Chapter 28
~Chapter 28~
“What do you mean? Why can’t you process these documents?”
John rushed straight to Perillas that very day and barely managed to meet the branch manager just before the Aseti Bank closed. But his relief was short-lived—the branch manager refused to accept the property transfer documents.
“To change ownership, we must first confirm the land’s return. And as long as the registered owner is alive on paper, they must visit in person to sign the return confirmation. We clearly stated as much in the letter we sent.”
“Look here! Do we really have to follow such rigid procedures? She’s already signed here saying she’s handing over ownership—can’t you show a little flexibility?”
But the branch manager shook his head.
“I’m sorry, but for assets of this magnitude, the owner must come in person. There are no exceptions.”
“Harriet can’t come here right now!”
“We can wait as long as necessary. In the meantime, we won’t disburse a single penny of the income from the land—we’ll keep it all intact. So please have Miss Harriet Listerwell come in person to sign the return confirmation.”
Faced with the branch manager’s unyielding attitude, John had no choice but to leave the bank empty-handed.
Seething with rage, he immediately drove his carriage toward Saint Clarissa Convent. Fortunately, Perillas was on the way to the convent, so he arrived before sunset. Desperate, he rudely pounded on the convent gate with his bare fists.
A moment later, a small window in the gate opened, and a nun with sharp eyes asked, “Who is it?”
“It’s Viscount Listerwell. I’ve come to see someone.”
“This is a women-only convent, and visiting hours are only from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You also need to apply in advance. Come back tomorrow.”
John grabbed the window roughly before it could close.
“Get the abbess out here! How dare some lowly nun order me around!”
Normally, John would never drop his gentlemanly facade, but after a day of rattling around in a carriage with nothing going his way, his true nature burst forth.
Emma, the nun guarding the gate, felt her own anger rising. Viscount Listerwell—if that wasn’t the man who had sent Harriet here and then suddenly cut off his support. And now he had the nerve to come looking for her?
“No matter what you say, the convent’s rules won’t change. Please leave.”
At that, John spat curses and began kicking the gate. The commotion quickly reached Catherine’s ears, and she hurried over with an irritated expression. She gently pushed the fuming Emma aside and opened the convent gate.
“What do you mean, it’s not allowed!” John bellowed aggressively.
Catherine fixed him with a cold stare and asked firmly in a resolute voice, “I am Abbess Catherine Emillosa. What is this racket at such a late hour?”
John’s tail was between his legs in an instant at Catherine’s dignified bearing and unwavering tone. Even if it was a small, powerless convent, an abbess held a position in the religious world that could not be ignored. Catherine didn’t look like the type to meekly tolerate his rudeness.
“Ah, so you’re the abbess. That nun was so inflexible that I lost my temper for a moment. I’ve come on urgent business.”
“You know full well how rude it is to show up unannounced and unreserved at this hour, Viscount. Just how urgent is it?”
“It’s a family matter, so I can’t go into details, but it’s truly important—I need to take Harriet with me.”
John’s excuse of needing to take Harriet without even prior notice failed to garner any sympathy.
Seeing his rude behavior, Catherine became convinced that everything Harriet had said about life with the Listerwell family was true. Unknowingly, she let a faint smile cross her lips.
“Why are you looking for Harriet here?”
“Why? Because she’s here!”
“What are you talking about? Harriet Listerwell left for Genoa a few days ago.”
“What?”
John’s eyes flew wide open in shock.
Now thoroughly enjoying herself, Catherine smiled as she said, “Miss Harriet Listerwell completed her year of convent life as originally requested and departed on June 1st. Ah! Since you cut off your support, you might not know. We no longer have any obligation to report to you, Viscount.”
“No, that’s…! Then where did she go?”
“We only heard she was heading to Genoa. As for affairs in Genoa, surely you know more than I do, Viscount.”
John trembled with rage, clenching his fists tightly. He had never dreamed Harriet would leave the convent after he’d even cut off support. Without a penny to her name, what on earth was she relying on to leave?
A foreboding premonition crawled up his spine.
“If you’re finished, stop causing a scene and leave. I won’t tolerate any more.”
Under Catherine’s sharp gaze filled with hostility, John had no choice but to turn away.
“This has gotten complicated. Hiring people to find her will cost money… tsk.”
He clicked his tongue as he climbed into his carriage. But in the end, he didn’t need to spend that money. He found Harriet before he could even hire anyone.
Harriet quietly assessed the value of the items she was wearing. The deep green silk dress, the emerald necklace resting above her collarbone, and the chandelier earrings dangling from her ears. Bella probably didn’t even have this many fine dresses or jewels.
“Are you ready, Harriet?” Trisha asked before stepping down from the carriage.
To be honest, Harriet’s heart was pounding so hard she felt like she might throw up. But she swallowed hard and nodded.
She was already on a path of no return—there was no room to show weakness now.
“Then let’s go.”
Harriet followed Trisha out of the carriage.
As the door opened, the air felt distinctly cooler than during the day. The scent of flowers and grass mingled with the sound of insects, enhancing the atmosphere of the summer night.
“Welcome. May I see your invitation?”
A servant from Vanderbilt Mansion approached, checked the invitation, and courteously escorted them inside. Harriet couldn’t shake the feeling that even the servant was glancing 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 she was a diamond, that all trials were merely tests proving her strength, and that any harsh words were born of jealousy. ‘No one can break me.’
Imagining herself as a brilliant diamond reflecting light from all directions, she lifted her chin and stared straight ahead.
The banquet hall was filled with women in splendid dresses and men in elegant suits, the lighting dazzlingly bright. It felt like every eye was on her.
Soon, the hostess of the party, Countess Vanderbilt, approached and greeted Trisha.
“Welcome, Countess Felon! I can’t tell you how delighted I was to receive your RSVP.”
“Thank you for inviting me. Ah, this is my cousin’s granddaughter, Harriet. I’m accompanying her tonight. Harriet, pay your respects to Countess Diana Vanderbilt.”
The countess’s gaze naturally turned to Harriet, who stood behind Trisha. She clearly didn’t recognize her at all. Harriet offered a soft smile and curtsied slightly.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Countess. I’m Harriet Listerwell. I’ve long heard rumors that your parties are always fantastical, so I’m very much looking forward to tonight.”
“Harriet Lis— Ah, yes, welcome! Miss Harriet Listerwell.”
Only then did the countess seem to realize who had come to her party, finally managing a response.
Seeing her awkward reaction actually put Harriet’s mind at ease. She smiled even more naturally.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. I still remember being entranced when you sang ‘Aria’ at the Earl of Ainsborough’s party last time. Are you planning to grace us with a song tonight as well?”
“Oh my! You remember that?”
“You sang ‘Love Knows No Borders,’ right? Honestly, I thought you might lower the high note a bit, but your voice glided up so smoothly—it truly surprised me.”
“Oh, oh, why make me blush like this….”
“Blush? Your voice was as beautiful as any professional vocalist’s.”
The countess burst into delighted laughter at Harriet’s praise.
“Diana loves singing and is actually quite good at it. She’ll definitely be pleased by the compliments.”
