[Bonus chapter] She had No Choice

"Disgusting."

Helena gritted her teeth in frustration. How could she be given the Broughton branch? A decaying hotel that was beyond salvaging. If she were granted full authority to control all of the family's businesses, shutting down the Broughton branch would be her first move.

She knew Duke Henry would not change his decision at all. Even if it were to be altered, she would be given the Erast branch, which would be even more humiliating. Who would acknowledge her if she held the Erast branch while Liana rotted away in Broughton? She would only become the subject of gossip and have no political support from the nobles who sided with Duke Henry.

What Helena aimed for, for now, was how everyone would eventually recognize her when she became the heiress.

"I had wondered why our family didn't close the Broughton branch," she murmured. "Turns out, that wretched hotel was prepared to sabotage me."

Duke Henry burst into laughter. "Just so you know, the Broughton branch was originally established by your father, Helena. Am I wrong to expect his capable child to fix the losses caused by his stupidity?"

Helena froze. Her eyes widened as if she were choking. For a moment, Ethan thought Helena had no other words to respond to her grandfather. He was about to say that blaming Helena for her father's mistakes was not a good way to start healthy competition between the two grandchildren. The man had gathered his strength, just like James defending Liana.

However, a moment later, Helena spoke again.

"Sometimes, incapable parents who fail to raise their children into successful individuals tend to blame circumstances and ask others to take responsibility for their children's mistakes," Helena replied with a mocking smile. "It's a pity that you are one."

"How dare you!" Duke Henry shouted, glaring. No one who heard Helena's words would have expected her to choose to anger her grandfather rather than beg for an easier path.

"Enough, Grandfather! I knew from the beginning that you would never give me an easy way," Helena said then. "Just think of this noble Duke Henry as trying to find a free way to cure the ailments in his family business. Well, if you are too stingy to hire management advisors, then I will have to step in."

Now, Duke Henry looked extremely irritated. He did want to teach his arrogant granddaughter a lesson. However, it seemed to make her even more arrogant.

"Just so you know, I will not differentiate the rules for Erast and Broughton at all. I demand profit, not losses," Duke Henry said in a chilling tone.

Helena fell silent for a moment, then smirked cynically. "Of course." Then, her expression turned incredibly menacing and threatening. "If I succeed, you will never be able to deny again that I am the one deserving to be the Duchess of Eastland."

Helena remained silent. She left the table, concealing her anger and fear of failure.

Her heart was pounding. She knew there would be no more time for relaxation ahead. Her grandfather truly didn't want her to be the heir, but he pretended to give her and Liana a fair chance.

"That cunning old man!" Helena growled.

Ethan and Eric excused themselves and quickly followed Helena. However, she didn't want to be disturbed. She locked herself in the library.

Reluctantly, Eric and Ethan spent time outside, contemplating a seemingly nonexistent solution.

"I told you, Lady Helena should have acted sweet to His Grace and gotten pregnant right away," Eric said in despair, ruffling his already disheveled red hair.

"Oh my goodness! Do you really think she can get wet in this kind of 'not so cold-war' atmosphere?" Ethan retorted angrily. "Think of a more sensible plan."

But Eric only stared at Ethan with a foolish expression and said, "Sorry. If I knew another way, you wouldn't be here."

Annoyed, Ethan went to the courtyard and retrieved his previously tidied wooden sword. He repeatedly struck the straw dummies until they were damaged. He was frustrated. Very frustrated and didn't know what to do.

Why didn't the events unfold as the original plot? What went wrong?

Once the scarecrows were ruined, Ethan returned to retrieve his wife's sword. "Ah, shouldn't this be engraved so no one else can use it?" Ethan glanced at another wooden sword with a beautiful handle, elegantly carved with the name Henry Arkwright. Ethan sneered, looking at it with a disgusted face.

"I'll create a beautiful carving on your sword, my dear!" he whispered softly. Ethan looked around. It was quiet. He could use a bit of magic without drawing attention here. The original owner of his body used to perform a little magic to make his hard chores easier. "I'll make it even better than that old man's."

Ethan carefully took the wooden sword and held it in his hands. He closed his eyes and focused, feeling the magic flowing within him. With a gentle wave of his hand, the letters of Helena Arkwright's name began to materialize in the air above the sword.

The letters were glowing in soft, golden light, and they started to move as if they had a life of their own. Slowly but surely, they began to sink into the wood of the sword, leaving behind a deep, permanent impression.

Ethan's brow furrowed with concentration as he continued to channel the magic. He could feel the power pulsing through his veins, and it was almost overwhelming. But he didn't stop until every letter of Helena's name was carved into the sword with precision and care.

Finally, the glow faded, and Ethan opened his eyes to look at the finished product. The letters were now etched into the wood, a testament to the sincerity that Ethan had for Helena. He smiled, feeling proud of his work.

"Well, it's as beautiful as its owner," Ethan murmured contentedly as he placed Helena's waster (wooden sword) in its original place. However, he was startled by a voice.

"So, it seems you can perform magic too, huh?"