Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Guests

After Duke Green spoke, she swiftly looked at Beina, who was kneeling by her feet. “You tell me, is this true?”

By now, Beina hated Lu Xiao’s guts, but she didn’t dare let it show on her face. She meekly looked at the furious Duke Green and equivocated, “I don’t know, Mother. I really don’t. What 20 million? I don’t have that kind of money. How could I?”

“It seems Your Grace is not yet aware of the situation. Do you require some time to investigate the matter?” Lu Xiao and Ares were sitting calmly in their chairs as she spoke, looking as if they hadn’t come to handle business, but were merely here to watch a play unfold.

Hearing this, Duke Green was already halfway convinced.

After all, even if Duke Green paid no mind to the affairs of her female children, she was bound to have heard whispers about her family’s situation.

But for the matter to escalate to the point where Lu Xiao came knocking on her door was utterly humiliating.

Losing face was one thing, but losing a fortune was another entirely.

“Earl Lu Xiao, as you can surely see, I was unaware of this matter. I don’t know which little scoundrel in my family was spouting nonsense, but please pay it no mind. I will certainly punish them. As for Beina’s disrespect toward your partner, I will have her apologize.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Duke Green lowered her gaze to Beina. She didn’t need to say another word; her meaning was perfectly clear.

Beina hadn’t expected this. Duke Green didn’t care one bit whether she had actually done it; she just didn’t want to lose those 20 million.

If even Beina could see through Duke Green’s intentions, how could Lu Xiao possibly miss them?

Lu Xiao let out a soft chuckle. “So, Duke Green, you really don’t intend to honor the debt, do you? Not that I’m surprised. After all, the children of your house are all cut from the same cloth. It’s perfectly normal that your family has no credibility to speak of. I’ve learned my lesson today, and now I know where I stand. In the future, if I happen to run into anyone from your family, I’ll know to keep my distance. Ares, let’s go. And remember, if you ever see a female from Duke Green’s family approach us, call the police first.”

Hearing Lu Xiao’s command, Ares was, of course, fully cooperative. “Yes, Female Master.”

The way the two of them acted utterly trampled Duke Green’s dignity, grinding it into the dust.

This was Duke Green’s first clash with Lu Xiao, and she never imagined the young female would be so intractable. She was impervious to persuasion, whether by threat or by favor; nothing seemed to work on her.

If she let them leave just like that, who knew what would become of the Green Duke Mansion’s reputation.

“You see, it’s getting late. Why don’t we have a meal first and discuss this as we eat? There’s no rush, is there?” Duke Green said, taking the initiative to defuse the tension. “Butler, go and prepare a fine spread to host our two guests.”

The butler, naturally, dared not delay and hurried away.

Lu Xiao scoffed. “What is the meaning of this, Duke Green? Do you think my partner and I can’t afford our own meals? That we’ve come here to freeload?”

“Not at all! For someone of Earl Lu Xiao’s standing to be willing to dine here is the highest honor. Besides, my Beixian and Beina have been thoughtless and caused you trouble. As for… as for that 20 million you mentioned, we can discuss it.”

Duke Green knew very well that there was no getting out of paying the money today.

Still, the thought of 20 million made her heart ache.

“’Discuss?’” Lu Xiao said. “Don’t tell me you’re regretting the 20 million, Duke Green. Or do you feel it’s too much? That you can’t afford it? If that’s the case, I can certainly understand. Just say the word. We don’t have to stay for dinner; we’ll leave immediately.”

The smile plastered on Duke Green’s face twitched at Lu Xiao’s words.

Clearly, Duke Green, who had enjoyed smooth sailing for half her life, had never been treated this way before.

“Earl Lu Xiao, I am taking your youth into account and choosing not to stoop to your level. I’m even willing to host you for a fine meal. But do not push your luck. Don’t you forget whose turf you’re on!”

Duke Green was clearly done tolerating this. If things went south, so be it. ’Lu Xiao is just a Merit Earl,’ she thought. ’Does she really think she’s tough enough to walk all over me?’

“Those words are enough,” Lu Xiao said with a cold laugh, her gaze shifting from indifference to outright contempt. “Now I understand why the female children of your esteemed house are so domineering. It runs in the family, I see.”

The atmosphere grew tense, reaching a stalemate. Yet Lu Xiao acted completely unconcerned, making Duke Green wonder if she had another card to play.

But she was also keenly aware that if she backed down now, it would cost her 20 million.

Lu Xiao was already leading Ares toward the exit, her back showing not the slightest hint of hesitation.

She was the very picture of unconcern.

In reality, it was just like haggling over clothes. Right now, it was a battle of nerves.

The next second, just as Lu Xiao’s foot crossed the threshold, Duke Green suddenly cried out, “Wait.”

The corner of Lu Xiao’s mouth lifted in a subtle smirk before she schooled her expression back to neutral. She turned, her sharp gaze fixed on Duke Green. She said nothing, simply waiting in silence for the Duke to speak.

Just then, a voice suddenly drifted in from the doorway. “What’s this? Duke Green throwing her weight around and bullying people again?”

The voice was aged and world-weary, and its appearance made everyone look up.

They saw an elderly woman with salt-and-pepper hair, accompanied by a younger female, standing together in the doorway right behind Lu Xiao.

For an instant, their eyes met, and Lu Xiao saw a hint of appraisal in the old woman’s gaze.

The younger female standing beside the woman, however, simply nodded at her.

Lu Xiao was certain she had never seen these two before. They hadn’t appeared in the original owner’s memories, either.

She couldn’t be sure if they were friend or foe, but judging by the woman’s words, she was clearly not on good terms with Duke Green.

’Could they be another creditor, here to collect from Duke Green?’ she wondered.

Before Lu Xiao could give it much more thought, Duke Green had already rushed to the door, her face a mask of reverence. “Your Excellency Cecilia, why didn’t you send word you were coming? I would have greeted you at the gate.”

“If I hadn’t dropped by unannounced, how would I have known you were bullying your juniors?”

As Cecilia spoke, she gave Lu Xiao a pointed look.

This was the first time she had laid eyes on this female child of Admiral Clan’s.

Generally, she paid no mind to the female offspring born to her own male children; they, in turn, knew not to bother her with such matters.

But the young female before her was different. Not only had Admiral Clan personally made a request of her, but she had also had the girl’s recent exploits thoroughly investigated. She was capable and had a mind of her own—a brand of intelligence that her pea-brained mother could never have produced.

Seeing her stand there now, neither servile nor overbearing, impressed Cecilia, and her opinion of Lu Xiao improved even further.

Lu Xiao, however, just felt a strange sense of unease. There was something odd about the way the old woman was looking at her.

Yet the woman said nothing, giving Lu Xiao no opening to ask any questions.

And yet, at the same time, the woman felt inexplicably familiar.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep