Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396 The Shop That Disappeared.

At that moment Hugh spoke calmly from beside her.

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“Weren’t we heading back? The man waiting at Duskmoor Manor may lose patience if you keep him waiting much longer.”

Elowen turned to him with a bright smile.

“The pastries here are excellent. I thought I would bring some back for him to try.” She tilted her head slightly. “Doctor Dray, you should try them as well. They really are quite good.”

Hugh shook his head. “I already ate before leaving the manor. I’m not hungry.”

Elowen’s smile deepened. “My treat.”

Hugh hesitated for a moment. “…In that case, I suppose I could try a little.”

Josh led them through the lively main hall and up the stairs toward a private room.

As they walked, Elowen suddenly remembered the shop next door.

“I recall there used to be a jewelry store beside this place,” she said casually. “When did it become a bookshop?”

Josh answered matter-of-factly. “That shop offended someone in the palace.”

Elowen’s steps slowed ever so slightly.

They had already reached the private room. Josh opened the carved wooden door and gestured for them to enter.

With no outsiders nearby, he continued.

“I sometimes speak with the owner of the bookshop next door when business is slow. According to him, the trouble started because His Highness once purchased a large number of jewels there on account.”

Josh lowered his voice slightly.

“The total came to several thousand gold crowns. At the time His Highness did not have that much coin on hand. The shop followed their usual practice and sent someone to the Crown Prince’s Wing to present the bill. They waited quite a while, but no payment arrived. In the end a maid from Her Majesty’s household came to settle the account. On the surface the

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Chapter 396 The Shop That Disappeared

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matter seemed finished. But after that, people began showing up at the shop again and again to stir up trouble. Some would complain endlessly about the quality of the jewelry, while others tried to create disputes over payment. Anyone paying attention could see what was happening. The Baker family was making an example of them.”

He spread his hands.

“The shop owner had no proof to accuse anyone directly, but the constant harassment made it impossible to continue business. Eventually he had no choice but to close the shop.”

As Elowen listened, a faint trace of guilt rose unexpectedly in her heart. If she had not deliberately tricked Alaric into buying all that jewelry that day, perhaps the shop would never have ended up in this situation.

The thought lingered only briefly.

When she considered the matter more carefully, she realized that she had played only a small part in it.

Alaric and Isla had clearly taken the matter far too personally.

To hold such resentment over a single payment felt unnecessarily petty.

“Well then, Your Grace, please make yourselves comfortable,” Josh said with a respectful bow. “I will inform Lady Smith that you have arrived.”

He quickly stepped out.

Before long, hurried footsteps approached from outside. The curtain lifted, and Eudora hurried inside, almost running.

Elowen immediately rose to greet her.

Their hands clasped together the moment they met.

Eudora looked Elowen over carefully before her gaze settled on Elowen’s gently rounded belly.

Joy and concern filled her eyes at the same time.

“I heard you were expecting,” she said with emotion. “When I learned the news, I wanted to go to Duskmoor Manor immediately to see you. But these days your residence must be crowded with visitors and gifts, so I thought it better not to add to the commotion.”

Elowen smiled. “Most of those guests never even see me. If you had come, I would certainly have met with you.”

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Chapter 396 The Shop That Disappeared

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She squeezed Eudora’s hands warmly. “But it’s all right. If you did not have time to visit me, can always come visit you.”

I

Eudora nodded repeatedly. “It brings me so much comfort to see that you are living well at Duskmoor Manor. His Grace treasures you dearly. Your father, your brother, and your uncle…”

Her voice faltered.

When she mentioned her late husband, emotion overwhelmed her and tears gathered in her eyes.

Elowen felt her own throat tighten. She forced herself to keep smiling.

After taking a few steadying breaths, Eudora spoke again with a faint tremor in her voice. “If they are watching from heaven, they must all be happy for you.”

Elowen nodded gently. “Aunt, let’s sit down and talk.”

Eudora agreed. At that moment Josh returned carrying coffee and pastries, placing them neatly on the table.

Eudora glanced at him and then looked at Elowen with a smile. “Ella, do you remember Josh?”

Elowen hesitated.

Eudora laughed softly. “He’s Patrick Mercer’s son.”

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