Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

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Vivian realized that she could only confront Holly today with Beatrice’s support. If she wanted to do anything about Sylvia later, there was no chance she could.

To everyone else, Sylvia was her real mother. Even if Sylvia was unloving, Vivian couldn’t be seen as disrespectful.

Vivian approached Sylvia and gently wiped her tears. “Mom, she’s just a troublesome maid. You’re crying so much. If someone saw this, they’d think Holly means more to you than I do,” Vivian said slowly.

Sylvia’s sobs caught in her throat. She looked up at Vivian, whose face had a hint of Flora’s features. Her eyes were clear but cold.

‘Did she find out? Why else would she keep defying me?’ Sylvia thought. She felt a mix of fear and anger, a burning sensation that she couldn’t express. But she quickly composed herself.

She wondered, ‘If Vivian really knew the truth, she’d be causing a scene in front of Quentin and Beatrice. She wouldn’t be so calm. Maybe that’s just her nature. What an ungrateful child!’

“Vivian, don’t take it personally. Holly’s old and just confused. Why waste your time arguing with her? You shouldn’t lower yourself,” Sylvia said, trying to defend Holly, hoping to regain some sympathy.

“I’m not taking it to heart. I just think you care about me so much that you’d let Holly go for my sake,” Vivian replied sweetly, shaking Sylvia’s arm and interrupting her before she could respond.

Sylvia couldn’t maintain her sad facade any longer, and a twisted expression flashed across her beautiful face. Still, she knew better than to challenge Quentin’s decision.

After all the chaos, everyone went their separate ways, feeling far from pleased.

*****

At Emerald Garden, Celia, wearing a bright yellow gown, arrived at the small courtyard where Sylvia lived.

The maids, who were busy sweeping and cleaning, recognized her and greeted her with respect.

“Lady Celia, Sylvia caught a cold and just got out of bed,” one of the maids informed her.

Since the king rewarded Vivian three days ago, Sylvia had been so upset with her daughter’s defiance that she had fallen ill that very night. She had been taking strong, bitter medicine, but her condition didn’t get any better.

Vivian came by to check on Sylvia every morning and evening. Even though Sylvia wanted to avoid her, she couldn’t be rude to someone who was being so polite. So, Sylvia had no choice but to endure Vivian’s visits while trying to contain her anger.

When Sylvia heard footsteps, she thought it was Vivian coming in. Her face went pale and flushed. Then she tensed up. But when she saw Celia lift the curtain, her expression softened a bit.

Celia exchanged a glance with the maids, and they quietly left the room, leaving just the two of them. The

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Chapter 18

incense burner released thin wisps of smoke, filling the air with a rich scent.

“Celia, what brings you here?” Sylvia asked, leaning against the bed, looking very pale.

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Celia looked at the incense burner and asked, “Sylvia, you’re coughing a lot. Why do you still have incense burning?”

Sylvia sighed softly. “It has other purposes.”

She didn’t elaborate, and Celia didn’t press her. Rubbing her temples, Celia said, “There’s something important going on. My mother plans to tell the elders that she wants to claim Vivian and raise her herself.

“What?” Sylvia gasped, her face losing color. She could hardly believe her ears.

After living in Aurea Manor for over ten years, Sylvia knew that even though her family wasn’t very prominent, if Flora, the official wife, took in an illegitimate daughter, that daughter would gain almost the same status as a legitimate one.

If this happened, Vivian might not reach Celia’s level, but she would still be far above any ordinary illegitimate child. If Vivian’s luck kept improving, things might not go as smoothly for Celia.

Sylvia wasn’t sure. She gripped the edge of the blanket so tightly that veins bulged on the back of her hand. “There’s a huge difference between daughters born of a wife and those of a concubine. Beatrice would never allow it,” she muttered quietly.

Last year, on Beatrice’s birthday, the gift Vivian brought had been cracked. It was not just a bad omen, but something that felt almost cursed.

Beatrice was a devoted believer, and at her age, she was sensitive to omens. Even if she usually had a generous spirit, after something like that, she most likely never grew fond of Vivian, especially since she was just an illegitimate granddaughter.

“My mother has already spoken to my grandmother, and my grandmother agreed,” Celia said, shaking her head, her eyes holding a hint of irony. “My mother tried to keep it from me, but how long can she really keep it a secret?”

“Why would she hide it from you? Is it because she thinks you and Vivian don’t get along, or is she worried you’ll try to stop her from claiming Vivian?” Sylvia snapped, her anger flaring.

All these years, Celia had taken care of Flora loyally, never slacking off. She was the perfect example of a devoted daughter.

Yet Flora never seemed to appreciate her. Not only did she act like the lady of the house, but she also favored Vivian, the illegitimate daughter, while overlooking Celia.

First, Flora prepared the Violet Balm for Vivian, and now she was even considering officially claiming her. ‘She’s lost her mind,’ Sylvia thought.

Seeing how much weight Celia had lost, with her cheeks sunken, her chin sharp, and her lips pale, Sylvia felt a pang of sympathy for her.

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Chapter 18

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Celia fiddled with the cinnabar prayer beads on her wrist, her face growing serious. “Sylvia, you really shouldn’t worry so much.

“Even though my grandmother and mother have agreed on this, my mother still needs the Archer family’s permission to claim Vivian. If they refuse, then no matter what Vivian does, it won’t matter.”

They spoke in hushed tones, even with no one else around, and the bitterness in their words made the conversation feel odd.

Sylvia pointed out, “Your mother’s father may not have a title, but he’s the Grand Chancellor. Her sister is Consort Daphne, who has the king’s favor.

“Plus, some of her younger family members have passed the service examinations of the palace. Right now, the Archer family’s influence and future completely overshadow the Snyder family.”

If the Archer family hadn’t been so powerful, Sylvia would never have been able to swap her own child. Others couldn’t truly understand that kind of heartbreak.

Sylvia added, “Consort Daphne once blocked a sword strike for His Majesty, and it damaged her health so much that she couldn’t have children. Over the years, you’ve been visiting her in the palace, so she thinks of you as her own daughter.

“If you just express your unwillingness, Consort Daphne might pull Lady Flora into the palace to scold her and put an end to this whole plan.”

Celia nodded slightly. She did want to use Daphne to handle the situation, but she needed to be subtle about it. If it became obvious, Beatrice and Flora would lose face, and she might find it hard to escape the problem.

After a moment of thought, an idea struck her. “Sylvia, do you remember that Crystal Hex Lantern that a master craftsman created? It’s stunning and worth a fortune.

“Consort Daphne wanted to present it to the Queen Mother as a tribute and asked me to paint different angels on each panel.”

There were six panels in total. Daphne believed only a great painter like Celia could truly bring those angels to life on each panel.

I

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14:31 Tue, Jan 13

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

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Even though Flora didn’t actively spread the word, it took only a few days for everyone in Aurea Manor to learn about her plan to claim Vivian as her own daughter.

Sylvia called Vivian over, her eyes red as if she’d faced some great injustice. Her voice was strained as she asked, “Vivian, how do you feel about this?”

Sylvia had always believed that, after raising Vivian herself, even though Vivian was headstrong, she would still respect her real mother. But Vivian’s reaction was disappointing.

“I’m truly grateful for Lady Flora’s generous offer,” Vivian said, lowering her gaze respectfully. But her words made Sylvia both upset and angry. “Mom, don’t you want me to have a good future?”

Sylvia’s composure was on the verge of breaking. She bit her tongue and forced a smile. “Vivian, you’re my child. Of course, I want you to have a good life.

“But after relying on each other for sixteen years, it’s hard to let go now that you’ll be Lady Flora’s daughter. I should be happy for you, but I cannot help feeling reluctant.”

The System, sensing Vivian might fall for Sylvia’s act, quickly warned, “Host, she’s lying. Don’t trust her words.”

“I know,” Vivian said inwardly. “She’s Celia’s mother. Everything she’s done has been for Celia’s future. If I believe her, I’ll end up in a worse situation than my precious life.”

Seeing Vivian stubbornly determined to go against Celia for the Archer family’s benefits, Sylvia resolved to stop it.

After Vivian left, Sylvia told her maid to deliver a potted black rose to Celia.

As soon as Celia saw the black rose, she instantly got the message. A sly smile appeared on her lips as she whispered something to her maid.

*****

Two days later, Celia finished painting six angels on the Crystal Hex Lantern. As she set her brush down, she let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, applause and compliments filled the air behind her.

“Bravo, Celia. You truly live up to your title as the most talented young lady in Aurestus. Your painting is breathtaking. It’s as if the angels could step right out of the lantern,” Dorothy exclaimed, unable to hold back her admiration.

“The lantern was already valuable, but with Celia’s touch, it now has a heavenly aura. It’s truly a rare treasure,” Beatrice remarked.

Celia blinked, her cheeks turning a soft pink, revealing her shyness. She then waved to Vivian, calling her over. “Vivian, come see this lantern.

“Once it goes to Aunt Daphne, you won’t get another chance to look at it. None of the other lanterns in our manor is as beautiful as this one.”

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