Chapter 1045

Although the authorities remained unaware, Rowan's investigation and Giles's admission revealed the truth. The only remaining question was whether the Marquis of Ironridge and Margaret knew about Emma's actions and had chosen to cover for her.

Emma had orchestrated the entire scheme, enlisting Giles and several trusted maids. Her motive was simple: she knew her time was running out. Around this time, Leopold informed her of his plan to take a secondary wife to manage the household—Flora, a recently arrived concubine. He intended to marry Flora as his secondary wife from the outset. While secondary wives were technically concubines, they held higher status than common concubines, being rightful wives.

Leopold spoke of Flora with admiration, mentioning her scholarly father and her cultured demeanor, deeming her perfect for managing the household. Emma, after further inquiry, learned that Flora was young, beautiful, and widowed, unmarried well into her twenties. Knowing Leopold well, Emma declared Flora unlucky and unsuitable for the title of secondary wife, suggesting he simply take her as a concubine.

Leopold understood Emma's objection as an attempt to block Flora's elevation, but his feelings for Flora remained strong. He ultimately decided to marry her.

The night Flora entered the household, Emma's condition worsened. Feeling a deep sense of despair and a lack of affection from Leopold after many years of marriage, she began plotting for her children's future. After Flora's arrival, Leopold stayed in her room almost nightly, and she soon became pregnant.

Emma, with her extensive connections inside and outside the estate (and experience with a previous miscarriage), bribed a physician specializing in gynecological issues with five hundred silver coins to replace Flora's pregnancy supplement with Redroot Restorative.

Flora's mother, Barbara, came to stay due to Flora's pregnancy discomfort. Emma, meanwhile, enlisted Serena to assist in administering the medication, under the guise of preparing it; the kitchen staff witnessed the process. Flora experienced no significant discomfort, and the physician's daily visits confirmed a stable pregnancy, leaving Flora and Barbara unsuspecting.

Initially uninvolved, Jessica, after arguing with Barbara, instructed Serena to secretly administer a laxative to Barbara. Seizing this opportunity, Emma ensured Serena controlled the medication's administration. The physician-prescribed dosage was sufficient to induce a miscarriage and cause permanent damage to Flora's health.

With Jessica's involvement, Emma knew eliminating future complications required removing Jessica from the household. However, Margaret's kind heart prevented Jessica's divorce or expulsion after Flora's miscarriage.

Then, Serena was pushed into a lake. Exploiting this, Emma wept before Margaret, lamenting her failing health and portraying Jessica as ruthless and cruel, even accusing her of harming Flora's unborn child and a concubine. Emma feared Jessica's increased cruelty after her death. She begged Margaret to send her children to the countryside, ensuring they married there and never returned to Ironridge Estate.

Though Margaret was hesitant to part with her grandchildren, news of Jessica's involvement in usury surfaced. Enraged, Margaret expelled Jessica, citing her childlessness.

However, Emma and Serena underestimated Jessica's resourcefulness. Cornered, Jessica sought refuge at Skye Embroidery, initially refused and creating a scandal, much to Emma's relief. This relief proved short-lived; Hannah ultimately allowed Jessica to stay, forcing Emma to resort to desperate measures to ruin the workshop's reputation and oust Jessica. Emma died before her plan could succeed.