Chapter 959 After the Westhaven envoys left the Diplomatic Affairs Department and returned to their lodgings, the Starhaven negotiators remained behind and continued discussions about the next round of talks.
Jeremiah was involved in the conversation, his voice calm but firm.
"If we're going to compensate with grain, we can't offer such a large quantity. Last year, there was a poor harvest and the military wages were insufficient. If we give them 3,000,000 bushels of grain, we're essentially funding their war efforts. We can compensate, but it can't exceed 300,000 bushels." He paused, then added, “Also, His Majesty insists that we cannot make any concessions on the border issue." Having delivered his points, he left the room. From the way Rafael had been conducting the negotiations, Jeremiah felt confident in the direction they were heading.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMeanwhile, at the Ministry of Justice, Barrett requested a meeting with Patrick.
After his conversation with Aurora the previous night, Barrett had been troubled. Aurora had mentioned a plan to convince Westhaven to take Dominic, but Barrett couldn't understand how she could pull that off. So, he turned to Patrick for advice.
"She really said that?" Patrick asked, coming to meet Barrett in person. “Did she say how?" Barrett shook his head. "She didn't say, and when I asked, she just refused to explain. But she has mapped out an escape route, and it's clear she's confident she can convince the Westhaven envoys to take General Sullivan with them." At that point, Patrick still didn't know the outcof the negotiations. However, he knew Dominic would definitely be brought up at the table. If Starhaven refused, Westhaven wouldn't be able to take him.
But if the talks ended without a resolution, what could Westhaven do to take Dominic after the fact? More importantly, how could Aurora be so sure she could persuade the Westhaven envoys? "That doesn't seem likely," Patrick said. "If she's taken, she'll be in a prison cart. The Westhaven envoys hate her with a passion. No matter what she says, no one will listen." Barrett frowned. “I agree, it seems unlikely. But she's convinced that Westhaven will take General Sullivan. I just don't get how she's so sure. I've been locked up here, so I want to ask you to send a message to my wife... No, to Madam Zoey, and ask her to investigate the servants at Valor Estate." "You suspect that Aurora has been in contact with someone outside through the servants, perhaps even conspiring all along?" Patrick asked, his expression thoughtful.
1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 959 Barrett thought it over, but couldn't untangle the mess in his mind.
"I'm not sure," he admitted, "but it's better to investigate, just to be safe. If something does cup, please have Madam Zoey inform Cari-I mean, Lady Carissa." Patrick nodded, but couldn't hide his confusion. "Why Madam Zoey? Why not have your wife look into the servants at Valor Estate?" From what Patrick knew, Zoey was the sister-in-law of Barrett's wife, Viola. Why would he ask his wife's sister- in-law to handle this rather than his own wife?
Barrett looked visibly uncomfortable.
After stammering for a moment, he finally replied," Well, Madam Zoey has been managing her household E for years and is incredibly meticulous. If there's something suspicious about the servants, she'll be able to uncover it. Patrick studied Barrett's expression, suspecting there might be sdiscord between Barrett and Viola-or perhaps Viola simply wasn't adept at running a household.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
"Very well," Patrick said. "In that case, I'll inform Commander Sinclair. It's better for her to approach Madam Zoey about this Since the Earl of Silverstone is absent, it wouldn't be appropriate forto go personally, nor for my wife to step in. It might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.' Barrett nodded quickly. "Exactly, sir. Please act quickly."
Patrick left the Ministry of Justice.
Before departing, he made a point of instructing the kitchen staff to m improve Barrett's dinner for the evening with a couple of meat dishes. Afterward, he personally went to find Carissa and relayed Barrett's concerns. Carissa also found Aurora's behavior peculiar. After her capture, Aurora had fixated on implicating Dominic in the matter, which initially seemed like a desperate attempt to shift the bland avoid the worst punishment.
After enduring interrogation and torture, Aurora had been explicitly told that no matter who else she implicated, she would still be handed over to Westhaven. Her persistence no longer made sense.
Hearing Patrick's report, Carissa decided to investigate immediately. Without delay, she made her way to Silverstone Estate.