Chapter 196: Chapter 196

Franz stumbled out of Old Man Noirtier’s room, his hands trembling and face pale as a ghost. Even Valentine, who had every reason to celebrate, would’ve felt sorry for him if she’d seen how shaken he looked.

Inside his study, Villefort, the powerful prosecutor, had managed to stammer out a few barely coherent words before retreating to hide behind his desk. Two hours later, a letter arrived that made everything worse.

The letter was cold and formal: After this morning’s revelations, there can be no alliance between the Noirtier family and the d’Epinay family. Franz d’Epinay is shocked that Prosecutor Villefort, who clearly knew about these circumstances, didn’t have the courtesy to cancel the engagement himself.

Anyone watching Villefort at that moment would never have guessed he’d seen this coming. The truth was, his father had blindsided him completely. Old Man Noirtier had never cared about his son’s opinion on anything, so he’d never bothered explaining the full story. For his entire life, Villefort had believed that Franz’s father, General de Quesnel, had been murdered by assassins. He’d had no idea the man had died in a fair duel.

The harsh tone of Franz’s letter hit Villefort like a punch to the gut. Franz was usually so polite and respectful, this rejection stung his pride deeply.

His wife walked in moments after he finished reading. Franz’s sudden departure had left her standing awkwardly with the notary and witnesses, not knowing what to say. Finally, she’d had enough of the uncomfortable silence and came looking for answers.

Villefort’s explanation was brief and vague. There had been a discussion between Noirtier, Franz, and himself. The engagement was off.

That would sound terrible to the people waiting downstairs. So instead, Madame de Villefort told them a convenient lie, that Noirtier had suffered some kind of stroke during the meeting, and everything would need to be postponed.

The guests were stunned. Two similar disasters had already struck the family recently, and now this? They left without saying a word.

Meanwhile, Valentine was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, terrified but also incredibly happy. She hugged her frail grandfather, thanking him for breaking the chains that had bound her future. Then she asked permission to go to her room to recover. Google seaʀᴄh NoveI★Fire.net

The old man’s eyes gave his approval. But Valentine didn’t go to her room. Instead, she slipped through the gallery, opened a small door at the end, and found herself in the garden.

With everything that had happened so quickly, one after another, Valentine felt a strange sense of dread creeping over her. She half-expected Maximilian Morrel to burst through the gates at any moment, pale and desperate, to stop the wedding like something out of a dramatic novel.

She needed to get to the garden gate fast. Maximilian had been waiting forever.

He’d already figured out most of what happened when he saw Franz leave with Villefort earlier. He’d followed them, watched Franz enter the house, leave, then return with his friends Albert and Château-Renaud. Maximilian knew a serious meeting was happening. So he’d rushed to their secret meeting spot by the gate, certain Valentine would come find him as soon as she could.

He was right. Peering through gaps in the wooden fence, he spotted her almost immediately. She wasn’t being careful or cautious like usual, she just rushed straight toward him. The moment he saw her face, relief washed over him. And her first words made his heart soar.

"We’re saved!" Valentine gasped.

"Saved?" Morrel couldn’t believe such incredible happiness. "How?"

"My grandfather! Oh, Morrel, you have to love him for what he’s done for us!"

Morrel swore he would love the old man with his entire soul. In that moment, simply loving him as a friend or even as a father-figure didn’t feel like enough.

"But tell me, Valentine, how did he do it? What happened in there?"

Valentine almost started explaining everything, but then she stopped herself. If she told him the whole truth, she’d have to reveal a terrible family secret that involved more than just her grandfather.

"I’ll tell you everything someday," she said softly.

"When I’m your wife."

The conversation had shifted to such a happy topic that Morrel was willing to agree to anything Valentine wanted. Besides, this news alone was more than enough joy for one day. Still, he refused to leave without her promise to meet him again tomorrow night.

Valentine promised him everything he asked for. And honestly, it was way easier to believe she’d actually marry Maximilian now than it had been just an hour ago to believe she wouldn’t have to marry Franz.

While the young couple talked, Madame de Villefort went to visit Noirtier. The old man looked at her with his usual stern, unwelcoming expression, the same look he always gave her.

"Sir," she began, "I don’t need to tell you that Valentine’s engagement is cancelled, since it was ended right here in this room."

Noirtier’s face remained cold and expressionless.

"But I want you to know something you might not realize, I was always against this marriage. The contract was made entirely without my consent or approval."

Noirtier stared at his daughter-in-law as if demanding she get to the point.

"Now that this marriage you hated so much is finished, I’ve come to ask you something that neither Prosecutor Villefort nor Valentine could properly request."

His eyes seemed to ask what she wanted.

"I’m here to ask you, sir," she continued, "as the only person with the right to do so, since I’m the only one who gains nothing personally from this, I’m asking you to restore your fortune to your granddaughter. Not your love, because she’s always had that. But your money."

Noirtier’s eyes showed doubt. He was clearly trying to figure out her real motive.

"May I hope, sir, that you’ll agree to my request?"

Noirtier indicated that he would.

"Then, sir, I’ll leave you now, overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness!" She bowed and left the room.

The next day, Noirtier sent for the notary. The first will was destroyed, and a new one was written. He left his entire fortune to Valentine, with one condition, she could never be separated from him.

Soon, rumors spread throughout society. Everyone was talking about how Mademoiselle de Villefort, the heiress of the wealthy Saint-Méran family, had regained her grandfather’s favor. She would eventually inherit an annual income of 300,000 livres, an enormous fortune.

While the Villefort family dealt with their broken engagement, the Count of Monte Cristo paid a visit to the Count of Morcerf.

Morcerf wanted to waste no time responding to Banker Danglars’ wishes. To show proper respect for the occasion, he wore his full lieutenant-general’s uniform, decorated with all his medals and honors. He ordered his finest horses and carriage and drove to Danglars’ mansion on Rue de la Chaussée d’Antin.

Danglars was in his office balancing his monthly accounts, probably not the best time to find him in a good mood. When he saw his old friend arrive, Danglars straightened up in his chair and put on his most important-looking expression.

Morcerf, usually stiff and formal, approached the banker with an unusually friendly smile. He felt confident his proposal would be well-received, so he didn’t bother with any careful maneuvering. He got straight to the point.

"Well, Baron," he said cheerfully, "here I am at last! It’s been a while since we made our plans, and we still haven’t carried them out."

He paused, expecting Danglars’ frown to clear up. He assumed the banker was just annoyed about the delay. But to his surprise, Danglars’ expression only grew darker.