Chapter 134: Deserve Good Rewards

Geoffrey had failed to bring Braden home, leaving Prudence deeply disappointed. Vance, furious, demanded, “Is it that you didn’t want to save him, or is it that you couldn’t? He’s in that condition, and the magistrate couldn’t just let him die, could they?”

Priscilla, scowling, added, “It’s just a fight between two men, nothing too serious, and they both got injured. How is it that he couldn’t be saved? If it’s about money to grease some palms, Geoffrey should just say so. Mother wouldn’t hesitate to pay. If you think more money is needed before you’d be willing to help…”

“Enough!” Prudence snapped, her face pale as she glared at Priscilla. Priscilla, silenced, shrank back.

Prudence turned her gaze to Geoffrey and spoke with great sincerity. “Geoffrey, all these years, I’ve been managing Duke’s estate, overseeing both internal and external matters. I’ve put my heart and soul into it. Except for those two years in Caelmont, I’ve dedicated everything to you. Have I ever asked you for anything? You can count on your fingers how many times I’ve made a request. This time, Braden has been foolish, but he is still a Langley, your nephew, and now he’s injured. If he doesn’t get proper treatment, who knows what could happen? For my sake, just save him this one time. When he comes back, I will make sure he learns his lesson and never does anything so reckless again.”

This was Prudence’s trump card. Every time in the past, it had worked, softening Geoffrey’s heart. But this time, he remained unmoved. He had heard too many lectures about being the illegitimate son, and his heart had grown numb. Before, he would have been deeply touched, but now, despite his surface reactions, he felt no real emotion.

“I want to help him, but I can’t. I went to see him, but he won’t tell me the truth. How can I help him if he doesn’t speak? How can I help him refute the accusations if he’s unwilling to defend himself?” Geoffrey’s tone was sharp.

Priscilla quickly responded, “He’s always been spoiled. After all that’s happened, he’s scared and angry. He was falsely accused, and he’s furious. When you speak with him, don’t be harsh. If you calm him down, he’ll tell you everything.”

Geoffrey, visibly annoyed by Priscilla’s persistence, replied coldly, “This is about his future. You want me to coddle him like a child? He’s not three years old anymore. If he doesn’t care, why should anyone else care?”

Priscilla’s expression darkened. “He may not be three, but he’s still immature. What harm is there in soothing him? If you don’t want to do it, then I’ll go in myself and try to talk to him.”

Geoffrey, tired of the conversation, answered flatly, “Fine. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for you all to visit. He’s safe for now, staying in the stone room, and a doctor is tending to his injuries. He asked to see Grandmother, so I’ll arrange for you to go with her.”

Priscilla immediately protested, “We can’t wait until tomorrow. He’s probably terrified tonight…”

Prudence, with a sharp glance at Priscilla, responded coldly, “Do you really think it’s appropriate to disturb the magistrate’s office at night, again and again?”

Priscilla mumbled under her breath, “Braden’s never spent a night outside before.”

Prudence, anger rising, snapped back, “Oh really? He’s been out all night before, running around with women. Didn’t you ask about that?”

Priscilla froze, her face flushing with guilt as Prudence’s words cut deep. She knew her mother was in a bad mood and wisely chose not to escalate the issue, retreating silently.

Geoffrey, exhausted by the ordeal, excused himself and left. The night was beautiful, the stars twinkling, and the breeze soft and cool. But Geoffrey’s mood was anything but serene.

Harlan, walking alongside him, said, “It’s getting late. We should head back and rest.”

Geoffrey sighed. “I’ll check on Clark first.”

Clark, meanwhile, was awake—restless and haunted by the night’s events. He knew he would never forget them. He couldn’t sleep tonight, and likely, not for many nights to come. He had always believed that as long as he did well, even if he didn’t win Grandmother’s or Father’s favor like his siblings, he would never be rejected. But tonight, he had been rudely awakened. It was a painful awakening.

“Cooper,” he called, sitting up.

“Sir, you’re still awake?” Cooper entered the room, surprised.

“Bring me some water. I’m terribly thirsty.” Clark’s voice was distant, lost in thought.

Cooper complied, having prepared some for him in case he woke up. He handed it to Clark, saying, “Clark, don’t dwell on it. Tomorrow’s the big day—going to the Parliamentary Library. That’s what matters.”

“Cooper, where’s your mother?” Clark asked, taking a large gulp of the water, the cool liquid easing his discomfort.

“My mother passed away,” Cooper replied. “My father remarried, and I was sold to a stranger. Eventually, I ended up here, at Duke’s estate.”

“Seems like stepmothers are never good,” Clark sighed.

Cooper shook his head. “No, my stepmother was a good person. I was sick often as a child, and she took care of me. Whenever there was something good to eat, she always saved it for me.”

“But she sold you,” Clark pointed out.

Cooper smiled. “That’s right. When my stepmother got sick and couldn’t afford medicine, she sold me for three coins so she could buy her medicine. She recovered after that.”

Clark looked at him thoughtfully. Cooper’s face lit up as he spoke of his stepmother, his feelings showing just how much she had cared for him. To Cooper, her kindness was worth the sacrifice, even if it meant selling himself.

“And how is your stepmother now?” Clark asked.

“She and my father moved to Argentum. My father works on the docks, and my mother washes clothes. I visit them once a month,” Cooper said with a smile.

Clark felt a pang in his heart. Cooper’s life wasn’t easy, but he had someone who truly cared for him.

“That’s very sweet,” Clark said, holding Cooper’s hand. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

Cooper grinned. “It’s not a hardship. It was my choice.”

Clark made a silent promise to himself: if he ever had the chance, he would repay Cooper’s loyalty. Good people deserved good things.

Just then, Harlan appeared at the door. “Clark, still awake?”

Clark, startled, handed the cup to Cooper and slipped on his shoes, heading downstairs. “Harlan, it’s so late…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Geoffrey appeared behind Harlan.