Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 267

“This is… hmm, well…”

Caroline carefully read over the unfamiliar terms.

“Sell off completely?”

Dan was informing someone who had entrusted him with capital that he intended to withdraw the funds invested in the farm and manufacturer.

Of course, he wasn’t speaking to her.

The information was originally meant for the unknown recipient of this letter.

But if it was related to Christian, then burning it without a second thought seemed like a waste.

“…No, how can I trust the words of someone I don’t even know?”

If this was false information and she recklessly spread it, she might end up making a complete enemy of him.

That would mean not only the end of their potential marriage but also the complete ruin of their social connection.

‘That’s right. Only a fool would believe a letter from an unknown sender.’

Since she had confirmed that the contents weren’t incriminating enough to report, that was enough.

Caroline struck a match and burned the letter in her room’s candle holder.

With a soft whoosh, the flames consumed the paper, and the ashes scattered with a puff of breath.

Information without a clear sender or recipient was ultimately that weightless.

Caroline glanced between the now-dirtied desk and the invitation resting on her vanity.

Slowly, she walked over and picked up the invitation.

“Louise said it, didn’t she? That in the end, he’ll come back to me…”

So it didn’t matter if she had no enticing information.

It didn’t matter if this invitation hadn’t been sent specifically to her.

Because surely, even without realizing it, he still longed for her.

“I will never be abandoned again.”

The reflection in the mirror showed her conflicted expression.

With a shuddering breath, Caroline turned away in disgust.

* * *

The truth is an unchanging fact.

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

So obvious that it doesn’t even need to be explained.

Christian Pierce is lucky.

That is one truth.

One absolute, unchanging fact.

Christian Pierce, the golden child of this era.

A man who loved to stand out wherever he went, who never missed a night of revelry.

And yet, for several days now, he had skipped attending any parties.

Had this libertine finally come to his senses?

People whispered in curiosity.

“How is the Young Duke doing these days?”

Duchess Pierce would press her lips tightly together and show visible discomfort whenever she was asked such harmless questions.

Her mother, however, would follow her around, answering on her behalf.

“Oh, he has recently taken an interest in scholarly pursuits! He’s been locked up in the study for days, skipping meals, just reading books.”

No one truly believed her.

But no one would openly criticize the Duke’s family to their faces either.

“Ah, so Her Grace had reason to be concerned.”

“Still, isn’t it wonderful that he is so devoted to his studies? With the next duke possessing both intelligence and good looks, the Pierce family has nothing to worry about for the future.”

At such empty flattery, Duchess Pierce coldly retorted—

“Before predicting the future of my house, perhaps you should first mind your own family’s affairs.”

“…I spoke out of turn.”

The moment the guests withdrew, Duchess Pierce removed her public mask.

“My son hasn’t even been home… Mother, you’re saying useless things again.”

“Dear, I was only trying to help you.”

“How is that helping? If word spreads that my son is frequenting gambling dens, people will mock me a hundred times more.”

“You just need to stop him before the rumors start.”

“If that were possible, then you and Alexandra would have been stopped long ago.”

“……”

Viscountess Lope pressed her lips together.

“It will come out eventually. Because of your thoughtless words, I’ll be labeled a liar, and our family’s reputation will sink to the bottom. Wherever I go, people will snicker behind my back.”

“Who would dare mock the lady of a ducal house?”

“They always mock me. I hear it every time. With every step I take, they whisper with their eyes.”

Their silent derision, their harsh judgments…

“I hear them all.”