Chapter 162
Chapter 162
At Emerald House.
Eloise was carefully reviewing the newly cataloged wedding gifts.
While all the items listed were valuable, she crossed out those that had gone out of fashion and were no longer suitable for the wedding gift.
Eloise instructed Dorothea, who was at her side, in a firm tone, “Make sure everything is of the finest quality. Replace any items I cross out with equally good alternatives p>
Eloise thought to herself, ‘I absolutely mustn’t let the Osborne family look down on Willow.
Willow is going there to live in comfort, not to suffer indignities.
These dowries are what will give Willow the confidence she needs in the Osborne family p>
Dorothea furrowed her brow and couldn’t help but ask, “Madam, the items in the storeroom are limited, and we’ll need them for gifts soon. If we use everything to supplement Lady Willow’s wedding gift, what will we do in the future? ”
Dorothea thought to herself, ‘I truly disapprove of Lady Eloise’s approach. Who in their right mind would favor an adopted daughter so much?
‘After all, Athena is her own flesh and blood!
‘Eloise’s favoritism really knows no bounds p>
Every time Athena crosseed her mind, Eloise felt a sharp pang in her heart.
When Athena first returned to the estate, Eloise truly intended to be a fair mother, treating both daughters equally and without favoritism.
But it proved just too difficult.
More importantly, what she was doing wasn’t for herself, but for the sake of the entire duke’s estate and the whole family’s interests.
Eloise composed herself, pushing aside all distracting thoughts. “For now, I can only focus on one thing at a time. The marriage alliance between the Monson and Osborne families must go perfectly p>
Eloise thought, ‘Even if Athena marries into the Mcgee family, it won’t bring any real advantage to the Monson family.
‘On the contrary, she might even need the family’s support after marriage.
“The size of Athena’s wedding gift doesn’t really matter now.
‘Besides, Nicolas’s affairs also require the Osborne family’s assistance p>
Eloise’s brow furrowed deeply. With the duke’s estate in turmoil, she felt as if she had aged ten years overnight.
An elderly maidservant rushed in breathlessly. “Lady Eloise, Lady Margaret summons you at once p>
Eloise’s eyelid twitched with sudden unease. “What happened?” she asked anxiously.
The elderly maidservant stammered nervously, “Lady Margaret caught the servants moving the wedding gift chests p>
1/2
تم
“ What?” Eloise drew a sharp breath. “Why did she have to see it now, of all times p>
Margaret had been bedridden for days, rarely venturing beyond her chambers.
That was precisely why Eloise had ordered the servants to tamper with the wedding gift items in the storeroom.
The elderly maidservant replied fearfully, “ It’s strange, normally Lady Margaret stays in her courtyard, but today Lady Athena accompanied her outside p>
The maid didn’t need to finish her sentence, Eloise had already jumped to conclusions.
She felt that Athena must have gotten wind of something and deliberately chose this moment to escort Margaret out.
She thought bitterly, ‘What a perfect coincidence. Athena must have planned this timing deliberately.
‘She really knows how to make trouble for me p>
Eloise pressed her fingers to her temples in frustration. When she looked up again, her eyes were calm and composed. In a steady voice, she said, “Come with me to see Margaret. Dorothea, go summon Nicolas as well p>
Eloise realized that Margaret had caught her red–handed. Eloise thought anxiously, ‘She must be furious right now.
‘Even if Margaret is angry with me, she’ll surely spare me some dignity for my son Nicolas’s sake.
‘At least she won’t humiliate me completely p>
Eloise made her way to Starling House with her attendants in tow.
On her way, Eloise ran into Nicolas, who was hurrying over.
Fiona walked alongside her husband, cradling their soundly sleeping son Cedric in her arms.
Fiona looked up at Eloise helplessly, her eyes red–rimmed, as she sank into a respectful curtsy. “Mother,” she murmured.
Eloise looked startled and said with concern, “Why did you bring Cedric out? He caught a cold recently and hasn’t fully recovered yet. What was the need to take him outside p>
Nicolas sighed helplessly. “Grandmother threw quite a fit. It won’t be easy for her to calm down. I just hope she’ll cool off for Cedric’s sake,” he voiced his concerns.
2/2
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.