Chapter 87 Rex Doesn't Dare to Provoke Cressida
Cressida's expression showed no ripple of emotion.
Her handsome and refined face held only calmness.
"Alright, let him in," she said.
"This Master Conrad has always been formidable and extremely difficult to invite. I was only able to get him here thanks to Mr. Howard."
Rose kept emphasizing how hard it was to get Rex Conrad's help.
Ordinary common people couldn't meet the mysterious Rex.
Patrick felt flattered and bowed respectfully: "Mr. Howard, to trouble you so much, I'm truly embarrassed."
Ernest stroked his beard with a smile: "Ms. Hamilton is the Howard family's lifesaver. Helping to invite Master Conrad over is just a small favor."
Cressida quietly watched Patrick's behavior from the side, shaking her head inwardly.
Even though his title had been elevated, that timid nature of his couldn't be removed.
Facing those real powerful families, Patrick always had a pleasing attitude.
Because Cameron's military achievements weren't won by Patrick himself. Only when someone lacks ability do they feel uneasy about suddenly receiving huge benefits, and become fearful of the outside world.
Cressida knew Patrick wouldn't change anytime soon.
Fortunately, the Hamilton family's future wouldn't rest on his shoulders.
Soon, Noah led in someone who looked very impressive.
Rex appeared to be only in his forties, but was actually sixty.
It was precisely because of this that everyone believed he was very capable, able to maintain his youth.
Patrick showed great enthusiasm.
"Master Conrad, I've heard so much about you. Please sit. Someone, bring tea!"
Rex bowed: "Mr. Hamilton, you don't need to prepare food or water for me. I don't eat food provided by others, don't drink water provided by others, and don't accept any favors."
Ernest said matter-of-factly: "Master Conrad is like this. Only by not being moved by worldly things can one achieve the great way."
Patrick believed it completely and treated him even more seriously.
Rose: "Master Conrad, I invited you here to look at the manor's feng shui. Too many things have happened at home recently. Mother is ill, Michael has become simple-minded. I'm deeply troubled, worried that there might be some evil spirits in the manor causing these bad things to happen."
Rex stroked his beard, his fingertips tapping lightly on his palm, his expression solemn: "Don't worry, let me consult the star chart first."
Before he finished speaking, a servant boy outside the door entered bowing, holding a bronze star chart with silver edges. The markings on the chart gleamed coldly in the candlelight.
Rex took the star chart and slowly paced around the banquet hall covered with Persian carpets. The silver star needle rotated in his palm, his serious manner as if he were interpreting destiny itself.
Everyone else held their breath, only Rose secretly watched Cressida's expression from the corner of her eye. She had expected to catch a trace of confusion or unease on Cressida's face—after all, Rex was famous in aristocratic circles for "star reading," and ordinary people would already be nervous.
But Cressida sat upright in her velvet chair, head lowered, sipping the red tea in her cup, long lashes down, her expression as calm as if she were enjoying the morning mist of the manor.
Rose secretly frowned. Why was she so composed?
During this time, Rex walked back and forth holding the star chart, his gaze always on the star markings, never once glancing at Cressida.
After a long while, he finally stopped in the center of the banquet hall, the star chart steady in his palm.
"In the Hamilton Mansion, the master bedroom facing southeast with the warm corridor—who lives there now?"
Patrick turned to Noah at the question. Noah thought briefly and answered respectfully: "Ms. Hamilton, the lady of the manor."
Rex nodded, his fingertip tracing the edge of the star chart: "That makes sense. The lady's destiny carries nobility. She's the family's lucky star, able to bring blessings to her partner."
Emma, standing behind Cressida, struggled to suppress her laughter, quickly lowering her head to hide the mischief in her eyes.
"Is that really so?" Patrick looked hesitant, clearly half-doubting this explanation.
Cressida gently set down her porcelain teacup. The bottom touched the gold-trimmed tray with a light clink. Her tone was flat: "In the Hamilton Mansion, there's only one master bedroom facing southeast. Though mother lives there, Tatum, Nanny, and others have all stayed there temporarily before. Do they all have destinies that 'bring blessings' too?"
"Oh yes," she paused and added, "and Echo. She used to serve mother closely and lived in the side room of that bedroom for quite a while."
At the mention of Echo, Patrick broke into a smile: "Master Conrad, you're actually quite accurate!"
When he most needed a son, Echo became pregnant. If that wasn't bringing him good fortune, what was?
Rose secretly glanced at Cressida.
"Master Conrad, are there any other issues to note?"
At this moment, Rex, who had been sitting to the side, suddenly leaned forward, pointing at the star chart in front of him: "I've carefully studied Mr. Hamilton's star chart. He belongs to the fire sign, with a strong ruling star, naturally brave and decisive, perfectly matching his past military glory."
Patrick immediately nodded repeatedly, his tone full of agreement: "So accurate! This is practically a custom reading for him!"
Rex's hand holding the star chart paused, then he continued: "But excessive fire is also a hidden danger. The imbalance of water and fire in the stars can easily trigger health crises and family troubles. As far as I know, in the Hamilton Mansion, only Mrs. Hamilton has pure water characteristics that can balance this intensity."
Rose's head snapped up, her eyes full of surprise, urgently asking: "But my mother is bedridden now. In her condition, can she still balance father's stars?" Rose clutched her skirt tightly, secretly hoping Rex would say what they had agreed upon beforehand—that there was an ominous person in the Hamilton Mansion harming Clio.
Ernest, standing beside Patrick, quickly chimed in, trying to prove the credibility of Rex's star reading: "Previously when things weren't going well in my family, I asked Master Conrad to read the stars. Every point was precisely accurate, absolutely not empty words."
Patrick's tense shoulders instantly relaxed as he let out a long breath.
Rose begged Rex to look again more carefully. Next, Rex said many meaningless things.
Most were praising the Hamilton Mansion's good feng shui, saying it could raise outstanding children.
As for anything targeting Cressida, Rex said nothing.
Rose bit her lip in frustration, but couldn't remind him in public.
Finally, Rex bowed, preparing to leave, and Ernest was also ready to say goodbye.
Patrick quickly sent Noah to see them out.
Rose didn't plan to follow, only irritation flashing in her eyes.
She had invited Rex specifically to have him say that Cressida would affect Clio's health and implicate the Hamilton family in trouble, perfectly setting the stage for what would happen during the royal Regatta Festival celebration.
With Ernest here, Patrick would definitely listen to Rex to maintain his authority as family head.
But Rex didn't say it?
Cressida felt like she'd watched a boring farce.
"Verity, Emma, you two see Master Conrad out for me."
With that, Cressida turned and left.
Verity and Emma escorted Rex to the door. Unexpectedly, after Ernest got in his carriage, Rex suddenly turned back:
"Please tell Ms. Hamilton that I didn't speak nonsense."
Rex bowed, and his face now showed a pleasing smile.
After Rex left, Emma was still holding back laughter, but Verity looked puzzled.
"What did he mean by that?" Verity asked.
Emma: "What else? He was scared by Ms. Hamilton."
Verity still had doubts but didn't ask more.
In the carriage, Ernest asked Rex: "Why didn't you follow the plan?"
Rex bowed: "Mr. Howard, it's because I saw Ms. Hamilton's destiny. She's no ordinary person. Such people are protected by heaven's will. How dare I speak nonsense and fight against heaven?"
Ernest frowned, somewhat displeased: "This really ruins things!"
No matter what Ernest said, Rex closed his eyes and wouldn't speak anymore.
Night deepened.
Verity came to the Prince's palace.
She knelt before Miguel's desk and clearly reported everything about Rex's visit to the Hamilton Mansion today.
Hearing that Rex behaved strangely, in the candlelight, Miguel's thin eyes held depth.
"Seems Master Conrad is very afraid of Cressida."
"Yes, and Emma seems to be hiding something from me," Verity said. "Later I was outside the room and heard Emma mention some things to Ms. Hamilton—'stillborn at birth' and 'bribe' and such words. I didn't hear the specifics clearly."
Miguel leaned back in his chair, his handsome face covered in shadow.
"You've spent so much time with Cressida. What do you think of her combat skills?"
"Very good. You can tell she has control and ease, but..."
"But what?"
"Ms. Hamilton's eyes don't have that killing sharpness of a general. She's very calm."
Her calm eyes were like a pool of still water without ripples.
Miguel leaned forward slightly, his large hand pressing on the desk, deepening his thoughtful expression.
"Verity, have you heard this saying? Those whose hearts surge with waves while appearing calm on the surface can become great leaders."
"Your Highness means that Ms. Hamilton is disguising herself?"
Miguel said nothing. He told Verity to go back first.
Then he took out a broken arrow from the cabinet.
In the battle at Sunrise Peak, Cameron had blocked a heart-piercing arrow for Miguel, and Cameron himself was pierced through the shoulder blade.
Even when Miguel thought Cameron would fall, Cameron simply cut off the arrow protruding from his body and continued leading the troops in battle.
Cameron's face at that time was also calm and composed, showing no change.
The more chaotic the battle, the steadier he became, always able to predict the enemy's next move.
But such a person who calculated every strategy and scheme suddenly died in battle, his body nowhere to be found.
Only a corpse with its head trampled by horses, wearing his jade pendant, could prove his identity.
However, Miguel still doubted whether that body was really Cameron. Otherwise, why would only the clothes Cameron wore when he died be sent back to Emerald City?
"Cressida," Miguel played with the arrowhead, "if you really are General Hamilton, was revealing your identity accidental or intentional? And for what purpose?"