"What do you want?" Sydnee asked.
Charles looked at the door where the duke had left, and then sighed. "Do you need to go?"
Sydnee remembered the anger in Lady Geneva's eyes and the scorn in Catarina's face. Right. If she go back, how could she face Lady Geneva's wrath? If she stay in Duke's mansion, how could she live with Catarina?
Her brows met and she scratched her chin thinking what to do with her situation. It was not good if she go back because she knew that Lady Geneva would never accept her. But staying in the old mansion... Sydnee tipped her head back to look at Charles who was also staring at her. Her lips formed a thin line and she looked away.
"It's the duke's arrangement. I can't go against his words anyway," she said and sighed. Her shoulders sank upon the realization that she was left with no choice at all.
"Why not tell him that you'll stay here?"
"Ah?" She looked at Charles who had a solemn expression. He was serious and Sydnee gulped. "No. I can't go against his wishes." She crossed her arms around her chest while looking up at Charles. "Why do you care anyway?" she asked.
Because Charles was more taller than Sydnee, in his perspective, Sydnee's posture was like a cat hissing and showing her claws at him. A grin plastered on his lips as he touched his chin. "Why not? You've came and moved out on the same day."
She shook her head and walked out of the dining room. The duke was sitting on the one-seater sofa while the butler was standing beside him. Madam Kris was sitting across the duke and the two were talking. Sydnee stopped in her tracks and decided to wait for them to finish their business. But the duke had a keen sense and he saw her standing not far away. He beckoned her to walk close. She obeyed.
The butler said to Madam Kris. "We will go now, Madam. The next month's budget will be transferred to your account."
"Thank you, Your grace," Madam Kris said and smiled a bit.
Sydnee followed the two towards the entrance. She happen to see Hector and Sheila standing not far away. She waved her hand at them and smiled. They smiled back and waved their hand in return.
The marketplace was not far from the duke's mansion. It took them a few minutes before Sydnee found herself standing again in front of the mansion. It was the same scene when she first stood there. The only thing difference was that Lady Geneva and Catarina was standing at the entrance.
"Husband, you are so good to that filthy lass, aren't you?" Lady Geneva spat, sarcasm was evident in her voice.
The duke's face darkened at the Lady's words. Catarina was scorning while glaring at Sydnee. The later decided to ignore the presence of the two.
The butler cleared his throat. "Lady Geneva, the duke wants Sydnee to stay in the mansion."
"I don't agree!" Lady Geneva yelled. She pointed a finger on Sydnee. "I don't want to see the face of that trash!"
Catarina giggled upon hearing Lady Geneva's words. Duke Theodore's face darkened even more and his fists clenched. Although Sydnee wanted to interfere, but seeing the situation, she decided to shut up. It was not the good time to admit that she like to stay in the old mansion. At least, nobody would bully her in there. But she did not want to make Duke Theodore lose face in front of Lady Geneva. The duke was trying to fight for her right to live in the mansion, and she was grateful for the duke's mercy on her.
"If Lady Geneva doesn't want Sydnee to stay, then you are free to go," the butler said.
The woman's eyes widened upon hearing what the butler uttered. "What are you saying? You're just a butler! What rights do you have to say those things?!"
Duke Theodore raised his hand and gestured to the butler. The later nodded and faced Lady Geneva again. "The duke will file a divorce if you will throw Sydnee away again."
There was a pindrop silence in the air. Sydnee was dumbfounded and stared at Duke Theodore. Her eyes was misty due to tears but she fought the urge to cry. She would never cry in front of Lady Geneva and Catarina.
To be honest, she did not harbor any hope that Lady Geneva would accept her. Since the day that the woman imprinted to her mind that she was a product of abuse, she knew by then that there's no way that the dignified Lady of Obando will accept her. There was also no lingering feelings in her heart for the woman standing in front of her. She was not raised by her. And seeing the woman, it was like seeing a stranger to her.
So it was unexpected that Duke Theodore would stand up for her. Even though he was not her real father, but the kindness he showed to her was enough to let a warm feeling lingered in her heart. If being his heiress was the only way for her to pay back the duke, she would gladly accept the title.
And since she made up her mind, her fondness of the old mansion had diminished. She wanted to stay in the duke's mansion and fight for the inheritance if that's what makes the Duke happy. In the first place, she was brought in that place by him to fight for the inheritance. But she wondered why the duke did not want Catarina to inherit the title. Although she was curious, she was sensible enough not to ask. It was the duke's secret.
"You can't do this to me!" Lady Geneva yelled. "You will divorce me for that trash?" The Lady laughed. "What on earth are you thinking? She was the daughter of that scumbag Henry!"
The duke was silence for a moment before he gestured the butler. The later said, "Lady Geneva, Sydnee is your daughter even if you deny her. The duke will give Sydnee his inheritance and nobody will change his mind."
Lady Geneva gasped and she gritted her teeth. "You want that trash to inherit the dukedom? Are you out of your mind? She doesn't qualify to be a ruler!" The lady turned her fiery gaze to Sydnee. "A commoner who dreamt to be a ruler? Hah! What a joke!"
"Lady Geneva," the butler warned.
"Let's see if that trash could hide her stench! Sooner or later, you will regret it, Duke Theodore!" Lady Geneva said and both she and Catarina entered the mansion.
Sydnee sighed.