Guidebook for the Dark Duke

Chapter 22 - Bowing and Confessing

When Sheriff Chandler saw the situation, he knew that there was definitely a problem, otherwise he would not agree with Mrs Sanders’ request. He immediately said, “Okay, no problem, but you must not forget what you promised to tell me.”

As soon as he said these words, Mrs Lawrence’s face instantly turned pale but Mrs Sanders remained expressionless, “Don’t worry, I won’t break my promise.”

Satisfied, Sheriff Chandler nodded. He gestured to the other police officers and walked out of the church, Evan also followed him out. Although Mrs Sanders didn’t ask for it, Evan still gave them privacy.

No one knew what Mrs Sanders and Mrs Lawrence talked about. Evan and Sheriff Chandler stayed at the door of the church for an hour. A pale Mrs Sanders came out and behind her followed Mrs Lawrence with an ugly expression on her face.

Mrs Sanders barely gave Mrs Lawrence a glance, turned and walked to Mr Chandler’s side. Mr Chandler hurriedly held her right hand and watched her with a worried look.

Sheriff Chandler looked at Mrs Sanders with a look of excitement and said, “Ma’am, what you promised should be fulfilled now.”

Mrs Sanders nodded and was about to speak, but Mrs Lawrence suddenly spoke up, “I did it.”

The way she spoke was cold and short, without a trace of emotion. She was completely different from her usual dramatic self.

Sheriff Chandler smiled when he heard this. Leaving Mrs Sanders’ side, he walked directly to Mrs Lawrence, “You’ve finally pleaded guilty. To be honest, the evidence I have is enough to send you to the gallows but because of the respect I have for you and Mr Lawrence, I’m still willing to let you admit it yourself. So, please forgive me. Why would you do such a thing? John is your son!”

Mrs Lawrence’s face twitched for a moment, “He is not my son.”

Sheriff Chandler looked at Mrs Lawrence in surprise.

“He didn’t follow my advice to get engaged to Miss Catherine and he repeatedly went against my will. When I was arguing with him, I lost my hand and caused such a result.” Mrs Lawrence’s voice didn’t waver as she spoke. Mrs Sanders had been crying limply in Mr Chandler’s arms.

Sheriff Chandler watched this bizarre scene but he smartly didn’t say anything. If there are some secrets, he’ll keep them. This town can’t stand any more blows.

Sheriff Chandler finally left with an indifferent Mrs Lawrence.

Looking at their backs, Evan had a look of disbelief, “She…. How could….”

Mrs Sanders sneered, “When too many bad things have been done, of course, there will be a day when they can’t bear it. God blesses virtue, at the same time, He will not let this vicious woman go.”

Evan looked back at Mrs Sanders in surprise, he had never heard Mrs Sanders speak such mean words. It seems like a mother’s love for her child does change a person.

Evan had long speculated about Mrs Sanders’ secret, the low weeping in front of the Virgin Mary after the banquet at Woolwich Manor, the illness she suffered from after John’s death, the loss of life she spoke about. All of these had made Evan suspect that little John, who was loved and cherished by the Lawrence couple, is related to Mrs Sanders. Now, his speculations have been proven right. Mrs Sanders is little John’s biological mother.

As for Mrs Lawrence…

Looking at the direction the sheriff left, Evan sighed. If a woman knew that her husband was unfaithful to her, she would do anything even if she had raised the child for a long time.

The next day, the news of Mrs Lawrence’s confession spread through the entire town of Delanlier and the town was caught in the whirlpool of rumors. At this time, the Lawrence family was on the cusp of the storm.

During all these, Evan welcomed Mr Lawrence’s visit. He was not as bright and gentlemanly as before. The clothes on his body were wrinkled, and his neat black hair was already grey. The man looked like he was ten years older and his eyes were mournful.

He was already a short man, but now he completely stooped. He looked at Evan and whispered, “Reverend Bruce, Sheriff Chandler has completely stopped seeing me now. Can you speak to him for me? Mary, she….she….” Mr Lawrence was almost speechless, he buried his face in his hands and big, fat tears flowed through the gaps of his fingers.

Evan watched Mr Lawrence and really didn’t know what to say. In the end, he sighed, “Go back first, Sheriff Chandler knows what to do.”

Mr Lawrence lowered his head without looking at Evan at all, just sobbing faintly.

Evan shut his mouth with embarrassment. After a long time, Mr Lawrence finally raised his head with traces of tears on his face. He looked at Evan in despair and spoke, “God will not keep Mary out of His doors, right? Reverend Bruce?” Mrs Lawrence’s name is Mary.

Evan hesitated for a moment before finally nodding, “The merciful Lord will not reject any lost souls.”

Mr Lawrence seemed to have been given a chance of life and he clasped Evan’s hands tightly, “Reverend, is what you said true?”

Evan frowned and wanted to pull his hand out but he didn’t and nodded.

Mr Lawrence relaxed, nodded gratefully to Evan and left the church.

Watching Mr Lawrence leave, Evan frowned but didn’t say anything.

With the matter settled, Evan’s attention turned to Duke Wilson. The impact of the last incident on him was too great. He must know what Dr. Hester said to the duke that changed the duke’s attitude.

Before Evan could take action, Dr. Hester invited him to his house as a guest the next morning.

Evan was surprised. Although he had interactions with Dr. Hester before, they did not have a deep friendship. Dr. Hester’s sudden invitation made many thoughts go through his mind.

Despite his different thoughts, he still arrived at Dr. Hester’s house on time. Dr. Hester was very happy with Evan’s arrival, he even took out his silver tableware to entertain Evan.

Evan was flattered. The random bottle of red wine he brought seemed inferior. But Dr. Hester didn’t take offence at all. He welcomed Evan in with a very enthusiastic attitude. Alia also came out of the living room dressed very formally, wearing a light green skirt that matched her red lips.

Seeing Evan come in, Alia gave a reserved bow. Evan smiled and nodded, the relationship between the two was gentle.

Dr. Hester stood on the side and smiled happily, he stretched out his hand towards Evan, “Reverend Bruce, please have a seat. It’s great that you could come today, Alia has been looking forward to your arrival.” After speaking, he felt like something was wrong and he hurriedly added, “And of course, me.”

Evan’s smile froze. Dr. Hester’s words can be considered explicit, and if he can’t understand the overtones, he is really a fool.

Blushing, Alia lowered her head, tugged gently at the corner of Dr. Hester’s shirt and spoke in a low voice, “Father, it’s time to invite Reverend Bruce for dinner.”

Dr. Hester laughed even more after hearing this, “Reverend Bruce, I’m really sorry. Please sit down, Alia prepared a very sumptuous dinner today.”

Evan looked at Dr. Hester and slowly sat down. He finally understood the meaning behind Dr. Hester’s weird smile, he was trying to match himself and Alia.

Evan thinks this is a bit absurd but at the same time, he was also a bit joyful. Is this what Dr. Hester said to Duke Wilson that day? If so, since Duke Wilson insisted that he should leave, does it mean that he did not agree with him and Alia getting together?

Evan suddenly felt that Dr. Hester was too cute.

It can be seen that the dinner was carefully prepared. Dr. Hester kept trying to adjust the atmosphere between Evan and Alia but Evan was obviously inattentive and Alia didn’t cooperate very well. The doctor tried his best but failed to make the relationship between the two better.

The three people finished their meal in an awkward atmosphere. Dr. Hester sent Evan out of the house with obvious annoyance but Evan was relieved. Briskly, he walked out of Dr. Hester’s house, thinking about his future plans and quickly came up with new ideas.

Looking at the situation today, Alia is reluctant. In fact, this is normal. The book originally revolved around the feelings between Alia and Duke Wilson. From the beginning to the end of the book, and looking at the expressions on Alia’s face whenever she was before the duke, it can be seen that she may already have feelings for the duke in her heart.

Evan walked in the darkness with a cold smile on the corners of his mouth. In the cold night, he was like a liner walking in the dark. He looked at the road ahead without the slightest fluctuation in his heart. Even if he has feelings for another, he will never give up Duke Wilson as his golden backer, no matter what!