Behind Closed Doors of Deceit

Chapter 1

Sir Percival Blackwood’s expression was icy as he placed the divorce papers in front of Lady Elenor Bright.
Lady Elenor felt as if she hadn’t heard him properly. The world around her became a blur as the words echoed painfully in her ears.
Her radiant face paled, and she stared at the divorce papers he had tossed before her, and then at his handsome yet distant face. “What did you just say? Why are we getting divorced? And who is she?”
He called her into this chamber just to say this?
Sir Percival's hawk-like gaze fixed intensely on her.
What had once been a gaze filled with fondness now seemed to hold only an endless chill. He sneered, “What are you pretending for? Lady Elenor Bright, what exactly did Miss Sofia Harper do to you? I’ve already promised Grandfather Harold that I’d marry you. Why did you have to drive her away? Are you really that jealous, you selfish, venomous woman? Do you find it amusing to deprive others of their dreams? Is that really how the Brights handle things?”
He had merely admired Miss Sofia’s jewelry designs and intended to bring her into his company, but he never expected Elenor to chase her away and make her live in some remote countryside for three years. It was outrageous!
Lady Elenor furrowed her brow in disbelief. “When did I drive Miss Sofia away? What does her pursuing her dreams have to do with me? And what do you mean you promised Grandfather Harold to marry me?”
She understood every word he had said, yet put together, they left her utterly confused.
Sir Percival laughed coldly. “What are you playing at? Three years ago, you chased her away and manipulated my filial respect to force Grandfather Harold into making me marry you. I’ve tolerated all of this for Grandfather’s sake until today! Now that the funeral is over and she’s back, this tedious marriage of ours is finally at an end!”
Lady Elenor shot back angrily, “What on earth are you saying? Have you lost your mind? Seriously, have you seen a doctor? For God’s sake, stop messing around! Let’s just talk this through like adults, not like this. It’s not funny!”
Sir Percival’s lips twitched slightly at her last words.
Lost his mind? Not seen a doctor? At this point, she was still acting so well.
Sir Percival pulled out his phone, scrolling through old messages from three years ago that Miss Sofia had sent him, then handed his phone to Lady Elenor. “Here, take a look!”
Lady Elenor took the phone, her gaze drawn to a few lines of text: “Mr. Blackwood, Lady Elenor doesn’t like me. She’s made some requests of me, so I think I don’t belong in The Capital City anymore. My dreams in the big city will have to be put on hold. I wish you and Lady Elenor happiness, and please don’t look for me again. —Miss Sofia.”
In an instant, Lady Elenor felt her heart drop into an abyss.
Miss Sofia was the daughter of their family’s maid and had indeed left The Capital City three years ago, but Elenor was certain that she never said anything to her, nor did she feel she had any say in Miss Sofia’s ambitions. She didn’t even know Sir Percival and Miss Sofia knew each other!
She lifted her eyes to Sir Percival and spoke as calmly as she could manage, “I don’t know what happened here, but let’s get her and confront her together!”

Chapter 2

Sir Percival Blackwood chuckled coldly, “Confront her directly? You’re the heiress of the Bright family, and your grandfather chairs the House of Hayes. Even if you brought her here for a showdown, do you really think she’d tell the truth? Does she not fear your wrath?”
Lady Elenor felt a flicker of understanding at his words. “So, what you’re saying is, no matter what, you believe her over me? You're saying that our three years of marriage were a lie, and you never loved me at all?”
Her piercing gaze bore into Sir Percival’s eyes.
Caught off guard by her intensity, Sir Percival's heart skipped a beat. What had once seemed so clear now felt uncertain.
But he forced himself to respond, “Yes, I never loved you! A woman like you—vicious, full of jealousy, utterly worthless, spending every day at home cooking meals that even a housekeeper could handle—was never deserving of me!”
Vicious, full of jealousy, worthless?
Lady Elenor struggled to hold back tears at his stinging words. As a Bright family heiress, she had never lifted a finger to help. Yet after marrying him, she had made an effort to please him, learned to cook from the housekeeper, and prepared their meals daily—only to be met with such disdain?
Noticing the glimmer of tears in her eyes, Sir Percival felt a strange jolt in his chest. He found it perplexing that he, who had despised her, could be swayed by just one look from this woman.
Irritated, he turned away. “Sign the divorce papers soon. We’ll head to The Bureau of Records tomorrow to finalize it.”
“Sir Percival, wait!” she called after him. “Let me ask you something! You wanted to keep our marriage a secret, claiming it was to avoid drawing attention because the Blackwoods, the Brights, and my grandfather, Lord Lionel, were all in cahoots. But that’s a lie, isn’t it? You just didn’t want to acknowledge me as your wife?”
Sir Percival froze momentarily, the rigid line of his back visibly stiffening. In a frosty tone, he replied, “Yes, Lady Elenor, you’re unworthy!”
With that, he continued his exit.
Suddenly, Lady Elenor burst out laughing. “I actually believed your words and convinced my family to respect your desire for secrecy. Yet here we are! If you despise me so much, why have you been playing the devoted husband? Why’ve you shared a bed with me and lived as husband and wife for these three years?”
His brow furrowed, Sir Percival ground his teeth and replied in a cold voice, “The harmonious couple act was for my grandfather, Harold! Now that he’s passed, there’s no need for pretense any longer!”
Lady Elenor smirked. “Is that so? But I’ve observed that, Sir Percival, you seemed to rather enjoy those moments!”
Seemingly touched a nerve, he strode back to her and gripped her chin. “Lady Elenor, I’ve refrained from confronting you about how you tormented Miss Sofia Harper. I've been quite patient with you. Don’t push your luck, trying to provoke me!”
That question had long puzzled Sir Percival. He had always been a man of restraint, never tempted by any other woman—even those who threw themselves at him. Yet, why did he lose control in bed with Lady Elenor? He hated her on principle, yet his body never listened to his mind.
Her taunts about enjoying their life together struck at his deepest insecurity, fueling his anger!

Chapter 3

Lady Elenor Bright let out a cold scoff. "Oh, well, thank you so much—thank you, Sir Thorne, for being so magnanimous and not holding me accountable for something I didn’t even do! Should I go ahead and prostrate myself before you? Even if you wanted that, I wouldn’t be able to."
At this moment, Lady Elenor felt an intense hatred boiling within her. Three years of marriage had crumbled overnight, leaving her husband without a shred of trust in her. The sincerity she had poured into their relationship was trampled on, leaving her unable to utter a single kind word.
Sir Percival Blackwood's face darkened as he stared at her for a long moment. Once, she had known just how to please him. Her eyes, captivating and enchanting, had drawn him in effortlessly. But now, as she looked at him, her gaze dripped with mockery and even loathing.
Suddenly, he felt an aversion to facing her any longer.
He released her chin and turned away, leaving again. He couldn't quite grasp why, even after laying everything bare and deciding to divorce, he felt like this. He had rehearsed this scene in his mind countless times over the past three years, yet now he felt no relief at all. Instead, it was as if a weight had settled heavily in his chest, creating an indescribable discomfort.
As if fleeing in a panic, he strode towards the door.
In that fleeting moment as he reached the threshold, Lady Elenor raised her voice and called after him coldly, “Sir Percival Blackwood, whether you believe me or not, I need to tell you— I did not have anything to do with Miss Sofia Harper. And if I had known you never loved me, I would never have married you three years ago!”
Sir Percival did not look back. He left their home with purpose.
But Lady Elenor felt her legs go weak as she sank down onto the floor, all the strength she had been holding onto crumbling in an instant.
Grabbing the leg of the table beside her, she couldn't help but let out a sob. She had liked him since she was a child. Sir Percival was the most admirable man in everyone’s eyes, and she had followed his every light like a shadow. For three years, he had treated her kindly, just like a perfect husband. But she had never imagined that the truth would be so devastating once revealed.
Slowly, she rose to her feet and walked to the cabinet, where she rummaged through the bottom drawer to pull out a set of blueprints.
Memories rushed back to her from three years ago when Sir Percival's Grandfather Harold had approached her privately and said, “Elenor, Percival has a strong affection for you, but as his grandfather, I hope to see our Blackwood family have a granddaughter-in-law who can manage the household and raise the children without being in the public eye. So if you choose to marry Percival, you might have to give up a lot. You won’t be able to pursue your own interests anymore. Are you willing to do that?”
At that time, Lady Elenor’s jewelry designs had received recognition from international masters. Moreover, she had been secretly involved in medical research that was yielding significant results. She had planned to reveal these achievements once she had made a name for herself.
But in order to marry Sir Percival, she had forsaken it all. She had stowed away her treasured jewelry designs at the bottom of a trunk, left the medical project team, and unconditionally handed over her research findings to the lab.
She had told Grandfather Harold that she was willing to manage the household and learn to cook for him. The mere idea of marrying him was too tempting to resist, and she had been ready to give up her dreams.
But in the end…
During the divorce, Sir Percival had called her a venomous, good-for-nothing woman who could only cook at home!

Chapter 4

You’ve fallen for your sister-in-law, yet you don’t even realize it.
He was willing to believe Miss Sofia Harper could find her own happiness outside this marriage, letting her pursue what she loves.
...
The Tavern.
Sir Percival Blackwood downed glass after glass of whiskey, trying to drown the frustration that clawed at him from within.
His good friend, Lord Arthur Fenton, furrowed his brow at him and asked, “Percival, what’s going on with you? You call us out for drinks in broad daylight? And all you’re doing is gulping down drinks without a word. Did you and Lady Elenor have a fight? Or maybe she’s cheating on you?”
Sir Percival Blackwood’s icy gaze instantly locked onto Lord Arthur Fenton.
Rubbing his nose awkwardly, Lord Arthur poured himself a drink and gulped it down. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’ll drink to it!”
“I’m getting a divorce!” Sir Percival declared, his tone freezing.
Lord Arthur nearly spat out his drink. “What are you talking about? You want a divorce? You and the sister-in-law seemed close enough! She’s a noted beauty, a homecoming queen type; no celebrity stands a chance next to her. If anyone finds out you’re throwing her away, they’ll be envious of you! And now you tell me you’re getting a divorce?”
Both men were aware of Sir Percival Blackwood and Lady Elenor Bright’s secret marriage.
Setting his glass down firmly, Sir Percival’s handsome face showed a hint of intoxication.
“I don’t like her! Whatever good feelings we had were just an act for my Grandfather Harold!” he snapped.
“Are you serious? Percival, this isn’t a joke, right? I mean, remember when your wife texted you about slicing her hand while cooking the day of my birthday? You ditched me to rush home to her for a tiny cut! Others had no clue about your marriage, and they thought we were at odds.”
“And how about that time you went abroad to negotiate a twelve hundred million dollar deal? My dad made me tag along to learn from you, and suddenly we hear Lady Elenor’s got cramps and is in so much pain she’s ghostly white? That deal went out the window when you flew straight home from the airport. And now you’re saying it was all for show? Who the hell can fake that?”
Sir Percival Blackwood was momentarily unable to respond, caught off-guard.
Just as he prepared for another drink, Sir Leo Frost couldn’t help but intervene, placing his hand over Sir Percival’s glass. “Percival, I agree with Arthur. I don’t think this is about acting. Sometimes you can deceive yourself about your feelings. I really think you’ll regret this divorce decision!”
Lord Arthur nodded in agreement. “Right! You’ve got feelings for her, you just don’t see it yet! And come on, she’s stunning; the way she looks at you—it’s like she’s lit up from within. Honestly, I’m so jealous sometimes I wish we could swap souls!”
As soon as those words left his lips, Sir Percival Blackwood’s piercing gaze returned to Lord Arthur.
Quickly, Lord Arthur poured himself another glass and downed it in one go. “I misspoke again—my bad! But seriously, Percival, you’re clearly jealous. We're just looking out for you here. This divorce feels like you’re digging your own grave!”
“Enough!” Sir Percival snapped impatiently. “You have no idea how manipulative she is! This is an exquisite jewelry design she drew three years ago—a series inspired by dolphins. She could have had a fantastic life. But Lady Elenor believes there’s something between us, using her status as a Bright family heiress to push Miss Sofia away. She apparently forced her into some remote village. If Miss Sofia hadn’t clung desperately to her dream and endured three years to return, her life would have been ruined by Lady Elenor. I can’t stand a woman like that!”

Chapter 5

Sir Percival Blackwood didn't deserve a single meal she prepared.
With that thought lingering, he placed several sketches from his phone onto the table for his friends to see. He hadn’t brought the originals, but had saved photos of his hand-drawn designs.
Lord Arthur Fenton had a knack for spending money, which made him particularly attuned to jewelry and fashion. After glancing over the sketches, he remarked, "While your technique is a bit underdeveloped, these designs are undeniably impressive. Given time, the person behind these sketches could become an internationally renowned jewelry master!"
Sir Leo Frost said, "Percival, I know your original dream was to become a jewelry designer, to be at the forefront of fashion and set trends for the century. But your Grandfather Osmund insists you take over the family business. So when you see Miss Sofia Harper's designs, it’s only natural to feel a sense of empathy, even as your own dream feels unfulfilled. But is a divorce really the right move?"
He couldn't shake the feeling that Percival cared deeply for Lady Elenor Bright.
Lord Arthur chimed in, "Exactly. This is clearly you venting after discussing divorce with your wife. You’re pouring your heart out to us because you're unhappy. You should really reconsider this whole situation!"
Sir Percival Blackwood retorted coldly, "What’s there to reconsider? My grandfather doesn’t support my dreams, my family doesn’t support my dreams; all they see is Blackwood & Co., and I’m left carrying that burden! And what about Lady Elenor Bright? She offers me no understanding, either! I want to bring Miss Sofia Harper into the company to expand into jewelry, which would finally allow me to pursue my design dreams, and even that she is trying to undermine. We’re simply living different lives—there’s no happiness there!"
Lord Arthur Fenton opened his mouth to say something more: "Percival…"
But Sir Percival Blackwood had lost interest in the conversation. "Enough! My mind is made up!"
---
Blackwood Manor.
Lady Elenor Bright cried for what felt like hours. Once she'd gathered herself and processed her emotions, she packed her suitcase and signed the divorce papers.
The aprons she'd worn while cooking for him, she tossed into the trash—Sir Percival wasn’t worthy of a single one of her meals. Tomorrow she’d go to the Bureau of Records to finalize the divorce, and after that, she never wanted to see him again. With that thought, she removed her wedding ring and pitched it into the garbage as well.
As she dragged her suitcase out of the Blackwood Manor property, her phone rang with an unknown number.
On the other end of the line was Miss Sofia Harper's voice: "Lady Elenor, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t force Sir Percival to divorce you, but he’s insistent—he really doesn’t love you. Since he has no feelings for you, ending the marriage early is better for you, don’t you think? So… I hope you’re not too angry?"
To Elenor, it sounded like Sofia was reveling in the news.
Taking a deep breath, Lady Elenor replied, "Miss Sofia, remind me—what did I request from you three years ago? When did I ask you to leave the Capital City? What dreams of yours have I stripped away? Care to explain?"
Miss Sofia feigned fear, "Lady Elenor, have you forgotten? You were the one who told me to be smart and get out of the Capital City, or you’d ruin me!”
Lady Elenor could only laugh at the absurdity.

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