Chapter 94 Complete Breakdown of Relations
Cressida spoke calmly, cutting in before Clio could: "Master Conrad came and mentioned that the year I was born, Cameron was in poor health and was taken away by Master Merlin to recuperate at the Temple." Patrick was startled.
"Isn't that the explanation..." Patrick lowered his voice, looking at Clio, "the two of us gave to outsiders back then?"
Clio nodded, looking at Cressida with reproach in her eyes.
"When did our family ever know Master Merlin? If you lie like this, be careful you'll be found out one day."
Cressida: "Mother worries too much. Haven't you considered that I might actually know Master Merlin?"
This statement left Clio stunned.
Ronan died five years ago at the Temple in Emerald City. Cressida had been at the military fortress the whole time—how could she have had the chance to meet him?
"Where did you meet him?"
"Some things aren't convenient to explain clearly to Mother. In any case, the jade pendant Master Merlin gave me is proof, and even Queen Odette has acknowledged it."
After Cressida finished speaking, Patrick let out a long breath of relief: "Thank goodness it didn't raise suspicion."
"Father, you and Mother didn't plan carefully enough back then, which left such a loophole. But I've already made proper arrangements, so there's no need to worry about this anymore."
With that, Cressida looked at Clio: "As long as Father and Mother don't talk about this outside, who could use my identity at birth to harm the Hamilton family?"
Patrick immediately said: "Of course. Would I dig my own grave?"
Seeing Cressida staring at Clio, Patrick's brow twitched.
He immediately looked over: "Clio, have you been talking about this outside?"
Clio quickly denied it: "Of course not."
"That's best. Don't let me hear even a whisper that came from our own family, or I won't be polite!" Patrick slammed his palm on the table, his tone stern.
Then he looked at Cressida with a complex gaze, his tone full of emotion.
"Cressida, if only you weren't a girl. If you were a boy, I wouldn't have to live in constant fear."
Cressida's eyes were calm, deep as an abyss.
"Father, Michael is a son, but so what? Today at the boat race, he made quite a fool of himself."
"What?" Patrick immediately looked up. "What happened?"
At the time, Cressida had suddenly sent someone to find him, saying they were getting ready to leave, which had puzzled him.
But he'd been busy mingling with various high-status people and had no time to ask in detail.
Now hearing Cressida say this, he broke out in a cold sweat.
Cressida: "Mother took Michael to watch the race, but wouldn't let Michael on the boat. He couldn't stay put in the carriage and ran out. The maids didn't watch him properly, and he fell into the river. Luckily he grabbed a boat rope, or he would have drowned."
"When he was found, he was brought onto the boat soaking wet, foolishly grabbing for food. Princess Sophie and the others all saw it."
Clio's face darkened: "Cressida, Michael is your own brother. How can you talk about him like that?"
Patrick was furious and slammed the table, making the teacups rattle.
"Foolish woman! Who told you to take Michael out on your own? Now everyone in Emerald City knows my only son is an idiot. Are you satisfied?"
Clio's face turned pale, but she still tried to defend herself: "Michael is my son. What's wrong with me taking him out to see the world? He was just playing around for a moment. How would others..."
"Playing around?" Patrick coldly interrupted. "Princess Sophie and all the nobles present saw Michael in that pathetic state. Do you think everyone's blind? You've completely destroyed the Hamilton family's honor today!"
At this point, he couldn't help adding: "You're getting more and more stupid. You're nothing like a proper lady of the house."
Clio trembled all over from his scolding, her eyes red as she shrieked: "All you care about is honor! Where were you when Michael fell in the water? Now you blame me!"
Patrick's eyes darkened, too lazy to argue with her further.
He waved his hand directly: "From today on, you don't need to handle Michael's affairs anymore."
"I'll hand over his meals and daily care to Donny, and ask him and Mabel to help look after him. You go back to your courtyard and rest properly. Don't get involved in things!"
Clio was thunderstruck and rushed forward to grab Patrick's sleeve: "What right do you have to stop me from caring for him? I'm Michael's mother!"
Patrick shook her off and shouted at the servants: "What are you standing there for? Take Clio back!"
The maids came forward trembling to help her, but Clio struggled like a madwoman, her nails scratching red marks on Nanny's hands.
"Michael was harmed into this state by Cressida! Donny and the others are on Cressida's side! Patrick, not only can't you see the situation clearly, you're going to hand Michael over to them to care for. You'll get him killed, killed!"
Her voice gradually faded into the distance. Patrick's face was so dark it could drip water.
"She's truly gone mad." He brushed off his clothes, very irritated.
Cressida spoke calmly: "Father, don't be upset. Go check on Echo."
Thinking of the pregnant Echo, Patrick's expression improved: "You should rest early too."
Watching his hurried departing figure, Cressida's cold face was covered with a layer of mockery.
Clio cried until she couldn't breathe halfway back and was helped inside by Nanny and the others.
Clio had wanted to use this opportunity to make Patrick wary of Cressida and thus restrict her movements.
Unexpectedly, she was cleverly countered by Cressida instead. Clio was absolutely furious!
"Michael is my son. How can I let Donny and the others care for him? Mabel will help Cressida kill Michael together. If Michael isn't by my side, how can I treat his illness? He'll truly become an idiot. Cressida deserves to die..." Clio mumbled incoherently, even showing signs of madness.
Nanny was frightened, enduring Clio's scratching and clawing while secretly alarmed, truly afraid Clio would go mad like this.
But Nanny still had to say: "Mrs. Clio Hamilton, please calm down. When Ms. Rose Hamilton returns, it won't be too late to discuss this."
Cressida returned to her room.
Verity came forward: "Ms. Hamilton, an hour ago, Rose left the estate."
"Where did she go?" Cressida untied her light shawl, and as she passed the candlelight, the flame flickered.
"Prince Yosef's palace," Verity said.
Cressida picked up scissors and trimmed the wick.
"Verity, go with me to tell Prince Miguel that Prince Yosef has set his sights on the Hamilton family, and Rose is already in the same boat as Prince Yosef."
"Yes."
Verity left under cover of night.
Cressida's eyes lowered slightly as she gently pulled open her collar, revealing her defined neck and shoulders.
In the mirror, by the warm yellow candlelight, the scar on her shoulder blade extended all the way to her shoulder blades on her back.
Miguel must have seen it today. When Verity goes, he'll definitely ask about it.
Cressida pulled her collar closed.
The bait was cast. Cressida wanted to see if she could end up in the same boat as Miguel.
In the secret chamber inside Yosef's palace.
Rose knelt on the ground, crying and trembling.
"I had no idea it would be such a coincidence. Princess Sophie suddenly wanted to execute all the rowers on the yellow boat. Prince Yosef, it must be that Cressida has already conspired with Princess Sophie's side!"
Yosef had his back to Rose, stroking a sharp blade.
He said nothing, which made Rose even more afraid, her voice trembling.
"Prince Yosef, my loyalty to you is witnessed by heaven and earth. I hate Cressida to death. I can definitely help Prince Yosef...!"
Suddenly!
The dagger in Yosef's hand flew toward her.
Rose's eyes widened in shock, her voice cutting off abruptly.
Blood stained her fingertips pressed against the ground.