Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

65 voucher.

“Simon.” Sylvia bent down, her voice soft and coaxing. “Where did you hear that Vivian burned the book?” She tried to guide Simon toward the answer she wanted.

The tense mood scared Simon. He buried his head in Flora’s arms, too afraid to speak.

what y

Flora gently patted his back. “It’s alright. Just tell everyone heard.”

Sniffling through his tears, Simon choked out, “Yesterday in the garden, I heard the maids whispering. They said Vivian burned books in her room and she acted sneakily.”

Sylvia trembled, her face filled with guilt. “Your Grace, perhaps Vivian had her reasons.”

Sylvia had learned from past mistakes. As Vivian’s mother, no matter how much she disliked her, she still had to keep up appearances. If she didn’t speak up for Vivian now, others would call her heartless, and that might even blow back on Celia.

But Sylvia’s half–hearted defense only made Quentin angrier, especially since he was trying to win Daphne’s favor. He gritted his teeth. “What reason could she possibly have?”

Celia stood pale–lipped beside Quentin, her

eyes red and teary, as if holding back words.

Seeing her like that, Matthew, who’d always been close to Celia, couldn’t stay quiet any longer. He scoffed, “I thought Vivian had wised up, but she’s just as foolish as ever. Always pulling stunts that hurt others and don’t even help herself.

“She burned a gift from Aunt Daphne just to keep Celia from seeing it. How selfish can she get?”

Beatrice frowned. She didn’t believe Vivian would do such a thing. “Instead of guessing, why not just have Vivian come here?”

up

another

“Grandmother,” Matthew cut in rudely, “Vivian is good at making excuses. If we send someone, she’ll just cook story. We have to confront her directly to get the truth.” There wasn’t a hint of brotherly warmth in his eyes, just cold

disdain.

Quentin nodded. “Mother, could you speak to her yourself? Simon is so young, and he’s already picking up bad habits from Vivian. If we don’t deal with this now, it could lead to real trouble later. Once the damage is done, there’s no fixing it.”

Beatrice sighed but didn’t refuse. She wanted to know the truth, too.

At Maple Yard, Matthew was already stirring the pot before anyone else spoke. “Where’s Vivian?” he called out arrogantly.

“Tell her to bring out the Manual of Agre from Consort Daphne. Father needs it.”

Backed by Quentin, Matthew stood proudly with his arms crossed, looking every bit the debt collector.

Vivian stepped out of her room, frowned slightly at the sight of Matthew front and center, and then politely greeted the

others.

She turned to Quentin and asked, “Father, do you need the Manual of Agriculture for some official farming business? Is it that urgent?”

“Just hand it over already. Why all the questions?” Quentin snapped impatiently, already convinced that Vivian couldn’t produce the book.

Nearby, Celia glared at Vivian, her eyes practically burning with rage. Vivian ruined my perfect chance. She really is my curse,’ she thought bitterly.

Vivian simply nodded. “Don’t worry, Father. I’ll go get it right now.”

11:23 Wed, Jan 14

Chapter 38

$5 vouchers

Quentin had always known Vivian was stubborn, but he never expected her to cling to the act even now. ‘She won’t admit it until there’s absolutely no way out, he thought. “The book’s burned. What can she possibly bring out?’

As Vivian turned back toward her room, Sylvia hesitated, and then followed her, just in case Vivian tried something tricky.

“Mom, don’t you trust me? Vivian asked softly, tilting her head.

“It’s not about trust. I just worry about you.” Sylvia replied hoarsely, tucking a loose strand of Vivian’s hair behind her ear. “I got carried away before, always pushing you and Celia together for your own good. I never meant to hurt you.”

She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, pretending to be remorseful.

But Vivian remembered everything. Sylvia just stood and watched when Holly and her son pinned Vivian down and broke her fingers. Worried about me? What a joke, Vivian thought coldly.

Without another word, Vivian walked to her trunk, took out the Manual of Agriculture she had carefully kept, and headed outside.

Sylvia’s expression changed instantly. She wondered, ‘Wasn’t that book supposed to be burnt? Is she trying to pass off a fake?‘ Her mind churned with suspicion, but she kept a straight face.

Back in the courtyard, Vivian handed the book straight to Quentin. “Here’s the manual you wanted, Father.”

Matthew stared in disbelief. “That’s not real. It has to be a fake.”

“Matt, what are you talking about? I don’t understand,” Vivian whispered, sounding hurt as she leaned into Beatrice’s side for

comfort.

“Still lying?” Matthew pressed, his tone heavy. “That book was burned. Just admit it now, before Father punishes you.” He put extra weight on the word “punish.”

“You must be mistaken,” Vivian said softly. “All I burned yesterday were some old, embarrassing poetry manuscripts. They were so bad that I didn’t want anyone to see them. I’d never dare burn Consort Daphne’s gift.”

“How do we know this isn’t a fake?” Matthew shot back, unwilling to drop it.

Vivian looked at him for a moment, and then smiled, “I can prove it.”

At that, Celia’s hand trembled, and her handkerchief fluttered to the ground..

Vivian picked it up and handed it back.

When their fingers brushed, Celia yanked her hand away as if burned.

Vivian’s smile widened. Holding up the manual, she said, “This one has notes in Consort Daphne’s handwriting. Since you’re her sister, Mother, you should be able to tell if it’s real.”

Flora took the book and flipped through it. There were several notes written by Daphne inside. Flora had taught Daphne to write herself. She wouldn’t mistake her hand. “This is the same one from yesterday,” Flora confirmed.

Matthew still wasn’t convinced and opened his mouth to argue, but Quentin, boiling with rage, kicked him hard enough to send him stumbling back.

Quentin barked, “You good–for–nothing. Is plotting against your sister all you know how to do? Get out of my sight and crawl back to Pinecrest Academy.”

Matthew was stunned. When the shock faded, pain rushed in, and cold sweat broke across his skin.

Flora’s heart ached for Matthew and she reached out to help him up, but Matthew shoved her hand away angrily. His eyes

Chapter 38

were bloodshot. He questioned, “Why do you always protect her and let me suffer? Why take Vivian’s side and turn everything against me?”

Clutching his chest, he pushed himself up from the ground, coughing painfully.

“I’m telling the truth. Daphne really did write in this book,” Flora murmured, trying to explain.

“Truth?” Matthew spat, trembling with anger. “You’re completely under Vivian’s spell, Mother. Have you really forgotten who your son and daughter are? You’ve lost your mind.”