Free Web NovelChapter 1292: Chapter 1290: If Griffith Squire Were Still in Brocade City, These Demons Wouldn’t Dare Show Themselves
"Uncle Yang, we’re probably in for a frost." Aurora Coldwell stood by the window, sensing the cold wind gusting in, chilling her neck.
"Miss, you shouldn’t stand by the window, you’re still coughing." The old butler hurriedly stepped forward to close the window, muttering, "This cold has been lingering for half a month now. In my opinion, you should go to Imperial City with Cornelius Turner. The north is dry, unlike the damp cold of the south. Maybe you’ll recover once you’re there."
Griffith Squire went to Imperial City and shortly after, Miss caught a cold. She had been feverish and bedridden for several days. She seemed to be recovering, but the cough persisted. The old butler sighed softly; Zoe Kingston and her daughter kept stirring trouble every other day. Even a healthy person would fall ill. Thankfully, Miss had the patience to deal with them.
Seeing the window closed, Aurora sat by the stove to warm herself. The Coldwell residence was modeled after Suzhou gardens, lacking both radiant underfloor heating and fireplaces. In winter, they used charcoal in stoves made of high-quality iron. Several stoves burning simultaneously in the living room were more efficient than central heating.
"No, I won’t go to Imperial City." Aurora shook her hand, appearing more haggard due to the winter cold, her complexion pale but her expression resolute. The situation in Brocade City was grim. Griffith Squire was in a predicament; she could not aid him. How could she go to Imperial City and become a burden?
Brocade City, though far from Imperial City, boasted some influential local clans. Aurora was aware of the butterfly effect. All she hoped for now was Griffith Squire’s safe return. She definitely wouldn’t add insult to injury by giving adversaries in Brocade City a reason to act against Griffith Squire.
"Madam Gong is here with Miss Brocade once every two days, asking for money, moving items, demanding shares. At this rate, the house will soon be cleared out." The old butler sighed, "I don’t know when Mister will come out."
In the afternoon, the stepmother brought Brooke Coldwell to cause a scene, and took away some antique ornaments from the living room. She claimed Ian Coldwell was seriously ill, spending money like water, and the Coldwell’s funds were tied up in the company, unable to be withdrawn, so she had to take household items to cover the costs for medicine.
The audacity to speak such shameless words was astonishing; Zoe Kingston and her daughter were fearless. Aurora doubted her father’s condition was optimistic.
At the onset, Aurora had visited the hospital to see Ian Coldwell. Upon exiting, two suspicious individuals followed her. Thankfully, despite Griffith Squire’s departure, he had left trusted aides in Brocade City. It was merely a false alarm. Since then, Aurora rarely ventured out of Coldwell Estate.
Seeing Aurora not leave, Zoe Kingston and her daughter would occasionally visit, stirring trouble, proclaiming Ian Coldwell’s deteriorating health, berating Aurora as ungrateful for not visiting her ailing father, thus creating adverse public opinion.
Coldwell Estate was fortified, hence Zoe Kingston and her daughter hoped Aurora would visit the hospital, allowing them easier access to act.
"Uncle Yang, we should visit the hospital tomorrow." Aurora spoke softly.
"Before leaving, Cornelius Turner specifically instructed, Miss should stay in Coldwell Estate until Mister comes back." The old butler said anxiously, "Master Coldwell has doctors and nurses to attend to him. You should wait until Mister returns to visit. Last time, you were followed. Without our bodyguards, who knows what might’ve happened."
The old butler murmured on, tapping his aged, cold legs. The Southwest’s damp cold and dense forests brought relentless joint pain every winter.
Seeing him tap his legs, Aurora guided him to sit by the stove, the heater warming her pale face which began to flush red. She spoke softly, "Uncle Yang, I’m afraid my father’s illness won’t improve. I must go to the hospital to see him."
Though her father was cold and self-serving, Aurora could not be heartless like him. When the stepmother came that afternoon, she was visibly pleased; Brooke Coldwell arrogant, claiming everything there would soon be hers. Upon her father’s death, she’d be the heir and all Coldwell assets would be hers.
Thus far, Aurora hadn’t spoken even a word before Zoe Kingston and her daughter; as such, they presumed she remained mute and spoke recklessly, fearless of any leaks.
The old butler was startled, stumbling over his words, "Miss, does this mean Mister Coldwell’s condition is dire?"
"I don’t know. Father’s health has been poor over the years. If Zoe Kingston meddles further, it’ll worsen." Aurora furrowed her brows, speaking softly. Her father’s illness was peculiar. Despite frequent minor ailments, he fell ill right after Griffith Squire left for Imperial City, followed by the stepmother’s pressure. It was too coincidental.
The storm in Imperial City was known nationwide; Brocade City, close to the Southwest Military Zone, was fraught with tensions. Griffith Squire’s excessive suppression of Brocade City stirred alarm. Now, entangled, the local influential families spread rumors, forming an association to monopolize industries. The turmoil never ceased.
"We’ll discreetly visit the hospital tomorrow, assess the situation, and decide whether to call Director Fang." Aurora spoke quietly, her brows furrowed, fearing Director Fang would avoid involvement in the aristocratic feud.
In Coldwell Clan, one was critically ill, one was mute, while Zoe Kingston had allied with the Seymour Family and other nobility, awaiting her father to breathe his last before taking over Coldwell Clan. When that time comes, who knows what chaos the inheritance battle will bring. These were common occurrences in aristocracy.
"Alright, but Miss should bring extra bodyguards." The old butler, seeing he couldn’t dissuade her, sighed, "If Griffith Squire were still here in Brocade City, those demons wouldn’t dare emerge."
The old butler pondered deeply, finding no willing aid for Miss; her maternal family were all leeches, local nobility driven by self-interest. Apart from Griffith Squire, entangled in troubles, they had no support.
The old butler’s thoughts overwhelmed him with apprehension. He decided to keep several men guarding Coldwell Estate and accompany Miss with the rest.
Noting his constant mention of Griffith Squire, aware her illness stemmed from worry over Griffith Squire, Aurora’s eyes dimmed. She spoke softly, "Griffith Squire will come out safely." He promised her, when it snowed, he’d take her to see ice sculptures. Griffith Squire had never lied to her.
She needed only to wait slowly in Brocade City, safeguarding Coldwell Estate’s grounds, ensuring Griffith Squire stayed focused.
"Yes, yes, Griffith Squire will be blessed and surely emerge soon." Seeing her despondency, the old butler swiftly ceased mentioning him, rising to arrange the hospital visit for the following day.
