Chapter 251
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As Andrew spoke, tears fell down his face. “I can’t believe Father still chose to trust and protect Tessa, even after realizing she had bribed the maid with money. And he even condones her bullying Margaery
Avery’s expression turned grim after he took the letter and read through the contents.
The letter had indeed stated that Raul Wallen had discovered the money originally meant for Tessa under the bed of Margaery’s maid, but he remained unmoved.
The one he favored and protected was still Tessa.
At this moment, Avery recalled what Raul had said at the very beginning.
When Tessa first arrived. Raul gave them strict instructions in the study. Tessa has suffered many hardships over the years out there. All of you enjoy good lives while living in the Chancellor’s estate. So it’s hard for all of you to imagine the life of those at the bottom.
“Moreover, she had no parents and lived with that midwife. It was inevitable that people would look down on her. And she’s afflicted with such a serious illness that even a peasant will probably turn up his nose at her.
“She has led such a hard life, so as her brothers, you must make it up to her.
“If all of you hadn’t been so playful back then and failed to stay by your mother’s side when she gave birth to Tessa, she wouldn’t have been taken away by the midwife.
*All of us bear some responsibility for her abduction
“Henceforth, no one is allowed to bully Tessa. Do you understand?”
At that time, Avery only thought that Raul’s attitude showed that he felt guilty toward Tessa
As her brothers, they were also duty–bound to protect Tessa.
Back then, he felt that the older man was right.
At any rate, he also felt the same way.
At one stage, he too vented all his shame and frustration over his own inadequacy on Margaery.
But after the icy pond incident, everything had changed.
Tessa said that Raul favored her because she reminded him of his own shameful past. He regarded Tessa as a kindred spint
Thus, he could empathize with her.
All the misfortunes that befell Tessa, Raul was able to relate to them as they evoked memories of his own youth
In his youth, Raul was a drifter. He was despised and looked down upon by others, but he was powerless to fight back.
Now, he had the ability to protect Tessa
Therefore, he treated Tessa as an extension of himself. He imagined himself being the victim whenever he saw others bullying her, and he would then retaliate against them on her behalf
He was so ruthless that he did not even spare his own daughter He also treated Margaery as one of his bullies in the past.
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Chapter 251
On the surface, it would appear that Raul was very protective of Tessa.
In reality, he was merely protecting his younger self, and he projected years of pent–up anger onto Margaery.
Tessa was nothing more than an excuse for him to discharge his negative emotions.
As for his sons…
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Avery realized that he was merely a pawn in his father’s hands, but whether the older man was doing this deliberately or
not…
It would appear that Raul wanted to rally supporters around himself as compensation for his isolation and ostracism in his youth. He would then imagine noblewomen like Margaery, who led better lives, as those women who despised him, and then he would bully them and take revenge on them.
As these thoughts surfaced in Avery’s mind, his face gradually turned pale.
Hidden beneath the splendor and luxury of the Chancellor’s estate was such unspeakable filth…
Avery had always cared most about keeping up appearances.
Yet now, he felt as if even his innermost self had been exposed.
It was as if the blood flowing through his veins had become tainted.
He was the descendant of maggots from the gutter!
Thus, the things hidden in Raul’s heart and later, his act of repaying Margaery’s kindness with enmity were of the same origin.
They were part of his inherent nature!
Avery suddenly staggered, and the letter in his hand dropped to the ground.
Joshua thought the letter contained something astonishing, but upon reading it, he found it was merely the same earnest advice Russell had previously given him and Raul.
Unfortunately, at the time, he thought Russell was out of his mind.
Now, the realization felt like a bone stuck in his throat. There was no point crying over spilled milk now.
He picked up the letter and clutched it tightly in his hand. He then glanced at Andrew. “What about you? With the family in this state and the New Year approaching, are you not going to spend it with us?”
His anger boiled over at this point.
Unable to control himself, Joshua finally blurted out, “Do you also feel that you can’t stay in this family any longer? Do you want to be like Russell and leave this place, and even change your family name?”
Andrew’s suppressed emotions also erupted all at once.
He suddenly lunged forward and shoved Joshua so hard that the latter stumbled backward. “It’s all your fault! Your fault! You guys forced me! It is you guys who forced me to do those things!
“I chose you guys over Margaery, but I… I’m done for…”
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Chapter 251
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He suddenly became dazed. He looked as if all his strength had left him.
Then, he staggered his way past Avery and Joshua. On his way out, he said in a broken voice, “I’ll pack up and leave shortly. You guys don’t have to see me off.”
As Joshua watched his departing figure, he clenched his fists. He felt so suffocated that it seemed like his chest was going to explode.
How did it end up being his fault? He…
As Joshua thought of Tessa, a surge of indescribable shame and resentment welled up in his heart. His face became flushed with embarrassment and resentment.
Avery watched Joshua silently. Finally, he said, “Joshua, after the New Year, I will leave too.”
It was already the end of the year now.
In the streets, the festivities were already in full swing.
“I still remember, before Tessa joined the family, we would take Margaery out together to shop for festival goodies every year around this time. We would buy lots of delicious food, fun gifts, and sparkling decorations…”
All these activities were synonymous with happy family get–togethers.
Now, the family has fallen apart.
At present, Prince Isander was investigating the tax evasion case.
Avery did not want to get implicated when the King decided to execute the whole household.
However, he still wanted to maintain his dignity, so he didn’t say his thoughts out loud.
As for Margaery, he did feel some regret over what she had suffered.
But the regret was not because he felt guilt–stricken toward Margaery. It was more that he felt he should not have ruined his own future…
Now that Margaery had soared to great heights, if he hadn’t treated her that way, he could have enjoyed wealth and prosperity for the rest of his life merely by being connected to her.
Thinking of this, he was tormented with gut–wrenching regret.
Unfortunately, he could not turn back the hands of time anymore.
Now, he could only leave Sinderin City in disgrace.
Avery left as soon as he finished speaking.
Joshua grabbed him, “If all of you leave, what will happen to Father?”
“Don’t forget that Clyde is still locked up waiting for us to rescue him!” Joshua’s eyes were bloodshot. He could not accept
such an outcome,
He stared at Avery, “You egged Clyde on to stab Margaery back then!
“At the time, you were supposed to seek refuge there, not do something like this!”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
