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She said that her life was coming an end and complained that Jessica, the primary wife, was ruthless and cruel. Now, she had even harmed Flora’s unborn child and a concubine. When Emma died, wouldn’t Jessica become even more vicious?
She wept bitterly, begging Margaret to let her children be sent away to the countryside to avoid Jessica mistreating them. She wanted them to grow up there, marry there, and never return to Ironridge Estate.
Margaret couldn’t bear to part with her grandchildren, but at that moment, news broke about Jessica being involved in usury. In a fit of anger, she finally decided to cast her daughter-in-law out, citing her lack of children as the reason.
However, Emma and Serena never imagined that, cornered and with nowhere else to go, Jessica would seek refuge at Skye Embroidery. At first, the workshop refused to take her in, even having a scandal over it. That made Emma breathe a sigh of relief.
But that relief was short-lived. She soon learned that Hannah eventually decided to let Jessica stay at the workshop. That forced her to resort to any means necessary to ruin the workshop’s reputation and get Jessica kicked out. Unfortunately, Emma passed away before her plan could succeed.
Sophie and Violet escorted Giles to Ironridge Estate.
Following Emma’s passing, Margaret’s health deteriorated further. She remained bedridden after the funeral, unable to rise.
When Sophie arrived, Margaret had just taken her medicine and was lying propped up in bed. Serena stood by, tending to her. Though Serena didn’t look up at Sophie, a storm of emotions stirred inside her.
It was because when Sophie arrived, she had announced she come to deal with Jessica’s issue and had brought Giles along.
Serena harbored a deep hatred for Sophie. She could never forgive Sophie for what had happened. No matter how much she hated Sophie, however, Serena couldn’t help but fear Sophie. With Sophie’s current position and power, taking down a lowly concubine from Ironridge Estate would be as easy as breathing.
Margaret had rejected Sophie’s invitation once before, but now, Sophie had shown up after the funeral had just concluded. Margaret knew this was because Jessica’s situation had dragged down Skye Embroidery, and the issue had to be resolved sooner or later. As Sophie entered, Margaret took the handkerchief Serena handed her and wiped the medicine from the corner of her mouth.
“You’ve come because of Jessica, haven’t you? I’m so sorry to trouble you. You can just drive Jessica out. I’ll send someone to take care of her at the estate,” she said weakly.
Margaret had lost a lot of weight. Her eye sockets were sunken, and her skin was pale with faint yellowish patches. The darkened circles on her only emphasized her worn-out appearance, and she seemed devoid of any energy. Her once serene and dignified presence was completely gone.
“Are you feeling any better?” Sophie asked gently.
Margaret forced a weak, strained smile in response. “Better… Yes, much better. You’re very thoughtful, Your Grace.”
Serena, standing to the side, squeezed her handkerchief and said, “The physician said Madam Margaret must not be agitated, or her condition will worsen. You’re here to visit, so please finish and take your leave.”
Sophie didn’t look at Serena. Instead, she turned to Giles and asked, “Do you want to explain things to Madam Margaret yourself, or would you prefer that I speak for you?”
Giles dropped to his knees and sobbed out Margaret’s name.
Suddenly, Serena raised her eyes, her gaze sharp and cold. “Giles, think carefully about what should and shouldn’t be said. Don’t let someone provoke you into spitting out lies that would tarnish the good deeds of the late Lady Emma toward your family.” Margaret’s eyes widened. “What’s going on?”
She shot a cold, piercing glance at Serena-so sharp that it sent a chill down Serena’s spine.
“I…” Serena quickly stammered, “I was just worried Giles might be persuaded by Sophie to do something he shouldn’t.”
“Either way, it’s not your place to speak,” Margaret rebuked her coldly.
Serena gritted her teeth, anger rising within. This old woman was so ungrateful! After all the days Serena had spent tending to Margaret, she couldn’t even earn a little sympathy.
Margaret had never once doubted Emma-never. So when Giles finished recounting Emma’s scheme, she was left speechless and lost in disbelief. She struggled to come to terms with it, her mind racing.
After a long pause, she finally whispered, “Why?”
As soon as the question left her lips, she understood. She sighed deeply, her face contorting with grief as she stared blankly ahead, her eyes filled with sorrow.
Serena dropped to her knees, her voice full of misery. “Madam Margaret, I was coerced by Lady Emma! Please, have mercy and see the truth!”
Margaret didn’t even glance at
Serena but instead turned her gaze back to Sophie, trying to maintain her composure. “Your Grace, I will ensure that the workshop receives a proper explanation. I will put an end to the rumors circulating outside. Please, rest assured.”
Sophie nodded slightly. “Please take care of yourself, Madam Margaret. Nothing is more important than your health. Farewell.”
Margaret’s eyes reddened slightly. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
As Sophie and Violet turned to leave the courtyard, they suddenly heard Serena’s frantic cries echo behind them.
“Madam Margaret, please have mercy! It was all Lady Emma’s doing-I didn’t dare defy her! Please don’t cast me out!”
Then, footsteps hurriedly followed from behind. Serena was there, her voice dripping with venom and fury. “Sophie, did my family dig up your family’s grave? Why else would you be so bent on ruining us?”
Sophie didn’t look back, her voice calm and dismissive. “Where’s that stray dog coming from, barking so loudly?”
Violet snorted with laughter. “She really is a stray dog, isn’t she? When her mom died, she didn’t even go back. That’s cutting ties with your family, isn’t it? Doesn’t get any more ‘stray’ than that.” en
Serena was seething with rage. “Sophie Devin!”
Neither of them paid Serena any further attention, striding away without a second glance.
The Marquis of Ironridge’s family spent the entire night getting to the bottom of things.
Once everything was clear, Margaret summoned Leopold. She laid out her plans.
“Divorce Serena, bring Jessica back, and invite those storytellers to come and tell the truth. We need them to clear things up.” Leopold was already filled with disdain for Jessica. He didn’t want her back, and strongly disagreed with Margaret’s approach.
“I don’t agree, Mom. We should just leave things as they are. People have already been gossiping about me because of what happened to Jessica. After all this time, I finally got some peace when I divorced her. All the gossip outside doesn’t concern us-it’s all about Jessica.
“If we clear things up now, it will only tarnish our reputation and Emma’s as well. She’s your niece, and she’s also the mother of your two grandchildren. You’re being too harsh. Either way, I won’t take Jessica back-if she’s divorced, she’ll stay divorced.” Margaret looked at him, her chest tightening with frustration and sorrow. Leopold had a head and eyes, but he was as good as a mannequin. He neither thought nor looked around him.
In families with noble titles and a long history like theirs, the one thing they feared was a lazy and mediocre heir-a disgrace worse than a wastrel.
Margaret’s head spun, but she forced herself to push through.
“Lady Sophie has already investigated everything thoroughly. If I don’t speak up, do you think she won’t? She came here because she still respects me and wants us to handle it ourselves. If this gets out because of her, we won’t have anything left to hide behind. Fine, it’s your decision now. Ironridge Estate is yours to manage. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
Margaret took a slight breath, her breathing becoming a bit labored.
Leopold thought for a moment and asked, “Since Lady Sophie is willing to give you some respect, could we ask her to suppress the matter? That workshop is just for show and a way to gain attention, anyway. Wouldn’t it be smarter to use that workshop to get a favor from us and keep the matter under wraps?”
Margaret’s eyes widened as she stared at him for a long time, confirming he was serious before letting out a heavy sigh. “Fine. Go speak with her, but you’ll have to explain it to her yourself.”
“I’m not familiar with her. You should talk to her instead,” Leopold said, hoping to pass the responsibility.
He was already annoyed with the whole situation-whether it was Jessica, Serena, or Flora who had miscarried he was frustrated with them all. If Barbara hadn’t provoked Jessica, none of this would have happened and Flora’s unborn child would still be fine. Margaret’s heart sank. “I’m sick. I can’t deal with this anymore. You’ll have to decide for yourself.”
With that, she waved him away.