Thanks for the chapter!
MC shouldn't have removed the messenger from the list of suspects just because he's not from Vandenberg or doesn't have a motive. Granted he doesn't have access to the seal but he could've taken offense for some perceived slight, or bribed by a rival/enemy of the Duke to read any correspondence or change the mail to create trouble. In this case he was bribed by Corrine to change the letter. In any case all the trouble and harassment Josephine caused is now coming back to bite her as mistrust and an erroneous assumption of a grudge.
Btw, the reason Josephine looks poleaxed about being fired is all the unspoken consequences attached to the package. For starters leaving the mansion means she's lost her residence, income, and food. This isn't modern times with additional consideration for being a member of x, mass media, severance pay, minimum wage or employee benefits. So her pay would be less in exchange for room and board, and being paid a pittance or a good amount is all at the Duke's discretion. She's going to have use whatever few connections she has to find work, a place to stay unless she uses an inn, and hauling around whatever possessions she can carry in a bag or two. Being fired is going to count against her in terms of getting a job and how much pay she gets, if any, over room and board. Even going to places for a job interview will take time and effort due the long distances she'll have to travel on foot as carriages cost a bit if she can even rent one and no means of public transportation. Without friends or family to rely on she has a good chance of starving to death or dying of exposure if winter is near.
