"The Widow" Bertha

The next morning, the study room.

It was really late yesterday, and Colonel Dent only gave a hasty overview of the situation.The specific matters were not fully explained until the next morning.

After listening to Colonel Dent's speech, Rochester's face couldn't be more ugly.

Contacts in the upper class are always based on interests and appearances, and Edward Rochester has always disdained and hoped to have no real friendship or love with them.But what he never expected was that no matter how much he took precautions, he failed to guard against the few "friends" he had regular contact with. Not only did he find out about him, but he even calculated his reputation and even his wife.

——Even if he reached a verbal agreement with Bertha Mason and prepared to make a legal separation in an extreme way, it didn't mean that others insulted him, and Rochester could still remain indifferent.

"Since you dare to tell me the truth," Rochester said while holding back his anger, "then give me a reason not to throw white gloves in your faces."

Whoops, this is really pissed off.

Despite the prevalence of dueling culture in the West, dueling was already illegal in the Victorian era.Saying this proves that Mr. Rochester, who has a fiery temper, is really using all his rationality to restrain himself from punching people.

As for Bertha...

She gave Rochester a wink and signaled him to bear with it, then put on a tone of a neutral observer: "Even if you have done your best, gentlemen and ladies, this matter has really crossed the line."

In fact, Bertha is not angry anymore. Her plan was to burn down the manor, and then feign death to escape.It's just that Miss Ingram was poisoned and died in the middle, and the good plan was put on hold for the time being.

Now they turned around and turned back: Colonel Dent and the others wanted to blame Bertha for the murder, and wanted to destroy all evidence. The best way was to burn Thornfield Manor into ashes.

Calculating her account, let's put the blame on the Truth Society, and she has written down this hatred.

but!When it's time to gather the wool, you still have to gather the wool. Since the showdown is negotiating, don't blame Bertha for slaughtering people on the spot.

"You want Edward to reveal the secret that you have hidden for ten years," Bertha said pretending to be indifferent, "Have you ever thought about how much Edward will lose?"

"It's natural."

Colonel Dent sighed: "All the losses suffered by the Rochester family will be borne by us."

Bertha: "How much?"

Colonel Dent: "As much as possible."

Bertha: "Even if you pay a very high price, is it enough for many ordinary families to go bankrupt?"

Colonel Dent: "Now there are four of us, Miss Marple, that's four families, as long as we can afford it together—so if you have any plans, just say so."

Bertha: "Then..."

The latter words were stared back by Rochester: It's almost done!

Although Rochester was furious, but hearing Bertha's more and more brisk tone, he knew that something was wrong - if she asked her to talk like a lion and demanded a lot of money, the four families might not be able to compensate.

Although the woman's sanity has recovered, judging from her thoughts and actions these days, her madness is not much better.And often a "lunatic" with clear logic is much more terrifying than a real lunatic.

So Rochester cleared his throat, forcibly calmed down, and said coldly: "There are no crazy women here."

Mr. Ashton: "What did you say, it's obvious—"

Rochester interrupted Mr. Ashton's words in disgust: "If you follow your plan, you have to completely destroy the evidence, burn the entire manor, and create the illusion that she is 'dead'. I need a female corpse, and Thornfield Manor The cost of rebuilding will be borne by you."

As soon as these words came out, Colonel Dent immediately understood: Rochester wanted to use this to get rid of his crazy wife.

It didn't matter to them where exactly the madwoman in the attic was, if she really existed.All they needed was a dead body, and Rochester's willingness to disclose the old secret: it was his mad wife who killed Miss Ingram.

"no problem."

Colonel Dent readily agreed to Rochester's request: "I will be responsible for all of this."

Miss Mary Ingram, who was sitting on the side and remained silent, interrupted suddenly: "I know you are discussing with my brother about a joint venture to set up a factory in the north. Sir, I can promise you a concession on the contract on behalf of him."

There is such a good thing!

Bertha regained her spirits immediately, the richer Rochester was, the sooner she could get her dowry of £[-].When will we wait if we don't pluck the wool at this time?

So Bertha spoke again: "What about Edward's lost reputation? Reputation is priceless."

Colonel Dent: "..."

The colonel thought to himself that it was not the wife they forced Rochester to marry, and strictly speaking, the loss of reputation was not their responsibility.But now they are asking for help, so the colonel rubbed his forehead helplessly: "I remember that the Lynn family and the Rochester family have been doing business?"

Henry Lynn nodded: "Yes."

Colonel Dent: "What industry?"

Henry Lynn: "It can be regarded as a bank investment. We can reduce Mr. Rochester's interest for a few years."

At this point, Mr. Ashton had no choice but to set an example: "As for policy issues, there are documents and so on, I can entrust my relationship to handle them."

Colonel Dent: "Do you think this compensation is enough, Edward?"

Bertha: "I think—"

Rochester: "That's enough. I'm not a greedy person." The second half of the sentence was clearly addressed to Bertha who still wanted to take advantage.

Fine.

It is enough to get so many benefits, and Bertha is satisfied.

But at the same time, she also had a question mark in her heart—if Miss Ingram belonged to any Truth Society, then the four murderers in front of her were obviously from the same group.

The one who had the final say between them was Colonel Dent.

"In that case," Colonel Dent secretly heaved a sigh of relief, turning his head to look at Bertha, "does Miss Marple think this is all right?"

"I have another question."

"you please."

"Who are you working for?"

She tilted her head and asked bluntly.

And Colonel Dent just returned Bertha with an indifferent smile, neither denying that there was someone above him, nor giving a positive answer.

On the contrary, when Mr. Ashton saw that the discussion was over, he cautiously put on a probing look: "Since St. Mary Mead is very close to London, Miss Marple, after this matter is over, can you leave my wife a Your address? She is very interested in your experience and wants to keep in touch."

He said that his wife wanted to keep in touch, but in fact he wanted to.Bertha raised her eyebrows: "I plan to move to live in London recently, why don't you ask Mrs. Ashton to give me your address. After I settle down, I will invite you to meet someday."

"Alright."

Mr. Ashton didn't force it: "I just happen to be in London... Maybe there is another case that needs your help. I have invited Mr. Holmes' brother before, but he is not interested."

Of course he wouldn't be interested.It would not be too late to wait until Bertha moved there to solve the case. Naturally, it was not a major case, and it would not be able to get into the eyes of a great detective.Mr. Ashton's ulterior motives, the case is secondary, combined with his previous change of attitude, it is estimated that the real purpose is to get on the line with Mycroft Holmes.

"I'm looking forward to it." Bertha politely vaguely passed.

Next, Rochester and Colonel Dent discussed the plan to set fire to the manor, and made a general arrangement. Everyone was full of thoughts and dispersed.

After everyone left, Bertha said, "How about it, how much money can you make from this business?"

Rochester: "..."

How can there be such a woman!

"You are really wise to trade your own life, Ma, Pu, Er, Miss, Miss," Rochester said angrily, "It must be a good feeling to be a big winner with nothing to lose."

"of course."

Bertha completely ignored the sarcasm in Rochester's tone, and smiled proudly with a thick skin: "Who doesn't want to lie down and count the money?"

Rochester sneered.

"Not counting the compensation for Thornfield Manor, and the concessions in interpersonal relationships that cannot be converted into money," but Rochester still answered her, "In terms of investment interest rates and contract concessions, it is estimated that the income will double within three years."

"How much is it?"

"An extra two thousand pounds in cash every year," Rochester thought for a while, "at least."

Two thousand more per year, and it's just cash!

Bertha didn't know how much property Rochester had, but his wife's dowry of [-] pounds, the entire family inheritance, and his investment income over the years should be quite rich.

An extra two thousand pounds in cash is not a small amount—it means that Bertha can get back the money that belongs to her earlier.

"In this way, I will consider re-drawing the contract between you and me," Rochester said. "Originally, it was planned to pay off in five years. I think now... I should be able to pay off the principal with interest within three years."

"This is the best." Bertha raised a bright smile.

The sudden murder caused Bertha's plan to take a big turn, back to the original point, and she took advantage of it for nothing, which made her feel better about being tricked by strangers.

"If it's okay, I'll go to rest too," she said, "As for how to burn the manor, you can arrange it yourself."

"Are you really going to London?" Rochester asked suddenly.

"Where am I going?" Bertha curled her lips, "does it have anything to do with you?"

Rochester was momentarily at a loss for words.

He seemed to want to say something, but his words were interrupted by another knock on the study door.

"What's the matter?" Rochester's tone was not very good.

"I have something to consult with you, sir."

It was Miss Jane Eyre's voice that came from outside the door.

Rochester and Bertha exchanged an unexpected glance, and invited her to come in.

In the middle of the night, Miss Jane Eyre was still wearing the plain dress she wore during the day, obviously she never rested after returning to her room.She saw Bertha as she entered, and nodded.

Rochester asked stiffly: "What's the matter?"

This is not the tone you would use to talk to your sweetheart, dead straight man.Bertha complained from the bottom of her heart. This person has a very bad temper, but he is like a little boy when it comes to emotions.

"Bertha just happened to be here too," Jane Eyre said without being humble, "Sir, I don't think it's necessary for me to stay in Thornfield any longer. I will resign when this matter is completely over."

Bertha: "..."

Rochester: "..."

The male protagonist in the novel "Jane Eyre" immediately frowned deeply: "You want to resign? Why?"

Jane Eyre lowered her head slightly, avoiding Rochester's scorching gaze.

"Since the mistress of the manor has always been there," she said softly, "maybe Mrs. Bertha has her own opinion on the governess staff."

The young girl's words fell to the ground lightly, but in exchange for the death-like silence of the entire study.

Edward Rochester's gaze shot towards Bertha like a blade, wishing to pin her in place with his eyes.

"Don't look at me," Bertha said lazily, leaning back against the table, "I didn't say anything."

——Your sweetheart is a big living person with hands and feet and a smart enough brain.Can she blame others for the answer she found out by herself?

Bertha thought about it, and couldn't help laughing gloatingly.

In the original book, Rochester finally paid the price for his arrogance and stubbornness, the manor was destroyed and he was disabled.In contrast, although the retribution came quickly this time, it is already much easier!

The author has something to say: #今天贝萨热死了夫husband, not yet#

Bertha: But sister Jane is frightening him to death!Hee hee hee. [Enter movie watching mode.jpg]

Maggie: When can I play?

Jiang Hua: Shouldn't you have some face when you appear on the stage as a big shot?Is it right now?Not suitable!