My Unchosen Ex Chases Reborn Me (Soren and Fiona) novel Chapter 62

Strings

Chapter 62 Tangled Purse Strings

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“Since trouble has arisen, what does the second branch have to say?” Joanna asked, her brow pleating

“Mdm. Meryl accepted the role, but more than a month has passed, and she has yet to truly take charge. She visits only to glance at the ledger and listen to a quick report.

Joanna’s vision swam: rage squeezed the breath from her lungs, and for a heartbeat she feared she might cough blood.

“A crisis of this size, and it never occurred to you to beg the second branch for assistance?” Joanna’s voice cracked like a whip across the quiet study.Fury churned beneath her calm mask. Trust a fool like Monica and she will topple us all.

“Mdm. Joanna. I did seek out Mdm. Meryl,” Monica stammered, collapsing to her knees so hard the polished floor echoed. “She brushed me aside, claimed she knew nothing of the estate’s ledgers, and told me to speak with the steward instead.”

“That second branch again–doing nothing while hoarding every scrap of goodwill,” Joanna muttered. nails carving crescents into her palm.

Monica remained prostrate, terrified that one misplaced breath might trigger another storm.

“First, release Ully’s allowance exactly as usual,” Joanna ordered, every syllable glacial. “Keep the rest quiet. Manage the accounts as though nothing is amiss, and if a single word leaks, I will make you regret breathing.”

Mdm Joanna, the sum Mr. Ulrich spends at a single reception is enormous. I fear I cannot fulfill your wishes, Monica whispered, her lip blanched beneath her teeth.

Joanna’s eyes flared–two live coals promising an incoming blaze.

I would comply, truly Monica pressed on, voice shrinking. “But the steward now scrutinizes every coin. Nothing escapes his ledgers”

“Has he forgotten who raised him from errand boy to steward?” Joanna slammed the desk, the inkwell rattling like a frightened bind. “He dares police my household!”

“Only after confronting the steward did she glimpse the abyss Income and outflow teetered on collapse; one more misstep and Hannah would uncover the rot.

For now, Joanna covered Ulrich’s expenses from her own thinning purse. Dowries had already hollowed her coffers; supporting husband and son like this could not last.”

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10:22 Sat, Oct 11

Chapter 62 Tangled Purse Strings

Ignoring the physician’s orders to rest, Joanna hurried to Ambrosial Garden. Before Hannah’s lacquered screen she lodged her charge the second branch, she insisted, played at loyalty, lounged in comfort, and left poor Monica to wrestle alone with ruinous accounts.

Hannah’s expression darkened like thunder swallowing a high–summer sky She could overlook many failures, but negligence toward the Niven family was unforgivable.

When Meryl stepped into Ambrosial Garden, Hannah’s voice fell like sleet. Since you refuse to treat the Niven Estate as your own–preferring lip service to labor–perhaps you should return to your Princess Royal’s family”

The sentence struck Meryl as though the cane in Hannah’s fist had landed across her ribs. Beside her. Fiona’s color drained, fury flashing behind her eyes.

I biew Grandmother might swallow Aunt Joanna’s tale, but exile? This goes too far. Fiona thought. pulse hammering at her throat.

She stepped forward, ready to protest, yet Meryl lifted a gentle arm, shielding her like a swan folding a wing over its cygnet

“Mother, might I ask what provokes such harsh words? Meryl’s tone remained warm, as though summer breezes still lingered.

Hannah hammered her cane against the tiles. “Explain! You vowed to oversee the household yer you abandon everything to Monica

“Monica is astute, Meryl answered. “She orders every affair with precision. I doubt I could improve her work”

“Silver tongue, Hannah scoffed. “If you refuse to admit fault, then kneel

Fiona slipped past her mother and knelt, marble biting through her skirts, “Grandmother, the choice was mine. I begged Mother to keep clear of the ledgers. Punish me instead

“Enough of this nonsense, Ruby, escort Ms. Fiona away, Hannah snapped, each word honed to. a blade.

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