In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 89

Bailey

I was blinded by the warm sunlight reflecting off the mansion from early in the morning. Perhaps because of the dazzling sky, the fountain and marble sculptures began to reveal their elegant forms.

Edward had also woken early, stirred by the sunlight streaming through the window. As he lifted his heavy eyelids and made a sound, the head butler knocked on the door and entered.

For some reason, the butler’s face looked unusually serious, unlike his usual self.

Edward moved his throat, drank some water, and asked,

“Was there any trouble during the night?”

“My Lord… Actually…”

Seeing the butler trailing off, Edward narrowed his eyes.

He instantly sensed something had happened.

“Speak. Did something happen at the steelworks again?”

“It’s not that, but… A message came from the Imperial Palace. His Majesty the Emperor has decided to revoke the Bailey family’s rights to the steel business and take it back as Imperial property.”

The butler handed Edward the letter delivered by an imperial messenger.

As Edward slowly lifted his head while reading the document, the butler hesitated, then finally spoke.

“This is serious, my Lord. It seems the Imperial family has found out about your plan to transfer the negotiation rights to Grand Duke Stuart.”

“The palace is quick with rumors…”

Even as he said that, Edward’s tone was calm and collected.

The butler, unable to take his eyes off his master, was sweating nervously.

Something felt different. Lately, the master had been more composed than ever, and the butler suddenly sensed something was off.

A faint, unreadable smirk spread across Edward’s lips. He muttered under his breath,

“I’m curious what you’ll choose. I wonder what will come out of that proud mouth of yours.”

Things were moving faster and more complicated than he had expected.

But he didn’t mind. In the end, that man would have to make a choice in this sharp conflict.

Edward firmly believed that Eric would clean up this mess. Eric would never give up on the business his father had worked so hard to build.

And honestly, it didn’t matter what he chose. Either way, Eric would fall into the trap Edward had set and would have to let go of Aria.

A chilling smile appeared on Edward’s face at the thought of Eric.

“Call Eric to my study immediately.”

“Are you planning to speak with him?”

“Speak with him? Do you really think I would have a discussion with a lowborn man like him?”

“Then what—?”

“I’ve set the trap. Now I must lure in the prey—make sure he falls deep into it.”

What was this trap? And what kind of snare was he talking about? The butler grew more anxious. He couldn’t grasp Edward’s true intentions, and that frustrated him.

The butler carefully asked, watching his master’s mood.

“A trap? What do you mean?”

“Since when did you get so talkative about your master’s business? Do as you’re told without questioning.”

“Forgive me if I offended you.”

“Hurry up and bring Eric.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

The butler, his forehead damp with sweat, bowed his head and quickly left the room.

After he was gone, Edward’s eyes slowly shifted from the door to the annex building.

His eyes, quietly fixed in that direction, glinted with a chilling gaze.

“This business was never going to go my way anyway. This is a good opportunity. Better to drive everyone to the edge than let myself be played by that man.”

Edward raised one eyebrow lazily, his eyes glimmering with a strange light.

The room was so quiet, even breathing could be heard. The only sound was Eric’s footsteps echoing through the still air as he entered.

“You called for me, my Lord.”

As Eric walked in, Edward, seated in the study, looked up.

“You must know why I called you so early in the morning.”

“You were the one running wild with the Emperor’s support. How do you plan to fix this situation? Shouldn’t you prove your worth now?”

As Edward’s lazy gaze turned toward him, Eric narrowed his brows.

“It was not I who provoked His Majesty’s anger—it was you. You told me to step away from the business, and now you expect me to clean this up? I don’t understand.”

“What? Are you mocking me now?”

“You handed over all the business rights to Grand Duke Stuart without even discussing it with me. That’s what provoked His Majesty. I’m simply stating the facts.”

Edward stared at Eric with displeasure.

Even as their long-standing business was about to be taken away, Eric remained calm. That irritated him deeply.

After staring at Eric’s composed face for a while, Edward let out a bitter laugh.

“If that’s how you feel, then there’s no choice. I’ll give up the business. Sure, I started this mess, but it’s your pride that will make us lose everything your father built.”

“Let’s be honest. What do you really want from me?”

“Honest?”

Edward raised his head slightly. The question he had been waiting for came out of Eric’s mouth—sooner than expected.

He had been waiting for this, yet Eric’s insight felt unsettling, like he saw right through him.

Edward glared at Eric with irritation.

“If you had married Miss Stuart, none of this would have happened. Or if you hadn’t interfered with the business in the first place.”

“What’s the only way to calm the Emperor and silence the other nobles?”

“So you’re saying I should settle this by marrying Miss Stuart.”

At Eric’s response, Edward crossed his arms and smirked.

That was the trap he had set.

Grand Duke Charles had only two daughters. So in the end, once married, the wealth would naturally flow to the Bailey family.

A marriage between Eric and Sierra was also what the Emperor preferred.

Edward’s sharp gaze pushed Eric to the edge, forcing him to choose. Even if he had dark intentions, Eric had no other option.

Edward stared at him confidently.

“It’s in your hands now. And didn’t Miss Stuart say she wants to marry you?”

A smile slowly spread across Edward’s face as Aria’s words came back to him.

“Master Eric proposed to me. The ceremony will be small, but we’ll hold it soon. So I can’t stay by your side, Count.”

Her eyes had been full of trust and love for Eric.

Thinking about how all that would be shattered made Edward smile again.

In the end, he would be the only one left to pick her up after everyone abandoned her.

It was meant to happen this way. A long journey had brought them to this point.

With the look of a winner, Edward composed his expression again.

“Why aren’t you answering? Where did your confidence go?”

Eric’s gaze darkened as he looked down at Edward.

His blue eyes turned cold, sending chills. His sharp eyes narrowed.

With a determined and cold face, he stared at Edward.

“I won’t let my father’s life’s work go to waste. I’ll do as you wish.”

“Good. You’re finally making the right choice for the family. Your father in heaven will be proud.”

“I’ll soon report your decision and explain the situation to His Majesty…”

“I have one condition.”

“A condition?”

“I want to meet His Majesty in person. I’m sure he’d prefer seeing me instead of you. Also, I’ll need the family’s seal. I’ll need it to re-sign the contract before His Majesty changes his mind.”

“W-What…!”

Edward fell silent. He bit his lip at the unexpected twist.

There was no flaw in Eric’s logic. The Emperor trusted this lowborn man more than himself.

Eric looked at Edward with arrogant eyes.

“Count Cecil stands behind the Emperor now. In truth, he’s the one pressuring our family. And you know why he’s doing that better than anyone.”

“If you go to the Emperor, it’ll only anger both him and Count Cecil. Unless, of course, you’re ready to marry Lady Cecil again.”

Edward clenched his fists, not knowing what to do.

He tried to hide it, but anxiety and unease were clearly visible in his eyes.

Letting Eric go was dangerous. He might use the family seal and turn the Emperor even more against him.

Then, an idea suddenly struck Edward, and his face brightened.

“You’re right. That might be best. But in return…”

Edward smiled coldly as he continued,

“Leave Aria behind. There’s no reason for her to get involved in this.”

“That’s my decision to make.”

“I’m the head of this family. The staff in the annex are mine too. Don’t pretend you don’t know how much power I have.”

Eric let out a dry laugh as he looked at Edward’s lazy face. Edward’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Are you laughing at me?!”

“You really think I don’t know you’re using Aria to trap me? You call it love, but locking up an innocent bird in a cage—how pathetic.”

“You’re one to talk—you’re using her too. I won’t believe a word you say until I see it myself. Bring Aria here right now.”

At Edward’s demand, Eric’s sharp eyes locked onto him.

His face lost even the slightest smile, as if he saw straight through Edward’s thoughts.

“If that’s what it takes to gain your trust, then fine.”

Edward’s face stiffened immediately.

Then, with a cold expression, he called out to the butler.

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