SMR | Chapter 28

~Chapter 28~

“What are you talking about? Why won’t you accept this document?”

John had rushed to Perillas that very day and barely managed to meet the bank manager just before the bank closed. But as soon as he felt relieved, the manager of Aceti Bank refused to accept the ownership transfer document.

“To change the ownership, we need to confirm the return of the land first. And the person whose name is on the document must come in person to sign the return confirmation, as long as they’re still alive. We clearly stated this in the letter.”

“Come on! Is it really necessary to follow such strict procedures? She signed this document saying she was transferring the ownership. Can’t you be a little flexible?”

But the bank manager shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but for large assets like this, we must have the person themselves come in. There’s no exception.”

“I’m telling you, Harriet can’t come here right now!”

“We can wait as long as necessary. In the meantime, we will keep all the profits from the land without spending a single penny. Please have Miss Harriet Listerwell visit us in person to sign the return confirmation.”

Faced with the bank manager’s firm stance, John had no choice but to leave the bank empty-handed.

Frustrated, he drove his carriage straight toward St. Clarissa Monastery. Fortunately, Perillas was located along the road to the monastery, so he arrived before sunset. Feeling desperate, he rudely banged on the monastery’s door with his bare hands.

After a while, a small window on the door opened, and a sharp-eyed monk asked, “Who are you?”

“I’m Lord Listerwell, and I’m here to see someone.”

“This is a women-only monastery, and visits are only allowed between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. You also need to make a request in advance. Please come back tomorrow.”

John roughly grabbed the window before it could close.

“Get the abbess out here! How dare a lowly monk speak to me like this!”

Normally, John wouldn’t have dropped his gentlemanly facade, but after spending all day in the carriage and having nothing go his way, his temper flared.

Emma, the monk at the gate, also felt a surge of anger. If this was Lord Listerwell, he was the one who had sent Harriet here and then suddenly cut off his guardianship. Why was he looking for her now?

“No matter what you say, it won’t change the rules of the monastery. Please leave.”

At this, John began shouting curses and kicking the door. The commotion quickly reached Catherine, who came running with an annoyed look. She gently pushed the seething Emma back and opened the monastery door.

“What do you mean it’s impossible?” John, feeling triumphant, asked loudly.

Catherine coldly glared at him and asked in a firm voice, “I’m Abbess Catherine Emilosa. What is all this noise about at this hour?”

Faced with Catherine’s commanding presence and unwavering voice, John quickly backed down. Even though this was a small and powerless monastery, the abbess still held a significant position in the religious community. Catherine didn’t seem like someone who would quietly put up with his behavior.

“Oh, you’re the abbess. That monk was being so inflexible; I lost my temper. I’m here on urgent business.”

“You, of all people, should know that coming here without an appointment at this hour is incredibly rude. Just how urgent is your business?”

“This is a private family matter, so I can’t explain all the details. But it’s really important, and I need to take Harriet with me.”

John’s excuse, saying he needed to take Harriet but hadn’t even bothered to make prior arrangements, received no sympathy for his excuse.

Seeing his rude behavior, Catherine felt that everything Harriet had told her about life with the Listerwell family was true. She couldn’t help but smile a little.

“Why are you looking for Harriet here?”

“What do you mean why? She’s here, isn’t she?”

“What are you talking about? Harriet Listerwell left for Genoa a while ago.”

“What?”

John’s eyes widened in shock.

Catherine, now feeling quite pleased, smiled and said, “Miss Harriet Listerwell finished her year of monastic life as originally requested and left on June 1. Oh! Since you cut off your guardianship, you probably didn’t know. We no longer have any obligation to report to you, Lord.”

“What, what…! Then where did she go?”

“I only heard she was going to Genoa. I think you’d know more about Genoa’s situation than I would, Lord.”

John clenched his fists tightly, trembling with anger. He hadn’t imagined that Harriet would leave the monastery, especially after the guardianship had been cut off. She didn’t have any money, so what could she have relied on to leave?

An uneasy feeling crept up his spine.

“If you’re done with your business, please stop making a scene and leave. I won’t tolerate any more of this.”

With Catherine’s sharp glare full of hostility, John had no choice but to turn around and leave.

“This has become troublesome. I could find her easily if I hired someone, but that would cost money… Tsk.”

He clicked his tongue as he got into his carriage. But in the end, he didn’t have to spend that money, because he found Harriet before he even had the chance to hire anyone.

***

Harriet silently counted the value of the items she was wearing—her deep green silk dress, the emerald necklace resting on her collarbone, and the dangling chandelier earrings. Even Bella probably didn’t own many dresses or accessories as fine as these.

“Are you ready, Harriet?” Trisha asked before they stepped out of the carriage.

Honestly, Harriet’s heart was pounding so hard that she felt like she might throw up. But she swallowed once and nodded.

She had already started down a path with no chance of turning back, so there was no room for weakness now.

“Then let’s go.”

Harriet followed Trisha out of the carriage.

As the door opened, the air was noticeably cooler than it had been during the day. The fragrance of flowers and grass mingled with the chirping of insects, adding to the atmosphere of the summer night.

“Welcome. May I see your invitation, please?”

A footman from the Vanderbilt estate stepped forward, checked their invitation, and politely guided them inside. Harriet couldn’t shake the feeling that even the footman was sneaking glances at her.

‘I am a diamond, I am a diamond, I am…’

Harriet repeated the mantra she had practiced while preparing for tonight.

She told herself that she was a diamond, that all trials were just tests to prove her strength, and that any harsh words were merely born out of jealousy. ‘No one can break me.’

Imagining herself as a brilliant diamond reflecting light from all directions, she lifted her chin and looked straight ahead.

The room was brightly lit, filled with women in gorgeous dresses and men in elegant suits. It seemed like all their eyes were on her.

Soon, the hostess of the party, Countess Vanderbilt, approached and greeted Trisha.

“Welcome, Countess Pellon! I was so delighted when I received your reply saying you’d attend.”

“Thank you for inviting me. Ah, this is my great-niece, Harriet. I’m acting as her companion tonight. Harriet, please greet the Countess Vanderbilt, Diana Vanderbilt.”

The Countess’s gaze naturally shifted to Harriet, standing behind Trisha. Clearly, she didn’t recognize her at all. With a gentle smile, Harriet slightly bent her knees in a curtsy.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Countess Vanderbilt. I’m Harriet Listerwell. I have heard you host amazing parties, and I am excited for tonight.

“Harriet Lister… Oh, yes, welcome! Miss Harriet Listerwell.”

The Countess seemed to finally realize who had arrived at her party, barely managing to respond.

Seeing her awkward reaction actually made Harriet feel more at ease. She smiled even more naturally.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. I remember being mesmerized when you sang an aria at the Viscount of Ainsborough’s party. Are you planning to sing again tonight?”

“Oh, my! You remember that?”

“You sang ‘Love Knows No Bounds,’ right? To be honest, I thought you might lower the pitch a bit during the high notes, but your voice rose so smoothly. I was really surprised.”

“Oh, my, you’re making me blush…”

“Blush? You sing as beautifully as professional singers.”

The Countess laughed delightedly at Harriet’s compliment.

“She does love to sing, and she’s actually quite good at it. Complimenting her will certainly make her happy.”