Chapter 259
Chapter 259
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The moment those words left Nolan’s mouth, Lucian scrambled to his feet, clutching the accounting ledger to his chest, and ran off to “handle things.”
But while he left, a dozen trembling officials remained kneeling outside, not daring to move an inch.
“Why are they still here?” Eliza asked, raising an eyebrow.
Nolan replied casually, “Too noisy. I told them to kneel there until I’ve finished my business. Then I’ll deal with them.”
His tone wasn’t loud, but just loud enough to drift to the doorway–where the trembling officials heard every single word.
Several of them shivered even harder, cold sweat soaking their collars. If they’d known offending Nolan meant kneeling for hours with death hanging over their heads, they’d never have let Lucian drag them into this.
“Quick–go get Mr. Jenson Pearson! If he doesn’t come plead for us, we’re all dead!” someone whispered in a panic.
Soon enough, Jenson did arrive–but not for them.
“Your Grace. Your Highness,” Jenson greeted with a glowing smile, walking right past the shivering men at the door without a glance and stopping before Eliza to bow.
Eliza smiled lightly. “No need for formalities. Please, rise.”
Nolan said nothing, so Eliza gestured invitingly. “Come, have a seat. You wouldn’t happen to be here to plead for anyone, would you?”
She said it half–jokingly.
Jenson quickly waved his hands. “No, no–nothing gratitude.”
of
the sort. I’m not here to plead. I’m here to present a small token of
At his signal, servants came in carrying large baskets–basket after basket of something earthy and fragrant.
At first glance, Eliza thought it was medicinal herbs. But on closer inspection, she realized they were actually seeds and seedlings.
Jenson explained, “We owe you so much, Your Grace. If not for your prayers, the rains wouldn’t have come and saved Plutonville. I’ve long wanted to thank you, but things have been so chaotic. Once I heard you’d be passing through again, I quickly gathered what I could.”
He motioned for the servants to place the baskets at her feet. “Please forgive the imposition,” he added with a nervous smile. “I didn’t know what you might like, but I heard you enjoy growing medicinal herbs. So I collected every species grown in Plutonville, seeds and seedlings both. I hope… they suit your taste?”
Eliza raised an eyebrow. “This is starting to look like a bribe.”
Jenson panicked. “No! Absolutely not. Most of this didn’t even come from me. After word got out that Your Grace likes to grow herbs, the people of Plutonville began donating what they had. I merely delivered them on their behalf.”
That changed ev
The teasing smile faded. Eliza stood and walked over, examining the gifts basket by basket. When she finally turned back, her expression was sincere.
“These are wonderful. Please tell everyone–I’ll take great care of them.“Jenson’s face lit up. “As long as you’re pleased!”
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Chapter 259
Jenson’s face lit up. “As long as you’re pleased!”
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He’d been worried the information he received was wrong. Growing herbs? It seemed so… unorthodox. But clearly, he’d chosen well.
He thought to himself, “She grows herbs… and studies medicine. Truly a kind–hearted soul.”
What he didn’t know was that Eliza didn’t just grow herbs–she also cultivated poison.
Once the gifts were delivered, Jenson didn’t even look at the officials at the door, who were now trying to signal him with increasingly desperate glances. He offered his farewells and left cleanly.
The ones left behind? Still kneeling. Still frozen. Not a soul dared to stand.
Even the slightest movement would earn them a cold, soul–crushing glance from Nolan–and none of them could withstand that kind of pressure.
It was only after Nolan finished reviewing every account and secured a tidy fifty million dollars in “military compensation” from the Bradford family that the matter was declared “resolved.”
Well–mostly resolved.
Hudson, dragged back out in the end, looked like a bloated corpse. He’d passed out hours ago from the pain.
And no one dared treat him. Without Nolan’s word, even applying a bandage would’ve been courting death. They let him bleed, kept him barely alive, only treating him when he was seconds from dying. Just enough to keep him breathing.
The Bradford family was furious, but they didn’t dare say a word.
After all, Hudson had tried to force Eliza in the street. Anyone who wasn’t utterly stupid knew this punishment was getting off easy.
Lucian was just about to drag his broken son home when Nolan’s voice rang out again:
Lucian froze. He shoved Hudson back down and dropped to his knees once more.
“Your Highness… is there still something else?”
Hudson, who had already been beaten into a pile of meat, was trembling so violently his fat was quivering.
Nolan sat at the table, his fingers idly tapping the armrest. His gaze was flat as a blade.
“You,” he said, pointing at Hudson. “Come here.”
Hudson nearly fainted.
‘No… no, no! He’s changed his mind! He’s going to kill me–he’s going to kill me!‘
A foul stench rose in the air. Hudson had actually wet himself in fear.
Even then, Nolan didn’t show an ounce of mercy.
He wrinkled his nose and said coolly, “Forget it. Ross, drag him out. Cut off his tongue and send him away.”
That was the final straw. Hudson collapsed, unconscious.
Lucian burst into tears. “Your Highness, please–please have mercy! He’s already lost a hand. If he loses his tongue too, he’ll be completely ruined!”
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Nolan gave him a look that could freeze rivers.
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“He dared speak filth to the Holy Lady, personally appointed by the King. You tell me–which should I cut? His tongue, or his head?”
There was no choice at all.
In the end, Lucian had to carry his son–now one hand short and one tongue short–out the door as fast as he could. If they lingered a moment longer, who knew what else Hudson might lose?
Eliza said nothing through the entire exchange.
She knew Nolan was venting on her behalf. Why would she stop him?
But just as the father and son pair were about to disappear through the inn’s front doors, a voice echoed from the hall behind them. “Wait.”
