Mrs. Grant was indeed dignified and gracious, but the way she managed him was like guarding against a thief. He had originally thought that taking office alone would be carefree, but who would have expected that she insisted on accompanying him! All these years, he had never had a moment of indulgence, never done anything he truly wanted. Now, after much difficulty, that woman was finally dead. He had schemed carefully, taking advantage of her previous illness to win over almost everyone in the household, had Mrs. Smith poison Mrs. Grant's most trusted confidante, Mrs. Carter, and managed to get his hands on the little box containing numerous property deeds and silver notes. Who could have known that such an earth-shattering event would occur!

　　“Master…”

　　“Come in!” After barking out the order, Charles Bolton saw the curtain at the door lift, and Mrs. Smith entered, kneeling in greeting. He asked coldly, “Have all of Yu’er’s maids been dealt with?”

　　“Reporting to Master, we told outsiders that the girls were sent to the estate. Just to be safe, I also said that, by the lady’s grace, a few families were released, including the two maids of Miss Han. I have already instructed reliable people to quietly take care of them on the way.” Mrs. Smith lowered her head respectfully. Seeing Charles Bolton snort coldly, she then cautiously added, “However, ever since news of the lady’s serious illness was sent to the capital, both the Marquis of Weining’s and Marquis of Wuning’s households have said they want to send people to visit. Although the people sent to Xuzhou to gather information haven’t reported back yet, I fear they’ll arrive soon. Although the eldest young lady rarely goes out and few in the yamen know her— even the family of Assistant Magistrate Lu hasn’t met her, let alone the servants— news can’t be hidden for long…”

　　“Hmph!” Charles Bolton snorted heavily, barely suppressing his anger before slowly sitting down. “Yu’er has always been in poor health. If I say she died of grief over her mother’s passing, I suppose the two marquis households will have nothing to say.”

　　“That’s true,” Mrs. Smith’s heart tightened, and then her face showed a worried expression. “But Master, you must understand, both marquis households have always enjoyed the emperor’s trust. The lady’s eldest sister, Consort Shu, gave birth to Prince Zi. Although he’s far down the line and unlikely to inherit the throne, he is greatly favored by the emperor. If, after losing your wife, you also lose your daughter, what connection will you have with the Gu family from then on?”

　　“At worst, I’ll use my late wife’s dying wish as an excuse and ask to marry another girl from the Gu clan as my new wife!”

　　“Master, a clan girl is not the same! The lady was the Dowager’s youngest daughter, and the eldest young lady is the Dowager’s legitimate granddaughter, the Marquis of Wuning’s niece, and the Marquis of Weining’s first cousin. If you replace her with another girl from the clan, the connection with the two marquis households and Consort Shu will be much more distant. Besides, if both mother and daughter die, who’s to say the Dowager won’t hold a grudge? Even if she doesn’t seek revenge, just reclaiming all the lady’s dowry according to the original list is clearly stated in the law. Even if the assets the lady accumulated over the years go to you, if the Dowager is displeased and keeps you stuck in Guide Prefecture, or even exiles you to some remote place…”

　　“Enough!”

　　Charles Bolton felt another surge of anger, followed by a wave of regret. If he hadn’t acted rashly and caused tonight’s commotion, couldn’t he have taken his time in the future? Could that helpless girl really have escaped his grasp? Yes, it was all because that girl bewitched him and made him lose his senses; otherwise, how could he have done such a foolish thing!

　　At this thought, his lips twitched twice, and he asked viciously, “What about those two wretched girls?”

　　Seeing Charles Bolton’s unpleasant expression, Mrs. Smith quickly lowered her head. “Reporting to Master, I’ve already locked up Second Miss, and fearing that Henry Clark might do something drastic, I personally tied her hands and feet.”

　　At this, she stole a glance at Charles Bolton, and seeing that his anger had not subsided, she secretly rejoiced and carefully continued, “However, the lady was fond of her and often mentioned her good qualities in letters to the Dowager in the capital. The Dowager even asked the lady to bring her to the capital for a look. This is a serious matter. If the Gu family comes and she causes trouble, Master, perhaps it’s best to eliminate the root…”

　　Seeing Charles Bolton frown, clearly reluctant, she lowered her voice and said, “Even if you can’t bear to, Master, you should guard against the Gu family asking to see her. If that happens, the consequences will be endless…”

　　“Her mother and brother are already in my hands. I doubt she can stir up any trouble!”

　　Thinking of all his schemes that had yet to bear fruit, if Henry Clark died, it would all be for nothing. Charles Bolton was extremely unwilling and flatly rejected Mrs. Smith’s suggestion. Just then, a servant’s report came from outside. Annoyed, he signaled Mrs. Smith to go out, while he sat there, tapping the armrest with his fingers, pondering what to do next. Before long, he saw Mrs. Smith hurrying back in.