Chapter 30 Chapter 30 * 46 % A Raul let out a long sigh . " What Simon meant is that Margaery is a blessing . Everything we have today is thanks to her . " If I'd known this earlier , I would've never made her apologize to Tessa at the family party . That was so stupid " n Joshua kept quiet . Making Margaery apologize to Tessa at the recognition party was a decision made by him . Avery , Logan , and Raul together . Everyone thought that since Margaery had lived in the Chancellor's estate , enjoying all its wealth and splendor for so many years , she owed Tessa that apology . It was her duty . But now , thinking about it calmly , they realized it was never that simple . If that was the logic , then the five Wallen brothers should've apologized to Tessa too . After all , they had also grown up enjoying the Chancellor's estate's riches . Yet back then , none of them thought that way . " So , what do we do now ? " Joshua could only look at Raul . Raul's face was lined with exhaustion . He replied , " Right now , we can only play it by car . Let's put Avery's matter aside for now . Once Dominic and Margaery's marriage is settled , there might still be a way to turn things around . " Dominic sent a message just now . Margaery mentioned at dinner that she plans to attend Janiyah's birthday party in ten days That shows she still wants to marry Dominic . After all , no matter what , Prince's a cripple . What future could she possibly have with him ? " As long as she's willing to marry Dominic , everything else can be handled . Once a woman is married , she has to listen to her husband's family . " Even if Simon wants to protect her , he wouldn't interfere in someone else's daughter - in - law's affairs . " As for Dashnell , in his position , he can have any woman he wants . He won't lose his mind over another man's wife . No matter what , once Margaery is married , all of this will be over ." Raul pressed his temples , wishing time could fast forward . He couldn't wait to send Margaery straight to Dominic's bed . Joshua frowned . " Given how things are now , we need to keep Margaery calm . Also , we can't let the marriage to Dominic be publicized yet . " " You're right . " Raul nodded . " Before it's done , we can't let Lady Serena or Prince Dashnell catch wind of it . We need to make sure everything's set in stone first . " Raul added , " For safety , go meet with Dominic later and set up a situation to get Margaery into Dominic's bed as soon as possible . " Best if everyone knows about it . Though it'll damage the Chancellor's estate's reputation , that's better than letting things spiral out of control ." Some things didn't need to be spelled out . But Joshua understood his father's meaning perfectly . Joshua nodded . " To achieve something big , we can't sweat the small stuff . As long as Dominic treats Margaery well after they're married , it doesn't matter if she suffers a little now . What outsiders say isn't nearly as important as having a husband who cares for her . " Once this matter's out in the open , no matter how stubborn she is , she'll have to yield . A woman's reputation , once ruined , leaves her no other choice . Her husband will be the only thing she has left to hold on to ." 1/3 10:58 Thu , 21 Aug 6 610 Chapter 30 Raul agreed . " Go on , do it tomorrow . " 46 % Can " Perfect timing , " Joshua said . " Pero Cela is having its grand opening tomorrow . Couldn't ask for a better opportunity , " Raul waved him off . " Go find Avery . Have him prepare some drugs or incense , anything that can make her lose control . As long as it gets the job done . " " I'll take care of it right away . " Joshua turned and left in a hurry . Raul turned toward the portrait of his late wife hanging on the wall . His voice was filled with regret . " Dear , don't blame me for this . I've got no other choice . If Margaery keeps acting out , this family will be ruined . " It's my fault too . I didn't raise her right . That's why she's grown up so rebellious , she barely even acknowledges me as her father . " As Raul spoke , tears rolled down his cheeks . " Please , forgive me this once . " Under the night sky , Joshua pulled Avery aside and told him about the plan he'd just discussed with Raul . " Father wants you to prepare some drugs , anything that will make her lose her senses and forget everything afterward . " Once Dominic succeeds , Margaery's ties to Prince Dashnell will be completely severed ." Avery's heart was filled with frustration with Margaery's reckless behavior . She had ruined his career prospects . Yet , hearing this plan still made him uneasy . " Joshua , isn't this going too far ? " No matter what , we're still her family . Destroying her reputation , turning her into a shameless woman everyone spits on- don't you think that's a bit much ? " Besides , if we go down this road , our family won't look good either . Wouldn't it be better to just send her to the Clan Court ? " Avery cared deeply about appearances . Sending Margaery to the Clan Court would hurt her body , but destroying her reputation would disgrace the entire family . His own name would be tarnished as well . " You think I don't know this is going too far ? " Joshua shot him a glare . " But this is all for you . Margaery was raised by me personally . " How much did I spoil her when she was little ? It's my failure to discipline her that's led to this mess . " At this point , feeling sorry for her is useless . She has to bear the consequences of her own mistakes . " The Chancellor's estate raised her , gave her everything . If she refuses to repay that kindness and insists on dragging this family down , I won't stand by and watch . " Joshua said , his tone brooking no argument , " Get to work . The family's interests come first . We can't worry about her reputation now . " When she gets married , we'll send her off with generous gifts . That'll be our apology . " With that , Joshua turned and left . Suddenly , Avery remembered something . " Oh right , Phillipa came by earlier . I heard her voice . Didn't she look for you ? " Joshua's eyes lit up . " When was this ? " " About half an hour ago ? " Avery wasn't sure . " You really didn't see her ? " " No. " Joshua was puzzled but didn't have time to think about it . 2/3 10:58 Thu , 21 Aug Chapter 30 46 % 38 ) Right now , getting Margaery married was the priority . Joshua could only put the matter aside and head to the storeroom to arrange the dowry . But thoughts of Phillipa still made his heart race . His feelings for her weren't anything new . Joshua thought , " The last time I invited her over , I wanted to introduce her to Margaery . Somehow , I ended up offending her , and she hadn't spoken to me since . ' Now that she had come to the estate herself , surely that meant she had forgiven me , right ? ' Thinking this , Joshua decided that once everything here was settled , he would head straight to the palace to find her . For a moment , his heart surged with anticipation . Joshua strode quickly toward Russell's courtyard and called him out . " Russell , tomorrow when you go to Inkwell Academy , take Margaery with you . " Russell had been sulking in his room these past few days . He hadn't touched any of the assignments his tutor had given him , brooding over the hairpin he had gifted Margaery , which she had then given to Tessa . The more Russell thought about it , the angrier and more wronged he felt . But in the end , Russell still believed it was his own careless words outside that had hurt Margaery's feelings and led her to give away the hairpin . Russell had been thinking of making amends . Hearing Joshua's words now gave him the perfect excuse to approach her . He nodded . " Alright , I'll take her . " 3/3