WCMBI - Chapter 219: Serving With Fears (Patreon)

Recently, Alex had been experiencing an overwhelming sense of weariness. From a certain day onwards, Monica confined herself to her room and refused to come out. No matter how many times Alex tried to visit her, all he received in response were repeated pleas to leave, accompanied by animalistic howls.

He couldn't help but wonder what had befallen his sister, yet he could hazard a guess at the general nature of the situation. Once again, the Earl Bryant's constraints had begun to close in on them.

Even if that weren't the case, the only person who could have any influence on his sister was Ian.

[Sigh]

Since Grandfather's passing, it has been a series of misfortunes. After Father was bedridden from the blow Ian delivered, Mother also fell ill. With two patients inside the house, the atmosphere among the servants was far from pleasant.

Furthermore, now that Monica was in such a state, it seemed like there was no one at Rosewood Manor who could maintain their sanity except for Alex.

"What on earth is this madness about?" Alex tried hard to refrain from using harsh words since he had assumed the title of the earl.

However, upon examining the documents handed to him by his aide, he could no longer contain his frustration and let out an expletive.

"Goodness, they should at least provide a reason for this absurdity. Damn it all!"

With a loud thud, Alex kicked the desk, instantly bringing the atmosphere in the study to a standstill. Unable to quell his anger, he paced back and forth and then ordered the aide, "Go and fetch Monica's personal maid directly, not the servants."

"Yes, understood."

The aide promptly rose and left the study.

"I must find out what on earth she has done."

He picked up the scattered papers once again and carefully examined their contents. This time, unlike the previous occasions, it was not just constraint; it was evident that someone had practically written a death sentence.

"How dare these mere commoners taunt me with money?"

After the restraint imposed by the Bryant Earl had disappeared, the former trading partners who had naturally come back were now pressuring the Earl's family again with their investments. Not only that, they severed deals for each and every item they had been supplying, citing incidents of failure in delivering goods. Even the banks were urging them to repay the loans they had borrowed.

Having ascended to the earldom, Alex, who had been a knight of the royal court, had no other source of income except for the family business. Although it was only for a short while, he had shown off to those who clung to him because of rumors that Monica would become the Earl's wife, and he could not reduce his expenses.

Determined to somehow maintain his extravagant lifestyle, Alex resolved that he would reconcile with Ian, even if it meant truly forsaking his sister.

"I won't be at a loss if she marries someone else."

As long as he received the dowry, it would be enough. There were bound to be noble families willing to pay a considerable sum and take Monica away.

Alex ground his teeth and awaited a proposal. When the aide brought in Jessy, he sent all those present in the study outside.

Jessy stood before the desk, unable to hide her fearful expression.

"Come here," Alex beckoned her with a clap of his hands. Jessy, hastily tidying her disheveled hair, stood before the desk.

"You, why do you look like that?"

Having served as Monica's personal maid since childhood, Alex felt comfortable speaking freely with Jessy. When he asked, perplexed by her disheveled appearance and furrowed brow, she burst into tears.

"Sob, M-Master... she... she hits me every day and throws hysterics... it's not something a person should do... I feel like I'm going mad!"

"Why, what's the reason for the tears?"

Wanting to ask many things after bringing her, Alex was taken aback by Jessy's sudden burst of tears.

"Sob, M-Miss... she hits me and behaves erratically every day... it's not something a person should do... I feel like I'm going mad!"

Jessica had a myriad of things to say. She was unsure of Monica's misdeeds precisely, but undoubtedly, they must have been quite nefarious, and Melissa seemed to be the target.

For a while, Monica had been fervently searching for the courtier like a peacock in flight, but suddenly she hit a roadblock, and from the moment she returned from the courtier's residence, she languished like a recluse.

If only she had been silently suffering, it might not have been so burdensome. When she had the energy, she would behave haughtily, but as her spirits dwindled, she suffered. She was indeed vexing, tormenting Jessica with all sorts of whims and complaints.

While she wished to delegate responsibility to the maidservants, Monica peculiarly unleashed her wrath solely upon Jessica. For reasons unbeknownst, Jessica found herself being grabbed by the hair, pinched, and slapped. Even though she served her, it was hard not to feel resentful.

"Y-your Grace, I wish to stop. Please write a recommendation for me, I beg you," pleaded Jessica.

"Impossible."

"Pardon?"

"Just leaving is not an option. You have things to do."

"What could those be?"