novelraw Chapter 377: Your Leclair family’s power is too great, even if I die here, Bessie Leclair’s wedding will proceed as scheduled
Chapter 377: Your Leclair family’s power is too great, even if I die here, Bessie Leclair’s wedding will proceed as scheduled
Delphine listened to the sound of Ignatius Leclair bathing, quietly got up, and gazed out through the floor-to-ceiling window at the dense darkness of the night, where faint drizzles occasionally splattered against the glass.
The final night in the South Sea, spring rain entwined like threads.
Whether she walked the path arranged by Old Mr. Leclair or the one orchestrated by Griffith Squire, she could vanish from the South Sea within a short time. But before leaving, she must obtain news about her estranged father.
Her mother had already passed away; she had to find her father. If he turned out to be indifferent and unworthy of affection, then she would consider herself a child of no parentage, born of earth and nurtured by heaven. But if he proved to be a kind, upright man, then she would recognize him as her father, take him to her mother’s burial place, and bring her home.
The emotions Delphine had worked so hard to suppress suddenly surged up again, violently overwhelming her. Tears streamed uncontrollably, and just then, a commotion sounded from downstairs. Judging by the noise, it seemed Stone Leclair had returned.
Delphine originally planned to ignore it, but there was a faint sound of glass shattering.
Lowering her gaze, she walked to the staircase. Stone Leclair was drunk and causing a scene in the side hall, while Mrs. Carter stood nearby, sobbing and sniffling.
"You still have the nerve to cry? My future was ruined because of you!" Stone Leclair’s slurred, drunken accusations rang out.
Another round of sounds erupted in the side hall—a chaotic clatter of objects being shattered—until Old Mr. Leclair emerged wearing his coat and barked sternly, "What is this racket? Get out of my sight. If you keep drinking and causing trouble, you can kiss your South Sea position goodbye tomorrow!"
Stone Leclair finally quieted down, the noise gradually subsiding.
Delphine listened numbly, standing at the staircase in a daze.
When Ignatius Leclair stepped out, he saw her standing barefoot at the staircase. Her figure was delicate and fragile, her pale skin almost translucent like icy jade. A short distance away was the spiral staircase. His heart twisted painfully, and he swiftly walked over, grasping her slender shoulders and scooping her up without speaking a word, carrying her back.
Delphine was enveloped in the crisp, cold scent of pine that clung to him after his bath. She had smelled it for years—it wasn’t sweet but faintly bitter, tinged with the chill of mint. She tilted her head to look at Ignatius Leclair’s chiseled, handsome features for a long moment, then smiled faintly and said in a low tone, "Did you think I was going to jump off the stairs?"
Ignatius tightened his grip on her, his voice deep and heavy as he said, "You’re strong-willed. You’re not someone who would act so weak."
Delphine nodded, her smile barely visible. "It’s not that the thought has never crossed my mind. But your Leclair Family holds too much power. Even if I did jump, died here, no one would know. Tomorrow, Bessie Leclair’s wedding would proceed as planned. Why should I waste my own life?"
She thought of that paternity test report—Ignatius had long known she wasn’t Mrs. Carter’s daughter yet had deliberately kept it from her. If this man had ever held even a shred of genuine affection for her, things wouldn’t have escalated to such a dead end between them.
Over the course of just one day, her Heart Realm had undergone a radical transformation. Alright then—this life of opulence and splendor never truly belonged to her. If it’s to be severed, let it be severed cleanly.
Ignatius’s breathing grew heavier. He laid her down on the bed, lowering his strikingly handsome face to murmur hoarsely, "You wouldn’t do such a thing. You’ve never been the kind to cower and run away."
"Who knows? After all, I have severe depression," Delphine replied with a cold laugh, flinging his hand away and curling herself under the prepared bedding to sleep.
Ignatius watched as she huddled into a small corner, frustration weighing upon him. He rose and walked to his study to light a cigarette. After much tossing and turning, dawn broke faintly on the horizon. His expression was dark and brooding, a mountain of unease crushing heavily against his chest.