Chapter 137 Marshall Wants to Save Michael?
Cressida headed to the main hall with her maid and saw Marshall.
"Prince Marshall."
"Ms. Hamilton, I've heard about what happened to your family."
Seeing Cressida arrive, Marshall immediately put down his teacup, stood up, and walked toward her.
Cressida paused. Her cold face showed no panic, only a trace of helplessness.
"I'm really sorry that you found out about this scandal."
"How could that be? I will definitely help you."
These words were overly intimate, and Cressida felt a chill in her heart.
Marshall wore a silver-white formal robe. At this moment, his gentle, refined face showed deeply furrowed brows.
He seemed worried about the Hamilton family's situation.
He said in a low voice, "The matter of Michael pawning his official robe - the head of the Guard Office was about to report it to my father, but I helped you suppress this matter."
Cressida suddenly looked up at him.
Marshall's face showed warm, gentle concern with soothing intent.
"To be honest, this matter could be big or small. I trust you, I trust the Hamilton family, and I know Michael made an innocent mistake."
"Prince Marshall..."
"I know this is too sudden for you. Now Michael is locked in prison with only one charge. As for the matter of Michael's robe, as long as you say the word, I will definitely stand up for you."
After speaking, Marshall even reached out and gently patted her shoulder.
If others didn't know better, they'd think Marshall and Cressida were in love!
Marshall waited to see joy and excitement on Cressida's face.
However, she just looked at him quietly with those deep eyes.
A hint of mockery seemed to hang at the corner of her lips.
Before Marshall could examine it closely, all her expressions had vanished, replaced by a face of firm fearlessness.
"Prince Marshall, I think that may not be necessary."
"Why?" Marshall was puzzled. "Are you worried that my involvement will cause trouble? Cressida, from the first time I saw you, I felt a connection. Helping you is my willing choice - don't feel pressured."
Just then, Ethan's voice came from the doorway: "Cressida, I've already delivered the confession letter to the palace."
Looking toward the door, Ethan's upright figure appeared.
Seeing Marshall, Ethan quickly bowed to him: "I didn't know Prince Marshall had arrived. Please forgive my rudeness."
"No matter," Marshall raised his hand, keeping his face calm, "What did you just say about a confession letter?"
Ethan looked at Cressida.
Cressida's pale pink lips spoke softly to Marshall: "When the family first learned about Michael pawning his official robe, everyone was very angry and initially wanted to protect Michael."
"But Father felt that since the law clearly forbids this, how could we overstep? So he personally wrote a confession letter to confess to His Majesty. However, Father coughed up blood from the incident a few days ago and is unwell, so he could only entrust Ethan to deliver it to the palace."
Marshall suddenly looked at Ethan.
Right - Ethan from the Hamilton family serves in the King's Guard, making it more convenient to deliver messages.
So I came to the Hamilton Mansion just as Ethan was presenting the confession letter at the palace.
And I'm still suppressing news of this matter? If Doyle finds out, this won't look good for me.
Cressida noticed Marshall's expression change slightly before quickly returning to normal.
She explained, "Michael did wrong, and we accept the punishment. We're also grateful that Prince Marshall was willing to help, but we hope it won't implicate you."
Marshall was silent for a moment before saying, "I was too hasty and underestimated Patrick."
Cressida smiled, "You meant well."
With things as they were, Marshall prepared to leave, and Cressida had Ethan see him out.
Ethan was even more proper, escorting Marshall to his carriage and bowing respectfully: "Farewell, Prince Marshall."
Marshall lifted the curtain, his expression unreadable, but his tone remained gentle: "You serve at the palace. If you have any difficulties, you can seek my help."
Ethan lowered his head: "I only wish to fulfill my duties faithfully, not claim credit that isn't mine, and not avoid responsibility for mistakes. Thank you for your kindness, Prince Marshall."
Marshall smiled. The moment he dropped the curtain, his warm expression instantly turned cold as an abyss.
His trusted guard who accompanied him said, "Cressida reported this matter - how should we explain this to His Majesty?"
Marshall had used his influence to prevent the Guard Office from reporting Michael's robe incident, but Doyle already knew.
"It wasn't her. How could she have that kind of ability?" Marshall said.
The trusted guard felt indignant on his behalf: "You treated her so kindly, yet to avoid suspicion, she didn't even see you off personally. She's really too much."
Marshall said nothing, just kept analyzing.
Patrick actually wrote a confession letter? I didn't expect that.
From what I know, Michael is Patrick's only son.
"Go to Sophie's first," Marshall ordered.
However, before Marshall's carriage reached Sophie's palace, he heard the sound of galloping hooves approaching.
It was Marshall's secret guard. Through the curtain, the person said urgently, "Marshall, the bank..."
"Come inside to speak," Marshall's voice was cold and stern.
The next instant, the secret guard hurried in, kneeling to report: "The bank caught fire. Rolf was burned to death."
"How did the fire start?"
"Fireworks went off and exploded inside. By the time the fire was put out, the shop was charred."
Marshall's gentle, deep eyes suddenly widened, then slowly narrowed.
The trusted guard was shocked: "Who did it?"
The secret guard shook his head: "I was watching nearby. About a dozen people went in today, either pawning or borrowing money. Most likely there was a problem with the pawned goods, but Rolf is dead, so I can't trace the source."
Marshall coldly rebuked him: "Useless!"
The secret guard knelt and bowed, accepting the punishment.
Marshall told him to immediately handle the aftermath and not leave anything behind that could cause trouble.
After the secret guard left, the trusted guard said, "Prince Marshall, you bought this shop less than a month ago. Someone must be maliciously retaliating... Could it be Cressida?"
Marshall's eyes were deep and dark: "It's not her. How could she have that kind of ability? Anyone who dares to attack my shop must mean that what you've been doing has leaked."
Burning the shop was both a warning and a show of force.
Someone doesn't want me watching the Hamilton family?
Marshall went directly to the Princess Palace.
At that moment, Sophie and her husband Clifton Farley were admiring flowers. Seeing Marshall arrive, Clifton chatted with Marshall briefly.
Sophie gently said to Clifton, "Go to the study and look at the calligraphy I copied yesterday."
Clifton was nearly forty, with a sturdy build and handsome features, though fine lines had formed at the corners of his eyes.
Hearing Sophie say this, Clifton tactfully bowed to Marshall and left for the time being.
As soon as Clifton left, Marshall told Sophie about the Hamilton Mansion voluntarily submitting a confession letter.
Sophie, like Marshall, immediately darkened upon hearing this.
"I never thought Patrick, who seems so weak, would have such courage."
"Perhaps it was Cressida's idea. In any case, the Hamilton Mansion made a move that blocked our path."
"No matter," Sophie reassured Marshall. "By doing this, they're just sacrificing a pawn to save the king. Now that the news has completely spread, it's a race to see which faction moves faster. Whoever can be the first to save Michael will be the Hamilton family's benefactor."
With that, Sophie looked at Marshall seriously: "The consort selection is approaching. We must move quickly now. Save Michael, and once it's done, Cressida will have no choice but to become your concubine."
Marshall nodded: "I'll arrange it right away."
He had just taken two steps when Sophie called him back.
"For something like this, I'll personally supervise to ensure nothing goes wrong. Odette has always been swift in her methods - we can't let her get ahead of us."
At this moment.
Verity returned to the Hamilton Mansion.
"Ms. Hamilton, that bank has burned down completely. But will Prince Marshall suspect you?"