Chapter 94 Chapter 94 Beio/After dawn, I will go back...
At dusk, the children lined up and walked out of the school gate.
At the gate of the manor, Gryffindor came quickly with several believers, looking aggressive as if they were going to swallow up the entire school.
Isabel finished her usual tour of the campus before taking Emily downstairs.
As soon as I stepped out of the door, I saw Gryffin coming towards me.
"Ms. Norman, long time no see." Gryffin stopped and stared at her.
Passing students looked at the believers curiously. The Chengzhi Society teachers cautiously surrounded Isabel and whispered, "Do you need help, Duchess?"
"Duchess?" Griffin suddenly sneered. He stared at Isabel. "Miss Norman, why don't you dare tell your loyal subordinates your true identity?"
Isabel's eyes moved slightly, and Emily subconsciously clenched her fingers.
"I don't understand what the Bishop said." Isabel smiled.
"I greatly admire your resolve." Gryffindor sneered, then paused, "Miss Isabel Norman."
Everyone was stunned.
"Isabelle? The Duchess's name is Audrey Norman. What are you talking about, Mr. Bishop?" someone asked coldly.
Gryffindor waved back calmly.
In the crowd, the hook-nosed Sir Jarvis suddenly stepped forward, straightened his tie, and nodded to everyone. "Good day, ladies and gentlemen. I am Jarvis, Her Majesty's messenger. Please allow me to reveal a terrible truth to you."
He slowly extended his finger. "The lady before me is not the Duchess the Queen has arranged for me to marry—Audrey Norman, the second daughter of Norman Manor. She is the eldest daughter...Isabel Norman!"
"The two sisters look alike and thought they could hide it from everyone by exchanging identities, but we eventually discovered some clues." Griffin sneered and added to everyone's shock, "According to the laws of the Principality of Ceylon, you have committed fraud, offending the Holy Sun's marriage, and disrespecting the royal family. The marriages between the Spencer and White families, witnessed by the Holy Sun God, are all declared invalid! In other words..."
He paused, raised the corner of his lips, and said, "You can no longer use the title of Duchess to do anything! I have the right to take back your school, your factory, everything you own!"
As soon as the words fell, everyone was stunned.
"Where is your evidence?" Emily couldn't help but ask.
"Evidence? Ma'am, I am the evidence," Sir Jarvis said in a low voice. "I am the envoy assisting the Queen in granting the marriage. I saw with my own eyes that at the Earl of Clarence's ball, Miss Audrey couldn't even dance the basic waltz well, and her behavior was as immature as a country girl. And Miss Isabel, you showed off your skills at Duke Philip's wedding party for the first time."
"So it's clear that you've replaced your sister and taken the Duchess's place!"
Isabel raised her eyebrows and looked at Jarvis, her tone calm: "Sir Jarvis, you mean to say that you knew who Audrey was from the beginning, but you didn't reveal the truth until today, right?"
"Of course!" Jarvis replied immediately. After thinking about it, he felt something was wrong and shook his head. "No, no, no, I didn't mean to delay it until now. I just realized something was wrong based on what Cardinal Gryffindor described!"
"In other words, you don't completely distinguish us, but Bishop Gryffindor led you to make such a guess. The more you think about it, the more suspicious it becomes, right?"
"Yes!" Jarvis nodded again, then quickly shook his head. "No, that's not right! It wasn't the Bishop who guided me!"
"We all heard you just say that." Isabel looked at Jarvis with interest.
Jarvis' eyes widened.
Gryffin shouted with a gloomy face, "That's enough! Stop using sweet words to divert attention. The facts are the facts. You are not Audrey Norman at all. You knew that everything you did would bring retaliation, so you arranged for your family to leave in advance. Isn't this enough to prove that you have something to hide?"
"You also know this is revenge, don't you?" Isabel said loudly, looking at the growing crowd in front of her. "Can I assume that because you oppose my opening a school, a factory, and a new newspaper, you are deliberately framing me, even without solid evidence?"
"Ms. Norman, it's no wonder Sophia lost to you. You hid all the key figures long ago, so of course I couldn't find any evidence."
Gryffin glared at Isabel fiercely, then suddenly grinned. "But it's okay this way. At least I can draw a conclusion from your behavior—you're a fake!"
Emily lowered her eyes and suddenly understood what Edith's mission was - she had helped Isabel send the old servants of Norman Manor onto Caroline's ship and sailed far away, including Edith herself.
They already lack opportunities to make a living and platforms to realize their self-worth. Whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the ship has already sailed away with the secret.
So Gryffin searched for so many days and found nothing.
Yes, even if he had doubts, without evidence everything was empty talk.
Isabel showed no fear at all. She raised her eyes lazily and said, "As I said before, Your Excellency, this is just your one-sided statement. It's not enough to bring me to justice. It's all right now. I'll be leaving get off work now. Goodbye."
She walked past calmly, leaving Gryffindor standing there furious.
Being completely ignored was tantamount to an insult. Gryffin clenched his fists, looked in the direction Isabel left, and shouted, "Just wait, I will bring you to justice sooner or later. That day won't be too far away!"
Sure enough, Gryffindor did not stop moving.
He seemed to be inspired and followed Isabel's example to start a public opinion war.
The next morning, the news that "the Norman sisters exchanged identities and the current Duchess is an imposter" spread like wildfire in the streets of Kent.
Some people believed Jarvis's "testimony", some people thought about conspiracy theories, and some people stood on Isabel's side. Both sides held their own opinions and the argument was heated.
At the annual church celebration, Gryffin loudly proclaimed: "The sacredness of marriage cannot tolerate deception! Isabel Norman not only promotes heresy in Kent, but also blasphemes God with lies. To uphold the authority of the Holy Eternal Lord, I will exercise my episcopal authority and bring this heretic to the joint court of the church and the royal family!"
Now, both sides began to wonder about the outcome of Judgment Day.
The Duchess is an imposter. Such news is rare in a century. Is it a rumor spread by Griffin or is it true? The public is eager to know the truth.
At Winston Manor, the court hearing notice was delivered to Isabel.
Emily asked worriedly, "Why is the trial opening so suddenly? If they only relied on Jarvis's story, they wouldn't be able to convict you. But now... has Gryffindor got new evidence? How are you going to respond?"
Isabel thought for a moment and chuckled, "Don't be afraid, I will find a way."
-
At the same time, at the distant pier, the cruise ship "Norman" slowly approached the shore.
This was the second supply port the cruise ship arrived at. Audrey went off the ship to do some shopping as usual, this time accompanied by her aunt Anna who loved shopping.
The two ladies walked off the boat arm in arm, facing the sea breeze, chatting and laughing all the way, and returned home with a full load.
This time Hermann reserved very little time for them as the cruise ship had to depart early.
So Audrey didn't waste any time. After strolling around for half an hour, she pulled Anna, who was reluctant to leave, onto the boat.
At this moment, I caught a glimpse of a commotion at the entrance of an alley not far away.
——Several people in church attire were escorting a figure walking quickly. The figure had his head lowered and kept begging for mercy. His voice was vague but full of despair.
"That person...why does he look familiar?" Aunt Anna frowned and stopped in her tracks.
Audrey followed her gaze and only had time to see the figure being escorted into a black carriage.
Although he couldn't even see their faces clearly, a strong sense of unease rose in his heart. Why did the church members appear in this remote supply port? Who did they take away?
Anna lowered her eyes and looked at the departing carriage suspiciously.
Audrey was also a little absent-minded.
Back on the boat, Audrey just pushed open the cabin door and saw Hermann standing by the window with his back to her.
"I just saw..." She was about to share what she had seen when she saw Hermann holding a letter in his hand and Charles standing beside him with a serious expression.
Hearing the door open, Hermann calmly put the letter into his arms, and when he turned around, his face had returned to its usual calmness.
"How was your shopping?" Hermann walked forward and tried to take the basket from her hand.
Audrey turned aside and stared at the letter in his hand: "Hermann, are you hiding something from me?"
Herman's eyes flickered slightly. "It's just a letter from Ceylon. It's a report from the factory workers. Do you want to see it?"
He held up the letter so frankly that Audrey began to wonder if she was being too suspicious.
"We are about to set off. The earlier we leave, the sooner we can arrive in China, and the sooner we can return to visit your sister." Herman said in a rare gentle voice.
Audrey lowered her eyes, her golden curls covering her eyelashes.
She nodded and said nothing.
Hermann watched his wife leave, burned the letter, and didn't look away until the flames went out.
-
As night falls, the sea breeze blows.
As Audrey listened to the crashing of the waves, her mind suddenly flashed back to the figure she had seen that day. A sense of unease kept her awake, so she pushed the door open and walked out.
On the deck, there was actually someone enjoying the breeze.
"Aunt Anna?" Audrey was surprised.
Anna turned around and saw that the lady who had always been optimistic to the point of being crazy was actually a little sad.
The moment the two looked at each other, the tacit understanding they had gained from years of getting along had made them both understand what the other was worrying about.
"Honey, do you also feel that the person during the day is like..." Anna paused and did not say the name.
But these words were like a match that struck through the darkness, instantly lighting up Audrey's thoughts!
Is it him? !
Audrey was stunned. Anna kept talking for a long time, but failed to wake up her niece who was lost in thought.
If it was him... then why was he captured by the Church? What was their purpose? And... Herman's unusual behavior, and that letter...
The idea became clearer and clearer. Audrey grabbed her skirt and immediately ran back to her room.
"Where are you going? Why do you suddenly look so unhappy?" Aunt Anna shouted.
Audrey didn't even turn around: "It's nothing, go back and rest, don't tell mom and dad, and don't worry about me."
Anna touched her head: "Worried? What is this child talking about?"
On the other side, the moment Audrey rushed into the room, before she could catch her breath, she saw Hermann sitting upright on the sofa in his pajamas, his eyes clear - obviously he had woken up when she got up.
Audrey slowly approached and looked into those dark grey eyes. She knew very well that Herman was so smart that he must have guessed her intention.
"Are you back? Go get some rest. It will be dawn in three hours." Herman said calmly.
"Yes, we still have three hours left," Audrey said softly.
Herman looked at his wife intently. This was the first time he saw such a serious expression on Audrey's face.
"Herman, you knew this a long time ago, right?" Audrey looked up at him. "You knew my sisters were in danger. You knew this ship would stay in China for a long time. If the situation in Ceylon changes, we will never set foot on that land again."
Hermann was silent for a long time. "Yes, I know. Your sister knows too. That's why she arranged for your parents to board the ship in advance and left that letter."
Audrey lowered her eyes, took a deep breath, and forced a smile. "She has her choice, and I have mine. Herman, please help me arrange a boat. I want to go back after daybreak."
Herman suddenly grabbed her hand, his voice growing colder, "What's the point of you going back? Is she the only one in your world? What about me? And your parents, your aunt, even if we're all together, we're still no match for her?!"
He spoke each word slowly, almost shoving the name through his teeth: "Audrey Norman."
Audrey was slightly startled.
I thought that when the truth was exposed, there would be a thunderclap, but he called out her name so naturally, as if telling her that the so-called landmine had been removed by him long ago.
A smile flashed across her aqua-blue eyes: "Yes, my real name is Audrey Norman. I'm sorry that I lied to you in front of the priest and didn't give you an honest marriage."
"I don't care." Herman stared at her. "I don't care what your name is. I just want you to stay on this ship! Now answer me, are you going to give up all of us for her?"
Audrey slowly but resolutely broke free from his shackles: "Herman, I'm more proficient in arithmetic than you are, but unfortunately, emotions are not cold numbers."
"If it was you, or Mom and Dad, who were in trouble today, I would risk my life for you." Audrey shook Herman's hand and said softly, "I love you and my family."
"If you love her, you should stay. You'll become her weak spot if you go." Herman took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions. "Be obedient, stay. If she can't handle the danger, then you'll be dead if you go. If something happens to you..."
He paused, "What about me? What should your parents and I do?"
Audrey lowered her eyes, and just when Herman thought she was persuaded, she raised her head with a calm look.
"Herman, you don't understand Bella," Audrey said softly. "She's smart and strong, and she seems to have the wisdom and courage to face any difficulty. Over time, we all come to regard her as a safe and reliable support, believing that she can do anything. But when a person endures the storm, he or she will also feel tired and painful."
Audrey said seriously, "I've always lived under her wing. I know that when I can't offer any support, the best thing to do is not to hold her back. But this time is different."
"She often seems certain of victory, reassuring her companions and infuriating her opponents. But in reality, only I know she's simply fearless." Audrey's eyes moistened. "She's not afraid of any fate, and won't actively pursue failure, but she's also... not afraid of death."
"But I'm afraid of her fearlessness, because it will make me feel that she has no attachment to this world." Audrey's eyes were far away, as if she had returned to her childhood.
Otti was a very perceptive child. She could always sense that beneath Bella's seemingly calm and peaceful appearance, there was a lightness that had not yet fully integrated into this world - in the last second, she could be playing tricks on Otti, and in the next second, even if she disappeared, she would still have a smile on her face.
As she grew up, Audrey gradually suppressed this uneasiness in her heart, but at this moment, she understood so clearly that Isabel had never changed.
Yes, she gradually integrated into the family, gained family affection and love, and developed the closest connection with this world.
But the lightness in her bones still destined her to accept losing everything she had.
"My return to her won't really make a big difference. But at least at some point, when she sees me, she'll be a little more concerned. If I win, that's great. But if I lose..." Audrey suddenly chuckled, "Then I'll stay with her."
Herman clenched his fists: "Do you know what you are saying?"
"I know this sounds silly, but, Herman..." Audrey looked up, her eyes moist. "Sometimes, I'm not that brave. When it comes to life and death, I'm a coward."
"Compared to dying together, I can't bear the sadness of living alone. Losing her is like losing the other half of my soul."
Twin flowers, no matter which one is lost, the other one will have only a long life of dampness for the rest of its life, and gradually wither in the wind and rain.
Herman was silent for a long time, and finally sighed, slowly let go of Audrey's hand, and watched her walk into the darkness before dawn.
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The author has something to say: Isabel: It’s okay to be alive, and it’s okay to be dead.
Audrey: No! Stay alive!
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