Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Phoenix Nirvana System

Sylvia had seen enough in her life to keep her composure. She only lost her cool for a split second before pulling herself together. ‘Only I know what happened back then. Vivian’s just lashing out,’ she mused.

“Vivian, I’ve told you before. I’m just a concubine, and you’re my daughter. We must know our place and not reach for what isn’t ours,” Sylvia said.

Vivian nearly laughed out loud. ‘Maybe I should give her a round of applause for that performance,’ she thought.

In her previous life, Vivian was locked away in the family chapel, while her heart was carved out and her blood drained.

Before that, she’d believed Sylvia was the type who never fought for anything, always calm and detached. After all, Sylvia had always urged her not to be ambitious, to respect and defer to Celia.

Vivian mused, ‘Who would’ve guessed that Celia was actually Sylvia’s real daughter? All my respect and humility only sharpened the knife later used against me, becoming tools for Celia’s gain. They’re so hypocritical.

‘I’d like to see if Celia can still ascend so effortlessly to become Queen when I refuse to be the stepping stone this time.’

Vivian ignored Sylvia’s fake sweet talk and turned to Quentin. “It’s not that I’m after Celia’s stuff. But she just can’t control her people. If you don’t give me the silk shop, and something like this happens again, I’ll have to assume she’s targeting me.”

“You ungrateful brat, how dare you threaten me?” Quentin’s face turned livid.

“This isn’t a threat.” Vivian shrugged. “I just want you to be fair. When you thought the underwear was mine, you were ready to punish me.

“But now, when those two hounds have found its real owner, Celia, you don’t say a word. You seem to have different rules for each of us. Is that justice?”

Sylvia stumbled, nearly fainting, but managed a strained smile. “Vivian, Celia is your sister. This must be a misunderstanding. Don’t hold it against her.”

Vivian suggested, “If it’s a misunderstanding, let’s take it to the magistrate and see whose underwear it really is.”

Vivian gave Sylvia a look that was half a smirk, half a sneer. Sylvia, looking ready to keel over, shrieked like a startled cat.

“We can’t do that!” Sylvia blurted out. Celia’s name would be dragged through the mud if they did.

Noticing her own outburst, Sylvia turned to look at Quentin, her eyes brimming with tears.

Quentin’s face tightened with a mix of pity for Sylvia and disgust for Vivian. “You want the silk shop? Fine, it’s yours. But this matter ends here. You shall never say another word against Celia.”

“Sure.” Vivian nodded, walked over slowly to Celia, and pressed the underwear into her hands. “Make sure to keep your personal things close, my dear sister.”

Celia’s hands shook as she accepted the underwear.

“I can stay quiet, but I can’t speak for everyone else,” Vivian added, savoring the way the family’s faces went pale. Then, she left the tent with Gloria.

“Vivian, you just defied your father and Mom, and even crossed Celia. Aren’t you afraid of getting punished when you guys get back to Aurea Manor?” Gloria asked.

Gloria was honestly confused. Vivian was really pushing her luck. It all seemed way too risky and reckless.

“Thank you for your concern. My grandmother comes from the Andersen family, known for its fairness. With her around, she’ll keep things from blowing up,” Vivian replied.

The only reason Vivian dared to stir up trouble in the tent was that Beatrice was the rock that held the Snyder family together.

Beatrice was sharp-minded and only cared about what was right, not whether someone was born to the wife or a concubine. If it weren’t for her, Quentin, who was just a concubine’s son back then, would never have become the family head.

“Host, there’s a mirror ahead to your left. You can view your own Fortune manifestation,” the System suggested.

Vivian sat down in front of the mirror. Reflected above her head was a dim, battered bird. Its feathers were dull and patchy, and it was clinging weakly to life. A single faded plume drooped over her shoulder.

The System explained, “The woman with the Nine-Plumed Golden Phoenix Fate is destined for greatness. Sadly, you’ve lost eight. If you don’t reclaim the plumes, the cuckoo will drain your last Fortune and take your place, transforming itself into the phoenix.’

“Can you help me reclaim my Fortune?” Vivian asked.

The System paused and then replied, “No.”

“Then what good are you?” Vivian sneered inwardly.

The System got anxious. “I can teach you how to take your Fortune back.”

“Go ahead,” Vivian said.

The System said, “Aside from the five Golden Plumes that were snatched away the day you were born, the other three have been stolen bit by bit by Celia.

“When you were five, the family carriage got spooked. You and Celia were the youngest, and Sylvia couldn’t protect both. When the carriage overturned, she held Celia tightly, while you were thrown down a hillside and scarred your left cheek.

“After that, people started calling you a freak behind your back, even including the servants at Aurea Manor. To them, you were not a noble lady, but a pawn your mother sacrificed for a better future.”