Lord Preston's Secret Tutor (47 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 28
There wasn’t a single flaw to be found—neatly combed hair, a well-tailored tailcoat, an air of dignity that lingered like perfume, and a courteous, refined manner of speech.
“After that incident, I worked hard to step out from under my father’s shadow. I’ve started a small publishing house now.”
He handed Jacqueline his business card. Jacqueline accepted it and offered yet another practiced, social smile.
“A publishing house? That’s unexpected.”
“I’d actually been meaning to reach out after hearing that Miss Somerset was at Preston Manor. Meeting like this today—perhaps it really is fate.”
Jacqueline gave another bitter smile. The Earl of Knox’s displeased face instantly came to mind—he certainly wouldn’t welcome this reunion.
No one here was so naive as to believe marriage was the fruit of love. Matrimony was an alliance between noble houses, aimed solely at acquiring greater wealth and power.
To the Earl of Knox, Jacqueline was nothing more than a “penniless young lady” with no value whatsoever. Her gaze, fixed on Evan, gradually grew heavy.
“Miss Somerset, would you introduce me to the gentleman accompanying you?”
Just then, Windsor smoothly interjected. Evan turned his head first, his bright eyes filled with goodwill.
After a brief, startled hesitation, Jacqueline quickly spoke.
“This is Mr. Evan Knox, eldest son of Count Brandon Knox. Mr. Knox, this is Lord Preston.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Lord Preston.”
Evan extended his hand. The bright-eyed young man offered a refreshing smile.
He showed no suspicion toward someone he’d just met—instead, he openly displayed friendliness and initiated the handshake himself. His gesture was as natural as though kindness were ingrained in his very being.
“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Knox. Thank you for attending the ball.”
“Not at all. Thank you for inviting me…?”
Evan’s eyes flickered momentarily with confusion mid-greeting. His gaze shifted to the hand clasped tightly by Windsor’s.
Hmm?
Windsor Preston’s grip was strong—so strong it felt as if he might crush Evan’s hand entirely.
Ah, right—he used to be in the navy. That must be why his grip was so powerful.
Evan chuckled lightly with an easygoing thought. But Windsor still didn’t release his hand. Evan’s knuckles began to pale from the pressure.
Huh?
Evan’s brows slowly knit together. His cheerful smile gradually faded.
Jacqueline leaned closer to Windsor and covered her mouth with her palm. She whispered so softly only he could hear.
“You’re shaking hands for far too long, Lord Preston. That’s rather impolite.”
Windsor’s eyebrow twitched. Soon after, his expression returned to its usual detached calm.
“Then I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr. Knox.”
Windsor slowly released his grip. Evan flexed and relaxed his tingling hand, letting out a relieved sigh.
Almost instantly regaining his cheerful expression, he said, “Thank you,” then turned his gaze toward Jacqueline.
“By the way, please don’t take Sir Saltrein’s words to heart earlier. That’s just the kind of person he is, isn’t he?”
“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Knox. But I’ve already forgotten all about him.”
“Hahaha. I’m glad to hear that. I was worried he might have hurt your feelings, Miss Somerset. Now I can rest easy.”
Windsor stared at Evan with faintly narrowed eyes.
Normally, he didn’t judge people based on first impressions. The military was a melting pot where all sorts of individuals gathered.
There were those who hid malice behind smiling faces, and others who concealed loyalty beneath stern expressions. Judging someone solely by appearance was always hasty.
Yet Evan Knox had rubbed him the wrong way from the very first glance. Windsor lightly raised an eyebrow, wondering why.
Perhaps it was simply because Evan stood at the opposite end of everything he was—a man born chosen.
There wasn’t a trace of shadow in Evan. Every gesture—his social smile, his initiative in offering a handshake—exuded grace and confidence.
He must have been showered with love and expectation from the moment he was born, just as Jacqueline Somerset had been, as if it were only natural.
Yes, that must be the reason. There could be no other.
“Miss Somerset, perhaps sometime when you’re free…”
“I must be going now, Mr. Evan Knox. I still have things to attend to.”
Jacqueline cut off his words before he could finish and offered a farewell. He hesitated briefly, lips parting with regret, before nodding his head.
His already downturned eyes looked even more dejected—but he quickly softened his expression into a gentle smile.
“I suppose I’ve taken up your time. I’ll contact you again when it’s convenient, Miss Somerset.”
Instead of replying, Jacqueline quickly ascended the spiral staircase. Former classmates from school stared at her openly.
Their gazes felt almost tangible, chasing after her back. Jacqueline fled as if running away—until suddenly—
“Wait a moment, Jackie.”
A familiar voice caught her by the ankle. Jacqueline hesitated, then slowly turned her head. A plump-cheeked woman with deep dimples stood directly behind her.
Her small shoulders rose and fell rapidly, as if she’d hurried over in a rush. Jacqueline’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Samantha?”
“Jackie!”
Samantha pulled her into a tight embrace. Jacqueline smiled warmly, delighted to see her old friend after so long.
“How long has it been?”
“Jackie, when did you come to the capital? Goodness! Preston Manor of all places!”
Samantha released her and lifted both hands slightly.
She resembled a small squirrel—her round cheeks always seemed full of cookies and cakes, and her legs constantly scurried about in search of more desserts.
“And yet you didn’t even send me a single message! How could you do that?”
Samantha’s face twisted with betrayal. Jacqueline offered an awkward smile. She hadn’t deliberately avoided her—it was just how things had turned out.
“I’m sorry, Samantha.”
As if sensing the unspoken story behind Jacqueline’s silence, Samantha’s expression immediately softened with understanding.
She hugged Jacqueline once more. Her round eyes shimmered as if on the verge of tears.
“But seeing you healthy like this puts my mind at ease. I’m so relieved!”
“Mm.”
Jacqueline closed her eyes and leaned her cheek against Samantha’s shoulder. The sweet scent of pastries filled the air—so quintessentially Samantha that Jacqueline couldn’t help but smile faintly.
Just then, Samantha lowered her voice quietly.
“I saw Elizabeth and Victoria here earlier. We should probably move before they notice us…”
“Oh my, who do we have here? If it isn’t the penniless lady, Jacqueline Somerset?”
Samantha turned slowly, frowned, and muttered, “Too late.”
Jacqueline found herself trapped in an awkward situation—meeting people she’d rather avoid, all in one place.
Yet she refused to show any sign of intimidation. That was her last shred of pride.
Straightening her spine and lifting her chin slightly, Jacqueline made a silent declaration that she was still very much standing strong.
A haughty voice slipped through her teeth, as if she’d been transported back to Bristol Girls’ Boarding School.
“It’s been a while, Elizabeth. And Victoria.”
“I heard rumors you became Master Benjamin Preston’s governess—but it’s actually true! Good heavens, a governess? I suppose the Somerset family truly has no hope of recovery.”
“So you’ll have to work for the rest of your life, then? Doing commoners’ labor—how terribly hard for you.”
Elizabeth and Victoria tossed out mocking words disguised as concern. Yet Jacqueline didn’t so much as blink.
“Thank you for worrying about me, Liz, and Victoria.”
“Oh dear, did it sound like we were worried?”
Elizabeth covered her mouth with her fan and burst into giggles. Victoria, catching Elizabeth’s cue, let out a scornful laugh of her own.
Jacqueline stared blankly at Elizabeth. Their ill will went way back—so far, in fact, that it dated all the way to the day Elizabeth was born.
Elizabeth Greenwood.
She was Walter Greenwood’s daughter. Since Walter was Jacqueline’s godfather, their relationship should have been fairly close—but Elizabeth had disliked Jacqueline from the very beginning.
Even as a toddler who couldn’t yet speak, she would burst into tears whenever Walter talked to Jacqueline.
As she grew older, whenever Walter spent time with Jacqueline, Elizabeth would suddenly appear out of nowhere to cause trouble.
—“I’m sorry, Jackie. I spoiled Liz far too much.”
Walter’s words echoed in Jacqueline’s mind. She remembered almost blurting out, “That’s not spoiling—that’s just rotten temperament!”
Moreover, Elizabeth’s competitiveness was so fierce that when Jacqueline enrolled in Bristol Girls’ Boarding School, Elizabeth—two years her junior—stubbornly insisted on joining the same school.
From then on, she constantly picked fights with Jacqueline. Their strained relationship was common knowledge among the entire student body.
If you dislike someone, just avoid them—but Elizabeth insisted on chasing her down to provoke her, as if tormenting Jacqueline were the sole joy of her life.
Jacqueline couldn’t comprehend such behavior at all. Yet Elizabeth never shied away from the nuisance.
Samantha planted her hands firmly on her hips and snapped sharply,
“Enough already! It’s been ages since graduation—must you still act like immature schoolgirls? Isn’t it time you grew up?”
“And you—how come you’re still acting as Jacqueline’s maid even after all this time since graduation?”
“What? A maid? Have you lost your mind?”
Samantha lifted her chin and glared upward at Elizabeth, who was taller than her. Elizabeth sneered down, curling one corner of her lips.
Jacqueline, who had remained silent until now, stepped between them and gave Samantha a warm smile.
“Let’s call it a day for now and meet quietly just the two of us next time. I have a lot to tell you, Samantha.”
Then she turned her gaze toward Elizabeth and Victoria in turn.
“Unless you intend to ruin Lord Preston’s ball, I suggest you stop here, Liz. Your fiancé is watching this way, probably wondering what on earth you’re doing.”
“!”
Elizabeth finally whipped her head around in startled surprise.
Below the staircase, her fiancé was indeed looking up at her—likely waiting to ask her for a dance.
“If you’re not planning to rip out my hair and brawl right in front of your fiancé, who’s eagerly waiting to dance with you, then quietly withdraw for now. I’m always ready to accept your challenge—anytime.”
Jacqueline whispered sweetly with a smile, slowly unfurling her fingers as if truly preparing to grab Elizabeth’s hair.
Male lead says he’s pregnant — and it’s female lead’s child
Something seems a bit off about this world.
Wang Zhao thought as she watched a pregnant man walking towards her…
Intro
Female lead finds herself in a world where the men who possess the ability to bear children.
As she navigates this unfamiliar reality, she is caught off guard by the sudden appearance of her boyfriend, who reveals that he is pregnant.
Is this truly her boyfriend?
Why can’t she recall any details about their time together?
She begins to doubt whether the child her boyfriend is carrying is even hers.
Is there a hidden reason behind her amnesia, or could it be a side effect of her sudden arrival in this strange new world?
Just when it seems the protagonist’s life couldn’t become any more entangled, her ex-boyfriend makes an unexpected appearance, raising questions about the protagonist’s past.
__________
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MANGA DISCUSSION
3 Comments
Chapter Comments (92)
Jacki really does look like a fairy who charms naughty children; she’s using the tooth fairy trick on them—very clever!
When I read about a character like Jackie, who seems so at peace with herself, it makes me feel so warm inside
She’s a fairy, indeed. To make all the children listens to her is mindblowing 🤯
Inline Comments (1288)
“Looks like I’ve turned another small enemy into a big one. At this rate, I’m ha
Mm yes, something really isn’t working out for her with people…
“The candy I give isn’t for eating—it’s for collecting.”
She’s playing to their competitive nature. Smart!
Benjamin bit his lower lip. Clenching his tiny fists as if personally insulted,
Ah, he likes her so much. He’s the cutest.
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Ashiel_26
They’re bullying her 😭 … Go for it Jackie😌
Lippy05
Poor thing, her ex-fiancé is chasing after her like a lovesick boy. It’s sad for him, but the protagonist and his wife have been getting closer in a subtle but sweet way. What can you do? After all, their fate is sealed; they’ll be husband and wife, I know it.
ahlam lam
why this reminds of Harriet and the bully group from The scandal maker has returned … can’t wait for them to get their share of humiliation