~Chapter 144~
Harriet thought Lauren would quickly back down, but instead, she raised her voice as if she had gained support.
“I apologize for causing a disturbance at the Duke’s joyful party. But, you see, I had to face that woman sooner or later.”
It was a lie. Lauren had never come to the Pellon family to argue before. If she had, they wouldn’t have let her in anyway, so the result would have been the same.
But today, Lauren knew Roxana would be here, and she had clearly prepared to play the victim for everyone to see.
“I want to ask everyone: Is it right to adopt a non-blood relative to take the place of the rightful heir?”
Lauren, knowing she might be disliked by the Duke’s family, didn’t hold back in attacking Roxana and Trisha, accusing them of destroying the family.
“This is ruining a family! How upset the late Oster must be from the afterlife!”
Lauren pulled out her handkerchief and began wiping her eyes dramatically.
“Talking about family matters in a place like this is not very respectful, Mrs. Marshall.”
Jeremiah warned Lauren to calm down, but Lauren wasn’t alone. She had brought her friends and relatives from her husband’s side to back her up.
“Lauren’s situation is pitiful, my dear. She tried to meet them, but they refused, so she’s speaking out here.”
“Yes. How do we know how she’s treated in the Pellon household, when they locked their doors?”
“Her letter isn’t trustworthy. Who knows if it was written under duress or while drugged, or if someone else wrote it for her?”
“Lady Pellon, you should decide. Is it right to adopt someone when a legitimate relative is already there? A smart woman like you wouldn’t do such a thing.”
As her allies continued to defend her, whispers started among the crowd. Many of them had wondered about Roxana’s sudden adoption as the Pellon heir. “Didn’t they have a niece?” they probably thought.
Lauren wiped her tears and then raised her voice again.
“Roxana Balvenas was born to a drug-addicted father and an unknown woman! Her mother ran away, and her father died in an accident. She’s literally nothing more than a beggar from the slums, but my brother, Oster, pitied her and took her in!”
Then she glared at Roxana with eyes full of hatred.
“She has no gratitude for his kindness and now seduces a weak old man into this ridiculous adoption process! How could this be allowed?”
Lauren revealed Roxana’s background, but when Roxana didn’t defend herself, the mood in the room shifted.
“Is it true she’s from the slums?”
“Goodness, if that’s true, then Lady Pellon must have made a mistake.”
Hearing these whispers, Lauren boldly pointed at Roxana and said, “If you have any shame, cancel your adoption and go back to your rightful place! Otherwise, I will formally raise this issue with His Majesty the Emperor!”
Her threat to appeal to the Emperor silenced the room. People thought Lauren might have a chance to win, especially since no one wanted to be associated with a commoner.
But just then, a clear voice rang out.
“You’re terribly mistaken.”
Lauren’s eyes turned to see Harriet, smiling playfully beside Roxana.
“Harriet Listerwell! How dare you interfere in this matter!”
“No, I’m here to protect my aunt Roxana. And just so you know, the one who gave the order was Grandmother Trisha.”
Harriet slowly stepped forward.
Roxana lightly grabbed her sleeve, but Harriet smiled and gently brushed her hand away.
“Listening to you, I realize you’re misunderstanding things, and I’m here to correct that.”
“You? What do you know about the Pellon family?”
“When Aunt Trisha adopted Roxana, she submitted all the necessary documents to the nobility. There’s the medical report showing Lucero Pellon could never have children after thirty, and a notarized document stating that Lauren could be registered in the Pellon family but would not inherit the title…”
“Shut up!”
Lauren’s face turned pale as she shouted at Harriet.
Harriet could tell that Lauren already knew this truth.
“It seems like you already knew, but you still wanted to take the Pellon heirship?”
“Don’t lie! If you keep slandering me, I’ll make sure you face the consequences too. I’ll sue you!”
“Go ahead.”
Harriet nodded calmly.
“Either way, a lawsuit against the Marshall family is coming soon. Trisha and Roxana are calm, but they’re actually very angry. I think you know exactly why they’re angry.”
Harriet stepped closer to Lauren, her anger simmering just beneath the surface, remembering the day Trisha almost didn’t wake up.
Lauren, sensing the intensity, stepped back. Harriet, however, stepped right up to her, leaning close and whispering in her ear.
“Even if you have a claim to the inheritance, anyone who tries to kill the head of the family will lose that right. You know that, don’t you?”
Lauren’s eyes widened, and she quickly looked around, as if checking to see if anyone had overheard.
She pushed Harriet away, humiliated that she had been frightened by her.
“You filthy liar!”
“No, the liar is you. Should I expose everything here and now?”
“Ridiculous! I won’t let this go. Just you wait!”
That was the last of Lauren’s outbursts.
She mumbled an apology to Jeremiah and quickly fled the party, dragging her companions with her.
It was like a sudden gust of wind in the summer—startling, but disappearing just as quickly.
“Is that all she came here for? She made so much noise without a plan.”
Harriet chuckled, clicking her tongue in amusement. She had expected more, but it was over so quickly it almost felt anticlimactic.
Jeremiah, though embarrassed and annoyed, didn’t show his anger.
“Is this the new trend at parties? I haven’t hosted one in a long time, so maybe I missed something.”
Her comment made the guests laugh lightly.
However, some of them were still muttering, judging Lauren for her actions.
“I heard she was after the Pellon family inheritance. But from what I hear, she might be adopted herself…”
“I don’t understand. Why did the Pellon family accept her if that’s the case?”
The rumors and gossip spread quickly.
Since Lauren had revealed her secrets, Roxana remained silent, but once Harriet returned to her side, she quietly scolded her.
“I don’t think that’s what Aunt Trisha intended when she asked for your help.”
But Harriet didn’t regret it.
“Aunt, what I’ve learned being called a ‘scandal maker’ is that there are attacks you can ignore, and attacks you can’t.”
“What do you mean…?”
“People will believe whatever they hear, especially when you stay silent about lies like these. Of course, sometimes it’s too embarrassing to speak up. That’s when you need a ‘friend’ like me.”
Harriet had been labeled a liar, a gloomy child, the one who envied Bella, and a disgrace all her life. But now, she wasn’t hesitant to stand up for Roxana.
Roxana, a little concerned by Harriet’s aggressive approach, sighed.
“When did ‘friend’ start meaning ‘fighter’? And besides, a noble lady should keep her dignity.”
“If I can’t fight for the people I care about, then I’m not a noble or a friend. Call me a ‘fighter’ if you like. I’m not afraid.”
Roxana couldn’t help but smile at her niece’s confidence.
“Thank you, Lady Harriet.”
“Just call me Harriet. We’re family now, no need for formalities.”
Harriet grinned. Roxana, feeling both supported and grateful, smiled warmly. Having a niece like Harriet made her feel like she wasn’t alone anymore.
***
Benedict’s Unexpected Visit
Just before Lauren caused a scene, Cedric had to greet an unexpected visitor.
“Cedric! How have you been?”
“Welcome, Uncle.”
It was Benedict, who hadn’t been around for a while.
“Where’s Albert?”
“He’s been busy lately and couldn’t come. I hope you understand.”
“Of course. I know he’s busy.”
Benedict laughed, but Cedric, recalling Albert’s recent activities with the Cloud members, didn’t return the smile.
Still, Benedict didn’t notice and lowered his voice.
“I have something urgent to discuss… Can we move somewhere private?”
“Is it something that shouldn’t be overheard?”
“Yes. It’s important.”
Cedric was curious about what Benedict had to say, so he agreed to move along.
