I transmigrated and got a husband and a son!-Chapter 1179: Do you like my cousin?

"Does that make sense to you, Ulysses?"

Silence hung in the air as Ulysses held his breath. A part of him wanted to deny Hera’s theory, but it was the most possible of all. The other two families had probably surrendered and betrayed the Ebonhart.

"If I died in here, even if I am just a nobody in the family, I still carry the name Ebonhart. My death will lure the Ebonhart to their side," he muttered. "And the entire Ebonhart will shake the hand of the real perpetrator behind my assassination... to get you out of the picture."

Hera nodded in satisfaction. "That is right, and Florence would get what she wants. It’s a win-win for them."

"Those damn folks! How could they betray our family like that?!"

"Oh, don’t be angry."

"How can I not? They came to our family, asking us to intervene and stop Florence’s madness!" Ulysses ground his teeth, getting even angrier whenever he recalled the concerned faces in his head. "The master of the house volunteered to send me because he thinks it is time to repay the late master’s help! I can’t believe they used our ties with the late master so they could stab us in the back."

"Well, you can complain all you want or start using your head now."

Ulysses pursed his lips, looking at her bitterly. She wasn’t wrong, though. No matter how this made him angry, he had no time for an emotional rollercoaster ride. He came here for a reason and that reason had never changed.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked when he calmed down. "Tell me, Hera. Anything! If those people are bold enough to send an assassin to end me and frame you for it, it’s only a matter of time before they realize they failed. If that happens, they can still use it and twist the story so the Ebonhart will be on their side."

"I know."

"Then what should we do?"

"We?"

"Yes!" Ulysses nodded. "We! You know I’m innocent and I’m on your side from the beginning. I might’ve lied to you, but you said it yourself. You don’t blame me for it because it’s something you’d do!"

"And I also told you that I don’t care what I said."

He scoffed. "Are you saying you’ve changed your mind?"

"I never said such a thing." Hera leaned back and gracefully rested her leg over the other. "What I’m saying is that I don’t need a kid to do anything for me right now. I would like you to do something for me later, but not now. What I want from now is not something that you would do, but something you’d tell me."

His brows knitted. "What do you want to know?"

"Aside from where Florence lives, I want to know your opinions about Charlotte Oxley."

"No!" Ulysses jumped from his seat, wide-eyed. "Please, not her."

"You seem a little too... defensive."

"Charlotte Oxley has nothing to do with all of this! Everything that is going on in the Oxley was all Florence’s fault." Ulysses paced back and forth as he pinched the bridge of his nose in distress. "I bet she doesn’t even know what’s going on."

Hera squinted her eyes as she observed the young man.

"Do you like my cousin, Ulysses?" she asked, noticing how he suddenly looked flustered. "I see you got a little crush on that sheltered princess."

"Hera, please." Ulysses sat down again, almost begging her. "I don’t know how you got your intel so quickly, but I’m telling you. All Charlotte’s life, she was kept hidden in the mansion because her mother thinks the world outside is too... dangerous for her. She... that girl is the kindest and the most compassionate person I’ve met in my entire life. She might be naive, but she has nothing to do with this."

He does like her, she thought.

"She’s not your competition as well. If you claim the Oxley Family, she won’t fight with you for it." Ulysses nodded reassuringly and desperately. "Please... leave her alone. Just her."

For the next minute, Hera just studied Ulysses quietly. Without a word, she peeled her leg from the other before pushing herself up. Following her, Ulysses also sprung up from his seat.

"Is that a yes?" he asked, rushing to walk her out. "Did you agree to not drag Charlotte into this? I promise. She won’t be a problem in the future! Hera, please listen to me. I know you already saved my life and I’m not in the position to make more requests when I’m alive because of you, but please, spare this girl."

But alas, Hera neither spoke nor slowed down. She walked out of the room, unfazed by the young man, trying to convince her more and even telling her where the Oxley Mansion was to convince her until he gave up.

Ulysses stood in the middle of the hallway, staring at Hera’s back.

"Please," he whispered. "Not Charlie."

*

*

*

Meanwhile...

A classical song played in the entertainment room of the penthouse. Florence elegantly sat by the divan, all alone with a glass of wine. Her lips were curled up, eyes closed while enjoying the music.

"Nigel, do not spoil my mood," she said when she sensed a familiar presence behind her. "Whatever you want to say about the four families can wait until tomorrow. Give me this night to enjoy."

Nigel, the butler, closed his eyes as he hung his head low. "I’m afraid this cannot wait until tomorrow, madam."

"What is it this time?" she hummed, taking a sip leisurely. "Did that bastard of the Silvers have done something again? Do not worry. Once I’m done with Felice’s daughter, he’s next."

"Madam." Nigel took a deep breath as he mustered his courage to relay the news he just received. "I received a call from the mansion and I was told Miss Charlotte was missing."

Florence slowly opened her eyes as a glint flickered across her eyes. Looking back, she slowly stood up from her seat and faced Nigel.

"Nigel, what did you say?"

"I’m sorry, Madam," Nigel lowered his head even deeper. "I already told them to search for her hiding places and check all the footage around the mansion. We’re already searching for her, but they haven’t found her yet."

Florence’s shoulder trembled as her eyes dilated. "Prepare my plane. I’m going to find her myself."

"Madam. Miss Charlotte might just be hiding again," said Nigel. "I’m certain you do not have to go yourself —"

The sound of the glass shattering halted Nigel from speaking. "Do not make me repeat myself, Nigel. Turn around and get me my chopper."