NOVEL NEXT Chapter 275: The End of the Trial
"What a fool," Nolan muttered with a small chuckle.
From the very start of the trial, the outcome had been obvious—he was bound to win.
The evidence he presented was the decisive blow that changed everything. The Red Obsidian Trading House's investment in the Castellan family had become all but worthless.
After all, Rovert had diverted the profits meant for the family into his personal holdings—an outright violation of the law that automatically rendered the investment illegal.
Still, it wasn't surprising. After all, the "Rovert" who had appeared all this time was nothing but an impostor. The real Rovert had been dead for decades.
That man felt no attachment to the Castellan family at all. He had only been using the position of family head for his own gain.
It was unfortunate for the Red Obsidian Trading House, which had fallen neatly into his trap. And since the man was already dead, there was no way to seek compensation.
"Do you believe me now, Mr. Rick?" Nolan asked with a mocking grin. "Well, it doesn't really matter if you do or not—it's pointless anyway. By the way, I won the bet, so don't forget to pay up later, okay?"
Without waiting for an answer, he shifted his gaze to Louis. "Your Honor, please deliver a fair verdict."
"Tsk!" Louis clicked his tongue in frustration. His right hand, gripping the gavel, trembled slightly as though he was torn about what to do.
But when Alvaron's sharp gaze bore into him, he let out a small sigh and declared weakly, "With this, the Castellan family is found... not guilty."
Tok!
***
Nolan walked outside with Anna at his side. Neither of them spoke, and the silence made the atmosphere awkward.
Anna bit her lower lip, sneaking occasional glances at him, as if she wanted to speak but couldn't find the right words.
"If you have something to say, just say it. I won't hurt you, you know?" Nolan teased.
Anna's face flushed, and she quickly turned her head away.
After a brief silence, she gathered her courage, looked at Nolan, and asked, "What are you going to do with the Castellan family?"
Given her status, she had no right to ask such a thing. Yet, for some reason, the question slipped out before she could stop herself.
Nolan stayed calm as he answered, "The Castellan family will remain as it is. There will be some changes, though. Rovert Castellan has passed away, and the leader's seat is naturally vacant. If left unchecked, that could be dangerous for you. So…"
His words trailed off as he looked at her. "I want you to take that seat, at least for now."
Anna froze at his words, pointing at herself in disbelief. "Me? Are you serious?"
Her eyes widened in shock, as if she couldn't believe what he had just said.
"Yes, you," Nolan replied casually. "You're Rovert's wife. At least, that's what everyone believes after finding out you're carrying his child. As his wife, it's your duty to take his place."
The purpose of exposing Anna in front of everyone was not only to resolve the inheritance issue but also to settle this matter. The Castellan family's leadership seat would soon be vacant, and that was far from ideal.
After all, they were a Marquis family with enormous influence. Not to mention, they controlled the prosperous city of Gardian.
If left unattended, chaos would soon follow, and the eastern region could fall into crisis once again. That was the last thing he wanted.
Anna was at a loss for words. She lowered her head, doubt clouding her expression.
Can I really do it? She asked herself silently.
Before Rovert discovered her, she had been nothing more than an ordinary woman with no status. True, her appearance was remarkable, and many men had tried to propose to her—yet she had never been interested.
Back then, she dreamed of becoming someone great, someone who could protect herself and her family.
But every blessing carries its own threat. Her beauty was a gift, yet also the very reason malicious people tried to harm her.
Once, she had nearly been kidnapped by a slave trader but had narrowly escaped.
And though she had been forced to carry Rovert's child, her life was still better than what awaited her if she had been sold into slavery.
Rovert had been with her a single time and never touched her again.
She lived comfortably, and her family did well too, thanks to the money he sent them each month.
Still, faced with the enormous responsibility of leading the Castellan family, she couldn't help but hesitate—even knowing she was unworthy.
Nolan glanced at her, immediately sensing her thoughts. He lifted his mask, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "I understand your concerns," he said softly. "But I'm not one to simply place responsibility on someone else. Over the next week, I'll teach you how to lead properly and confidently."
"I'll also guide you through the economic system, politics, regional and palace laws, and other essential matters. So don't worry—you'll do just fine."
His soft, caring voice made Anna flinch. She looked up at the smile on his handsome face.
Her heart raced, and her cheeks flushed a deep red.
"Since you said it, then I'll do it. Please help me," she said in a weak, nervous voice.
At the same time, a warm feeling spread through her chest. Nolan's considerate gesture reached the deepest part of her heart. She had rarely received such attention from her family since childhood.
She had been born poor, and both her parents had to work hard to support the family. After Rovert kidnapped her, she was confined to a room and forbidden to leave the mansion.
It felt as if she were a bird trapped in a cage. Despite her comfortable and easy life, her soul felt empty and hollow.
Nolan, unaware of her inner turmoil, simply gave a small nod. "You're welcome. After all, this is my responsibility..."
***
Nolan and Anna walked out of the courthouse. By coincidence, their horse-drawn carriage was already waiting in front of them.
Before they could approach, however, they heard footsteps behind them.
"Wait a moment, Attorney Arthur."
Turning around, Nolan and Anna saw Alvaron and Aston approaching.
Anna tensed slightly, but Nolan patted her shoulder to calm her.
"Good afternoon, Duke Alvaron, Marquis Valmire. What can I do for you?" he asked politely, pretending not to recognize them.
Aston, unaware that "Arthur" was actually Nolan, smiled and said, "Thank you for saving the Castellan family, Attorney Arthur. With this, our plan is complete."
"You're welcome, Marquis," Nolan replied with a small smile. "I only did what needed to be done to handle the situation. After all, I am being paid by His Highness Nolan."
Aston gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. The two exchanged a few more words before Nolan and Anna finally stepped into the carriage and vanished from sight.
"Duke, did you notice? That man… he looked exactly like His Highness," Aston asked hesitantly.
From his manner of speaking to his gestures, everything seemed identical to Nolan.
Alvaron chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Perhaps… it's just your imagination."