Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Backer

Cecilia’s words made Duke Green feel wronged. She might have thrown her weight around in the past, but to bully Lu Xiao, she’d first need an opportunity—and Lu Xiao hadn’t given her one.

’She was being forced to fork over 20 million; how could *she* be the one throwing her weight around?!’

With that thought, Duke Green felt a wave of bitterness. “You have no idea how formidable she is. I wouldn’t dare bully her. Our new Merit Earl, freshly honored by Her Majesty the Queen, is a force to be reckoned with.”

“Isn’t that because you did something to make her come to your door?” Cecilia said, then her gaze shifted to Beina, who was kneeling to the side. As if only just noticing her, she exclaimed in surprise, “Oh my, why is someone kneeling here? What did she do wrong?”

Having said her piece, Cecilia didn’t wait for an invitation from Duke Green and calmly sat down.

Her words made Beina’s face flush beet red with embarrassment.

After all, as a female of a ducal family, she had always carried herself with an air of superiority in public. For Cecilia to witness this scene utterly destroyed the gentle, ladylike image she had always projected.

Seeing her remain silent, Cecilia turned to Lu Xiao. “You. Tell me what happened.”

Suddenly put on the spot, Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow. But instead of explaining, she asked, “I’m afraid I don’t know how to address you?”

Cecilia laughed at the question. ’This young female is certainly bold,’ she thought, ’asking for my identity first.’ “I am Cecilia Galiodro,” she said. “Have you heard the name?”

Gallodro?

Lu Xiao’s eyes widened involuntarily. ’Duke Galli Odello… isn’t that Admiral Kelan’s mother?’

Of course she knew the name.

’Why would she be here?’

A thousand thoughts raced through Lu Xiao’s mind, but when her eyes met Cecilia’s playful gaze, an idea struck her. “I never expected to see you here, Grandmother. I’m so sorry I didn’t recognize you. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Hearing Lu Xiao use the word “Grandmother,” Duke Green, who was standing nearby, froze in place. “You two are family?”

The question slipped out before she could stop it. Duke Green instantly regretted it. Even if that’s what she was thinking, she shouldn’t have just blurted it out.

Cecilia gave her no chance for regret. “That’s right. How could you not know, Duke Green? Is she not the partner of my son, Admiral Kelan? Surely that can’t be. I seem to recall that after your Beixian failed to seduce a male and ended up apologizing to him instead, you went to Count Ge Wei and demanded that Lu Xiao apologize to you. Have you forgotten so quickly?”

The mention of Beixian made Duke Green flush with shame and anger. “When did this happen? I knew nothing about it!”

She truly didn’t know about that incident.

Cecilia sneered. “Duke Green, as the mistress of this house, don’t you dare tell me you were unaware. If your family members dared to act this way without your knowledge, then they have some serious nerve!”

Duke Green knew the truth of her situation perfectly well. She was usually too lazy to manage household affairs, leaving everything to her main husband. As long as her own luxuries weren’t affected, she didn’t care what any of them did.

But if word of that got out, people would only think she was incompetent.

She had to take the blame now, even if it wasn’t hers; she couldn’t admit the truth.

Duke Green forced an awkward smile. “You’re right, Beixian was in the wrong. I’ll have her come and apologize to Earl Lu Xiao.”

“Oh, she should certainly come, but there’s no hurry. We still have this matter to deal with.” Cecilia’s gaze fell on Beina again. “Are you going to tell us what happened, or should someone else?”

Though Cecilia’s tone was light, the pressure made it hard for Beina to breathe. Besides, how could she possibly bring herself to speak of what she had done?

“Hmph. Too embarrassed to speak? So you do know the meaning of shame. The rumors are flying everywhere outside. They say the females of Duke Green’s family are promiscuous and fickle. Not only do they seduce males left and right, but one even dared to proposition someone’s bonded partner in public. Then, after being rejected, she tried to slander him. It’s the height of shamelessness!”

Cecilia’s cold voice was an indictment of everyone in the entire Green Duke Mansion, from top to bottom.

Beina’s face went deathly pale as she listened, her lips trembling. It looked as if she might faint from the shock at any moment.

Unfortunately for her, Cecilia’s next words made it impossible for her to even think of fainting.

“Stop putting on this pathetic, weak act. You didn’t seem to find it so shameful when you were trying to seduce someone else’s man. It’s females like you who give all females in the Empire a bad name!”

At this point, Lu Xiao would have to be a complete fool not to realize that Cecilia had come to back her up.

’Although I don’t understand why Cecilia is doing this, it would be a waste not to take advantage of the opportunity.’

“Grandmother, I really didn’t want to cause trouble for Duke Green,” she began, her tone turning sorrowful. “But this whole affair has left me heartbroken. I couldn’t let my Ares be wronged and subjected to baseless suspicion. And I can’t let people think I’m a pushover, someone whose partner can be stolen away at will. That’s why I had no choice but to come here for some measure of justice. It’s just… Duke Green…”

Her words trailed off, and Lu Xiao lowered her head, falling silent.

Her face was the very picture of grievance, a stark contrast to the fiery demeanor she’d had when facing Duke Green alone just moments before.

Duke Green’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she watched Lu Xiao’s complete change in demeanor in front of Cecilia. ’What in the world is happening?!’ she screamed internally. ’You weren’t acting like this just a minute ago, hey!’

“Don’t be afraid,” Cecilia said soothingly. “Now that your grandmother is here, I won’t let you be disadvantaged. You’re one of our Galiodro family. I’d like to see who dares to bully you. Duke Green, how do you propose to resolve this matter?”

Duke Green would have to be a complete moron not to see that this “grandmother and granddaughter” pair were coordinating an act. She shot a venomous glare at Beina, who was still kneeling on the floor.

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret. ’If only I had just paid the 20 million when Lu Xiao was here alone. Then, even with Cecilia using the Galiodro family as her backer, I would have had nothing to fear.’

But now, Duke Green felt as if her very heart were bleeding. She knew with chilling certainty that this was no longer a problem 20 million could solve.

“Lady Cecilia, my girls were in the wrong. I am willing to have them apologize and provide further compensation. As we discussed, I will fund the Fifth Research Institute with 20 million!”

“Funding the Fifth Research Institute with 20 million is acceptable,” Cecilia said. “But what about the compensation for my Lu Xiao? Is that included in the 20 million?”

Duke Green knew it would come to this. She forced a smile that looked more painful than a grimace. “O-of course not. I’ll… I’ll give Earl Lu Xiao a personal compensation of another 20 million. Will that be acceptable?”

Cecilia didn’t answer, merely turning to Lu Xiao, leaving the decision to her.

Lu Xiao understood Cecilia’s intent and smiled. “In that case, I accept Duke Green’s sincerity. However, there’s no need to give the 20 million to me. Please give it directly to my partner. After all, he’s the one who was wronged. The person Duke Green ought to compensate is him, not me.”

Upon hearing Lu Xiao’s words, Cecilia immediately voiced her disapproval. “How can that be acceptable? Bullying your man is the same as bullying you. How can I let you be wronged like this? Duke Green, I see your sincerity is still lacking!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep