Guidebook for the Dark Duke Chapter 43 - GDD Chapter 43

Chapter 43 - GDD Chapter 43

At Evan’s official answer, Mrs Johnson was speechless and the tears that had swelled in her eyes suddenly fell. Her red eyes also cooled down at this time.
“You… don’t want to help me?”
Mrs Johnson’s tone was sad and poignant, which made Evan feel a little creeped out.
At this time, Ford was not as sharp as before, he just sat aside with a smile and watched Evan and Mrs Johnson’s confrontation thoughtfully.
Evan clenched his teeth, this Ford really came at him.
“Mrs Johnson.” Evan looked at Mrs Johnson with a gentle expression, “Of course I am very willing to help you, but this matter is no longer in my control and I am powerless. Besides, Mr Johnson committed such an act against God, how can I speak for him about such shameful things?”
Evan tried his best to appear kind but powerless. This matter was originally a very complicated case, and he should not interfere without authorisation now.
Mrs Johnson looked at Evan with a hint of despair in her eyes. She gritted her teeth, stood up abruptly and closed her eyes, tears streamed down her cheeks as she wept softly, “Since you’re so unwilling to help me, then I don’t need to worry about anything anymore. My house is everything I have now. If you want to take it away, then I will burn all the jade and stone*.”
She opened her eyes, her eyes filled with determination.
Evan was a little frightened by her momentum. In Evan’s view, anyone who was ready to die should not be offended.
But Ford was not frightened at all, he sneered and stood up.
“Mrs Johnson.” He looked at Mrs Johnson’s face coldly. Originally, he wanted to use her to expose Evan’s ruthless nature, but at this point, he couldn’t allow the matter to escalate into something else. Because, after all, this is a major event for the church and he can’t stand by.
“You want all the jade to be burnt?” Ford snorted coldly, “That’s fine. I’ll tell you that the church cannot accept any loss. If you don’t compensate the church, the church will take it back no matter what. As for your own house, we don’t care.”
Ford’s words were so cold that Sheriff Chandler couldn’t help it and he jumped up, “Mr Ford!” He glared angrily at Ford, “How can you say such cold-hearted words! Mrs Johnson is already so pitiful, do you still want to force her like this?”
Ford looked at the sheriff’s angry look but the expression on his face did not change at all. He smiled and said, “Sheriff Chandler, you’re really a kind-hearted person. If you’re not satisfied with the way I’m handling things, then it is the same for you to help Mrs Johnson repay the debt.”
Ford blocked Sheriff Chandler, he blushed and couldn’t say a word. Although he was considered a gentleman, his income was probably not as good as Evan’s, not to mention the fact that he still has a large family to support. How can he repay such a large amount of money?
Ford looked around, with a ruthless look in his eyes, at the people around him. He looked at Duke Wilson, who looked calm and even raised the corners of his lips. Finally, his eyes stopped on Mrs Johnson’s sad face. After these few days of contact, he has clearly realised that this woman is not an ordinary middle-aged woman. Her heart is even colder than that of a man and he doesn’t believe anything she says at all.
“Okay, Mrs Johnson.” Ford’s tone softened a little, “The church understands your situation and we will not force you to repay immediately. As an agent of the church, I can assure you that the church will give you three months to raise this money. Before the time is up, we will not disturb your daily life. But please understand that the church is not so weak that anyone can bully the church. If you want to get rid of your debts, pay up.”
Ford’s words finally eased the tension a bit and Sheriff Chandler’s tense face also eased up a little bit. At least, there were no words that could drive a person to death.
When he heard this, Evan glanced at Ford. It’s a good way to push people to the extreme and then give some sweetness, not only to achieve their goals but also to let this person be grateful to you. Ford is sharp.
After hearing this, Mrs Johnson’s expression slightly changed. Finally, she raised her head and looked at Ford with tears in her eyes. She wiped her wet cheeks with a handkerchief and said softly, “Thank you for your generosity. I will hurry and raise the funds.”
Ford nodded casually and sat down.
Duke Wilson finally spoke after Ford sat down, “Since the two of you have reached an agreement, then please leave. I have something else to do after this.”
Duke Wilson said these words very coldly, without mercy at all. The people present looked at the Duke in surprise. In everyone’s view, Duke Wilson has always been a cautious and observant existence. They have never seen such an embarrassing scene.
Duke Wilson ignored everyone’s gaze. He stood up impatiently and called a servant in. Immediately, a servant came in and made a respectful gesture for the guests to follow him.
The faces of everyone seated showed embarrassment. The Duke’s gesture was equivalent to driving people away.
In the end, it was Ford who responded the fastest. He immediately bowed to the Duke and said with a smile, “Then I will take my leave first. I’ve troubled you today.”
The Duke nodded coldly and Ford immediately turned around and left the room. Mrs Johnson and Sheriff Chandler also left along with Ford but the expressions on their faces were not as comfortable as Ford’s.
These three people left Cornwall Manor quickly. The speed of their departure even surprised Evan. What happened to the Duke?
Evan turned to look at Duke Wilson with some surprise and doubt.
Facing Evan’s surprised expression, Duke Wilson bowed his head as he found it unbearable to look at. After some time, he finally said, “I don’t like those people.”
They came to his Manor and bullied his person, a situation that Duke Wilson could not bear.
Evan didn’t understand Duke Wilson’s psychology and he sighed, “I understand your thoughts very well. This matter is too bizarre and Mrs Johnson’s backtracking really caught me by surprise. I didn’t expect that Mr Johnson didn’t even keep a penny.”
When he heard this, Duke Wilson sneered, “You’re too benevolent. Saying that he didn’t leave any money, it’s just because she’s greedy for property. They’re really husband and wife. Mr Johnson’s calculations are not as profound as that of Mrs Johnson when it comes to money.”
Evan stiffened when he heard this. He lowered his head and thought for a while before he finally shook his head, “Although what you said makes sense, I still can’t believe that Mrs Johnson would have such an idea. I have always believed that human nature is inherently good, and until I get more information, I will not look at a person’s nature maliciously.”
When Duke Wilson heard this, he was speechless. He gave Evan a complicated look and sighed in his heart. Such a person could actually exist in this world. He must not let these people that came today drag him into the dark abyss.
Although a person like Duke Wilson is not good at reasoning, he is more sensitive to the maliciousness of human nature than anyone else. Today’s act of Mrs Johnson is too deliberate. At the moment when Mrs Johnson cried, he realised that Mrs Johnson was not as pitiful as she acts. Today, except for Evan and the confused Sheriff Chandler, the other people are not easy people.
Duke Wilson looked at Evan’s profile with a cryptic expression. He must investigate this matter. He must know what happened in the past between Evan and Ford. He can’t stand Evan having a life without him.
Duke Wilson sent Evan back to his room on the second floor, and watched him fall asleep before leaving Evan’s bedroom.
When Duke Wilson entered the study, there was already a person waiting there. With an ordinary face, this person looked like a gentleman and was very neat. When he saw the Duke come in, he stood up gratefully, took off his hat dramatically and bowed to the Duke, “Lord Duke.”
Duke Wilson walked past this man expressionlessly. With a straight back, he walked behind the desk, sat down and raised his hand, “Sit down, Ederson.”
Ederson’s lips curled into a smile and he sat down slowly, “Sir, it’s been a long time since the last time you summoned me, what is the important thing for you to ask me to come here this time?”
Duke Wilson frowned. He paused for a moment and finally said, “You will do a thorough investigation of Reverend Bruce’s background and you must not leave out any detail.”
Ederson was slightly surprised when he heard this. He raised his head and glanced at Duke Wilson, “Reverend Bruce?” A true believer in God, a kind and annoying (??) young priest.
“Is there anything wrong with the Reverend?” This was Ederson’s first reaction.
Duke Wilson frowned and shook his head, “No, I just want to know what his background is. Now that he is close to me, I don’t want any problems.”
After hearing this, Ederson was still a little confused. The smile on his hippy face disappeared immediately and he stood solemnly, looking at Duke Wilson intently, “Has your relationship with Reverend Bruce reached the point where you need to investigate his background?”
His question was so solemn that it almost made Duke Wilson feel overwhelmed.
“This kind of thing doesn’t need your intervention.” His answer sounded a little guilty, “You just need to do what I told you to do.”
Ederson half raised his head and looked at Duke Wilson’s hand holding the duke’s cuff. He suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart. What was going on with the person who could make Duke Wilson so nervous? Although he has not communicated with the duke in the past few weeks, he has been paying attention to the duke’s every move. An assassination attempt was made on the duke’s life and the contacts of the duke’s entire Manor rushed to the capital. The situation is already very uncomfortable. And the matter of Reverend Bruce who saved the duke’s life, he has never paid much attention to it. And now, to think that he can stay in the duke’s Manor to recuperate for so long is a very strange phenomenon in itself.
Ederson clenched his fists, a hint of determination flashed across his originally dull face. He still has to think about this matter.1 *to burn both jade and common stone (玉石俱焚 – yù shí jù fén) — to destroy indiscriminately (idiom)
1 *to burn both jade and common stone (玉石俱焚 – yù shí jù fén) — to destroy indiscriminately (idiom)