Ceres stood among several guards. Even though he was pointed at by a sword, his expression did not change much, as if he was used to seeing life and death. His black eyes under his gray temples still stared directly at Loran Hill.
"Ceres, do you have anything to say?" The head maid Chelsea came back in from outside, looked at her colleague who she had worked with for nearly 10 years, and asked.
"I have nothing to say. Explanations are just cover-ups. Besides, I have indeed let Lord Angus down."
"Your contribution to the Carites Chamber of Commerce is no less than mine. Over the years, you have devoted yourself wholeheartedly and helped the Chamber of Commerce overcome many difficult times. If you have any unspeakable difficulties, after explaining them to Miss Lacy, I may be able to forgive your mistakes."
Chelsea stood aside and advised that although Ceres was wrong, his achievements could not be erased. As long as it was not a mistake of principle, it might be forgiven.
Ceres remained silent, still unmoved.
Loran Hill looked at Ceres, who was as hard as iron and stone, and sighed in his heart, wondering why he refused to explain. It made it impossible for him to give him a way out. In fact, except for the fact that he owed Angus something in the matter of Madam Mela, this butler was really impeccable in other aspects.
She raised her sleeves and asked the guards to leave, then asked Chelsea to bring some tea.
There were only three people left in An Ning's room. People could be seen walking in the courtyard outside the window. Some of them were accountants from the Chamber of Commerce, some were maids doing odd jobs, and occasionally there were one or two children running around. In this clear and crisp autumn season, everyone's mood was much happier than usual.
The sunlight slanted into the house, but it was not strong. Loran Hill sat upright in the light, her light red dress shining in the light.
"Uncle Ceres, can you tell me the specific origins of that child?"
"Regardless of whether he is Angus's bloodline or not, I will keep my promise and protect him until he reaches adulthood, and I will never harm him in the future."
Ceres looked at Loran Hill's clear and transparent eyes, was silent for a while, and then slowly spoke.
"That child is indeed not Lord Angus's biological child."
"Not even Lady Meera's child."
"He was the son of one of my comrades and a young lady from the Helis family. Due to the huge disparity in their status, they couldn't be together. Frustrated, a hidden injury from his early years flared up, and he died young."
"At that time, the Helis family was in a fierce conflict with our Carites over the spice trade. It was only when I was commissioned by Angus to investigate Madam Mela that I learned that my comrade had passed away. His child was being used by the Helis family to disrupt Carites. If Angus died in an accident, the child's identity would be revealed, and they would inherit the inheritance, thus splitting the Chamber of Commerce."
"Mrs. Meera is innocent and kind, but also rather timid. If she were to be harshly questioned, I'm sure she wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure. So the Helis family came to me and promised to treat the child and his mother well, as long as I turned a blind eye and didn't expose the matter. This way, our comrade's child could be saved."
"I didn't agree to their request right away, but after a while, the Helis family and the Carites reconciled, exchanging interests, and the child became less important. If I had revealed it again, it would have destroyed the reconciliation we had worked so hard to achieve, and my comrades' descendants might not have survived."
"So the Helis family and I tacitly kept silent, pretending that this incident never happened, and we stopped contacting each other."
"Until yesterday, when the guards of the Helis family assassinated the eldest lady, our Chamber of Commerce is currently very powerful. They are eager to know what Miss Lacey thinks of the Helis family, so they contacted me again."
"That's how it is. I'm willing to accept any punishment. I just hope Miss Lacy won't vent her anger on the child."
Although Loran Hill obtained a lot of intelligence by scanning the information of the entire city, and knew that Ceres and the Helis family had some intersections, and had some fragments of the truth, but after all, it was a past event more than 10 years ago, and she was not very clear about some things.
Only now did everything become clear. Loran Hill lowered his head and stirred the teacup, feeling a little sorry for Angus. He had never expected that he would never have any descendants. This man who had experienced many ups and downs in his life finally passed away silently in the wilderness and mountains.
"I understand. I promise you. I won't pursue the child. After all, he is innocent."
"But it was also because of your soft heart that you deceived Angus, and because of that he neglected to marry again. Now the family of Charites has no descendants."
When the girl said this, Ceres finally lowered his head guiltily and never raised it again.
"After a while, you will claim to be old and frail, resign from your position as housekeeper, and go to retire somewhere in the Southern Islands."
"I will abide by the young lady's punishment and take care of all matters." Ceres' voice seemed much older.
"And I will visit the Helis family tonight, and you can be the coachman again."
"Yes, Miss Lacey." Ceres responded resolutely.
Looking at Ceres' back as he left the study, Loran Hill put down his teacup, then slowly walked to the window sill and looked at the prosperous scene in the Chamber of Commerce courtyard where people were coming and going.
It is impossible for her to stay here forever. By then, who will guide Charites?
My thoughts slowly wandered as I watched the colorful leaves swaying in the sea breeze. The bright leaves reflected the sunlight like scales.
The girl stretched out her fingers, feeling the touch of the wind passing through them. Occasionally, the wind would mess up her hair, causing it to flutter in the wind.
Luo Lan Hill, Luo Lan Hill, please don't think too highly of yourself. Do others think they can't survive without you? Whether it's the Chamber of Commerce or life itself, everyone will spontaneously seek their own sunshine. They will have their own ideas and choices, and they will also walk out their own lives.
She leaned against the windowsill and hummed a melodious tune softly, tapping her fingers on the windowsill to the beat.
[That little bird can’t spread its wings and fly yet]
But one day it will catch the wind.
...
[Children, walking on the summer rails]
[The breeze blows, caressing my bare feet]
[Childhood Bits and Pieces]
[gradually fades away]
[Dream to Come True]
[In your own hands]
We keep pursuing
[Dissipating seasonal clouds]
[From the time we crossed the hill]
[It has always been like this]
[Unchanged]
[As we have always been steadfast]
[I will definitely be able to protect you]
[As strong as Poseidon]
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