Chapter 204 - Something That No One Has
The events that took place after Earl Rutherford St. Claire's little outburst was as follows:
Though Baron MacIntyre was not given a valid explanation for this strange clause in the agreement, he did not have time to stick around and play detective.
The limited time he had left was spent in signing the contract which he was sure would not cause him any loss after reading it thoroughly.
The parent and guardian of Yvonne St. Claire, Rutherford, then signed on her behalf following which the agreement was now in effect.
Marquess Samed applauded the success of his pupil's first business deal as he was the only one who knew of the real intentions behind her actions.
'She has set foot in the business industry of Amarthea. I wonder how her future may be?' He pondered and hoped the best for her future.
On his way out, the Baron spoke a few more words to Marquess Samed before he rushed towards his carriage to begin his journey to the Royal Palace of Rosenhyde.
During this entire episode, Yvonne neither looked at her father nor did she accept his hand which he had extended in her direction.
The troubled father was left with no choice but to stay silent until the Baron left.
After seeing him out, he turned towards Marquess Samed who was staring back at him and his daughter with sparkling eyes as he waited to hear more gossip.
However, Rutherford did not want to let this man enjoy his misery and hence decided to send him away as well.
"It was nice to have you over, Marquess. Hope we can sit and talk some other time." He suggested, hoping that the smartest man in Amarthea would get the hint.
Though Sullivan had understood the meaning hidden in those kind words, he was reluctant to miss out on this new piece of gossip.
"Since Baron MacIntyre has left without eating with your family for lunch, wouldn't his share go to waste?" He commented and flashed his brightest smile to the Earl.
'You just want to know what is going on over here.' Yvonne sneered at her shameless tutor who would not mind intruding if it meant that he gained juicy gossip.
The question that Baron had in mind before signing had gotten him curious and he was not willing to leave without proper answers.
"Very well then, please join us for the meal." Rutherford invited as he could not kick this man out of the Estate even when that was exactly what he wanted to do.
Yvonne decided to walk next to her tutor as she left her father in the dust, alone and unwanted.
The big man wallowed in self-pity and grievances as he followed his child to the dining room.
Marquess Samed was made to sit next to the Earl and the other side was occupied by the Countess who graced them with her presence for the meal.
As usual, Yvonne sat beside her mother and continued to ignore her father.
Sullivan was observing the people who ate their meal in silence and decided that something needed to be done to get them talking.
'At this rate, we will complete the meal with no new information being leaked!' He dreaded such a reality and chose to take matters into his own hands.
Glancing at Yvonne who ate the peas on her plate like a good child, he turned his eyes to the Master of this mansion.
"What was the strange clause in the agreement, Earl?" He questioned without bothering to beat around the bush.
'You will make the worst spy in the world!' The little girl mocked his information extracting skills.
He did not hide his curiosity as he waited for an answer from the Earl.
Rutherford did not wish to explain this matter to the outsider but was left with no choice when he noticed the equally intrigued face of his wife.
As Raylene was not present during the meeting, she was clueless about what had taken place inside that room.
Facing her anticipating face, the loving husband had to reveal his intentions for doing what he had done.
"I made Vonna the beneficiary of the profit sum in the agreement." He revealed to his wife something that the other two at the table were already aware of.
What Yvonne and Sullivan did not know or understand was why he had made such a move?
Yvonne stared at him and waited for his justification with her cheeks puffed out.
"That was not a part of our plan, Papa!" She expressed her dissatisfaction with his action.
They had decided that the beneficiary would be the family of St. Claire and later than money could be given to her when she asked for it.
However, this clause had stated that Yvonne St. Claire would be the sole owner of the profit percentage written in the deal.
She could do with it as she pleased and no one would have any say in the money that she earned through the profit.
"Vonna wanted an allowance so this is your allowance. You can do with it as you please." Rutherford added in order to win her favor once again.
Marquess Samed was impressed with how much love and care his student was being showered by her parents.
Though this was a strange move to make, Earl St. Claire had taken no forbidden step.
Women were allowed to be given money and property. This was not a crime in their laws.
They would be alright as long as they did not try to manage it by themselves.
The Kingdom had noble ladies who were left widowed and childless while having massive fortunes bestowed on them after the death of their husbands.
In such situations, the money belonged to the woman but she would have to employ a caretaker to help her watch over the money and also invest and make a living for her by using that same money.
'Women cannot even spend the money that is rightfully theirs without the permission of a man.' The child scoffed at the backward thinking of the people in this land.
With this thought in her mind, she had asked her father to use the family name as the beneficiary of the profit gained but he had solely used her name instead.
"Papa can help you look after it but it is your money at the end of the day." Rutherford tried to reassure her that no one would find fault with what he had done.
Marquess Samed shared a similar opinion with the Earl as he nodded his head to indicate that he was also supportive of the man's decision.
"You were the one who made the recipe so you have the right to use the money for yourself." He shook his head and chastised her lightly for not being appreciative of her father's efforts to surprise her.
'Technically it isn't my recipe but I do not mind taking credit for it.' The little girl remarked and shoved a tiny piece of meat into her mouth while listening to their conversation.
'I like him better when he is on my side!' The Earl nodded at the man who was speaking such pleasing words.
"Papa only wanted you to have an allowance just as you had wished for." He expressed why he had done this.
'Vonna will not be jealous of other little girls anymore as she has something that no one else has.' He smiled, proud of the ingenious plan he had come up with.
Yvonne on the other hand was pondering whether this could cause her and her future any potential harm.