Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 187

“Father.”

Joanna addressed Baron Bloom calmly.

For the first time, Baron Bloom saw his daughter displaying such a dignified and composed demeanor. It was as if a stranger from the nobility were standing before him, not his once vulnerable daughter.

“Hand over the signet ring.”

Joanna said.

Baron Bloom was left speechless.

“What?”

“Hand over the signet ring. The decision of everyone present here is that we can no longer entrust Barony Bloom to Father.”

“How dare you! How dare you! Such insubordination!”

Seeing Baron Bloom’s face turn red with rage, Joanna felt no fear.

She was not worried about being hated. This man was pathetic. And beyond shouting with the authority of a Baron, he had no real power.

When the society that granted him that authority turned its back, all that remained was a foolish man who could not discern right from wrong.

“Father can no longer command others, and if things stay as they are, Barony Bloom will be destroyed.”

Joanna continued calmly.

“Even if Father, Mother, Bruno, and I lose our titles and the family, we would still manage to live reasonably well. We have assets beyond the family estate, and a residence in the capital. But what about the people who lived within our family’s boundaries? Have you ever thought about that?”

“You’re worrying about serfs now?”

“There are no more serfs, Father. I’m talking about the people who have worked for our family for a long time, those who consider our land their home.”

Though Barony Bloom had not thrived as actively as Delford, Krozik, or even Ludendorff, they had several manors and small businesses. If the title were revoked, all of that would be dissolved. The land would have new owners, but in a world overflowing with people, the chances of maintaining the tenants as serfs or employing them as workers were slim.

“You cannot destroy everyone in the Barony because you chose an unworthy heir.”

“Ha, I knew you’d do something foolish out of that small sense of sympathy.”

“The family is already on the brink of collapse.”

“Who decides that the family is collapsing? Do you think Duke Klausener told you to take the family as a dowry as if it was a gift to you? That’s a declaration to end our family line!”

“That was a very merciful thing to say. He could have ended our family immediately but chose to give us time to sort things out without completely destroying the members’ means of living. And he maintained some of your authority as parents.”

“What! Are you actually siding with the Duke rather than your own father? Oh, it seems you’ve been mesmerized by the Duke’s illustrious face and lost your senses.”

“Father, are you the one who’s lost your mind? By saying that, you’re not only insulting me but also the Duke himself.”

Joanna couldn’t hide her disbelief.

“Father really has no sense of honor. I didn’t realize you were like this… Since you’re like this, it’s no wonder Bruno turned out the way he did.”

“Joanna!”

Even Baroness Bloom could no longer contain her anger and shouted. Joanna sighed as a headache came, but she couldn’t clutch her head in front of the other retainers.

She recalled Claire’s advice that there was no need to engage with such people. The important thing was to manage the family, not the individuals.

Baron Bloom’s cold treatment was not the reason for her current demands.

“Sir Peter, Mister Florin, bring the signet ring.”

At Joanna’s command, the two young retainers stepped forward. Baron Bloom realized what they intended to do and hurriedly backed away.

“Stop it, you insolent fools!”

But it was useless. The baron turned quickly to flee, but the door wouldn’t open.

Clank! Clank!

Although the dining hall door had no lock, it wouldn’t open no matter how much it was pulled. It seemed the bolt had been thrown from outside.

The Baron turned back, pale with fear. Joanna said.

“Please allow me to show you respect.”

Young Florin grabbed the baron’s arm. Although he was a retainer, his loyalty to his lord had long since disappeared.

Baron Bloom, and even the heir, had not a shred of respectability. The only thing that mattered was that this was the land where the family had lived until now, and he felt a sentimental attachment to it.

If he had no respect for the Baron and the Baron had no power to punish, then the Baron’s authority meant nothing. There was no inherent power in his bloodline.

Florin, with a strange sense of satisfaction, twisted the Baron’s hand.

“You insolent fool! You’ll pay for this!”

The Baron raged, but Florin easily removed the signet ring from his fat finger. Peter then respectfully handed it to Joanna.

Joanna took the ring, noticed it was damp with sweat, and wiped it with a handkerchief. The legal advisor, who had previously advised the Baron to cease, presented the prepared documents.

The Baron was dragged by Florin and made to sit in front of them.

“No! This is an outrage! This is a rebellion! Do you think you can rob me of the sacred rights granted by God?”

He threw the pen in a fury. As Florin held him down by the shoulders and chest, another retainer put the pen back in the Baron’s hand.

“Cursed be you! This is treason! Do you think the House of Lords will tolerate this?”

“Sign it, Father. Bruno will receive care in the nursing home until his death, and I will ensure that you both are taken care of so that you can retire comfortably.”

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