Chapter 135

Chapter 135: Inheritance

“Not a gathering? You brought me here to see something?”

Listening to James’s words, Harude said with a puzzled expression. He had just arrived in Igewent and received an invitation from the prominent James. He thought it would be a gathering for the upper class of Igewent. But he didn’t expect that James would directly say he wanted to show him something. This left Harude somewhat confused.

“Um… Mr. James, I’m not sure what you want to show me…” While saying this, Harude glanced behind him at the hospital, wondering what there could possibly be to see here.

“Hmm, please follow me.”

Facing Harude’s questions, James smiled slightly and then turned towards the hospital entrance. Seeing this, despite his confusion, Harude followed him without hesitation.

Following James, Harude walked through the corridors of the Benevolent Hospital. The pungent smell of disinfectant made him pinch his nose. With disdain, he glanced at the weak patients lying on the benches along the corridor. His eyes flickered with contempt as he looked at the commoners queuing up for medical treatment. The noisy environment of the public hospital was quite uncomfortable for him. If it weren’t for James’s invitation, he would have left immediately.

Following James, Harude turned left and right until they reached a secluded corridor in the hospital. After passing through a security gate, they entered a special area where the windows were barred. Strange noises echoed within, as if many people were howling in the distance.

Entering this slightly eerie place, Harude felt a bit nervous but still followed James resolutely. Soon, they came to a corridor lined with iron doors on one side. Through the barred windows, he could see the unusual patients inside.

These patients were all children around ten years old. They stayed in their respective rooms, some crying, others struggling, biting their bed sheets, or tied to their beds… The banging on the doors and the cries intertwined, vividly showing the scene of a psychiatric hospital.

“James, James sir, is this an insane asylum? Are these all madmen? Why did you bring me to such a dangerous place!”

With a frightened expression, Harude said to James beside him. James then spoke silently.

“Sir Harude, these are not madmen. They are the children that Viscount Field has adopted over the years through charity. Unfortunately, Viscount Field’s carriage team was attacked by a pack of wolves in the mountains, leading to his accidental d*ath. These children witnessed the gruesome sight of the beasts devouring humans and the d*ath of Viscount Field, which terrified them into this state.”

James slowly explained to Harude. After listening, Harude paused for a moment, then looked again at the children in the ward, trying to squeeze out a trace of sympathy from his face. Then, with a tone of regret, he said:

“Oh… These are the children Viscount Field took in. How pitiful! Born as orphans, they were finally taken in by my kind cousin and could live a wealthy life. But alas, fate has been unkind. Now they are in this miserable state. Will they always be like this? Holy Father… why did you recall my kind cousin so early? Couldn’t he do more good deeds on earth?”

Harude sighed, moved by the situation, his expression sincere. At the end, he even wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. Seeing his reaction, James also spoke.

“Sir Harude, there is still hope for these children. With sufficient time and funds, they can all recover normally.”

“What? They can get better?” Hearing James’s words, Harude was stunned, then asked unexpectedly. James nodded slowly in affirmation.

“Yes, as long as treatment continues, the current symptoms of these children can be reversed, but it requires substantial funds. Since they do not have normal mental states, they cannot inherit Viscount Field’s estate.

“So, if Sir Harude, you can successfully inherit the estate in the future and take on the responsibilities of Viscount Gary Field, providing medical expenses for these children to continue their treatment…

“Although Viscount Field has passed away, his spirit of charity is something worth carrying on. Sir Harude, what do you think?”

James said to Harude. Listening to James’s words, Harude’s face darkened. After a moment, he slowly responded.

“Ahh… You’re talking about this… Well, honestly, Mr. James, you know that Viscount Field left suddenly, with no heirs, no will, and no close relatives. So, including myself, several distant relatives of Viscount Field came to Igewent to try to inherit this wealth. Competition was fierce, and I don’t know if I will win. Therefore, I cannot make any promises now. If I fail to inherit and make a promise, it would be embarrassing.

“I think… Mr. James, you might want to look for other people who are seeking the inheritance. Perhaps their chances are greater.

With a smile, Harude said to James, who replied silently.

“I’ve already spoken to the others; they either rejected outright or gave similar responses. Sir Harude, you are their only hope now.”

“Ahh… You’ve spoken to everyone already…” Hearing James’s words, Field was slightly stunned. After glancing anxiously around, he looked back at James and smiled.

“Hehe… Mr. James, I think it’s too early to talk about this. Let’s discuss it when I am certain I can inherit the estate.”

Hearing Harude’s words, James’s face darkened, and he responded.

“Sir Harude, compared to Viscount Field’s wealth, the treatment costs are insignificant. Wouldn’t it be worth it to gain a good reputation with just a little money? Don’t you consider it?”

“Consideration comes after I inherit it. In short, it’s not the right time now. By the way, I suddenly remembered something important, so I’ll take my leave first, Mr. James.”

With a clear tone of deferral, Harude said to James, then bowed slightly and prepared to leave. Seeing this, James tried to persuade him.

“Wait a moment, Haru…”

“Leave him, Mr. James.”

At this moment, a childlike and clear voice came from the other end of the corridor. Hearing this voice, both James and Harude were slightly stunned. Turning their heads, they saw a petite figure standing at the far end of the corridor.

Wearing a white patient’s gown, with a slender body and long golden hair, her large blue eyes shone with intelligence. Standing before James and Harude was a girl around ten years old.

“You are… one of those children…” James recalled and muttered upon seeing the girl. Next to him, Harude, who was originally preparing to leave, looked displeased and sternly said.

“Where did this brat come from, daring to interrupt us!”

Hearing Harude’s words, the girl bowed slightly, straightened her back, and introduced herself.

“My name is Anna Field, the seventh adopted son publicly recognized by the esteemed father, Viscount Gary Field, in front of the distinguished gentlemen of Igewent. And now, I am his only and legitimate heir, the next Viscount Field.”

As she spoke, Anna looked at James, whose expression was somewhat shocked, and continued.

“Mr. James, you don’t need to rely on outsiders. These unfortunate brothers and sisters have suffered enough. I won’t abandon them.”