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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

Chapter 25

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Lucien narrowed his eyes. "You want to trap him?"Mabel nodded. "I want to feed him until he confesses."Lucien folded his arms. "That is not a recognized legal method."Mabel shrugged. "Neither is letting a bishop be struck with soup."Lucien frowned. "The bishop was never struck."Mabel smiled. "You see how quickly rumors grow?"He agreed.The dinner menu became a weapon: Mabel served dishes made from every region touched by the railway. The coal miners received beef pies, the investors received trout, and the trustees received a pudding without moral lessons. Silas received a seat beside Jasper Kett, who had memorized the invoices. Mabel placed Hobb's former clerk opposite Silas; Lucien placed the printer beside Sir Osgood.Mrs. Crest stood behind Silas's chair with a carving knife.Lucien leaned toward Mabel. "That is excessive."Mabel kept her eyes on the table. "It is for the roast."Lucien looked at the knife. "She is holding it like a sword."Mabel adjusted her grip. "The roast is uncooperative."During the second course, a messenger brought news that another company had received coal under Lucien's seal. Silas pretended surprise: Silas spread his hands. "This is terrible, Your Grace. How could such a thing happen?"Lucien kept his expression blank. "I was hoping you would explain."Silas smiled thinly. "I have no connection to the railway accounts."Mabel lifted her glass. "Your company has received thirty-two shipments."Silas narrowed his eyes. "Many companies receive coal."Mabel set down her glass. "Yours received coal that never left Caldermir."Silas leaned forward. "Are you accusing me?"Mabel kept her voice calm. "No. I am describing your appetite."Several guests covered smiles with napkins.Silas leaned closer. "You will regret making enemies above your station."Mabel did not lower her voice. "I'm seated beside a duke. I'm not short of enemies."Lucien's hand closed around his glass. Silas rose. "This marriage is a fraud!"Mabel nodded. "Yes."The room fell silent. Lucien looked at her.Mabel continued, "It began as a contract. We have never hidden that from the trustees. But fraud is not the same as a marriage that started for practical reasons."She stood; her chair scraped the floor. Mabel kept her voice steady."The real fraud is the company stealing from the trust. The real fraud is the man who sabotaged the bridge and forged letters to distract everyone. You are angry because a woman you ignored noticed the numbers."Silas's face reddened. "You have no proof!"
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Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

29 Part