Chapter 6 Not Qualified

After handing over the responsibilities of managing the whole family, Arnell felt absolutely refreshed.

The morning sunlight was gentle and bright, seeming to sweep away all past fatigue as it fell on her. After breakfast, Arnell felt like having tea in the courtyard for once and thinking about her next plans.

She found the glass greenhouse dirty and would never go there again. After some thought, Arnell decided to just sit on the third-floor balcony nearby, where she could also enjoy the breeze and the view from up high.

Elisa poured her tea and stood to the side, looking around contentedly.

Just as Elisa couldn't help but want to stretch while no outsiders were around, laughter came from behind the glass door, followed by a dull thud of a body hitting the wall.

Arnell heard it too. She put down her teacup in confusion and was about to speak when she saw people making out behind the door. Someone casually turned the handle, and they stumbled onto the balcony, still wrapped around each other.

Looking closer, who else could it be but Holden and Candini?

Candini spotted Arnell immediately.

The urge to provoke took over her mind. Candini hooked her arm around Holden's neck, pulling him into a wet kiss, while one hand reached around to turn the door handle, then continued with the passionate, deep kiss.

Arnell said coldly, "So the two Knight Commanders have a hobby of performing in front of others. I had no idea."

Hearing the voice, Holden released his tangled tongue and looked at Arnell, frowning. "What do you mean by that?"

"Holden, your wife is just jealous."

Candini withdrew her hand and walked closer, tapping on the table. "May I sit here?"

Arnell turned to signal Elisa to leave first, then seriously examined the woman before her. "Of course."

She had only heard about her from others before. This was Arnell's first time having close contact with the Empire's first female Knight Commander. She looked from those arrogant eyes to the bright red lips, finally settling her gaze on the ring on Candini's hand. If she remembered correctly, she had just seen the same style on Holden's hand.

"Arnell, you don't mind me calling you that, do you?" Following Arnell's gaze to the ring on her hand, Candini couldn't help but smile smugly. "This is what Holden gave me when he proposed. He said he has a wife at home, but time and distance have faded what little feelings there were. So now that he's met someone he truly loves, he's decided to be brave for once."

Standing beside her, Holden showed a faint smile at her words. He sat down next to Candini and took her hand, interlocking their fingers.

Arnell ignored their deliberate display of affection. "So do you need me to step aside?"

Candini raised an eyebrow. "I didn't say that. After all, Holden and I have discussed it—the Titan family can still support you, so outsiders won't say he abandoned his wife. If you need it, I can even accept Holden having a child with you."

"After all, you need someone to inherit the Virlet family's assets, don't you?"

Holden had wanted to say something, but hearing Candini's last sentence, his expression changed several times before he finally fell silent.

When the family arranged for him to meet Arnell, they emphasized that he must win over this lady, regardless of her looks—after all, behind her was the Virlet family. Duke Skoda's wealth was almost entirely left to his only daughter. Whoever married Arnell would make a good deal.

Holden considered himself not the type to covet wealth. When he later developed feelings for Arnell and successfully proposed, he had even felt pleased that he wasn't marrying Arnell for some shameful purpose—he didn't care about that wealth and money, nor would he stoop to deceiving her for it.

But now his beloved Candini openly mentioned that Arnell needed someone to inherit the assets, and only then did he realize that if Arnell had no children, after her death, that wealth would be taken into the national treasury.

While Holden inwardly admired Candini's generosity and thoughtfulness—willing to share him with Arnell and even kindly planning for her rival's future—what about Arnell? Besides learning those disgraceful tricks like those superficially glamorous women, having commoners from her territory smear a hero's name, what good had she ever done!

Hearing Candini's words, Arnell couldn't help but curve her lips. "Why do you think I would need such a child?"

"Moreover..." She pointed in Holden's direction. "With this person's blood running through them."

Holden hadn't expected Arnell to mention him in such a disgusted tone. His face darkened. "Candini and I are in love. I never planned to sleep with you anyway. It's not your place to be picky!"

He suddenly seemed to think of something, staring at Arnell intently. "Unless... hmph! If you have an affair with another man and get pregnant, you'd better find a way to deal with it directly. If you dare give birth and damage the Titan family's reputation, don't blame me for being rude!"

Arnell, who had been smiling, suddenly spoke up.

"Holden Titan, you'd better watch your words."

Arnell's face showed a coldness never seen before. "I am Arnell Virlet, my father is Skoda Virlet. I'm not someone you can casually slander, and I wouldn't stoop to the kind of premarital promiscuity you two engage in."

She looked at the stunned Holden. "At our wedding, you promised to love only me for life. You failed to keep that promise, and now you've said the same thing to Commander Candini. I don't care whether you'll break your word a second time, but with your character, what right do you have to be the father of my child?"