Rafael waited a full hour, but Malcolm never showed up.


    The prince was furious. He couldn’t believe the audacity of the Quinton family. He had sent someone to Inform Malcolmst night, and yet today, there was no sign of the man.


    It seemed they thought Carissa’s visit warranted a deliberate snub. While it wasn’t as tant as the way the Duke of Oakspire’s family had treated her by keeping her waiting outside, it was hardly better.


    Rafael was fiercely protective of his wife. He wouldn’t tolerate anyone bullying him, and he certainly wouldn’t stand for anyone mistreating Carissa.


    Without caring about whether Malcolm wanted the rest of the Quinton family to know about this matter, he called out to the assembled Quinton men, announcing, “You should all know that Eleanor ced a pawn in your family–a mistress Lord Malcolm Quinton has kept outside for three years, with whom he has a daughter.”


    Having said his piece, Rafael turn


    wake.


    and strode away with Jacob in tow, leaving a stunned silence in <b>his </b>


    The members of the Quinton family could hardly believe what they had <b>just </b>heard.


    How could this be possible?


    They prided themselves on their schrly reputation and strict adherence to decorum. It was unthinkable that anyone in their family would keep a mistress. Even the number of concubines in their household was limited, and the hierarchy between wife and concubines was well–defined.


    A concubine was essentially the property of the primary wife–managed by her and could only attend to her husband ording to the schedule she arranged. That rule had been followed for a long time and was as strict as nationalws for the Quinton family.


    Malcolm had never been one to indulge in lust. He rarely ventured into the quarters of his concubines- maybe two or three times a month at most. Most of the time, he <b>stayed </b>in his wife’s quarters. Their love was a well–known tale in the capital, a harmonious pairing that everyone admired. Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Yet, here was Rafael, iming Malcolm had kept a mistress all along?


    “That’s impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Herbert Quinton, one of the older Quinton family members, eximed.


    He shook his head vigorously and looked at the astonished faces of his rtives, especially at Malcolm’s eldest son, Lionel Quinton.


    “Lionel, your <b>dad </b>isn’t that kind of man! There must be some misunderstanding.”


    Lionel held a third–rank official title and was highly esteemed by Salvador. He was also the future head of the Quinton family. In his eyes, Malcolm was wless, the epitome of perfection. He had often dered that he would model his life after his dad. Now, he felt disgusted, as if he had swallowed a fly. Herbert was Lionel’s second uncle, and his words were unfathomable. If anyone else had made such a im, Lionel might have dismissed it. Buting from the Hell Monarch, it carried an undeniable weight. Noticing the troubled expression on his eldest nephew’s face, Herbert barked an order to Mark, “This


    must not leave the family. If even a single word gets out, I’ll hold you responsible.”


    Beads of sweat formed on Mark’s brow as he nodded hastily. “Yes, air, I will ensure that no one speaks of this. This matter won’t leave this estate.”


    With a scowl, Herbert snapped, “What matter? This im hasn’t been substantiated at all! It’s not even a matter! The Supreme Court only investigates treason cases. As for the usations against the concubines‘ daughters, those are the result of Carissa’s Investigation.


    “What does a mere woman know about such matters? she knows anything, it’s just hearsay from gossiping women! She must have heard some outsiders nder our family and took it to heart without even verifying the truth. We will pursue this!”


    He said those words not only for the present Quinton familly members, but also for Lionel to hear.


    Upon hearing it, Lionel’s expression softened a bit. He reflected on Malcolm’s character and the affection between his parents. There was no way his dad would keep a mistress.


    If F


    If Rafael had been the one investigating. Lionel would have trusted his judgment. But Carissa’s inquiry seemed to be based on nothing more than a few whispers taken at face value without any proper investigation.


    As for why Carissa hadn’te, it was likely because she had been snubbed at Oakspire Estate the day before and figured the Quinton family wouldn’t allow her in. So, she had likely asked Rafael to mention it on her behalf.


    Lionel also noted that Rafael had been careful and had wanted to tell Malcolm personally, which was why he had sent someone to pass the message the day before. However, Malcolm had thought Carissa was the one delivering the news, and being a second–rank official, he couldn’t ept an investigation led by a woman, which was why he had taken his wife and left the house.


    Then<b>, </b>after waiting for an hour, Rafael’s patience ran out. Since he couldn’t see Malcolm, he likely told everyone directly because he was angry. If Malcolm had been present, Rafael would have told him that such a rumor was going around and asked if it was true. If it wasn’t, the prince would have urged him to investigate.


    Yes, that was it.


    So, the information might not be true at all.