Mrs. Cooper cleared her throat. Seeing that Mrs. Johnson, as if regretting her words, had fallen silent, she finally continued to sit quietly, sipping her tea. It wasn’t until Henry Clark once again came out with the maids to invite them inside that she was the first to stand up. Following them into the inner room, she saw the young girl lying listlessly on the bed. She couldn’t help but study her for a moment, only to find the girl’s face full of exhaustion, her gaze not meeting theirs. Mrs. Cooper frowned slightly, but still took the lead in kneeling to pay her respects.

“Cousin, the two of us have come by order of the Dowager Madam to visit Second Madam and you, but…” She paused for a moment, seeing that Olivia Bolton on the bed showed no reaction, then continued in a low voice, “Before we left, the Dowager Madam said that we should escort Second Madam and you to the capital. Now that Second Madam has passed away and the mourning party has already set out, after discussing with Second Master, we thought to first escort you, cousin, back to the capital.”

“I’m not going…” Olivia Bolton suddenly turned over, completely ignoring the needle-like gaze Mrs. Smith shot at her back, and began to sob. “Mother is gone. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay here in Guide Prefecture with her…”

Seeing Henry Clark hurriedly sit by the bed and gently comfort her, finally managing to calm Olivia Bolton down, Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Johnson exchanged a glance, both feeling this was an exceptionally tricky situation. After a moment, Henry Clark stood up and came over to them.

“My sister has always been strong-willed and impatient. After this great upheaval, her temperament has changed a lot. Every time she thinks of godmother, she can’t stop crying. In just a few days, it’s as if she’s cried herself dry. What she just said was all out of grief—please, both of you, don’t take it to heart.” At this, Henry Clark turned to look at Olivia Bolton, who still had her back to them, and sighed, “Besides, the weather is so hot. If we set out now, my sister might not be able to bear it. I ask you both to wait a few days, let her recover her spirits, and then we can talk about leaving.”

“That’s reasonable.” Mrs. Cooper nodded, pulling Mrs. Johnson along to bow and take their leave.

Seeing Mrs. Smith leave with them, casting a vicious look her way as she went, Henry Clark let out a small sigh of relief. She returned to sit by the bedside, sent the maids out, and then gently patted Emily Bolton on the back.

“Get up, they’re all gone.”

Only then did Emily Bolton turn back over, clutching her chest tightly with one hand. After a while, she grabbed Henry Clark’s hand. “If it weren’t for you, I really wouldn’t have known how to deal with them!”

“You have to say it, even if you don’t want to! Once we’re in the capital, you’ll meet even more people. Even if I tell them you’ve changed a lot, you can’t just lock yourself in your room forever.”

“But why did you tell me to say that? If Father knows I refuse to go to the capital, and Mrs. Smith says a few bad words, he’ll definitely get furious!”

Henry Clark let out a cold, mocking laugh, then said calmly, “He may be eager to secure his future, but he’s not a fool. If his own daughter immediately leaves with her grandmother’s people without a word, not only would it be unfilial to her late mother, but if word got out, he’d be criticized behind his back. As for Mrs. Smith, I actually hope she goes to the master to stir up trouble… Don’t overthink it. With these extra days, you can review what I taught you before. Practicing on the road would only draw attention. Once we’re in the capital, there can’t be a single mistake.”

Chapter 9: Closest Kin

Mrs. Smith ultimately did not go to Charles Bolton to stir up such pointless trouble. After meeting with Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Johnson, and learning that Olivia Bolton couldn’t bear to leave her late mother and was unwilling to go to the capital, and hearing the two praise Henry Clark endlessly, Charles Bolton naturally joined them in sighing and lamenting for a while. The next day, when he personally came to the other residence, he took the opportunity, when no one was looking, to nod approvingly at Henry Clark.

“Not bad. Madam’s years of teaching you haven’t been in vain—you really know how to win people over. Before you accompany Yuer to the capital, I’ll let you visit your mother and your younger brother.”

“Thank you, godfather!”

Henry Clark feigned joy as she knelt in thanks, but inside she was burning with unspeakable anger.

Charles Bolton, however, thought she was truly happy, and became even more pleased with himself. He lowered his voice and said, “Also, I heard your mother once wanted to marry Yuer to His Highness the Prince of Zi. When you get to the capital, see if you can find out about this marriage. If you can make it happen, I’ll become the Prince of Zi’s father-in-law, and you’ll enjoy endless wealth and glory!”

It wasn’t until Charles Bolton went inside that Henry Clark fiercely clenched the handkerchief in her hand into a ball.

Her own mother, her own younger brother—at this very moment, she should have already left the Zhang family and reunited with her family, but now she was forced to struggle bitterly for herself and her loved ones, all thanks to the Zhang family. Now Charles Bolton even spoke in such a patronizing tone, as if bestowing a favor—this was nothing less than stabbing her right in the heart! To this man, aside from wealth and glory, wives and daughters were all disposable. In his heart, there had never been anyone but himself!