Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Solid Alibi

As the blame shifted back to Vivian, Celia’s tense posture loosened slightly.

Vivian shook her head and let out a cold laugh. Sylvia had said the same words in Vivian’s previous life. Back then, Vivian had trusted Sylvia completely.

It never occurred to Vivian that her mother would one day betray her so completely, publicly branding her a seductress and sealing her fate.

Just as expected, as soon as Sylvia spoke, the onlookers’ faces lit up with gossipy excitement, their whispers filling the air.

“If her mom says she did it, then it must be true.”

“Sylvia wouldn’t lie about her daughter, would she?”

“Even backed into a corner, Vivian’s still acting tough. She really is evil.”

“Sylvia’s level-headed. At least she’s not covering for her daughter.”

Vivian stayed calm despite all the murmurs against her. She raised her voice, asking, “Mom, is someone forcing you to lie?”

“No one’s forcing me,” Sylvia said, wiping her tears. “Vivian, I wish things didn’t have to be this way, but I’ve always taught you that if you mess up, you must face the consequences.”

“Then why are you trying to pin this on me, your daughter?” Vivian stared at Sylvia.

Vivian added, “You know all the ladies of the family have their clothes made in the same embroidery workshop. The pattern alone doesn’t prove whose underwear it is. So why do you keep saying it’s mine?”

“I… I…” Sylvia steadied herself. “Even so, I personally packed that orchid-patterned underwear for you before we came here. I couldn’t possibly be mistaken.”

“That underwear is still in my drawer. I’ve never even worn it,” Vivian cut her off coldly. “Since they all look identical, there’s really no way to tell whose is whose anyway.”

She turned to Quentin. “Father, I don’t want to make things hard for you, but I’m not about to let anyone walk all over me.

“I noticed there are some rare hounds kept at the hunting ground. If we let the hounds sniff this underwear, they’ll track down its real owner, and that’ll give Consort Victoria the truth she’s looking for.”

Vivian wasn’t afraid of making a scene. In fact, she wanted one. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Celia starting to sweat at the nose. A faint smile touched Vivian’s lips.

The crowd broke into hushed discussion after Vivian spoke.

“That underwear can’t be hers. She wouldn’t dare suggest using the hounds if it was.”

“She’s standing her ground. It doesn’t look like she’s lying.”

“She’s just the daughter of a concubine and raised by the concubine. She didn’t learn any proper manners, and her reputation’s already bad. Who would believe her?”

“Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Look how pale Sylvia looks.”

Sylvia glanced at Celia, who looked like she might faint any second, and her heart twisted with worry.

Sylvia stepped up to Vivian, her voice dropping to a whisper only the two could hear. “Vivian, I’m begging you. Please don’t make this worse. If it gets out of hand, how will we ever fix it? What will happen to your reputation?”

‘She’s nowhere near Celia’s level. If I didn’t have to worry about hurting Celia in the crossfire, I’d teach this brat a real lesson.’

Sylvia looked Vivian up and down, noticing the water stains on her clothes. Sylvia’s eyes narrowed as she asked, “Vivian, what happened to you?”

Vivian glanced at Gloria, who gave her a subtle nod. “Her Highness slipped and fell into the pond just now. I pulled her out, and that’s why I’m all soaked and look such a mess,” Vivian explained.

Earlier, Vivian hadn’t rushed back to the Snyder family’s tent because she’d recalled something: in her previous life, on the same day she was framed, Gloria had also died.

All of Gloria’s attendants were over at the Imperial Menagerie on the west side, but her body was discovered in the eastern pond. A royal princess died in the Hunting Palace with no one around? That couldn’t be an accident.

Vivian instantly saw the opportunity—a solid alibi. She dashed to the eastern pond, and sure enough, there was Gloria, sitting alone by the water, her face buried in her hands as she sobbed.

Right then, Gloria’s maid, face twisted with hatred, suddenly shoved her into the water.

Without hesitation, Vivian jumped in and pulled Gloria out. Then, she made her request, telling Gloria to bring two hounds to the Snyder family’s tent and testify for her.

Sylvia could never have imagined Vivian would get lucky enough to become Gloria’s rescuer. Sylvia thought, ‘With Princess Gloria on her side, what if Vivian tries to drag Celia into this mess?

‘Celia’s known for being beautiful and accomplished. All noble girls in Aurestus aspire to learn from her. She might even become queen one day. Vivian must not be allowed to ruin her name.’