Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 175

Well, Joanna thought it had been better for Bruno had he simply lost confidence and hidden himself away. But once he started carrying a hip flask filled with whiskey, she believed it was time to let go.

But what was the point of her giving up? The most important aspect of inheritance within their lineage was the law of succession, followed by the will of the head of the family.

“Joanna!”

“It’s both of you who are to blame. Bruno insulted Duchess Klausener while drunk at the tea party.”

“What?”

“You know what he said, and the Duke himself heard it.”

“What are you talking about?”

Baron Bloom aggressively pressed Joanna for answers, while the Baroness turned a pale blue, clearly shocked.

She knew. How Bruno thought of Duchess Klausener.

Joanna looked sharply at her mother and said.

“Did you really think he would watch his words in front of the Duchess? You know what he’s been saying about her.”

“No, but, that…”

“He even brought alcohol with him. That’s why I told you this wasn’t a good idea!”

While Baroness Bloom was flustered, Baron Bloom shouted.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I, I don’t know! The Duchess had a connection with our Bruno before she was married, but ultimately she chose the Duke…”

The Baroness cut herself off.

“But is that Bruno’s fault? It was something from his youth. He was full of vigor then, and any young man might be enticed if a woman flirts in front of him! Even the Duke wouldn’t be completely blameless in that regard!”

And here was Bruno, still unmarried and living like a hermit because of that incident.

Such a waste of a bright and promising son.

Unlike other lesser nobles who had to study desperately with nothing to inherit, her son, being the sole heir, chose to study diligently on his own, having both title and diligence.

Thinking that the Duchess had ruined her son’s future filled her with endless resentment.

But then again, on reflection, this was also an opportunity—a rare chance to connect with a high noble like Duchess Klausener.

Her son had always been intelligent, sharp, and handsome. The Duchess surely would have been delighted to reconnect with such a fine young man. Helping a noble lady was a natural role for a capable young man, and this could have been an opportunity for Bruno.

The second carriage arrived just as the Baroness had finally managed to calm Bruno down and bring him inside. The carriage itself was a common black, but it bore the emblem of the Klausener family on a draped banner.

Baron Bloom was startled and dashed outside.

The man who got off from the carriage was dressed in a modest gray suit and was a silver-haired gentleman.

“Good day, Baron Bloom? I regret that this is how we must meet.”

The man calmly extended his hand for a shake and introduced himself.

“It is my honor to serve as the legal counsel for Duke Klausener. I am Count Goerdeler.”

Baron Bloom, caught off guard, stared dumbly at Count Goerdeler before remembering to shake his hand.

One should not underestimate a person who handles others’ affairs. Count Goerdeler held a much higher social status than Baron Bloom.

It was rare for a noble with a title to become a lawyer or scholar.

Typically, the head of a noble family was expected to manage their own affairs rather than tend to others. However, when the family in question was as prestigious as the Klauseners, the scenario differed.

That’s why the Goerdeler family had even sent their eldest son to study law.

In fact, attaining a position like Count Goerdeler had been Bruno’s ultimate ambition.

As Baron Bloom hesitated, Count Goerdeler gracefully lowered his hand.

It was only then that Baron Bloom reacted with alarm, hastily extending his hand, but it seemed Count Goerdeler was no longer interested in shaking it.

“I have been….impolite.”

Baron Bloom managed to maintain his composure as he apologized, to which Count Goerdeler responded with a gentle smile.

“That’s alright.”

Baron Bloom then led him to the drawing room.

Count Goerdeler laid two envelopes bearing the Klausener crest on the table and said,

“I suppose you can guess why I am here.”

“We have heard… that our son committed an… indiscretion towards the Duchess.”

Baron Bloom did not have the courage to confront the Duke about what had been done to his son.

Count Goerdeler smiled amicably.

“His Excellency was quite upset by the incident. He is not a man of great mercy and dislikes having to repeat himself.”

“Yes…”

Baron Bloom took the words as a warning. It was meant not to repeat such rudeness.

However, the perspective from the Klauseners was different.

Erich had already ‘warned’ Bruno once during their school days, telling him to return to his estate and never show his face in society again.

Not only had he defied this and reappeared in society, only to insult the Duchess again. So now, this meant it was time for sanctions.

“You have two choices, Baron.”

Count Goerdeler said as he extended two envelopes to Baron Bloom.

“Disinherit your son and send him to a sanatorium where he cannot leave for the rest of his life. The inheritance can then be passed to a collateral relative or be used as a dowry for your daughter.”

“What?”

Baron Bloom stood up abruptly. It was no different from being told to dissolve his family.

“If you do not choose this, we plan to sue for defamation.”

Count Goerdeler continued with a calm expression.

“Of course, there is more material than just that. If we wish to get messier, we could examine the last fifty years of tax payments from the Bloom family or scrutinize the lives of your estate’s residents. In any case, the House of Nobles will unanimously agree to strip the Bloom family of its title.”