Chapter 168 The Feeling of Being Abandoned by Family
Rumors had already been circulating within the empire that Candy had been captured and violated by enemy forces. But ultimately, this had nothing to do with the Titan family - they were only mentioned in passing, with people commenting on how they had given up Anne, such a beautiful and outstanding duke's daughter, for Candy's sake.
Now Candy had become a complete laughingstock throughout the entire Soth Empire. Not only had the King himself ordered her military achievements erased, but she'd also implicated her family, causing them to lose their hereditary title.
Most ridiculous of all, the King hadn't even mentioned the reason for punishing Candy. To outsiders, this meant either the issue was too serious to make public, or the King couldn't be bothered to mention this person.
Because of Candy's capture, most people preferred to believe the latter.
But with the old lady making such a scene, people who had originally been discussing what Candy had actually done now turned all their attention to the Titan family instead.
Everyone present that day had been ladies and young misses from various prominent families, and because the old lady had caused trouble at the marquis's estate gates, quite a few guards, servants, and stable hands had witnessed the spectacle.
After everyone left, the news swept through the entire Soth Empire like a gust of wind. Everyone was discussing the Titan family's greedy and selfish behavior, and how such a despicable family dared to covet a noble duke.
Especially since the old lady had falsely accused Anne, claiming Anne wouldn't let Dr. Pascal treat the Titan family members - only for him to happen to be nearby and expose her lies on the spot.
Who was Dr. Pascal? He was a famous doctor throughout the Soth Empire. When he himself said that the Titans didn't deserve his treatment, it meant that others who needed his help would also shun them. After all, everyone gets sick sometimes - why offend a renowned doctor for a useless family?
When this news reached the Titan estate, the servants huddled in corners quietly discussing the matter.
"Ever since Duke Virlet left, our monthly wages haven't been paid on time. They even withheld our pay before - turns out the Titan family has run out of money."
"No wonder so many people left before. Now apart from the family servants, there's only a few of us left."
"What was the old lady thinking, going to the marquis's gate to falsely accuse Duke Virlet? Not only did she fail to achieve her goal, but now everyone outside knows how terrible things are for the Titan family. Just hearing about it makes me want to quit."
"Exactly. I'm planning to resign too. Otherwise, they won't even be able to pay wages later, so why should I waste my time here?"
"So does this mean Duke Virlet really won't come back to the Titan family?"
"Well, that depends on whether certain people deserve it... Ah!"
The group was huddled together talking when suddenly a hand reached over from the side, grabbing the collar of the most animated servant and dragging him over. Holden's face was dark as he leaned in and demanded, "What are you saying? What did my mother do?"
The servant, not expecting Holden to overhear their secret conversation, stammered trembling with fear. "The old lady, the old lady... she heard that Duke Virlet would be attending a tea party hosted by a marquis's wife, so she took Miss Nina to the marquis's estate."
The others also shakily shared what they'd heard. Holden took a deep breath. He released the servant's collar and staggered toward the stables.
The servants watched as Holden walked into the stables, then shortly after came charging out on horseback. He didn't say anything about punishing them. The group exchanged glances, then finally gritted their teeth and decided to go directly to Mephist to resign while the difficult people weren't home.
Otherwise, if they waited for Holden to come back and punish them, it wouldn't be worth it.
Holden rode his horse aimlessly outward, running without any destination, just picking a random direction.
Holden couldn't understand - he'd already made it so clear to the old lady not to look for Anne, not to get involved with Anne anymore. Why wouldn't she listen?
Even knowing his mother's original intention in doing this might truly have been to save his father, Holden still found it hard to accept. Even now, his mother would use such methods to falsely accuse Anne to achieve her goals.
According to those people, his mother had even blamed Anne for their divorce, only to have Anne reveal the truth in front of everyone and bring up that assassination attempt.
Holden didn't want to go home or see anyone else. He was afraid those people would see him and crowd around to mock Holden's overreaching ambition, mock his regret.
Candy saw Holden run out and wanted to chase after him, but by the time she led a horse out of the stables, he had already disappeared.
She'd been anxious these past days. After Holden scolded her that day, even when he returned to their room, he always slept on the sofa. One night Candy tried to help Holden from the sofa back to bed, only to discover Holden was lying there with his eyes open, completely motionless.
Candy sat on the floor crying silently, and Holden didn't say a word to her until dawn.
Looking back, Candy's grievances were countless. She couldn't accept Holden's coldness and distance.
Remembering the old lady's claim that Candy had caused the Lance family to lose their hereditary title, she decided to go home and check.
She rode her horse, taking a route that avoided crowded towns as she headed toward the Lance family's location.
From a distance, Candy could see many people standing at what used to be her family's small estate. As she got closer, she realized they were all workers responsible for renovating houses, and the original house had become a pile of ruins.
Candy rushed forward in disbelief. She pushed through the crowd and rushed into the ruins to search, ignoring their shouts, then turned back with angry eyes. "Who told you to come destroy the Lance family's estate? Who!?"
She looked at the group before her with suspicion and uncertainty, countless thoughts flashing through her mind, finally settling on the name Anne. It must be that woman!
The leader spat. "What Lance family estate? This place was sold. The new owner told us to tear it down and turn it into a farm. Who are you, from the Lance family?"
The woman before them was completely wrapped in a cloak, her appearance hidden, but those eyes were filled with such venom, as if she saw them as enemies.
"You're not that woman Candy, are you?"
Candy felt the world spinning for a moment.
But when Candy heard the person in front of her say her name, she hesitated for a moment and shook her head. "No."