Chapter 54: The Incident

Sotos Castle.

Colin walked into the study and saw Count Theodore with a gloomy face.

"Cough, cough..."

He stared at the parchment in his hand, two patches of unnatural red flush appearing on his face, and began to cough violently.

"Colin... what is the meaning of this?"

"Tell me, what is your relationship with the Wild Wolf Bandit Group?"

Theodore roared, throwing an investigation report into Colin's face.

A red mark immediately appeared on Colin's face, but he paid no mind, spreading his hands: "Father, since you have already investigated to this point, do you still need me to answer?"

"That batch of military supplies, was it really provided by you? Aaron is your brother! Blood of your blood!"

Theodore's chest heaved violently.

"Haha... then have you ever thought about me? I am your heir... but I don't know when it started, you began to appreciate him more, not me!"

Colin also roared, a certain emotion in his heart finding release.

"You..."

Theodore's fingers trembled.

He had indeed appreciated Aaron more and more recently, but he had no intention of deposing Colin and letting Aaron be the heir.

Otherwise, it would not have been Colin who married Sylvie back then.

It was just that, facing the second son who had not been close before and was sent away early, he did indeed have some high hopes and feelings of guilt.

After all... distance creates beauty.

At the same time, letting the rumors spread about Aaron being Xia Ya's godfather was just to temper Colin and make him more motivated.

Good iron can only be useful after constant grinding!

Yet Theodore did not know that some people are not true famous swords; once the grinding exceeds the limit, it may cause the string in the mind called reason to snap! Producing unpredictable consequences.

"Father, if you truly loved me, you shouldn't have investigated at all. Directly suppressing this matter is the attitude of protecting an heir..."

Colin straightened his back and said coldly.

Theodore's expression froze.

Indeed, standing from the perspective of a ruler, one does not look at good or evil when doing things, only at interests.

For example, when a trusted aide is taken down for committing an offense, it is often not because of what is on the surface, but because there is a problem with their stance.

And if a trusted aide is wronged, even if the grievance is cleared later, one may not dare to keep them by one's side, because if there was no resentment before, there will certainly be resentment now!

This is even more true when treating an heir; either trust them firmly, or strike them down directly—there is no second option!

Theodore had not thought that much; he just instinctively felt that he had indeed handled this matter poorly.

Or rather, deep in his heart where he had not noticed, his disposition toward the heir was indeed wavering.

After all... compared to Aaron, Colin was truly lacking.

If the second-generation heir were Aaron and the third generation were Xia Ya, how wonderful that would be...

Theodore pursed his lips, his spine seeming to become much more hunched, and he coughed violently for a while again: "This matter has witnesses from the outside; I have not yet decided how to handle it... get out of here first!"

Colin, on the contrary, became extremely calm, bowed again, and walked out of the study door.

Lady Sonia walked toward him, a smile on her face, her etiquette impeccable, only her eyes seemed to carry a certain expectation...

Colin returned to his room and saw Feili, who was covering his face with a hood.

"How did it go?"

Feili asked with a smile.

"Father has the intention to deal with me..."

Colin's expression turned gloomy: "It cannot be delayed any longer, we must act immediately!"

"Are you going to carry out a coup?" Feili felt expectant: "I can provide help in this regard..."

"A coup?"

Colin looked as if he had seen a madman: "The key figures of the castle guard, Turner Shorien and Alfred, are both my father's trusted aides. We cannot win over even one of them. How many people are you planning to call to storm the castle? Even if we take it, the entire Green Forest will know I have rebelled, and all the lords will crusade against me and then push my brother onto the Count's throne!"

"Then what do you plan to do?" Feili had a good temper and asked with a smile.

"I absolutely cannot kill my father, whether from the perspective of family affection or interests... so the best way is to make his illness worsen so he cannot manage affairs, and then I will exercise the lord's power on his behalf!"

Colin said: "I need a potion that can make someone fall into a coma, the kind that looks like a serious illness..."

"Although it is difficult, there is indeed such a treasure within the royal palace, called 'Konjac Dream', which just happens to meet your requirements. I happen to have one with me."

Feili smiled.

Colin looked at Feili with wariness and a smile appeared on his face: "Very good... I have already bribed the scholar; I can add some ingredients to the medicinal soup. Hmm... Sonia is also restless; I will take this opportunity to put her under house arrest as well."

Feili nodded, feeling that this Colin was not entirely useless.

Having held the title of heir for so many years, he could always win over some people.

This was the capital for after the coup!

With this, it was enough to control the situation at Sotos Castle.

Then, at the right time, he would kill the Green Forest Earl and leak the truth of the matter, causing Green Forest to fall into division!

"Venison... rabbit meat... mutton..."

The next day.

Jinni was in the garden, thinking about the serious problem of how to add to their meal that evening.

Sean was beside her, chattering incessantly: "I heard from Mother that Colin is done for this time... and since Aaron has long since split from the family, I will be the Count in the future."

Jinni rolled her eyes and ignored him.

After all, one cannot expect everyone to be a clever person; people are emotional Animals, and they will always do some strange things.

Not to mention, this older brother was still the "spoiled brat" in Aaron's words.

Thud, thud!

Just at this moment, she saw a squad of guards wearing cotton armor suddenly surge out from various corridors, guarding every intersection.

"Something has happened." Jinni's small face was serious.

Clatter!

A group of guards surged in, and the leader was none other than Colin!

"Sean, Jinni..." Colin said expressionlessly, "Father is seriously ill and has fainted, unable to handle affairs. I am currently acting as the Green Forest Earl. You two go back quickly and stay with your mother."

With a wave of his hand, two guards stepped forward and grabbed Sean's arms.

"What are you doing? I am the son of a Count!"

Sean struggled violently, shouting continuously.

Colin stepped forward and delivered a flying kick, sending Sean flying until he crashed into a flower bed, screaming repeatedly.

"Haha, I've wanted to do this for a long time; it's truly delightful!"

A smile curled at the corners of Colin's mouth as he looked at Jinni again.

He saw that his usually mischievous younger sister was now pale, with her head bowed, looking like a frightened quail.

"Hmph... after all, she's just a child. Take them both away! Lock them up with Sonia; without my orders, they are not allowed to come out!"

Colin handled matters swiftly, walking through the Castle Hall with the scholar and Feili following behind him, a joyful smile on his face: "Where is Aaron? Father is seriously ill; send him a message immediately and have him come to visit... and those lords, have them come over as well!"

In his heart, he had already decided to take this opportunity to get rid of all the troublesome fellows!