Chapter 128
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 128
Harriet’s name had been plastered across the newspapers for some time, but the news only reached Esther much later. By then, Harriet had already been branded the "swindler of the century" before dramatically clearing her name under the Empress’s personal protection.
"Take extra care when attending to Lady Harriet," Andre cautioned. "Even though the matter was resolved, a shock like that doesn't fade quickly for a young lady."
"What? 'This matter'? What happened?"
"Ah, you wouldn't know. I forgot you were away. Well, it's all over now, so I suppose I can tell you."
The story Andre recounted was nothing short of staggering.
"S-so, someone slandered Lady Harriet in a major newspaper... and her reputation was almost ruined?"
"That's right. Her role as the representative of <Saint Clarissa Soap & Herb> was a top secret, but somehow the information leaked. Anyway, don't act like you know too much in front of her; just keep your head down and behave calmly."
"Y-yes, of course..."
Esther retreated with a strained smile. The moment she was out of sight, she hurried to the storage room, bolted the door, and collapsed onto the floor.
It’s my fault. The documents I stole back then—they definitely had the name of that soap shop on them!
Her heart hammered against her ribs so hard she thought it might burst.
"I suspect there was a spy in the mansion, but we don't know when the information leaked. Since so many people have come and gone since then, finding the culprit will be difficult."
Andre’s words echoed in her mind like a direct accusation. Did he already know? Was he giving her a final chance to beg for mercy?
Trembling in the darkness of the storage room, Esther realized she was cornered.
I have to confess. If I keep quiet and they find out later, I’m dead.
Even if a confession brought ruin, it was better than the slow torture of waiting to be caught.
Esther rose unsteadily, opened the door, and made her way toward Harriet’s room with leaden steps. It was a room she entered daily to clean, yet now it felt like the entrance to a gallows.
Knock, knock.
A cheerful voice drifted from inside. "Come in."
Esther swallowed hard and pushed the door open. Harriet turned toward her, wearing her usual gentle smile.
"Esther! What is it?"
There wasn't a hint of suspicion in her eyes.
That kindness only amplified Esther’s terror. She was about to admit to betraying a mistress who had treated her with nothing but grace.
She dropped to her knees on the spot.
"O-oh, My Lady! I’m so sorry! I have committed a grave sin! Please, forgive me!"
Tears began to track down her face. Startled, Harriet rushed to her side.
"What’s wrong, Esther? Tell me what happened."
"I-I did it! I’m the one who stole them!"
"Stole? Stole what?"
Esther’s entire body shook. Unable to meet Harriet’s gaze, she pressed her forehead against the cold floor.
"My s-sister... I have a sister. She borrowed a large sum of money she couldn't repay, and debt collectors took her away. T-those people... they called me out and told me I had to search your room, My Lady..."
Harriet’s expression shifted, growing solemn.
"And what did you do? I won't be angry, Esther. Just tell me the truth."
Gaining a flicker of courage from that promise, Esther poured out the rest of her confession.
"They wanted documents containing your personal information. Most of the drawers were locked, so I took the papers I found in your bag. That was all I could find."
"And what did they say when you gave the papers to them?"
"They just said I did well and released my sister. I truly did wrong, My Lady. I’m so sorry."
Harriet pieced it together. Bella had mobilized back-alley thugs to lure Esther into a trap, searching for any leverage. In truth, it wouldn't have mattered which servant they caught; anyone from the Fellon Estate would have done.
Esther just had the misfortune of being the one they grabbed.
Harriet felt a wave of pity for the girl, who was still sobbing hysterically while trying to maintain her composure. Esther could have stayed silent forever, yet she had chosen to follow her conscience.
Harriet gently took Esther by the shoulders and helped her sit up.
"You suffered because of me."
"N-no! It’s because of me that you suffered, My Lady...!"
"No. Even if it hadn't been you, they would have found a way to strike at me. In fact, thanks to you, things actually worked out in my favor."
It was true. The documents Esther had stolen were outdated records from the early days of <Saint Clarissa Soap & Herb>. Because of that, Bella had moved forward under the false assumption that Harriet was still the active representative.
"Is your sister alright?"
"O-oh... no. She’s still too traumatized to leave the house." Esther began to cry anew. "I’m the only one earning money for my family now. If I lose this job, we’ll starve. Please, just this once, forgive me!"
Harriet pulled the sobbing woman into a tight embrace. Esther’s wails grew louder, muffled against Harriet’s shoulder.
"You’ve been through so much. If I were in your position, Esther, I would have made the same choice. How could you do anything else when your sister’s life was on the line?"
"My Lady...! My Lady...!"
"I’m fine. So, let’s keep this between the two of us. Don't tell the Butler, or Grand Duchess Trisha, or anyone else. Understood?"
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Esther bowed repeatedly, her face red from crying. Harriet stayed with her, gently patting her back until the girl finally calmed down.
* * *
How could this happen?
Bella still couldn't wrap her head around the disaster.
She had leveraged every connection she possessed to ensure front-page coverage in three major newspapers. Failure hadn't even been a consideration. Even if Harriet had managed to scrape together some wealth, she was merely the head of a small company. She shouldn't have had the power to suppress a scandal of this magnitude.
But the Empress protected her? Why, for heaven's sake?
The claim that the article insulted the Imperial Family was a reach. Normally, the public would have turned their blades toward Harriet for "deceiving" the crown. The article had even been framed to make the Imperial Family look like victims.
Yet, the Empress had declared, "Did the Imperial Family and the Ducal House look foolish enough to be swayed by a mere noble?" and vowed to hunt down the author. To make matters worse, Harriet had actually followed through with a massive lawsuit against the three newspaper companies.
A retraction was published the day after the banquet, but neither Harriet nor the Imperial Family were letting the matter drop.
"What are we supposed to do? We ran that story because you swore the information was 100% reliable! Now we’re the ones stuck paying damages!"
"I told you not to mention the Imperial Family! Informant protection doesn't apply when the Crown is involved!"
John had eventually silenced the frantic editors by handing over a staggering sum of money. This meant the Listerwell family was now footing the bill for every cent of the damages.
Naturally, John was not pleased.
"If you're going to scheme, do it properly! Do you have any idea how much we had to pay those bastards? Three hundred thousand Dirham! No, if you include the initial fees, it’s over four hundred and fifty thousand!"
Infuriated by John’s constant whining about the cost, Bella had snapped back, boasting that she would repay the "measly" 450,000 Dirham within three years of her marriage.
Now, burdened with a massive debt and a failed plot, Bella felt like her head was going to explode.
The only reason that girl can move the Empress is Lady Fellon. As long as that old woman is breathing, it will be impossible to bring Harriet down.
Having reached her conclusion, Bella immediately sought out Lauren.
Lauren, still oblivious to the full extent of the fallout, greeted Bella warmly.
"Welcome, Miss Bella! This is your first time visiting the Marshall townhouse, isn't it?"
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Madam. Your home is lovely."
In truth, Bella couldn't care less about the decor. Suppressing her impatience, she cut straight to the point as soon as the tea was served.
"So, what is the status of our previous discussion?"
"Hm? Which matter do you mean?"
"I told you that Lady Fellon seemed to be at death's door. I want to know what progress has been made. We need to be ready to bring Harriet over to your side..."
"Ah, that? Hohoho!" Lauren laughed, preening. She explained how she had filed a formal objection to the Fellon succession, effectively blocking Trisha from adopting an heir. "While a title succession lawsuit is active, the title holder is legally barred from adopting to prevent complications in the bloodline. I’m using that to our advantage."
"Then..."
"Of course, we’ll eventually lose the case. But I’ll find every loophole possible to keep it in appeals—second trials, third trials. In the meantime, that old witch will surely kick the bucket."
Lauren looked triumphant, as if the Fellon estate was already in her grasp.
Bella, however, merely frowned. "Is that all?"
"Pardon?"
"Are you really just going to sit around and wait for Lady Fellon to die of natural causes?"
Bella let out a sharp, frustrated sigh and leaned forward.
"Speed it up."
"What? How?"
"A friend of mine, Sir Albert Kingsley, runs a pharmaceutical company. He’s a distant relative of yours, so I assume you know him."
"Oh, I know him well. Viscount Kingsley is my cousin."
Bella took a slow sip of water, her eyes cold. A chilling new plan was already taking shape in her mind.