Chapter 136 Patrick's Righteous Act of Eliminating His Own Kin
Cressida immediately steadied Patrick with one hand and grabbed a handkerchief with the other to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Patrick's eyes were bloodshot: "That rebellious son! Michael should die out there!"
Cressida said calmly: "He deliberately killed someone and mortgaged his official position. With both crimes combined, there's absolutely no way he'll get off lightly. Our family's military achievements are great, but they can't withstand this kind of drain."
Patrick deeply agreed: "Exactly. If His Majesty finds out, he'll think our family is arrogant because of our achievements and that we're letting Michael run wild."
"The war at the military fortress just ended, and the Hamilton family finally gained its current status and glory. How many people in the palace are watching us? If we make a mistake now, we'll definitely fall into irreversible ruin."
Cressida lowered her eyes, her cold face showing a murderous intent.
"So my suggestion is to let go this time."
"Let go?"
"Father, you should understand the principle of a lizard cutting off its tail to survive. If you voluntarily confess your guilt and put righteousness above family, His Majesty will praise you for your strict family discipline. He'll also compromise and forgive Michael's mistakes. We might even be able to save Michael's life."
Patrick was shocked, his gaze complicated.
He pondered silently. Cressida continued: "Father, only if you're here can the Hamilton Mansion stand firm. Otherwise, if we're impeached and people say everyone in the Hamilton family is like this, how long can the honors His Majesty granted to the Hamilton family last?"
Thinking of this hard-won tremendous wealth and glory, Patrick had never received so much praise in his life.
Nine generations of hereditary succession—this was the first of its kind since the founding of Novaria, the highest honor and aspiration for military officers.
He couldn't lose all this!
Patrick closed his eyes: "Prepare paper and pen, help me up. I'll write the confession letter, and you deliver it to His Majesty for me."
Cressida helped him sit up and brought over the prepared paper and pen.
Emma knelt on the footstool, holding up a wooden board with both hands so Patrick could write comfortably.
Cressida lowered her eyes, watching him write the first sentence—
"I am incompetent, failed to teach my son properly, and beg forgiveness on his behalf..."
She pressed her lips together, her eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.
After he finished writing, Cressida read it through and handed it to Emma to dry the ink.
She said to Patrick: "Father, when you were unconscious, I also discussed this matter with Mother, but she didn't seem to understand me. She even said I was trying to get Michael killed."
Patrick looked exhausted, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
He said weakly: "Clio is just a foolish woman. She doesn't care about the family's future at all. She's extremely shortsighted. Don't listen to her. Just say it's my decision."
Cressida nodded and turned to leave.
"Cressida!" Suddenly, Patrick called out to her.
Cressida looked back. Patrick's lips trembled, and he only said: "You must, you must save Michael's life."
Cressida nodded: "I'll go to the authorities shortly to make arrangements so he won't suffer."
Patrick felt relieved.
Cressida left, and Echo came in to attend to him.
Lying on Echo's lap, Patrick raised his hand to touch her swollen belly.
He muttered to himself: "This child can't be as useless as Michael."
Echo stroked her pregnant belly and smiled softly: "Mr. Patrick Hamilton, I will definitely give you a smart son who will be as excellent as General Hamilton."
Cressida had already asked Miguel to make arrangements with the prison.
If Michael didn't confess for a day, he would be tortured.
In her previous life, Cressida had suffered so much before she died. What he was experiencing was only one ten-thousandth of that.
She wasn't in a hurry to go to the prison. Instead, she went to Mabel's courtyard.
When she entered the room, Ethan and Jessica were both there, and even Donny immediately stood up from his chair.
Cressida had called them here to wait.
She closed the door behind her and handed them the confession letter Patrick had just written to look at.
As Donny read it, his hands trembled and his eyes filled with tears.
He looked up: "Patrick is really willing to give up Michael? Cressida, without you, Mabel would probably never get justice! Thank you."
With that, he supported himself on his knees and actually knelt down before Cressida.
Ethan and Jessica did the same, kneeling with red eyes: "Thank you, Cressida, for standing up for my mother!"
Cressida quickly helped Donny up.
"Donny, please get up. I'm just investigating the case for Mabel. Michael is beyond saving. This is the fate he deserves."
Donny wiped his tears and glanced at the unconscious Mabel: "If Mabel knew, she would be comforted."
Ethan refused to get up and solemnly kowtowed to Cressida.
"Cressida, I'm willing to repay your kindness with my life!"
"You get up too. Work hard and improve yourself. If you carry this debt of gratitude with you, it will be too heavy. Remember, in this life, everyone lives for themselves."
After Cressida finished speaking, she saw a gleam pass through Ethan's eyes.
Ethan bowed deeply to her.
Rather than saying Cressida was his cousin, it would be more accurate to say she was his teacher all along.
Ethan had never met the legendary eldest brother Cameron. He only knew that Cameron had lived in the Temple since childhood and later joined the military at the fortress.
No matter how well others spoke of Cameron, Ethan felt that if there really was such a perfect, invincible general in the world, it should be someone like Cressida.
She was strong, resilient, calm, and composed. With her, it seemed like every problem had a solution.
Ethan made up his mind.
He wanted to become someone like Cressida too.
Two days passed.
During this time, Clio tried several times to leave her courtyard but couldn't.
Even Rose's movements were restricted.
That day, Cressida was planning to go to the prison in the evening, but in the afternoon, an unexpectedly distinguished visitor came to the Hamilton Mansion, also regarding Michael's matter.