The New Duchess
Chapter 26: the Fire

Ai walks into the residence, with a quiet step up the stairs to get to the 3rd floor, Axton's workplace. He must be innocent and know nothing even though Ai actually did nothing wrong.

Tok Ai knocked on the door. Chequek, Grace with a slightly haughty face opened the door for the Duchess.

Ai just went in without feeling guilty.

“ Axton, why did you call me?” tanya Ai immediately sat on the sofa not far from the work desk. Where there's Axton sitting in a work chair.

Axton slightly held back his emotions, faced with Ai like this, actually not Axton's will. But the jealousy he was feeling couldn't make him think clearly.

“ don't you want to tell me something? During my time away was there a certain incident?” Axton tries to make small talk first. As if giving Ai a chance to defend herself.

“ events? Em, ah yes. Yesterday Hardwin asked me to do business, but since you're not here so I haven't given an answer. How can I do business?" Ai did not know if Axton had been provoked by emotions because of Grace's actions about this man, now calling the same man's name increasingly makes Axton burn.

“ by dak!” axton answered with great emphasis.

“ alright “ Ai replied briefly when hearing the tone of anger at Axton's reply. Even her husband looked at her as if he wanted to eat her. So sharp and intimidating.

“ what can you explain with this?” Axton walked up to Ai and put the financial book on the table.

‘my guess is right’ Inner Ai who already has a hunch about this. Ai did not expect that Grace would launch the action so soon.  

“ what is this?” Ai picked up a book she had never seen before. Carefully open the sheet.

“ this book of residence finance?” He asked Axton. But Axton who has entered Grace's trap is no longer able to see the awkwardness of Ai's ignorance of this book.

“ yes, explain to me why there can be so many salary cuts and daily needs ?where's all the extra money? ” Axton directly asks the core of financial problems. Grace who stood facing Ai looked delighted. How Axton suspects his wife and Ai who seem to be dead fleas can not say anything.

Ai already knew that this was Grace's rotten plan, but hearing this sentence directly from her husband's mouth in a suspicious tone made a wound in Ai's heart. It is painful to be doubted by your husband. Ai silently looked at Axton's angry look. Axton who can not vent his jealousy now turned to scold Grace for money problems that are not too precarious. The impingement of having dared to spend time with another man.

“ what I need to explain, isn't everything Grace says you trust her more?” Ai did not want to be looked at one eye, she had to defend her pride.

“ if you say it first I will also believe it” Axton reply no less spicy.

“ so it's a question who comes first?” Ai could not accept Axton's answer that felt unreasonable.

“ cih, very funny. Then between you and Hardwin who would be more deserving?” continued Ai who tried to tell if this marriage is not her desire, trapped in a man who does not love her and never cheated on me. Ai was sick of having to defend this household. Being suspected and denigrated like this was very insulting to his pride.

“ never mention another man's name while I'm with you” sizzle Axton's anger. Axton is so unacceptable if he is compared to a snot guy like Hardwin. He's a Duke where anyone else can beat him.

“ I still say his name, not like you. Bringing women into this household” clearly Ai insinuates Axton's relationship with Grace. Axton knew what Ai said, the corner of his wife's eye was on Grace.

“ and Hardwin my childhood friend, what are you afraid of” reply Ai does not want to lose.

“ why this problem is getting wider. Just explain to me what you're using the money for?” Axton has no defense anymore, so it returns at the root of the problem it should have.

“ did Grace not tell you?” challenge Ai. He could still think clearly to stay in the plot.

“ so true, you bought jewelry?” Axton squinted his eyes in disbelief at Grace's information.

“ don't talk carelessly, what's the proof you're talking like that?”  challenge Ai. Suddenly now Axton's gaze turned to Grace who had been silent watching the husband and wife debate.

“ m, there may be in the mistress' room, tuan” Grace behaved pretentiously in fear. His face was so pitying.

“ well have someone look for him” Axton assigns a task to Grace. Ai just sat back in the room. Axton was standing in front of Ai.

“ is good to play search. I'm telling you, I don't know about the money. As long as you leave, this woman who takes care of everything, pretends to be the mistress of the residence” explained Ai full of emotions. He was acting innocent and innocent. Grace stopped her steps hearing Ai drag herself.

“ is not master, I where brave like that” Grace turned her body facing Axton, meek attracts sympathy Axton.

“ if indeed you are innocent, then you do not need the weight of Duchess” said Axton as if defending Grace, even though he wanted his wife completely innocent clean. Avoid the suspicion of abuse of position.

“ fine, but before that tell me Lady Grace Biana Bart, Assistant as well as the honorable head of the Duke Wellington residence. What is the punishment of a liar and a thief in this residence? Ask Ai loudly. He no longer wants to talk anymore.

“ disrespectful expulsion” said Grace without a doubt. He was so confident that his plan had worked. But Axton who heard Grace's reply her heart slightly did not accept, she did not want Ai to leave her. The woman who was recently always present in her mind.

“ alright. If indeed I am proven guilty, I am ready to accept the punishment” challenged Ai who increasingly makes Axton not care. He who had been eaten by Grace's words was so afraid that Ai was truly guilty and walked out of the residence.

“ stop! There was no expulsion. How would anyone else view the Duke residence if this matter came out “ Axton's response really made these two women unacceptable. Ai thinks Axton is defending Grace and vice versa. Grace does not want her plan to separate Axton and Ai to end up failing.

“ no, this problem must be handled in accordance with the law of residence” said Ai without fear.

“ yes sir, I agree” Grace is also no less brave.

Axton finally resigned, not wanting to lick his own saliva so Axton still told Grace to do a search in his wife's room.

Moments later Grace, who was assisted by a worker, came in with 3 jewelry boxes. Ai was theatrical to be surprised to see those luxury items. Axton is increasingly made to distrust his visionary. Although Grace had manipulated him, Axton's little heart always couldn't believe that his wife had flamed with the residence's money.

Grace opened the three boxes, this time Ai was completely shocked by the contents. The jewelry was really beautiful and luxurious.