Chapter 48 Chapter 48 Bella / I am forgetful and never...

The Spencer family's mansion in Mellenwick is located on Central Avenue. The servant slowly opened the luxurious door.

Sophia raised her eyes, revealing her dark eyes beneath her deep purple wide-brimmed hat. Behind her were many familiar faces, all cousins ​​of the Spencer family.

Violet walked in front on the mahogany stairs, greeting the newcomers politely but distantly.

The beautiful woman raised the corners of her lips and nodded politely.

Isabel did not go downstairs, but stood in the cubicle on the second floor.

Through the fence, ice-blue eyes examined the downstairs.

Everyone sat down in the living room. Count Vincent, the cousin with whom he had the closest ties, was the first to speak. "Oh! Lady Violet, I hope the rumors aren't true! I heard Hein was seriously ill and dying? We all rushed here together."

Violet snorted coldly, but her eyes were fixed on Sophia as she answered, "Vincent, I don't know where you heard this rumor. Hein just had a minor illness, it's not worth making a fuss about. But when did you become friends with a woman of unknown origin and even planned to come here together?"

"Well……"

As soon as he finished speaking, Vincent and his cousins' faces gradually became ugly, and they looked at Sophia secretly.

If it were in the past, they would really look down on Sophia, an ordinary lady, let alone try to make friends with her.

But the situation is different now.

Last night, the news of Heinrich's serious illness spread like wildfire, and almost everyone did not sleep well.

If the Spencer family were a large tree, then these lesser noble cousins ​​were the branches that depended on it for survival. If Heinrich died, it would mean a change of fortune for the Spencer family. They had to assess the situation and consider the future of their family.

It would have been fine if Heinrich had children, allowing for a smooth succession, but he didn't! His illegitimate daughter, Sophia, had recently officially joined the Spencer family. According to inheritance law, she would be first in line for the throne.

Everyone started to have a headache.

Everyone knew that Violet and her illegitimate daughter had a hostile relationship, and they didn't want to make things too awkward with the old lady, but Sophia's invitation had already arrived!

This was almost a stark reminder to them: If you want to surrender, choose your side starting today. Otherwise, when she takes the throne, everything will be reshuffled.

The nobles were all shrewd people, and of course they could see clearly that Sophia's move was actually to take advantage of the power of her cousins. Like now, when the Spencer family was in chaos, she could confirm Heinrich's death and then quickly take over power.

Although there was exploitation, the goals of both parties were the same. At the very least, they both had to determine Heinrich's condition.

If Heinrich is okay, then everyone can still love each other as before.

If she was truly dying... Sophia's becoming the new owner was a foregone conclusion! So they might as well just go with the flow and get on board now!

Sophia had anticipated the other party's psychology, so even when she heard Lady Violet's blatant humiliation, she remained calm.

"Madam Violet, I understand the memory of an elderly person, so I sincerely remind you." Sophia smiled and took the coffee from the servant. She took a sip before saying, "I am not a woman of unknown origin. I am now - Sophia Spencer."

She slowly pronounced the letters of her last name, her expression gentle, yet more irritating than any sarcasm could ever be.

Violet's chest was indeed rising and falling violently. She sneered, "Spencer? An illegitimate daughter of a whore is worthy of the name Spencer?"

"Yes, when you drove me away, you probably didn't think I would come back, let alone that I would become the future owner of Spencer." Sophia smiled and nodded humbly. "Of course, when I inherit the manor, I will never treat me the same way you did."

"Future master?! You're just wishful thinking! Hein's not dead yet! He's fine!" Violet leaned heavily on her crutches. "Get out! Guests like you are not welcome here!"

"Oh, old lady, please calm down. I don't think Madam Sophia meant to offend you." Vincent tried to smooth things over and paused. "Besides...she is indeed the heir to Spencer. I believe that with Madam Sophia's character, even if something unexpected happens to Hein, she will fulfill her promise and treat you well..."

"Shut up!" Violet stood up suddenly and pointed at Vincent. "Well, you've degraded yourselves to stand with a lowly illegitimate daughter! Very good! It seems you've forgotten how you fawned over me in the past, and who lent a helping hand to your messed-up family!"

The cousins ​​were pointed at and scolded. They felt a moment of guilt for the past kindness, but more of shame!

Vincent's expression gradually changed, turning completely cold. He said expressionlessly, "Madam, we will always remember the Spencer family's assistance. That's why we swear eternal loyalty."

Vincent stood up, looked at the old lady, and repeated slowly: "But, it is loyalty to Spencer."

Led by him, all the cousins ​​stood beside Sophia.

Vincent's face was calm: "Whoever is the future master of Spencer, we will be loyal to him."

Violet trembled with rage.

"You...you...I really regret helping you, a bunch of unscrupulous guys! I told you Hein is fine, now all of you get out!"

Sophia raised her eyebrows and waved her folding fan gracefully. "Oh, old lady, as Hein's aunt, I don't want anything to happen to him either. May God bless him."

"But..." she changed the subject, "if you claim he's well, why don't you let us see him?"

Vincent exchanged glances with Sophia quietly and sneered, "Yes, I heard that Dr. Leonard is still in your house, or maybe asking him to tell us about Hein's condition would be a good idea."

Violet: "Leonard's medical skills are not good! Other doctors are treating him now! You are not qualified to visit! Get out!"

"Oh, that's not up to you, madam."

As he spoke, all the cousins ​​turned their eyes towards the stairs.

"Let's go! Let's go see Hein."

"What do you want to do? Are you going to break into the Duke's Mansion?!" Violet shouted angrily, stretching out her crutch to block them.

"Since you insist on not allowing us to visit, it's reasonable to suspect that Hein's condition is very serious." Sophia slowly stepped forward, followed by her cousins. A dark shadow loomed over the elderly Lady Violet. "According to the laws of the Principality of Ceylon, the death of a noble cannot be concealed or falsified. Old lady, please move aside."

The soft words were threatening.

Vincent took the lead and walked around Violet, then rushed up the stairs with the people behind him!

As I took a step forward, I heard a flurry of footsteps above my head.

When I looked up again, I saw dozens of guards holding swords and blocking the stairs!

Everyone was stunned.

"Why are there soldiers?!"

The cousins' faces suddenly changed and they stopped.

Vincent glanced at Sophia quietly, "Oh no! They reacted very quickly. I'm afraid we won't be able to get in today."

Sophia's eyes darkened and her fingers clenched unconsciously.

There were so many people and things to do on the wedding day, and how could anyone immersed in happiness and joy expect such an unexpected situation - and this was the moment she deliberately chose to attack.

More importantly, she calculated that most of Heinrich's personal guards remained in Chalvère, and only a small number would come to Mellenvik as honor guards.

But now... she inconspicuously calculated the number of soldiers, which was far beyond her expectations.

Sophia lowered her eyes and raised the corners of her lips.

I still underestimated Miss Norman.

Such a quick reaction speed and decisive judgment.

As if confirming her guess - suddenly, the guards made way in an orderly manner, and Isabel slowly appeared.

In the crowd, Sophia's smile faded slightly, but her eyes remained gentle.

"My dear, you're so smart. I thought you understood the situation clearly." She glanced at the guards standing ready and chuckled. "No matter how sharp the swords are, how long can they hold us back?"

Isabel helped Violet tidy up her messy hair, saying slowly, "I can hold her back for a few days, that's my ability. You just need to know that I'm still the mistress here."

She looked at the assistant following behind her and said, "Victor, show him out."

"Yes, Duchess."

Victor led a team of guards to surround everyone.

A group of pampered nobles, stared at by the fierce soldiers, could only grit their teeth and retreat. Sophia straightened her back and was the last to leave.

Before leaving, she suddenly looked back.

Across the spacious banquet hall, Isabel looked at her.

Sophia stared at her and smiled sweetly: "Audrey, I look forward to seeing you next time."

She bowed gracefully and left with her head held high.

-

The door slowly closed.

Old Lady Violet finally couldn't hold on any longer and fell onto the sofa. "What a bunch of barbarians! Where is the dignity of aristocracy? They actually dared to come to the door of the Spencer family!"

Isabel listened to her rant calmly.

For the old lady who had lived a life of luxury for most of her life, everything that happened today was enough to make her furious.

The most critical moment she had ever faced was when both her husband and eldest son died, and the family fell into conflict.

But those were all happening within the family. No matter who inherited the title, she was still the distinguished old lady. Even if there was bloodshed, no one would offend her.

"You must understand that when it comes to a true division of interests, everyone is a barbarian." Isabel lifted her eyelids and looked at Violet. "If we still cared about being respectable, or even demanding our opponents with aristocratic demeanor, we would have been wiped out by now."

Violet was stunned.

Gradually I realized the seriousness of the matter.

Sophia is a cruel person with a dagger hidden in her smile. If Isabel had not stopped them with force today, then I am afraid that Chalvey would have changed hands!

Isabel had no time to comfort the old lady. She looked at Victor and said, "Go, gather everyone in the hall."

The doors of Spencer House were firmly shut.

Five minutes later, Edith and Victor led the male and female servants to gather in the hall respectively.

In just two days, the situation of the Spencer family changed drastically and became precarious.

The servants understood the situation and exchanged anxious glances with each other.

Violet saw her personal maid, Eleanor, among them and asked in confusion, "Audrey, what are you doing?"

Isabel ignored her and glanced at the leader of the soldiers: "Captain Bates."

The bearded officer immediately understood and led the soldiers into several small teams, rushing towards the servants' room, their heavy footsteps seeming to step on everyone's heart.

"Duchess, what are you doing? Searching our room?!"

"Madam, we are all loyal servants of the Spencer family. You cannot insult our dignity like this..."

…

Several people questioned.

Violet frowned and was about to speak, but she met Isabel's eyes and had to shut her mouth.

Isabel remained silent, closing her eyes and letting them talk.

Until Captain Bates came back holding a medicine bottle: "Duchess, found it!"

Isabel suddenly opened her eyes.

In the crowd, the short servant's face changed drastically the moment he saw the medicine bottle, and he quickly lowered his head and tried to hide.

Unfortunately, Victor had already taken him out.

Isabel didn't waste any words. Her voice was cold as she uttered two words: "Deal with it cleanly."

"yes!"

The soldiers carried the struggling and screaming servant away.

The crowd that was noisy just now fell into complete silence, and no one dared to think too much about the man's fate.

"Everyone," Isabel finally raised the corner of her lips, but the smile did not reach her eyes. "I know you have served Spencer for many years and are loyal and reliable. However, in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. I hope you can understand."

Her tone was gentle, and everyone thought that the traitor had been found out and the matter was over.

But the next moment, the soldiers slowly surrounded and approached with the same posture as they had just used to drive away the uninvited guests.

Edith and Victor once again took the lead. "We apologize for informing you that until the Duchess declares the crisis over, please remain quietly in your rooms and do not take a single step out."

The soldiers locked everyone up in guest rooms, one for each person, with a large lock on the door, and a special person in charge of their eating, drinking, defecating and urinating.

The servants briefly enjoyed the luxurious rooms reserved for VIPs, but they were far from happy. However, upon seeing the ferocious soldiers, they had to swallow their dissatisfaction.

Violet looked up dejectedly at the empty hall and took a deep breath: "Is it still useful to do this, Audrey?"

Although she was tough in front of outsiders, she understood that Sophia was right.

The news about Hein can be concealed for a while, but not forever.

Even if we catch the traitor now and patch up all the loopholes in the Spencer family, it will not affect the overall situation.

"So I should just accept my fate like you did?" Isabel sneered. "All I know is that sitting back and waiting for death is truly useless."

"Lady Violet, no one can tell the outcome until the very last moment."

Violet looked at her face, her expression gradually becoming serious. "What do you mean?! Have you figured out a solution?"

Isabel stared at Violet without saying a word.

The silence told Violet the answer, and the light in her cloudy eyes rekindled.

-

Late at night, in the bedroom on the second floor.

The carriage stopped outside the door. Victor hurried in under the cover of darkness and knocked lightly on the door.

Isabel, who was standing beside Heinrich, suddenly looked up and said, "Come in."

In the dim light, Victor, always meticulous, had his hair messed up by the wind. He had no time to fix it. He panted as he handed the envelope to Isabel. "Duchess, as you instructed, I have received the Queen's letter. However... I'm afraid it alone won't be enough to reverse the situation."

Isabel tapped the table lightly, her eyes moving slightly: "Yes, there is still one thing missing."

As soon as she finished speaking, the door was pushed open. Emily couldn't suppress her joy: "Miss! I found it!"

Emily, who had been missing all day, was covered in dust and dirt. She was holding a stack of thick books, her eyes bright.

Isabel suddenly raised her eyes and clenched her fingers unconsciously.

She quickly took it, looked through it carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, she breathed a sigh of relief.

The nerves that had been tense for a long time finally relaxed at this moment.

After a long moment, she chuckled and patted Emily on the shoulder: "Good job, Emily."

Victor and Emily looked at each other, knowing that this was a sure thing.

Outside the window, the darkness before dawn is particularly long.

After staying up for two days and two nights, she let Victor and Emily rest, but she just took a nap beside Heinrich's bed.

The man who had initially screamed in agony in his dreams was now like a puppet without a soul. His breathing, so weak it was almost inaudible, proved he was still alive.

Isabel closed her eyes, her mind still racing. It wasn't until her solar plexus began to ache that she raised her hand and pressed it, but it only gave her a slight relief.

There is no perfect plan in the world, and no matter how smart a person is, he cannot plan everything.

Sudden changes, aggressive enemies, unknown difficulties...all weigh on her shoulders.

The long-term thinking and lack of rest time made her feel tired rarely.

Fortunately, it wasn't the real Audrey who came, but her. Otherwise, I can't imagine how helpless that little girl is now...

My thoughts wandered, and when I looked up, I saw Heinrich's profile bathed in moonlight.

Isabel stared at him for a long time with a calm gaze.

I don’t know how long this weak breathing will last. Maybe he will be gone in the next moment.

She thought of the plot of the original book and the dream she had in Chalves.

Judging from the plot and the time in the dream, Heinrich did not seem to be facing a death crisis, so he was able to send Audrey away.

Isabel stretched out her hand, her fingertips very close to his face, but stopped abruptly.

——And now, was it my arrival that made Sophia feel dangerous, leading to a series of butterfly effects?

After a long time, she slowly retracted her hand, exhaled lightly, and stepped her face into the palm of her hand.

After a long pause, he raised his head and smiled.

For the first time, a glimmer of light was reflected in the ice-blue eyes, like a wry smile, but also like nothing, still looking calm and composed.

"Heinrich," she chuckled. "I'm very forgetful, and I never feel guilty."

"You can choose to sleep forever. I think I will forget you soon."

The sky was turning pale, and the faint morning light shone on Heinrich's face.

The night passed and Isabel looked away.

She was about to join the battle again.

Outside the window, at the edge of the mansion street, the luxurious carriage appeared again.

This time, Sophia was not only followed by cousins ​​like Vincent, but also by a team of well-trained soldiers armed with swords.

The Spencer House had also made preparations long ago.

The gate was closed, and Captain Bates led the soldiers to guard outside the gate, and the two sides were in a standoff.

"It seems the Spencer family is determined to defy the laws of inheritance."

Sophia smiled, waved her hand, and said lightly, "Go in."

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The author has something to say: Eat first! I will fry it on high heat later! Expected to have two more chapters