Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 223
Claire noticed and spoke first.
“Will, I wish you’d just let that conversation go.”
“…”
“Every family has something they can’t talk about, right? We’re doing well. No problems, and we’re very happy as a family.”
William looked at Claire with a complex expression, then rubbed his face with both hands.
“It’s not because of you.”
“Will.”
“I need to know. Who is Elliott’s father?”
“…”
Instead of Claire, Erich responded with a composed expression.
“If I confirm he’s my child, will you despise me?”
“No. I don’t think so. I believe you’ve done the right thing.”
William said sincerely.
“And I trust you’re doing everything you can to protect Claire and the child.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Claire looked at him with a tense expression. If William thought Elliott was Erich’s child, calling it the right thing was strange.
But William couldn’t know the truth. Even if he had realized the child was Elisa’s, he couldn’t know about the biological father…
William downed his brandy and whispered in a low voice,
“Senior, there’s someone you need to meet.”
“William.”
“Claire should come too. But it can’t be in a public place. Would you be able to make it to Bismarck port?”
After a brief pause, Erich replied,
“Since the child loves pirate games… it wouldn’t be a bad idea to let him play on a friend’s ship since we’re heading to the sea.”
“Well, if we’re going to the port, let’s take a sip instead of a train when we return to the capital.”
Claire raised her voice deliberately, as if preparing for the worst.
Unfortunately, since the Ludendorff port may not open anytime soon, they would have to go to Bismarck.
William nodded and stood up.
“I’ll go to bed now. Thank you for offering me a room.”
“Rest well.”
Erich bid him farewell.
William shook his hand again, kissed Claire on the cheek, and left the living room.
In a quiet voice, Erich said,
“William came to confirm.”
About Elliott. And about whether they’ve changed, or not.
Claire sighed and handed him her empty brandy glass. Erich took the glass, added ice, and poured more drink.
She felt a burning sensation inside and quickly drank it as soon as it was handed to her.
“We can’t avoid thinking about that now, can we? Do you think Will is still someone we can trust?”
“Five years isn’t a short time.”
Five years ago, they were only twenty-two. That age was too young to be sure of someone for a lifetime.
In fact, Claire herself had changed so much, so there was no guarantee that William was the same person as back then.
“I now wonder if Will really disappeared because of Viscounty Prescott.”
Claire spoke with a slightly downcast tone. She had been harboring doubts in the back of her mind.
Even if he had cut ties with his family, there was no reason to do the same with friends. It would have been more natural to contact them for help.
Now, after five years, the only thing that came to mind was one thing.
Erich lightly placed his hand on her head.
“It’s okay. No one can win against stubbornness. Elliott is my child. As long as I say so, no one can argue.”
“Your stubbornness is quite convincing when you say it like that.”
Claire set down her glass and pulled him close, burying her face in his stomach.
“So, what’s the truth?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you really plan to propose to me eight years ago?”
“Fortunately, I don’t have any friends who would spill the truth.”
Erich smiled and said this, then gently lifted Claire.
.
.
.
-
- A Hole in the Pocket
When Horst returned from his short business trip, the atmosphere at Marquis Ludendorff’s residence was gloomy.
Despite the clear weather outside, it felt as though a downpour was happening only within the walls of this place, and even the air felt heavy.
‘What’s happened now?’
The employees didn’t know the specifics of the family crisis.
But with an issue that was sweeping through the entire territory, it was impossible for them not to be aware.
Moreover, the Marquis wasn’t someone who hid his expressions easily.
On top of that, he had also brought back even worse news, which made his heart heavy. No, even if he had accomplished what he intended, it wouldn’t have been good news.
Knock, knock.
“Father, it’s me.”
After knocking on the study door, Horst carefully opened it.
Marquis Ludendorff, sitting at his desk with his head in his hands, looked up.
‘Something’s wrong!’
Marquis Ludendorff’s face had turned pale, and his eyes were vacant. He quickly raised his head and looked at Horst.
“What happened?”
“Negotiations have been made with County Krozik.”
Horst spoke in a low voice.
After the Marquis had found himself in a position where he had to repay the money to the shipowner’s association, the only place he could take the money from was the funds invested in the Gagern mine.
The Marquis’s plan was to temporarily halt the mine’s development, withdraw the funds, and use them to pay the insurance for the shipowner’s association.
Once the port accident was settled, they could resume the mine’s development.
Of course, County Krozik wouldn’t agree to such terms easily.
“I negotiated to transfer 22% of the shares.”
“Just to halt it, and you give up 22%?!”
“It couldn’t be helped. They understand our situation is urgent and difficult.”
“Ha. Thieves, every last one of them.”
The Marquis sighed.
“What about the miners?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? What happened now?”
“The man named Jacob ran away.”
“What?!”
This time, the Marquis leaped to his feet and shouted.
He had planned to recover the money he had paid to Jacob. Since the development was being halted, there was no need to worry about the miners.
Want to read more? Up to [24] advanced chapters are available on Patreon:
For update pings, novel discussions and/or to send mistake reports, join our discord server~!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
