Chapter 39 Sophie Suspects Cressida of Faking Illness?
Clio looked at him in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"You have the nerve to ask? Let me ask you, who arranged for Zaid to cause trouble at the church today?"
Clio covered her face, her eyes suddenly flickering uncertainly, her guilty eyelashes trembling.
Rose: "Father, this has nothing to do with Mother..."
"Shut up!" Patrick shouted angrily. "I'm only asking her, let her speak for herself!"
When he was angry, everyone looked wrong to him.
Things had come to this point, and Clio didn't want to hide it anymore. After all, Zaid had to be dealt with, and Patrick would definitely find out!
She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and stood up with Rose's help.
"I arranged it. So what?"
"Why! You've ruined Cressida's reputation and innocence. How does that benefit our family's name?"
"Mr. Hamilton, I didn't do anything wrong! If I hadn't arranged it this way, do you think someone with Cressida's temper would willingly marry into the Louis family?"
At this point, Clio burst into tears feeling wronged.
Her heart and mind were full of thoughts for the Hamilton family, yet she still got slapped by Patrick.
Clio: "The Louis family has low status, and Wilder has been married before. Cressida would never agree to this match."
"I thought I'd have Zaid spread some bad rumors about her first. Then, under public pressure, she wouldn't have it easy."
"At that point, I'd tell her that marrying Wilder was her only best option. Cressida would definitely agree to the match as if grasping at a last chance, and we could send her away easily."
Patrick slammed the table hard, so angry that veins bulged on his forehead: "This was your idea? You foolish woman, doing such things without telling me! Do you know that even His Majesty the King found out and specially summoned me about this!"
Clio was shocked: "Such a small matter is worth alarming His Majesty?"
It was just about catching a lowly person who offended nobles at the church. Would Doyle personally get involved?
She quickly asked: "Did the King make things difficult for you? What did he say?"
Mentioning this made Patrick even angrier.
"The King said nothing. I didn't even see his face. That's exactly why it's so serious. The King used soft tactics to warn me that if this happens again, he definitely won't be polite!"
Making him eat royal meals constantly was not a favor, but a guillotine hanging over his head.
As if repeatedly asking Patrick: Do you know your mistake?
Patrick had never been humiliated like this. It was all because of this foolish Clio at home!
"I didn't think it would blow up this big..." Clio regretted it.
Clio thought at most Ursa would know, and Ursa was serious by nature and didn't like gossiping about others.
Who could have imagined even Doyle would find out.
"Now the King thinks we're mistreating Cameron's own sister, and he's waiting for us to show our attitude! You figure it out yourself!"
Patrick turned to leave. Clio quickly grabbed his sleeve: "Mr. Hamilton, you're not going to handle it? But Brynn is still locked up in jail, and there's that Zaid who must be dealt with."
"Now you're scared? Where were you before!" Patrick left angrily, once again making the curtain slam loudly.
Clio's face looked terrible. She staggered two steps and collapsed into a chair.
Rose saw her tightly gripping her hand and comforted her softly: "Mother, don't worry. Father is just speaking in anger. He won't abandon this."
Patrick wanted to protect the family's reputation more than anyone. He would definitely make sure Zaid died.
Clio's tears streamed down, her cheek slightly swollen, feeling extremely upset.
Rose: "Cressida actually threatened with death, making this impossible to resolve."
Hearing this, Clio immediately asked through tears: "Rose, do you think I did wrong? It was also Mr. Hamilton who agreed to marry Cressida off, so I started arranging this early."
"That Wilder was carefully selected by me. He's practically the heir of their family. If Cressida marries him, she'll be the lady of the house. Haven't I treated her well enough?"
Rose shook her head: "Mother has treated her very well. Father isn't blaming you, just that we didn't consult with him beforehand."
Clio muttered to herself: "She's already twenty-four. The Louis family is the best family she can choose. Looking at all the noble families in Emerald City, who would marry a girl this old!"
"And she came back from a military fortress, has some beauty but poor manners. I did all this for her. Why doesn't anyone understand my good intentions?"
As Clio spoke, she cried harder.
Finally, Clio even beat her chest, trying to release the suffocating feeling stuck in her throat.
She had been married to Patrick for over twenty years and had never been hit by him.
Today her dignity was completely trampled on the ground.
The more she thought about it, the more Clio felt she couldn't catch her breath, her heart pounding.
Clio stared at Patrick, a bitter smile forming at the corner of her mouth, her voice hoarse: "Cressida, she's the debt collector I gave birth to!"
Before she finished speaking, before her sigh had faded, her vision suddenly went black. Her body slid straight down from the oak chair and fell heavily onto the carpet. Her face looked terrible, even her breathing became weak.
"Mother!" Rose screamed in shock, rushing over to support Clio's collapsing body, frantically shouting toward the door, "Someone come quickly! My mother has fainted!"
The entire household instantly fell into chaos: maids rushed to fetch the doctor, servants brought warm water and emergency herbs. Patrick stood in place, watching the chaotic scene, feeling his temples throbbing—last night's "royal meal" warning at the palace was still fresh in his mind, and this morning brought another incident. He felt physically and mentally exhausted.
Meanwhile, Cressida's bedroom had its doors and windows tightly closed, with warm oak logs burning in the fireplace. She had slept well through the night, sleeping soundly.
The next morning, before the mist had lifted from the estate, Juliet, the head housekeeper serving Sophie, came by carriage to offer condolences. At this time, Clio was bedridden and could barely get up. With no lady of the house to receive distinguished guests, this gave Patrick a terrible headache—in Western noble social etiquette, the lady's absence when receiving guests was extremely impolite, especially when the visitor was sent by Sophie.
Left with no choice, Patrick had to personally meet Juliet in the reception room, with Emma, Cressida's maid, accompanying him as a temporary assistant.
The reception room was laid with Persian carpets, flames danced in the fireplace, and the air was filled with a faint scent of black tea. Juliet, wearing a dark velvet gown, walked forward with upright posture and bowed slightly: "Mr. Hamilton, good morning." Juliet paused, her gaze sweeping over the empty hostess seat, then added, "How is Ms. Hamilton feeling? Princess Russell specially ordered me to bring these supplements, hoping they'll help her recover soon."
The maids promptly placed two exquisite walnut boxes in the corner, carved with the royal emblem—a highly significant noble symbol in Emerald City.
Patrick sat in the main seat, his eyes full of undisguised fatigue, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Princess Russell is too kind to be concerned. Clio had a high fever last night that wouldn't break. Today she's still sleeping in a daze, without even the strength to open her eyes. When she's better, I'll definitely have her visit in person to thank Princess Russell."
Juliet quickly waved her hand, her tone somewhat serious: "Mr. Hamilton, you're too kind. Princess Russell specifically instructed that Ms. Hamilton shouldn't rush to express thanks, but should focus on recovering. That's most important." She changed her tone, her gaze becoming meaningful, "I must also speak frankly—you are Ms. Hamilton's father. In this estate, only if you truly care for and protect her can she recover faster. After all, when a child is wronged, what she needs most is family support."
Patrick's heart clenched at these words—last night's "royal meal" warning was still vivid in his mind. He had already been frightened by the royal威慑 and didn't dare show any negligence. Now he dared not offend this head housekeeper who had Sophie's deep trust. Whatever Juliet said, Patrick could only keep nodding, his tone somewhat ingratiating: "Yes, yes, you're right. I'll definitely care more about her in the future and won't let her suffer any more grievances."
Juliet looked at his reaction and nodded with satisfaction, saying nothing more. After leaving the two boxes containing rare herbs and silk fabrics, she got up to leave. Patrick quickly instructed Emma: "See Manager Juliet to the estate gate, and be sure to be thorough."
After Patrick left, Juliet took the initiative to ask Emma: "Is Ms. Hamilton doing well? If there are any difficulties, you must say so. Our princess will stand up for her."
Emma, with reddened eyes, nodded: "I understand what you're saying. Thank goodness Princess Russell still thinks of Ms. Hamilton. Ms. Hamilton was truly heartbroken this time. She cried non-stop during her high fever last night and even cut off a lock of her own hair. If I hadn't stopped her, I'm afraid Ms. Hamilton would have sought death..."
Juliet was startled.
She quickly asked: "That serious? Didn't you call a doctor?"
"We did," Emma answered vaguely. "Regarding matters of Ms. Cressida Hamilton's reputation, Mrs. Clio Hamilton handled it neither lightly nor heavily. Anyone would feel upset."
Juliet sympathized.
A girl's reputation is a major matter. Being slandered and betrayed by her own maid, and hearing that Clio wanted to suppress it without reporting to authorities.
Having such a mother, Cressida was truly pitiful!
Juliet sighed: "You must comfort Ms. Hamilton more. If she has grievances, she can come to Princess Palace. Princess Russell will stand up for Ms. Hamilton."
"Thank you, and thank Princess Russell as well."
Emma saw Juliet to the estate gate, where condolences sent by Odette from the palace also arrived.
Moreover, it was Odette's most trusted person who came to visit in person.
Juliet and the other person exchanged glances, both smiled slightly, bowed to each other, and passed by.
When she returned to Princess Palace, a banquet was in full swing.
Sophie saw Juliet return, got up on the pretext of changing clothes, and went to her room.
"Did you deliver everything? Did you see Ms. Hamilton?" Sophie asked.
Juliet shook her head: "The entire Hamilton Mansion was in chaos. Even the lady of the house, Clio, was ill. Patrick received me personally. From his appearance, Cressida is quite sick."
"However, when I left the estate, I saw Odette's maid had also arrived."
Sophie, who was arranging her hairpin, paused slightly.
Sophie's eyes shifted slightly: "Juliet, do you think this Cressida might be faking illness? This way she can avoid suspicion with me and also not offend Odette."