Chapter 111 Ivan Breaks His Principles for Her
Mabel suddenly stood up: "Where?"
Michael was found in an abandoned dry well.
The well was next to the woodshed, long out of use after the water source dried up years ago.
Normally, no one went to that corner.
When Verity led the search, she held up a torch and looked down the well, discovering Michael unconscious inside.
Fortunately, the manor kept a family doctor on staff year-round, who was immediately called to treat Michael.
During this time, Clio arrived with Rose.
Cressida glanced at Rose's face and noticed she kept her head down, hands nervously twisted together.
After examining Michael's injuries, the doctor said: "Mr. Hamilton hit the back of his head. Luckily the wound isn't deep, just a surface scrape. With proper care, he'll recover completely."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, especially Mabel.
Clio, eyes red, angrily scolded: "If anything had happened to Michael, I would've made all of you pay with your lives!"
Mabel blamed herself: "I didn't watch him carefully enough. Next time I'll definitely assign more people to guard him."
Clio turned to Patrick: "Mr. Hamilton, after something like this happened, you still want Michael to stay with Mabel? Besides me, his birth mother, who else would truly care for him!"
Patrick had long since decided that Michael was completely useless.
With Echo still pregnant, Patrick would never agree to let Michael move back to his own courtyard.
So Patrick said gruffly: "Mabel just slipped up for a moment. Besides, when you took Michael out, didn't he fall into the water too?"
Clio was left speechless, then heard Patrick instruct Mabel again: "Mabel, pay more attention to Michael!"
Mabel nodded: "I will."
Two days later, Cressida was preparing to go to the martial arts hall.
Unexpectedly, Mabel was also heading out.
Cressida stood under the porch, watching the maids load things onto the carriage.
"It's almost July now, and All Souls' Day is coming soon. I'm going to the church to light an eternal prayer lamp for my mother." Mabel said with a smile.
She added: "Michael's incident really scared me. I happen to have a small silver cross that I'm taking to have the priest bless, so Michael can wear it for protection."
Cressida looked at Michael beside Mabel. He was playing with glass marbles with his head down, a layer of white bandage wrapped around his head.
"Michael just got hurt the day before yesterday. Is it okay for him to go out today?"
"Can't help it, he insisted on coming with me. He's probably scared too. Since he woke up the day before yesterday, he's been out of it. The poor child, I can only feel at ease if I take him myself."
As Mabel spoke, her eyes were full of pity as she looked at Michael.
Cressida asked: "Mabel, why don't you wait a couple days? I'll go with you."
Cressida had to deal with Mark's matter tonight first.
Jessica had gone out with some noble girls she knew today. It wasn't safe for Mabel to take the mentally impaired Michael alone.
Mabel waved her hand: "You do your thing. I'm just going to the church, and I've asked Brynn to come along too."
As she spoke, Brynn slowly walked over, her expression still somewhat wooden.
Seeing Cressida, she forced a smile, then shrank back and lowered her head.
Cressida withdrew her gaze: "Alright then, Mabel, come back soon."
They got on the carriage and left.
Michael lifted one leg and clumsily climbed onto the carriage, nearly falling off. A servant at the gate reached out to help him.
The maids around tried to hold back their laughter, finding him ridiculously stupid at that moment.
Cressida raised her eyebrows slightly. Just then, Patrick's voice came from behind.
"At a time like this, you still want to go out?" He quickly walked forward and lowered his voice, "Tonight we must deliver the money to him, or if he makes a scene, our whole family is finished!"
Three days had passed. Cressida grew calmer, while Patrick became more and more panicked.
Until this matter was resolved, it hung over his head like a guillotine, making him restless.
Cressida's tone was calm: "Don't worry, Father. I haven't forgotten. I'm just going to see my teacher. I'll be back soon."
The sky was overcast, a summer thunderstorm approaching, with rumbling thunder in the sky.
Cressida walked into the martial arts hall alone.
Clarence wasn't there. Only Ivan lay in a wicker chair in the corridor, feet up, eyes closed, humming a tune.
Cressida walked over, her footsteps almost silent, but Ivan knew it was her without opening his eyes.
"Perfect timing, Cressida. Refill my tea."
Cressida stepped forward and picked up the teapot to pour him tea.
Just as she grasped the teapot, Ivan suddenly attacked. Cressida had anticipated this and tossed the teapot into the air, meeting his strike with one hand.
As the teapot fell, Ivan spun the wicker chair and reached up to grab it.
Cressida gripped his wrist, applying slight pressure with her fingertips to slow his movement, while her left hand steadily caught the falling teapot.
Just as she was about to pour the tea, Ivan snatched away the teacup. Cressida kicked toward the table edge, pressing against Ivan's abdomen. He paused in pain, and Cressida took the opportunity to move forward, successfully pouring tea into the cup.
"Mr. Franklin, please enjoy your tea." Cressida said without changing expression.
Ivan slapped the table in frustration: "That doesn't count. I was going easy on you. Again!"
Cressida shook her head: "I only used one hand. Who was really going easy on whom?"
Ivan's eyes widened: "You dare challenge me? I don't dare drink this tea today. You must be asking me for something."
Cressida stood up and bowed slightly: "Mr. Franklin, you have extensive connections. Recently Mark came to The Hamilton Mansion to cause trouble. I need to eliminate him to prevent future problems. Please tell me his background."
Ivan put down his teacup, closed his eyes, and waved his fan.
"Cressida, I told you, I don't meddle in other people's business. Your grudge with Mark, solve it yourself."
"I want to know who else is in his family and where they live."
"I don't know."
Cressida stood silently under the corridor, saying nothing.
Behind her, dark clouds gathered and thunder rumbled. Her heroic, cool face was half-hidden in shadow, radiating intimidation.
"Years ago, Mark deserted and should have been executed under military law. Cameron was soft-hearted and spared his life, but now Mark is troubling the Hamilton family. Today I must settle this account. If Mr. Franklin won't tell me, fine. I can find out myself."
With that, she turned to leave, her clothes billowing in the wind.
"Stop." Ivan's voice came from behind.
At the same time, he pulled out a sword hidden under the table and tossed it over. Cressida reached out and caught it steadily.
Ivan still had his eyes closed: "Greenfield District, number 63. There's an old lady who's good at repairing swords. Fix my sword for me and bring it back."
Cressida looked at the sword in her hand, then nodded in acknowledgment: "Thank you, Mr. Franklin."
She turned and left.
Clarence returned carrying a basket of herbs: "Cressida was here? What's she going to do this time?"
Ivan smiled with his eyes closed: "Settling accounts."
"Didn't you say you wouldn't meddle in her business anymore?"
"Can't bring myself to be that harsh. She's my best student. I have to protect her when I can."
With that, Ivan pointed at the sky: "Old friend, come sit. Let's listen to the thunder together."
Cressida took a carriage to Greenfield District.
She walked alone into the alley, sword in hand, the approaching storm whipping up her dress and hair.
Her past soft-heartedness toward Mark had caused today's trouble.
So she had made up her mind that tonight, no matter what, she would take Mark's life!
As for his family...
She had already confirmed with Ivan that besides Mark's mother, Mark had no other relatives.
Cressida stood at the door of number 63 and knocked gently on the wooden door.
"Coming." An elderly voice called out, "Who is it?"
When the door opened, Cressida saw a face covered in wrinkles, the hair completely white.
The old woman's eyes were gray and cloudy, clearly blind for many years.
"Mrs. Tovar, I'm a friend of Mark's, here to visit you."
"Oh, a friend of Mark's! Come in, come in." Mark's mother turned around, using a wooden stick to feel her way, leading Cressida inside.
Just then, Cressida suddenly drew her sword.
The blade flashed, and blood sprayed.