The CEO's Woman Chapter 478 - Madam Yue

"You intend for all of them to depart the estate?" Gregory inquired, his gaze fixed on Duke Li, a labyrinth of questions swirling within his eyes. "Every single one? This includes the First Madam?"

"Precisely, everyone." Li Qiang reclined with casual grace against his chair, his eyes sealed shut.

"That—but the First Madam... she—" Gregory stammered, his voice faltering. How could the Duke possibly dismiss his principal wife? While tales of womanizing Dukes taking countless lovers were commonplace, the notion of a Duke discarding his primary consort was unheard of.

"She holds no status as my primary wife." Li Qiang's eyes fluttered open, his attention drawn to the imposing bookshelves lining the wall to his left. "I possess no Duchess. You, it seems, have conveniently forgotten this fact?"

"Duke Li... Madam Yue has been by your side since your adolescence. To cast her aside in such a manner would not only paint you as a notoriously ungrateful womanizer but also suggest defiance of His Majesty’s decree. It was the King himself who mandated—"

"Yue is not my wife." The mere mention of her name caused his brow to furrow. Liang Yue—Jiang Yue—Was Heaven itself mocking him? How could two names bear such uncanny resemblance? Grinding his teeth, the image of Jiang Yue’s face flashed through his mind, and he instinctively clasped his hand over his chest. "The King relegated us to our current status due to a substantial debt owed to Liang Yue’s father. Her father petitioned the King for her to marry me, seeking only to secure a favorable future for his daughter. It was never born of affection or any deeper sentiment. Her sole desire was a prosperous future."

"But—"

"But what is there to discuss?"

"I would humbly suggest you seek His Majesty’s sanction for a divorce. Should your intentions be to acquire additional companions—"

"Have you not heard the news?" Li Qiang interjected, his tone sharp. "The brothel was consumed by flames. All perished. Where, pray tell, am I expected to find new companions?"

Gregory offered a somber nod, his gaze lowering. The tragic incident at the brothel, resulting in the loss of every soul within its walls—patrons included—was indeed a grim reality. Yet, the subsequent destruction of every other establishment of similar repute in the surrounding towns amplified the mystery. It was universally understood that the fires were no accident, but the perpetrator remained elusive. The prevailing theory pointed towards the brothel owner having incurred the wrath of an exceptionally influential individual. Gregory’s head rose as he observed Li Qiang’s relaxed posture, a seed of suspicion beginning to sprout within him.

"Compensate the courtesans and instruct them to vanish from my sight permanently. Dispatch each madam to properties situated far from my domain. I desire no further encounters with any of these women." Li Qiang commanded. "You are dismissed."

Gregory executed a deep bow and retreated from the chamber, his mind a whirlwind of speculation regarding Li Qiang’s recent erratic behavior. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Was it possible the Duke had sustained a head injury?

"Send a missive to the King. Assure him that all is well. Convey that there is no cause for concern regarding the Duke; he is managing quite adequately." Li Qiang instructed the knight escorting him. Li Qiang’s metamorphosis was abrupt, yet he required time to observe the Duke’s actions firsthand before relaying his findings to the King.

Following his audience with Li Qiang, Gregory proceeded directly to Madam Yue’s private chambers.

"He desires my departure from the estate?" The woman before Gregory was a stark contrast to the one who had tearfully clung to Li Qiang’s side in his moments of weakness. The former tenderness and gentle disposition she displayed while tending to Li Qiang had vanished, replaced by a steely resolve. Her lips were perfectly painted, and her hair was fashioned into an immaculate chignon. "He—the Duke wishes for both myself and all others to vacate the premises?"

"Indeed, Madam," Gregory confirmed, observing the elegant Madam Yue’s brow furrow. It was indeed unfortunate to see such a beautiful woman dismissed. However, he held no sympathy for those whose hearts yearned only for wealth and status. His sole objective was to retain his position, execute Li Qiang’s commands, and keep the King apprised of all developments.

"Is His Majesty privy to this decision? The Duke gave his word to my father..."

"Madam, His Majesty exercises no authority within the Duke’s personal affairs. Upon your marriage to the Duke, you became his possession, in essence." Gregory elucidated. Similar to many women within the Duke’s household, Yue, he suspected, had exploited the Duke’s name to sustain a life of opulence.

"Does he intend to take a new wife? Is he contemplating another marriage?" Yue’s eyes began to well with tears. "Butler Greg, you must assist me. I am the First Wife. He cannot simply discard me."

"First does not equate to principal," Gregory stated matter-of-factly. He suspected Li Qiang's ultimate goal might be to secure a new consort or another woman altogether, which likely fueled his determination to expel all other women from his estate. Yet, the identity of this potential new flame remained a mystery. "I would strongly advise we comply with the Duke’s directives. We would prefer to avoid another outburst akin to the one that occurred a few days prior."

His pronouncement instantly drained the color from Madam Yue’s face. Recalling Li Qiang’s past actions was enough to make anyone uneasy. Yue gritted her teeth, her head lowered. "I wish to dispatch a letter to the king," she stated.

"Madam... please reconsider that course of action. I believe the Duke is quite serious about this matter. However, let us await his change of heart. We all know his tendency to waver. It would be most prudent to acquiesce to his current demands for now. I am confident he will soon miss us all."

Yue remained silent, her lower lip caught between her teeth. She nodded, acknowledging Gregory's counsel. Indeed, Li Qiang was notorious for his fickle nature. She wouldn’t be astonished if his mind shifted again tomorrow or the following day. "When does he expect us to depart?" she inquired.

"Tomorrow. I shall make all the necessary arrangements, including your new accommodations and a financial stipend. Furthermore, we will ensure a monthly allowance to maintain your comfortable living, even in the Duke’s absence."

A sigh of relief escaped Gregory as he observed Madam Yue's acquiescence. His sole sorrow stemmed from the heartbreaking reality that these women were now unable to conceive. The king, desiring Duke Li to remain without an heir, had subtly administered poison to all of them, rendering them infertile.

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