"That’s none of your business!" Lionel shouted as he jumped up from his seat.He wondered what was taking Adrian and the others so long. "I'm going out for some fresh air," he said. Claude was in a difficult position. Both of these people were his masters, so he hoped that they could get along peacefully. However, Lionel had a peculiar temper."Mr. Lionel!"When Claude came out, Lionel was taking a stroll in the courtyard. He breathed in the aroma of the herbs and felt rejuvenated."It smells good!" Lionel said.Just then, an elderly woman came over. She glanced at Lionel disdainfully and commented, "Oh my, the stench from this beggar is unbearable." Suddenly, an idea popped into Claude's mind. The elderly woman was named May and had always been responsible for taking care of him. She had recently been complaining of feeling unwell, but he could not figure out what was wrong with her."Mr. Lionel, will you please help me treat May?”"No," Lionel said. He could sense the co
May's face paled with fear. She picked up the teapot and turned to leave."May, stop taking food back to your room all the time," Axel said.Claude was puzzled and asked, "May, didn't you say you have no relatives? Is it someone from your hometown?""Don't listen to his nonsense," May forced out a smile and said, "The beef is all for you. I don't take any of it.""Really? When Claude isn't around, you make the same simple dishes every day. But when there's beef, you secretly take it back to your room," Axel said exasperatingly. Sensing the tension between Axel and May, Claude interrupted, "Let's make a beef stew! We have important guests on the way, and please cook up some other tasty dishes, May. Let's have a party tonight!"Axel harrumphed coldly and turned away. When he saw Lionel, his face sank again, and he asked, "So, do you have any thoughts on this?""She's pregnant," Lionel said nonchalantly, "She looks to be about four months along, and her belly is beginning to show.
Claude slapped his forehead. It had been six or seven hours since they got here, yet Adrian still had yet to arrive. He figured that he should wait for them at the gate and said, "I'll go check."May was afraid of Axel. She was worried that he might harm her after Claude left. "Mr. Claude, I've always been loyal to you. This is all my fault. Please don't kill me."Claude was in a dilemma. Agreeing to May would ruin his reputation and put Medicis Manor, and possibly his life, at risk. "I need to think about it,” he replied."You're the only family I have, sir. If you don't care for me, I'll have nowhere to go." May clung to Claude's legs, crying loudly.Just then, Adrian and his companions entered Medicis Manor, hearing the wailing from afar. They quickened their pace, thinking that something serious had happened. There was no one at the entrance as they had rushed over to see what was going on."Could it be Joe?""It's definitely him!""He's the only one who's still single in Me
Adrian glanced at May and chuckled lightly. "Since we can't go in, let's light up the room and see if the man hiding inside comes out."Everyone felt that this was a good idea. Without waiting for Claude's orders, someone brought out firewood, ready to burn the room down. May looked at Claude sadly and asked, "Sir, why must you insist on knowing the truth?""May, you've been with me for a very long time. You should know the house rules. Your actions are unacceptable, and there's nothing I can do about it," Claude said as he suppressed his anger.May slumped to the ground. She thought she had kept her secret well hidden, not anticipating Axel to harbor such intense resentment toward her. He had been observing her for a long time, so it was natural that he had noticed her abnormal behavior.Another servant came forward and asked, "Sir, should we burn the room?""No! Don't!" May shouted in a panic. She turned to the room and called out, "I think you should come out now."Claude si
“Mr. Axel, can you please help us?" Claude asked, "After all, you're not married yet. If you marry May, this whole thing will be settled, and you'll have someone to take care of you.""Hell no," Axel rejected.Though he was not rich, he had a good reputation. He refused to let anyone burden him with troubles. "I'd rather be single my whole life than marry her!" Axel added."This is my house and I pay for your meals, so you keep your mouth shut!" Sebastian roared. Axel was tongue-tied. When he came to live in the city, he had no background and no one to rely on. The reason he could establish his reputation was solely due to his hard work and determination.After a moment of silence, he waved and said, "I'll pretend I didn't see anything today." He turned and walked away.Sebastian smirked triumphantly. He then turned to Adrian, and an idea popped into his mind. "Claude, he can be my scapegoat,” he suggested."What? No!" Claude refused. He knew that Adrian and Rozi were a coupl
Claude did not know what to do. Adrian and Sebastian were people he could not afford to offend. He could only stand foolishly between the two, hoping the conflict would stop escalating.May was close to passing out from crying. Sebastian had promised to take care of her for life, but it turned out to be nothing but deceit. Meanwhile, Lionel shook his head in disappointment. He had accepted Claude as his apprentice because Medicis Manor had a good reputation in Debonaire. However, he was unaware of the hidden corruption within its walls."Claude, can we dissolve our mentor-apprentice relationship?" Lionel asked softly."What?" Claude was startled. "But I haven't done anything wrong.""Seriously?!" Lionel spun around and looked at Claude in disbelief. "Despite having a good life, your uncle isn't content and quickly falls for another woman just because she's prettier. You not only refused to punish him but are also covering up for him? Do you think that's acceptable?"Claude lower
Sebastian crawled over to Grisha and clutched her arm. "Will you please forgive me?""Let go of me!" Grisha snarled.Sebastian refused to let go. She was his last hope, and only with her forgiveness could he mitigate the situation."Ahem!" Adrian cleared his throat, and Sebastian instinctively released his grip.Adrian was different from Claude. While Claude might forgive Sebastian because of their familial connection, Adrian would not. With no blood ties, if Adrian got upset, it could lead to disastrous consequences.Grisha looked at Adrian and asked, "Who are you?""I'm Claude's friend," Adrian replied, "You can call me Adrian. I just couldn't stand Sebastian's despicable behavior. Such a person should be burned alive."Grisha forced out a smile and said, "I'd like to burn him alive as well, but it’d have serious consequences for my family. I'd be too ashamed to face anyone."Adrian fell silent. He understood Grisha's intention to preserve the Biggses’ reputation, but a despi
Columns of smoke ascended to the sky as the room was set ablaze. The intense fire deterred anyone from getting closer, and everyone gazed vacantly at the flames.A few minutes later, a miserable cry came from inside. "Help!""Uncle Sebastian!" Claude pushed Adrian's hand away and rushed in. When he got inside, he saw that the flames had enveloped the two people. Half of May's body was charred, but she remained silent. Seeing Claude, she said, "Don't come closer. This is our punishment."Sebastian's breathing was getting weaker as the raging flames consumed his body. He tried to push May away, but their bodies were somehow bound together.Adrian stayed outside, while Marissa went inside. Seeing May, she felt deep sympathy for the woman and gave her a quick end. There was a smile on May’s face, seemingly content with her impending demise.In the next second, the flames intensified. Claude reached out to Sebastian. When he tried to pull him out of the fire, he accidentally tore S