CH 17

Instantly, Evan turned to look at the door of the church. There was a man standing against the light. His slender body was glowing faintly underneath the sunlight. His face still had an indifferent and solemn expression. His eyes were still arrogant, and he could not see the anger that he saw in the alley that day.

Mrs Lawrence jumped up from the ground almost like a fly. She walked up to the duke with tears on her face and she spoke in a choked voice, “You’re here too. My John will be happy.”

Duke Wilson gently pulled Mrs Lawrence’s scrawny hands and said, “John worked for me for a year and I was very satisfied with his work. It is only right for me to come here to send him away.”

The expression on Mrs Lawrence’s face could only be described as grateful. She bent her knees and bowed to the duke, “I’m so grateful to you, gracious duke.”

Alia, who had been full of passion just now, stood in the corner with her head bowed and an excited expression on her face. The blush on her face had not faded but there was a bit of gloom in her beautiful eyes. The duke hated her very much, she knew this very well.

At this moment, the duke suddenly said, “Who was giving the speech just now?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to look at Alia and Evan’s expression tightened.

“Yes….it’s me, Lord Duke.” Like a young girl, Alia stumbled toward the duke and bowed.

Duke Wilson looked at Alia, and as if he was thinking of something, he turned to look at Dr. Hester and asked, “Is this your daughter?”

Dr. Hester nodded nervously.

A smile appeared on Duke Wilson’s face, “You taught her well. Being able to say something like this proves that she is not mediocre.”

A relieved smile appeared on Dr. Hester’s face, it seemed like the duke had forgiven Alia for her previous recklessness.

“Thank you for your compliment, Lord Duke.” Dr. Hester nodded slightly.

Duke Wilson nodded and turned his eyes to Evan but he didn’t want to talk to Evan. His eyes flashed but he didn’t stop for a minute. Evan’s heart rang out with alarm. The heroine’s influence is indeed endless. He has tried his best to not let these two meet, but he didn’t expect that would be trouble today.

Evan looked at Mrs Lawrence angrily but found that the poor old lady who had lost her beloved son was in shock. The words the duke spoke just now obviously refuted her opinion of Alia’s accusations. She can’t imagine it, the duke clearly came to mourn John but he helped the slut, Alia to speak.

Seeing that Mrs Lawrence was about to start the war again, he hurriedly stepped forward to support Mrs Lawrence’s arm. He could no longer give Alia a chance to express herself. Just looking at Alia’s appearance, he’s afraid that her heart was already moved. If these two people looked at each other, the death rate of the small town would rise rapidly.

“Mrs Lawrence, the funeral is about to begin. You don’t want anything discordant to happen at John’s funeral, do you?” Evan whispered in Mrs Lawrence’s ears.

Mrs Lawrence was shocked, she looked up at Evan, then nodded thoughtfully and stood back with Mr Lawrence.

Evan felt relieved, when he turned to look at the duke, he found that he was talking to the strange lady.

To be honest, when Mrs Lawrence suddenly attacked Alia just now, he looked at this lady. After all, she was the daughter-in-law chosen by the shrewd Mrs Lawrence. When she arrived, there was only a sneer in her eyes, she didn’t lift her eyelids from the beginning to the end. But, at this time, she was speaking to the duke with a smile on her face.

Evan just felt a little strange in his heart.

“I didn’t expect you to know Miss Catherine too.” The duke said to Mrs Lawrence with a smile.

Mrs Lawrence had regained her senses at this time but her face was still a little stiff, “John knows Miss Catherine’s father.”

The John Mrs Lawrence meant was Mr Lawrence Snr. The father and son shared a Christian name. He nodded towards Duke Wilson, his expression unchanged.

Duke Wilson smiled softly, and Miss Catherine took the opportunity to say, “My father attaches great importance to his friendship with Mr Lawrence. When this incident happened, my father was also very sad so I came to the funeral.”

Mrs Lawrence was looking at Catherine with some guilt, “Miss Catherine, you’re such a good girl. It’s a pity that you and John….”

“Mrs Lawrence!” Before Mrs Lawrence could finish speaking, Miss Catherine quickly interrupted her, “Today is John’s funeral so let’s not speak such useless words to affect the Reverend’s work.” Miss Catherine’s face was slightly pale.

Mrs Lawrence also knew that she had slipped and quickly lowered her head.

Thinking, Evan stood aside and watched but this was not the time to think about it. Evan immediately stepped onto the altar and began to preside over the funeral.

Duke Wilson was sitting at the front row of the church pews. He lowered his eyes and didn’t look at Evan. Evan felt a little awkward but he still completed his speech excellently.

When John was finally taken to be buried in the tomb of the Lawrence family in the east of the public cemetery, Duke Wilson left. Looking at Duke Wilson’s carriage leaving, Evan’s expression froze. He was still thinking too simply, Duke Wilson clearly has a knot in his heart.

When Evan threw the first handful of soil on John’s coffin, the funeral finally entered the final moments. All relatives and friends stood on both sides, watching John’s coffin being buried bit by bit. Mrs Lawrence was completely hysterical and almost collapsed, but Dr. Hester fortunately gave her a sedative in time.

Evan was quite sure that Dr. Hester should have expected this scene to happen, so he immediately took the tranquilizer out of his pocket when it happened.

After the end of the funeral, Evan returned to the church alone. He sat in the church hall and looked at the crucifix, but he became more and more uncertain. He didn’t know what the duke’s attitude towards him was and whether it was really okay to turn a blind eye again.

At the same time, Evan’s vigilance and defense against Alia has reached the peak. Today, the duke clearly expressed his appreciation for Alia. If these two people really come together, then everything he has done would lose its significance.

Evan’s eyes became firm in that instant. He would never allow that to happen. He remembers the duke’s rage very well. Even if he didn’t get the wealth and status, he could not really die in this place.

Evan turned around and left the church. He needed to think about how to make the two of them miss each other.

*********

Duke Wilson was calmly sitting in his carriage but his emotions were very complicated. Reverend Bruce was like a light to him. He had never seen such a noble person in his life and he cherished the friendship and relationship he had with him very much. But, now, he doesn’t know how to face him.

“Lord Duke,” The carriage stopped suddenly, “A gentleman outside stopped the carriage.” The driver’s voice was a little uneasy.

Duke Wilson frowned and reached out to open the door of the carriage.

Next to the carriage stood a middle-aged man who thought he was gentle and refined. He wore the most formal black suit and the hat on his head was very well made. At first glance, he was indeed a very decent gentleman.

“Mr Johnson?” The duke had a puzzled expression. Johnson was the town’s lawyer and also his lawyer, but at this time, Johnson obviously rushed over from the funeral.

“Lord Duke, please forgive my rudeness, but I really have something important to discuss with you now.” There was a look of unease on his face.

Duke Wilson frowned with dissatisfaction, “What is so urgent that you acted in such a rash manner?”

Mr Johnson was a little embarrassed, “I’m sorry, your Excellency, this matter is about the opening of your textile factory on the outskirts of Delanlier. I have to discuss it with you before I dare to make a decision.”

Speaking of the textile factory, the duke’s face was not looking very good, “Come up.”

He has invested 10,000 pounds in this textile factory. If something goes wrong now, he will suffer a lot of losses.

Mr Johnson heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly stepped into the carriage.

“What’s the matter?” The duke asked before Mr Johnson could sit down.

Mr Johnson hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Lord Duke, the opening of the textile factory may be postponed.”

Duke Wilson’s face turned cold and he looked straight at Mr Johnson, “What’s going on? The investment has been added, why do you have to postpone it?”

Mr Johnson felt guilty with Duke Wilson looking at him, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat on his forehead before quickly explaining, “It’s not…..it’s not a question of funds, it is a legal aspect. Now, Yorkshire has put restrictions on the conditions of opening a factory. Your factory still needs some documents of approval from the county’s council. Please don’t worry, I will prepare it immediately.”

Duke Wilson looked at Mr Johnson coldly, “You’d better solve the legal problem for me as soon as possible and I will solve the problem on the parliament’s side myself.”

Mr Johnson nodded quickly, he had almost forgotten that Duke Wilson is a member of the House of Lords*.

Duke Wilson dropped Mr Johnson in the town centre of Delanlier. In his current situation, he didn’t have much patience for Mr. Johnson.