Chapter 487

After Harvey and Heather departed, the servants of Gracehold Estate busied themselves with cleaning. Except for Samuel and Ruby, who remained in the sitting room, everyone else dispersed. Even Abigail left after escorting Dorothy to her quarters.

Before leaving, Dorothy instructed Noah emphatically not to make things difficult for Samuel.

“Which young man in this family is as outstanding as he is? The king personally selected Samuel as a top scholar. His loss of position is only temporary. Which family doesn't have multiple wives and concubines? It's simply petty people stirring up trouble.”

“Mother, please rest,” Noah replied, though he disagreed. He gestured for his wife to escort Dorothy away.

Noah then turned his gaze to Ruby, who sobbed uncontrollably in Samuel's arms. Frustration welled up within him.

“Why are you crying? If you hadn't provoked Leona, would this have happened?”

Still shielding Ruby, Samuel interjected, “Father, how can you blame Ruby? You saw how vicious Leona's servants are. They even dared to strike me, your son!”

“Insolent brat, be quiet!” Noah snapped, his fury turning back to Ruby. “You will stand in a corner outside, in the cold. Don't move until I say so.”

Samuel immediately stepped forward protectively. “She can't! She's already injured by that vicious woman. Look at her face…”

Noah's rage exploded. He slapped his son and roared, “Insolent child! Don't you realize the disaster you've caused?!”

Struck multiple times that day, Samuel's fury ignited. “Fine! If you can't stand me and Ruby, we'll leave. I'll give up my title as heir. Whoever wants it can have it. It's insignificant—I don't care.”

True to his word, Samuel stormed off to pack.

Noah sat, listening to a servant report that Samuel had packed his belongings—ink, brushes, books—and loaded them onto a cart.

“Did Ruby try to stop him?” Noah asked icily.

“N-no, sir. She helped him pack,” the servant stammered.

Noah closed his eyes, remembering Carissa's words. Eleanor's illegitimate daughter, now a courtesan, entering the Earl of Gracehold's family—what were her intentions? He needed to think carefully.

Considering Violet's comments, Noah was almost certain Ruby was a pawn of Eleanor, sent to sow discord.

He'd initially considered two possibilities: Ruby had been sold to a brothel after falling out of Eleanor's favor, or Eleanor had deliberately placed her in his family to ruin their reputation.

Now, he was almost certain it was the latter.

Samuel, once a promising scholar and nobleman, had tarnished the family's century-old reputation by bringing a woman from a brothel into their home. His relationship with Leona deteriorated, leading to charges from the Oversight Department and the loss of his position.

If Ruby remained, who knew what further disasters would follow? Leona's already compromised pregnancy was further endangered. If Ruby didn't leave, Leona's chances of a safe delivery were uncertain.

Though Harvey and Heather hadn't explicitly condemned Ruby, their anger was clear. However, they weren't a major concern; they likely wished for Samuel and Leona to reconcile and would counsel patience.

What truly worried Noah was the Hell Monarch's princess consort. Rafael had practically destroyed Gracehold Estate.

Noah wouldn't dare mention this in court. The fact that a member of his family had assaulted Helen, an honored concubine, was enough to bring accusations of insubordination.

Furthermore, Rafael's soldiers had entered unarmed, using only their fists. Their injured hands showed the Hell Monarch's calculated actions.

Samuel left that night. Upon hearing this, Dorothy, unable to bear her grandson's suffering, arranged for them to live in a manor on Hibiscus Lane, providing a significant sum of money.