Holder Manor Secret

Edward was silent. The baron's request was ridiculous, but since Almina was willing to speak to him, she must have been shaken.

Almina obviously cared more about Anna than George, who was only a few months old.And Evelyn is a smart woman. In order to enjoy a rich life, even if she doesn't care much for little George, she will definitely not make things difficult for the sole heir.

Edward suddenly realized that Baron Holder had arranged everyone properly.

Almina sighed slowly.

"I don't like that woman, anyway. But it's my father's last wish, and I'm both angry and sad."

"I'm afraid, Uncle Edward."

Almina lowered her head, her gaze fell on the back of her folded hands.

"What are you afraid of?" Edward asked softly.

"I'm afraid that if I go against my father's will, he will arrange a marriage for Anna at will, and leave George in the care of outsiders."

"The baron won't do that," Edward reassured.

"No," Almina raised her head and looked at him firmly, "he will, Uncle Edward, he will."

Baron Holder is no longer trusted in Almina's heart, he is still her father, and she still cares about him, but the rift already exists and keeps expanding.

Edward couldn't give Almina any advice. The relationship between father and daughter, and the responsibility of the eldest sister, these should complement each other, but now they conflict with each other, forcing Almina to decide which one is more important and which one needs to be preserved more.

"If only you would be George's guardian."

Almina said leisurely.Her gaze fell on the distant window, and it seemed to fall on a farther place.

At that moment, her demeanor, her tone of voice, her slender neck.

Just like when Mary was alive.

Edward trembled inexplicably. He considered his words, "No matter what, I will visit George often."

"You have my promise."

Edward hurriedly left Holder Manor without staying too long.However, his carriage was stopped on the road, "May I ask what happened?" Edward looked at Hughes on the horse and asked in surprise.

"Please forgive my impoliteness," Hughes said with a smile as his hair was disheveled by the wind. "Excuse me, are you going to see Mr. Thomas? Can you take me with you?"

Hughes' words made Edward a little puzzled, "No, I'm not going to Thomas Manor. If you have something important..." Edward saw the embarrassment on Hughes' face, and stopped talking in good time.

The conversation between Hughes and Mary came back to Edward's mind.

Hughes took the rein and led the horse in his crotch to pace uneasily.He hesitated to speak, hesitating several times.Edward watched him, then suddenly opened the door and got out of the carriage.

"I suddenly feel uncomfortable in my chest, can you please walk with me?"

Edward kindly invites in.

Hughes got off the horse in a hurry.

"My pleasure, sir."

Edward ordered his servants to drive the carriage slowly on the road.And he and Hughes went to the forest path.

The weather was fine, and the birds chirped from time to time.The two gentlemen walked on the path in silence for a while, and the younger one thought for a while, and then brought up the topic, "Mr. Brooke, do you think the baron is still recovering?"

"...It depends on God's will, but I believe that Lord Baron will be fine."

They chatted a few innocuous words, and Hughes didn't know how much Almina had revealed to Edward, nor how much Edward knew about the agreement between them, so he could only insinuate.

The sudden illness of the baron disrupted all Hughes' plans.If the mineral property belonged to someone else, then Vincent didn't need to take special care of him, and he didn't know if the promised benefits would be fulfilled.These days, while comforting Almina, Hughes took the time to visit the Duke's castle several times, but he was always turned away.

This made Xio feel anxious. Today, he returned without success again, but when he returned to the manor, he heard that Edward had just left. He immediately chased him out, hoping that the person next to Little Thomas' pillow could help him.

"Have you seen Mr. Thomas recently?" Hughes raised the corner of his mouth and suggested briskly, "Why don't we visit him together?"

Edward stopped. "You don't have to," he said, "I know all about it."

Hughes was taken aback, "You know everything?"

"of course."

Hughes took two steps back and breathed a sigh of relief.

Edward watched his movements, and said, "But he doesn't want to see you."

"What?" Hughes became excited. He raised his voice and walked quickly in front of Edward. "Why is this happening? Is it because of the baron's illness? But even if the baron dies, it will not affect the use of minerals."

Edward was startled, but his expression was very calm.He frowned, showing a look of embarrassment,

Hughes looked at him and asked suspiciously, "Could it be that the baron's illness is the work of an adult?"

Edward looked at Hughes in shock, but Hughes thought he was right. "Your Excellency really wants to take back this piece of land! Are you afraid that I will also want to share a piece of it? How is it possible... Everything I have is bestowed by Your Excellency, and I will always be his loyal servant. Mr. Brook, please let Your Excellency Know my loyalty! I only want the reward he promised me, and nothing else!"

Hughes' words shocked Edward, "Do you know what you are talking about? How dare you slander a nobleman!"

"No, Mr. Brook, do you still want to hide it from me?" Hughes looked at Edward in surprise, and then suddenly realized, "Oh, please don't worry, I won't say anything."

Edward clenched his hands tightly, his violent mood swings made it difficult for him to maintain his calm, "I'm leaving." He lowered his head, concealing his uneasiness, and walked quickly towards the carriage.

"Please wait, Mr. Brook, please convey my loyalty to the Lord." Hughes said anxiously, grabbing Edward's arm regardless of etiquette.Edward nodded firmly, "Of course, sir."

Hughes let go of Edward's arm, and watched the elderly gentleman leave the woods in a hurry, doubts and uneasiness surfaced in his heart.

He never underestimated the influence a lover could have, and he hoped that for Almina's sake, Edward could speak a few words of kindness for him and calm the adults down.

This winter seems to be unusually long, and the cold weather freezes everything.Christmas is getting closer, but Baron Holder probably won't make it through that time.

Hopefully, by Christmas time, if they can, they'll be back in Paris.

"Why don't you go to church." Hughes said to himself, "I hope everything goes well."

Edward stumbled back to the carriage, and the servant hurried forward to support him, "Master, are you okay?"

Edward nodded indiscriminately, and got into the carriage with the help of the servant, "Go back." As soon as he finished speaking, he changed his mind again, "No, not going to Brook Manor."

"Go to Thomas Manor, I'm going to visit the Duke."

"Yes Master."

The carriage kept shaking, and Edward leaned against the carriage, closing his eyes tiredly.Although he had doubts about many things, Hughes' words still made it hard for him to accept.He wanted to escape back to his manor, but he had to go to Thomas's castle and ask Vincent face to face.

He may be alone, but he has responsibilities to others.

The truth is getting closer. If Vincent really committed an unforgivable crime against Mary and Baron Holder, how should he face the Holder family and Vincent?

Conspiracy, death, and love, heaviness and frivolity, filth and purity, just like this silent falling snow, wrapped in rotten branches and dirty silt.

Fear made Edward tremble uncontrollably. He curled up on the seat, tears filled his eyes, but he didn't know who to turn to for help.

The eye of God does not rest on him.

Edward came to the Duke's castle full of ups and downs and uneasiness. The manservant opened the car door, but it was not Vincent who greeted him.

"I'm sorry, the young master is unwell and cannot see you, please go back."

The steward apologized politely to Edward.

"How could this be?" Edward frowned worriedly, "Can I have a look at him? Just a glance, just outside his bedroom door."

"I'm sorry, sir."

Edward became more and more suspicious and uneasy, but the steward's attitude was firm and he refused to even let him enter the castle.Edward had no choice but to order someone to drive away. The carriage hurriedly turned the corner, and when it turned to the back of the castle, a maid suddenly rushed forward and stopped the carriage.

"Who are you, how dare you stop Mr. Brook's car?" the male servant driving the car snapped.

"Sir, it's me, I'm Lacey!"

The woman got past the valet and came to the car door, "Please open the car door, sir." She begged.

Edward poked his head out and found that it was the maid who had taken care of him.Her brown hair and black skirt were covered with snowflakes, as if she had rolled in the snow.

He quickly opened the car door, "Lacey, what's the matter?"

"Sir, please come with me." Lacey lowered her tone.

"Master wants to see you."