The news of Harper's divorce agreement had spread like wildfire all over the country. The news reached Matthew, along with the bracelets he gave to Harper before their wedding.
Barry felt the cold aura around Matthew, so he took a few steps back. He knew the consequences of Matthew exploding with anger. Last time Matthew got this angry, he destroyed a yard in the north domain!
However, contrary to Barry's expectation, Matthew suddenly restrained himself. He tore the divorce agreement into pieces and carefully put the bracelet away. "I have to go now."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Even though Barry knew that the situation would be difficult for them if Matthew had left them at that moment, he dared not to stop him. Rolando feared Matthew and considered him as a great threat. If it was possible, he would do whatever it took to make Matthew stay in the Great Jade Kingdom. For the time being, Rolando was bound by the treaty, and he couldn't make a move against Matthew. But it couldn't prevent him from making trouble for Matthew and his country.
After Matthew left, a man who looked like the spitting image of Matthew came out and took his place in the team. The man asked, "Do you think he believes it?"
"If he believed it, he would be extremely furious. But he seemed to have his anger under control, which means otherwise. One way or another, he will try to verify it himself." Barry sighed helplessly, "Prince Francis has made a colossal mistake. Master was very irritated this time."
"I am not sure if we can get back to the imperial capital before the day of Prince Francis' ascension to the throne. I can't wait to see that big spectacle. Prince Francis would dare challenge our master and rob him of his wife," the man said.
"I'm also looking forward to it eagerly," Barry sighed.
The day of the new emperor's ascension to the throne was nearing, but the Sleek Palace was rather quiet. Harper seemed cool as ever, and was busy with her own business. Even Cynthia couldn't remain calm.
"Harper, what on earth are you thinking?" Harper had sent a divorce agreement to Matthew. Cynthia knew about this and took a secret pleasure in it, thinking that Harper was just stupid to give up Matthew for Francis. She believed that Matthew was way better than Francis.
Harper was practicing calligraphy. She tried to focus her mind and calmed down. Jason had given her a copy of the divorce agreement that Francis forged. She noticed that Francis used the handwriting of the former Harper, which was different from hers. Matthew was the only one who knew her real handwriting, so he would know the agreement was a fake.
"Harper, may I ask you something?"
"Cynthia, I'm Prince Matthew's wife," Harper said, without even raising her head. "Please address me correctly."
"But you have already divorced Prince Matthew," Army, Cynthia's maid, blurted out.
"Forsythia, slap her." Harper had no patience for the people she didn't like. Forsythia would never allow others to offend her master. She knew very well that Harper had never written the divorce agreement. She immediately grabbed the maid and slapped her across the face. Not until the maid's teeth were knocked out did she stop the slapping.
The maid slumped onto the floor, her cheeks swollen badly, her face covered with blood. Cynthia's pupils contracted sharply upon seeing this. The Harper she saw in the past few days was always gentle and kind. But how could she make the mistake of forgetting that this woman could never be a softhearted one!
"Your Highness, please forgive my maid. She didn't mean to offend you. I beg your pardon," Cynthia pleaded. Amy had been serving her since she was a little girl. They grew up together. Slapping Amy was nothing short of a humiliation for Cynthia. Cynthia suddenly realized that even living here as a captive, Harper could still decide her fate. She dared not act rashly, as that would affect her own survival.
Harper continued to write. "I tolerate Francis just because I'm outnumbered now. It is not a good time for me to take off the gloves. I put up with Jason because he's my old friend. But I shall not endure any disrespect from others, including Lady Sherry, not to mention a humble maid like her. Cynthia, be smart. If you continue to be so naive and unaware of your place, with such an arrogant maid around, you will die in the Imperial Palace sooner or later," she gushed out in anger.
Cynthia was totally irritated, but had no other go than to suppress her anger. Being a sensible woman, she knew well that she was a piece of meat on the chopping block. She couldn't afford to offend Jason and Francis. But none of them frightened her like Harper did. Jason and Francis wouldn't hurt her for the sake of the Xiao Clan. But Harper had no qualms about it.
"Thank you for your lesson. I will…" Cynthia was interrupted abruptly.
"You should address me as 'Your Highness'." Harper raised her eyebrow and gave a cold glance at Cynthia.
Cynthia's face turned pale. She bit her lower lip hard and then said, "Thank you so much for your advice, Your Highness."
"You're welcome. If it weren't for Rufus' sake, I wouldn't have even spoken to you," Harper said coldly. "From now on, restrain yourself from showing up in front of me. Otherwise, I may decide to teach you some rules."
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