Chapter 164 Tea Party Turmoil
"Good and not good. Before, that woman Candy kept saying she was on your side, deliberately harming the Titan family's interests. Later she brought Dr. Pascal back, and for Dr. Pascal's sake, things got a lot better. But Dr. Pascal left a while ago, and when that old witch found out, she made a fuss demanding Trion go find Dr. Pascal and bring him back. She even wanted Trion to come ask you for help, threatening to make her and Mephist divorce otherwise."
"But that Mephist guy, even though he's usually pretty useless, at least knows how to protect his wife, so Trion is doing okay for now."
Anne sighed. She knew Trion would definitely be given a hard time by the old lady, but Trion was Mephist's wife after all, and there were some things she couldn't help with. Now she just hoped Mephist would continue to take good care of Trion and not let her keep being pushed around.
There was still a long time until the three-month deadline, so Anne wasn't in a hurry. She'd been too busy lately, not only meeting with people visiting the Virlet family, but Elisa had also accepted a tea party invitation for her.
Normally, tea parties were attended by noble ladies and wives, and Anne, as a duke, didn't need to go. But these occasions were full of women, and Anne's responses would quickly spread to other places, letting more people know. Anne didn't mind making the trip.
When word spread that Duke Virlet would attend, the marquise immediately announced it. Even noble wives and ladies who'd shown little interest suddenly appeared, all hoping to see the Duke in person.
Anne wore the dress Elisa had prepared for her to the tea party. Elisa simply accessorized with a pearl necklace and bracelet, and pinned a camellia to Anne's hat, making her look especially fresh and refined. Combined with Anne's beautiful face, she attracted everyone's attention the moment she stepped down from the carriage.
The marquise arranged Anne's seat in the center, since no one present had a higher status than her.
At women's gatherings, most of the time was spent discussing fashionable jewelry and clothing, the latest popular operas and plays. A group of people chatted and laughed, using fans to exchange subtle messages, gradually steering the conversation toward Anne.
Anne was well prepared, so she answered these ladies' questions smoothly, throwing out a few questions herself and making some small jokes. Everyone seemed very happy, at least on the surface.
Just then, a maid hurried in from outside and whispered something in the marquise's ear. Anne clearly felt the marquise's gaze fall on her. While she was still puzzled, she heard the marquise cover half her face with her fan and cough lightly, "Duke Virlet, it seems someone outside is looking for you."
"Looking for me?"
Anne looked over in confusion, and saw the marquise hesitate for a moment before speaking softly, "It's someone from the Titan family."
The marquise waved her hand, and the maid who had just entered explained to everyone present, "Just now a carriage stopped outside. We thought it was an invited guest arriving late, so we opened the door and asked them to show their invitation. But a lady got out of the carriage, cried out 'Anne' toward the estate, and then fainted crying."
Everyone looked at each other. The people present weren't fools - they naturally knew that today's main guest, Duke Virlet, was named Anne, and as for the Titan family, they also knew that was the family of Anne's former husband Holden.
The maid continued, "A young lady got out of the carriage and helped the lady up. She said Duke Virlet deliberately prevented Dr. Pascal from treating that young lady's father, who is now in critical condition. She and her mother had no choice but to come beg to see Duke Virlet."
Anne's expression didn't change. "That's all?"
The maid quickly said, "That's all I heard before I came in to report."
Anne gave the marquise, today's host, a cool but courteous nod. "I'm sorry, my private matters have affected you all. I'll make it up to you later. But right now I need to step out for a moment. I'll be back shortly."
The marquise smiled at Anne. "It's fine. It's just that everyone seems very curious. I wonder if Duke Virlet would mind if we all went to see together? If they really need help with treatment, everyone could lend a hand."
Anne didn't care. She knew the old lady probably heard that today's tea party had many noble ladies and wives, and with lots of people around it would be easier to throw dirt, which was why she specially rushed over. Since the old lady wasn't afraid of a crowd, why should she stop others?
Besides, everyone present was nobility. If the Titan family couldn't control the situation afterward and tried to make false accusations, there would be people who could testify.
She nodded. "Of course."
The group slowly walked toward the estate's main gate. The closer they got, the more they could hear crying at the entrance.
Anne raised an eyebrow. Didn't they say the old lady had fainted? How did she wake up so quickly?
The old lady was leaning in Nina's arms, crying heartbrokenly, "It's all my fault, my fault for not taking good care of Anne, letting Anne suffer at the Titan family, which made her petition His Majesty to order her divorce from Holden. But Drona and I never gave Anne a hard time, so why won't Anne let Dr. Pascal treat Drona? He's so badly hurt, other doctors said only Dr. Pascal can cure him!"
Anne looked at the old lady's weak appearance, but her voice didn't sound weak at all. "When did I ever forbid Pascal from treating you?"
Hearing Anne's voice, the old lady immediately lifted her head from Nina's arms. Nina's eyes widened too, but she didn't forget her mother's instructions, so she spoke up accusingly with tears, "Anne, you finally dare to come out!"
"Before, when mother was sick, you called Dr. Pascal to Titan Manor to treat her. A while ago you and second brother divorced over some small matter. You took everything from the Titan family, didn't leave anything behind, making it hard for us to even eat and dress properly - that's one thing. Dr. Pascal was living perfectly well at Titan Manor, then suddenly left. Wasn't it you who deliberately called him away?"
"If Dr. Pascal hadn't suddenly left, father might have already woken up... Father!"