Chapter 191

Xander’s appearance made Percival frown. He stole a furtive glance at Xander, only to meet his mocking smile head-on. Xander’s smile was casual, yet laced with contempt. It was the look reserved for a pathetic clown, or perhaps some lifeless object. Percival’s heart skipped a beat, his mind thrown into utter turmoil. Xander was notoriously ruthless. Those who crossed him never met a good end. Xander had dirt on countless officials. Percival, of course, was among them.

In an attempt to destroy the evidence, Percival secretly sent several meticulously trained female spies to Xander. Those women were the product of Percival’s painstaking training and considerable investment. He had personally overseen every step of their development. They were masters of tracking, poisoning, and assassination. Unfortunately, before those women could even gather any intelligence for Percival, Xander silenced them for good.

From that moment on, Ferris dared not entertain even a shred of rebellious thought against Xander. All the court officials were on edge. Outwardly, they showed Xander nothing but respect. But in truth, behind closed doors, they all secretly seethed with hatred, gritting their teeth at the very mention of him. Fortunately, with war breaking out and Xander called away to lead a military campaign, the court officials finally got a much-needed respite. Everyone had assumed Xander was as good as dead, but to their shock, he made a miraculous recovery.

‘Now that Xander has returned with vengeance, he’s making an example of me first. How despicable!’ Percival thought bitterly. Percival’s fingers tightened slightly, a venomous glint flashing in his eyes.

“Your Majesty,” Xander bowed deeply, his voice heavy with urgency. “My wife is gravely wounded, her life hangs by a thread. As your brother, I beg you to grant me justice.”

Arthur instinctively turned to Egbert. “Dr. Harding, is Mrs. Cavendish truly in such critical condition?”

Egbert’s heart pounded with anxiety as he stepped forward and knelt in the middle of the hall. “Your Majesty,” he said respectfully, “I have examined her. She is covered in bruises and wounds, and remains unconscious.” He kept his words vague, so it couldn’t be considered deceiving the emperor.

Percival’s stomach tightened with unease. ‘What does Xander mean by this?’ he wondered.

Before Percival could make sense of it, Xander continued, his voice cold with anger. “My wife has always been gentle and kind-hearted. She wouldn’t even harm an animal. She is a master healer who has brought salvation to countless lives, yet she was nearly defiled by Wade. Brother, such a man deserves nothing less than execution.”

“Your Highness, even if my son spoke insolently, surely that’s not a capital offense?” Percival cried out, his voice breaking with anguish.

Xander shot him a frosty look, his voice dripping with disdain. “Athena is my wife, her status is beyond reproach. How dare that lowly scum insult her? Even if Athena hadn’t struck him down, I would have ended his miserable life myself.”

Percival was left utterly speechless by Xander’s words. ‘How dare he…’ he seethed inwardly, yet found himself unable to voice a single word in rebuttal. Ferris could only stare at Xander, his eyes wide with terror.

Before Ferris could even get a word in, Xander launched into a rapid-fire verbal onslaught, tearing him to shreds. He said, “Mr. McGee, not only have you failed to reflect on your wrongdoing in indulging your son’s crimes, but you even dare to smear my wife’s reputation. What vile motives lurk behind your actions?” Xander demanded coldly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xander bowed to Arthur and declared, “Your Majesty, Mr. McGee has favored his mistresses while neglecting his lawful wife, and has utterly failed in his duty as a father by indulging his son’s violent crimes. His son has long been arrogant and ruthless, treating human life with utter contempt. Such vermin are a blight upon our country.”

“Your Majesty, I have gathered conclusive evidence of Wade’s heinous crimes. Countless innocent victims have perished at his hands. I beg Your Majesty to review these documents.” Xander reached into his sleeve, pulled out a notebook, and held it aloft.

Percival stared wide-eyed, a flicker of real fear finally breaking through his composure. ‘So that’s why Xander was so bold. He had everything planned out!’ Percival realized in shock.

Thanatus hurried forward to receive the notebook and promptly presented it to Arthur. Arthur unrolled the notebook, his eyes scanning the meticulously documented list of Wade’s atrocities.

Xander’s deep voice resonated through the grand hall. “He bullies men, preys on women, seizes homes by force, and lives in shameless luxury, squandering wealth without restraint. Even in his house stands a well filled with human remains. That well contains dozens of corpses. I have submitted the incriminating evidence to the Federal Bureau. Should Your Majesty have any doubts, you may summon the Chief Justice for verification.”

Percival’s face drained of all color at these words. He dropped to his knees with a thud, no longer daring to ask Arthur to plead his case.

Arthur was absolutely livid. He slammed the notebook straight at Percival. Pointing a finger right in his face, he roared, “Percival, this is outrageous! For your meritorious service in assisting the former emperor’s ascension, we have turned a blind eye to your misconduct. Even when you grew estranged from Gale and doted on your mistress, we chose not to intervene. Yet you have indulged your heir in such lawless atrocities! Do you hold us in any regard at all?”

Percival’s face turned deathly pale as he apologized repeatedly. “Your Majesty, spare me! I admit my wrongs!” he pleaded in terror.

Arthur snorted in utter disappointment. Just as Arthur was contemplating how to punish Ferris, a eunuch’s voice announced from outside, “Presenting Mrs. McGee and Mr. McGee!”

Gale arrived in haste, dressed in full court regalia with Ferris in tow. “Your Majesty,” Gale pleaded, “For nineteen years, Percival and I have lived as estranged spouses. He has shown utter neglect toward me and our son. I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant us an official dissolution of marriage.”

Ferris also bowed beside his mother, silently echoing her plea. Arthur, visibly surprised, said, “Mrs. McGee, are you certain about this? If you divorce, you will lose your title.”

He was puzzled. After all, Gale would be reduced to a mere commoner after losing her status. Without Percival’s support or family backing, Arthur wondered how Gale would survive on her own.

Yet Gale stood unwavering. “Your Majesty,” she declared with quiet resolve, “I have made my final decision. I beg you to grant me to take my son and dissolve my marriage with Mr. McGee.”

Percival’s face remained impassive upon hearing this. He thought to himself, ‘I’ve wanted to divorce Gale for years, but she always refused. If I were the one to propose a mutual divorce or repudiate my wife, I might anger the king and risk gaining a reputation for mistreating my wife. Now that she’s the one bringing it up, that’s just perfect.’

Percival said while feigning sorrow, “Your Majesty, my marriage with Gale has long been but an empty formality. Since she is determined to depart, I would not dare to hold her back. I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant us this divorce.”

Arthur frowned sternly at Percival. “You really consent to Gale leaving with your heir?!”

Percival declared, “Ferris has always been by his mother’s side since childhood. As his father, I cannot bear to see them torn apart.” His face was the very picture of benevolence.

He thought, ‘Ferris is nothing but a worthless cripple. I was just waiting for him to die so I could appoint a new heir. It seems I’ll have to lay low for now and bide my time. What a pity about Wade. Such a promising son, lost like this.’

Percival pretended to grieve, but quickly shrugged it off. He thought dismissively, ‘I’ve got plenty of sons already, and with Ruth pregnant, it’s not like I’ll ever run out of heirs.’

“Very well,” Arthur nodded decisively. “Since this is the will of both parties, I hereby grant this divorce.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you so much!” Gale heaved a sigh of relief, her eyes glistening with tears. At that moment, Gale felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. ‘What an indescribable sense of relief,’ she thought, letting it wash over her.

Percival’s eyes darkened with displeasure as he saw the smile on Gale’s face. He thought bitterly, ‘After all the fine food and comforts I’ve given her, what right does she have to look so relieved? I’ve given her the best food and comfort, what could she possibly be dissatisfied with? But this works out well, at least now I can fulfill my promise to Ruth.’

Just as Percival’s smile was about to widen, he was abruptly interrupted by Ferris’s voice. “Your Majesty, I formally accuse Mr. McGee of corruption and bribery. There is a secret chamber in his manor containing hoards of gold and treasures.”