Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Making Things Difficult

Lu Xia had always considered herself an emotionally stable person. Few things could stir her emotions, let alone push her past her breaking point.

Victoria’s actions were not only offensive but utterly disgusting.

Given how outstanding Graces was now, it was only natural that he would attract attention.

But to rush to her with a request for an "exchange" without even understanding the situation, knowing only the vaguest details—the sheer audacity was shameless. ’How dare she?’

’Just because she’s a member of the Imperial Family, she thinks she can act so lawlessly? And this is toward me, a person who holds a ducal title. If it were an ordinary person, would she have just resorted to outright robbery?’

Amidst these chaotic thoughts, her wrist terminal chimed. It was a voice call invitation from Lady Daina.

’Contacting me at a time like this... it must be about this matter.’

Lu Xia accepted the call, and Lady Daina’s voice came through. "I was starting to think you wouldn’t pick up."

"Is this about Lady Victoria’s matter?"

"If I say yes, will you be angry with me? I just heard the news and found it quite interesting. My sister really hasn’t changed, always loving to pull these kinds of stunts. I didn’t expect the daughter she raised to be the same, trying to play her little games with you. I’m calling to tell you, Lu Xia, that you don’t need to consider me in whatever you decide to do. My relationship with them is not as important as my relationship with you. If you wish to report this to Her Majesty Queen, I can help arrange an introduction."

Lady Daina’s words were a genuine surprise to Lu Xia. "In that case, my thanks, Lady Daina. I have no intention of letting this slide. Otherwise, won’t I have to concede every time someone covets a person or thing of mine in the future?"

"You’re right to think that way. What are you planning to do?"

Lu Xia let out a cold laugh. "First, let’s see what they do."

"Then I’ll be waiting for your good news."

This call from Lady Daina was clearly a declaration of her stance. Although Lu Xia didn’t particularly care, for Lady Daina to do this at such a time was still heartwarming.

The moment her call with Lady Daina ended, voice invitations from Prince Li Mang and Duke Leslie came in. She accepted both calls simultaneously, and Duke Leslie was the first to speak. "Xiaxia, did Lady Victoria really approach you about Graces?"

Prince Li Mang exclaimed, "She’s mad! I think she’s gone mad! Does she really think she’s all that just because she’s a member of the Imperial Family? And to think I used to have a good impression of them. I never expected them to be so shameless!"

"I didn’t expect that to be her goal either. Lady Daina just contacted me; she won’t interfere. You two don’t need to do anything either. I’ll handle this myself."

It involved the Imperial Family. She wasn’t afraid for herself, but she didn’t want to drag others into it.

"What are you talking about? How could we just stand by and watch..."

"Your Highness, Your Grace, I’m serious. Don’t do anything. I can handle this on my own. If you help me, it will only hold me back." ’After all, if it’s just me, what does a person with nothing to lose have to fear from one who has everything?’

But with Duke Leslie and Prince Li Mang involved, things would be different. She would have to be more cautious with her retaliation.

Many things would become much more difficult to do.

"If that’s the case, then we won’t do anything. But Xiaxia, we’re always on your side. If you need anything at all, just ask." Now that Graces was Duke Lu Xia’s main husband, the Leslie Duke Mansion and Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion were deeply intertwined; there was no way they could be separated.

It was better to present a united front against outsiders.

After ending the call with them, her terminal still wasn’t quiet. This time, however, the voice invitation came from an unknown account.

’An unknown number calling me at a time like this... it could only be one person.’

Lu Xia let it ring for a while before answering. The person on the other end said directly, "I am Victoria."

Lu Xia raised an eyebrow, not the least bit surprised. "Is there something you need?"

"You don’t know why I’m calling?" The other woman’s voice was dripping with sarcasm, as if she was doing Lu Xia a great favor by deigning to contact her.

"If you’re not going to say, I’m hanging up." Without a moment’s hesitation, Lu Xia ended the call.

She didn’t answer any of the subsequent calls.

Victoria was about to explode with rage. She never imagined that the man she had taken a fancy to wasn’t just some regular husband, but someone’s main husband.

She admitted that she hadn’t investigated thoroughly and had rashly sent her old butler to speak with Lu Xia about it. That was her mistake, a lack of prudence and consideration.

’But Lu Xia is just a Duke! Does she really need to make such a big deal out of it? And humiliate me? What’s there to humiliate? The fact that I even approached her was giving her face!’

’And now this person I look down on is refusing to take my calls. By what right!’

Victoria furiously smashed something and summoned her people. "Go investigate now! I refuse to believe Lu Xia doesn’t have some dirt on her. Find it! I’ll make her pay! Also, have someone inspect her research institute. I want to see just what she’s researching all day!"

’So she won’t take my calls? We’ll just see how long she can hold out.’

Meanwhile, Lu Xia received a message from Graces on her way home. He had found out about the matter much sooner than she had expected. Duke Leslie must have told him.

Once the voice call connected, Graces began, "Xiaxia, I’m sorry. Because of me..."

"Haven’t I told you not to apologize so easily when it’s not your fault? You’ve heard everything?"

"Yes. I never thought she would have such an idea."

"It’s only normal for her to have such ideas. Graces, you’re so outstanding now that you can’t be hidden away. It’s natural for people to notice you. Don’t worry about this. I can handle it. It’s not a difficult matter."

Although her opponent’s status was special, she would also be constrained by it. As long as she dared to make a move, the consequences would be disastrous. Lu Xia was waiting—waiting for her to use her arrogance to try and force her to bow her head. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Xiaxia, no matter what happens, I hope you won’t exclude me. We are one."

"Alright. If I need you, I’ll let you know. The butler is calling me, I have to go." Ending the call, Lu Xia accepted her old butler’s voice invitation. "What’s wrong?"

"The auditors just contacted the head of the research institute. They’re coming for an inspection. Also, our shipment being transported by Mingtang has been seized for review. Ma’am, it seems we’re being targeted. What should we do?"

"No need to do anything. Have someone record the losses. If they want to investigate, let them. Let’s hope they’re prepared to pay the price for it."