Chapter 113: Groundwork
Chapter 113: Groundwork
After the engagement party, I went to my office to think about some things.
"Stella, bring me the invitee list from the party today," I ordered.
"Here is the list," Stella said as she speedily handed me the documents.
When I looked up the name Sherry, her name did not show up but the name Sharon Wilburn did. She
had brought in an uninvited guest to a private engagement party under her father Baron Wilburn's
name. Her father was allowed two guests of his choosing, one of whom was his wife and the other
being his daughter. Even if it was a festive occasion, it was still disrespectful to bring another guest
without informing the hosts especially if they were of a higher rank than them.
"Sharon Wilburn will be ostracized from all public social events," I ordered.
"Is there a reason why?" Stella asked.
"She let in a dubious person not on the invitee list who came and disrespected me," I said coldly.
"...This person who disrespected My Lady?" Stella asked.
"Nevel Pillar...had courted me at my own engagement ceremony and asked that I entertain him alone.
Please make Sharon Wilburn and other women who get close with him an example of what happens
when people disrespect me," I told Stella.
"Understood, My Lady," Stella said as she bowed her head and left.
Being excluded from the social circles is almost equivalent to death...
Once she cuts off all ties with Nevel Pillar, I will consider letting her return, but she will now be an
example of what happens to women who get close to Nevel Pillar. Cutting off his supply in women will
also help those women into coming to their senses that Nevel Pillar is just a worthless man. The only
person worth mentioning is his father for his many years of service on the frontline, but he had tossed
away his title of an honorable man to let such an unhinged man go by his watch.
I walked over to my coffee table that had the unfinished chessboard game between me and Garett from
earlier. I then flicked the opposing king piece down with my queen piece.
My plans might have been foiled this time, but I will definitely kill that man when the chance arises
again...
A week later, Baron Wilburn and his daughter Sharon Wilburn came by my home to beg for my
forgiveness.
"My apologies for the disservice my family has done to you, Lady Arielle," Baron Wilburn said as he
lowered his head towards me.
"I also beg for your forgiveness, Lady Arielle," Sharon Wilburn said.
I scoffed at the two lowering their heads to me.
"...Now what is it that you two are apologizing to me for?" I asked.
"Pardon?" Baron Wilburn said with a confused expression.
"Really now...What kind of people say sorry without knowing what they did wrong?" I asked as I leaned
back and sent a domineering gaze towards them. "If you are apologizing on reflex, then please do not
waste my time and go away."
"Sharon!" Baron Wilburn screamed at his daughter. "Apologize for all of your wrongdoings to Lady
Arielle."
"...Stop using my first name, both of you. It is Lady Maddox," I said coldly.
"...Please enlighten me, Lady Maddox, for I am ignorant of my wrongdoings," Sharon Wilburn pleaded.
"How can you be absolved of your crimes if you do not remember them yourself? You should be able to
remember them if you recall the events of my engagement party," I said with a smile.
"...Th-The engagement party? F-Forgive me for bringing in an uninvited guest to your party. I had no
idea that it was to celebrate your engagement, Lady Maddox," Sharon Wilburn said nervously.
"Just because you did not know that it was my engagement party made it alright to bring a stranger into
a private party held in Duke Maddox's name? On top of that, your guest caused troubles for me by
trying to court me at my own engagement party," I said.
"Sharon! You let in such a disgraceful man into a party held by the Duke!" Baron Wilburn yelled at his
daughter.
"I deeply apologize for my guest's actions, Lady Maddox. I was not aware that he would dare try such a
thing," Sharon Wilburn said.
"Lady Wilburn, I am not trying to reprimand you...I told people to cut you off from society to help take off
the heat of the bad rumors surrounding you and Nevel Pillar," I said as I cupped her cheek with my
hand.
"...Thank you for your kindness, Lady Maddox," Sharon Wilburn said shakily.
"I would also like you to help me and other women who may be hurt by that no-good man's playboy
antics," I said.
"O-Of course...Women should stick together," Sharon Wilburn said with a forced smile.
"Let's continue to have a good relationship from now on," I whispered in her ears.
I sent her and her father out shortly afterwards.
It was not until shortly afterwards that I heard rumors of Nevel Pillar's playboy antics and the women
frequenting him quickly dwindled. The only women he could get were low class prostitutes he paid
money for at brothels he frequented. I was more overjoyed at the fact that he could not make social
connections with Upper Class Nobles.
The only way to possibly redeem himself now is through making himself known at the annual hunting
competition coming soon.
I laughed quietly to myself when I realized how easy it was to get people to lay the groundwork for me.
I should sharpen my hunting tools and practice my aim well before the annual hunting competition.
"Accidents often happen on the hunting grounds...I hope that you will forgive me if I mistake you for a
common boar..."