity, stepped back. Harriet, however, stepped right up to her, leaning close and whispering in her ear.
“Even if you have a claim to the inheritance, anyone who tries to kill the head of the family will lose that right. You know that, donāt you?”
Laurenās eyes widened, and she quickly looked around, as if checking to see if anyone had overheard.
She pushed Harriet away, humiliated that she had been frightened by her.
“You filthy liar!”
“No, the liar is you. Should I expose everything here and now?”
“Ridiculous! I wonāt let this go. Just you wait!”
That was the last of Laurenās outbursts.
She mumbled an apology to Jeremiah and quickly fled the party, dragging her companions with her.
It was like a sudden gust of wind in the summerāstartling, but disappearing just as quickly.
“Is that all she came here for? She made so much noise without a plan.”
Harriet chuckled, clicking her tongue in amusement. She had expected more, but it was over so quickly it almost felt anticlimactic.
Jeremiah, though embarrassed and annoyed, didnāt show his anger.
“Is this the new trend at parties? I havenāt hosted one in a long time, so maybe I missed something.”
Her comment made the guests laugh lightly.
However, some of them were still muttering, judging Lauren for her actions.
“I heard she was after the Pellon family inheritance. But from what I hear, she might be adopted herselfā¦”
“I donāt understand. Why did the Pellon family accept her if thatās the case?”
The rumors and gossip spread quickly.
Since Lauren had revealed her secrets, Roxana remained silent, but once Harriet returned to her side, she quietly scolded her.
“I donāt think thatās what Aunt Trisha intended when she asked for your help.”
But Harriet didnāt regret it.
“Aunt, what Iāve learned being called a ‘scandal maker’ is that there are attacks you can ignore, and attacks you canāt.”
“What do you meanā¦?”
“People will believe whatever they hear, especially when you stay silent about lies like these. Of course, sometimes itās too embarrassing to speak up. Thatās when you need a ‘friend’ like me.”
Harriet had been labeled a liar, a gloomy child, the one who envied Bella, and a disgrace all her life. But now, she wasnāt hesitant to stand up for Roxana.
Roxana, a little concerned by Harrietās aggressive approach, sighed.
“When did ‘friend’ start meaning ‘fighter’? And besides, a noble lady should keep her dignity.”
“If I canāt fight for the people I care about, then Iām not a noble or a friend. Call me a ‘fighter’ if you like. Iām not afraid.”
Roxana couldnāt help but smile at her nieceās confidence.
“Thank you, Lady Harriet.”
“Just call me Harriet. Weāre family now, no need for formalities.”
Harriet grinned. Roxana, feeling both supported and grateful, smiled warmly. Having a niece like Harriet made her feel like she wasnāt alone anymore.
***
Benedict’s Unexpected Visit
Just before Lauren caused a scene, Cedric had to greet an unexpected visitor.
“Cedric! How have you been?”
“Welcome, Uncle.”
It was Benedict, who hadnāt been around for a while.
“Whereās Albert?”
“Heās been busy lately and couldnāt come. I hope you understand.”
“Of course. I know heās busy.”
Benedict laughed, but Cedric, recalling Albertās recent activities with the Cloud members, didnāt return the smile.
Still, Benedict didnāt notice and lowered his voice.
“I have something urgent to discussā¦ Can we move somewhere private?”
“Is it something that shouldnāt be overheard?”
“Yes. Itās important.”
Cedric was curious about what Benedict had to say, so he agreed to move along.
