Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

When William demanded to search Vivian, Quentin was the first to lose his temper.

His breath came in ragged gasps, eyes shot through with red. He was like a beast ready to tear someone apart.

But Vivian was calm.

“Father, maybe it’s because I was born with humble roots. No matter what I do, people always doubt me.

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“Instead of letting them slander me, why not let them search me? At least they won’t have an excuse to drag us into their schemes,” Vivian said.

Vivian’s steady demeanor actually calmed Quentin a little. He clenched his jaw and stared at her.

“You know, letting a servant search you isn’t exactly honorable,” he said.

Vivian nodded gently. “But if I refuse, they’ll think I’m up to something, and they might even drag the crown prince into it.

“How could I just watch the Snyder family get dragged through the mud?”

Flora’s fingers went cold, and she nearly broke down in tears.

Vivian only spent a few years at the school, and she still gets it. But Matthew’s been at Pinecrest Academy for almost ten years. How is he still so clueless?‘ Flora thought.

It was the Festival of Fortune, with the king and Queen Mother both present. If Matthew made a single misstep, not only would his future be ruined, but the Snyder family would be dragged down with him.

Flora closed her eyes, utterly disappointed in Matthew.

Beatrice took Flora’s cold fingers, and just thinking about Matthew inheriting the title in the future gave her a headache.

“Fine. Let them search. But who’s going to do it?” Quentin glared furiously at William.

“Look, there are plenty of palace maids who came out with the consorts. Let them handle the search. That would be fair,” William said, hands clasped behind his back, acting all superior.

“Absolutely not,” Quentin snapped back without a second thought.

Everyone knew William’s sister was Victoria, mother of Xavier and Nicholas, and she’d been in the palace for over twenty

years.

If they let the palace maids do the search, maybe William had already bribed them, ready to frame Vivian.

“Folks, why not let me do the search?” came a gentle voice from the right.

Everyone turned to see a plain–looking sister in simple robes. A striking red amber pendant was hanging at her neck. It was Hadley, the one who’d checked on Simon earlier.

The people around her greeted her.

Celia bit down hard on the tip of her tongue, the sharp taste of blood spreading in her mouth.

Hadley had once said that, despite Celia’s innocent looks, she was already corrupted and had fallen into darkness.

‘Now let’s see how Hadley judges things, with Vivian being the one who tampered with the Silvermoon Twinbloom,‘ Celia thought.

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Chapter 44

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“Silvermoon Twinbloom blooming should have been a blessing, but who would have thought it would stir up so much trouble? Though I’ve only met Vivian briefly, I’ll be honest about whatever I find,” Hadley said.

“You’re overthinking it, Hadley. Everyone knows sisters don’t lie. We all trust you,” William said with a booming laugh.

Hadley glanced at Celia. It had only been a few days, but the dark aura swirling around her had grown even heavier.

It was a far cry from the days when Fortune seemed to shine on her.

“Hadley, why are you looking at me?” Celia asked, her smile gentle and graceful.

“I just want to offer you a word of advice. The path isn’t lost yet. Recognize what’s right now, and let go of your past mistakes,” Hadley said.

Celia’s smile grew even sweeter. “Thank you, Hadley.”

Hadley knew her words would be ignored by Celia, so she didn’t bother saying anything more.

She called over the sisters from Moonbay Abbey and led Vivian away to the meditation room.

Vivian spread her arms wide, not resisting at all.

The sisters searched her thoroughly and then shook their heads at Hadley.

They didn’t find anything that could hold medicine.

Hadley stepped forward and gently straightened Vivian’s collar. “You are someone blessed with great Fortune. I hope you’ll always hold onto kindness.”

Vivian’s brows twitched slightly. “I never look for trouble, but if someone crosses me, I have no choice but to strike back. It’s just self–preservation.”

Hadley had seen much of the world. She understood that Vivian had her own reasons.

Hadley thought. ‘Forget it. She has a rare Phoenix Fate, but it was worn down to such frailty by others. If I interfere now, I might disrupt the balance.

“Let’s go. I’ll prove you’re clean,” Hadley said.

Vivian followed Hadley back to the blessing altar.

Quentin hurried over, anxiety written all over his face. “Hadley, what did you find?”

Hadley murmured, “All she had on her were her clothes, a simple hairpin, and a pearl bracelet. Nothing suspicious at all.”

“No way.” Before William could even get a word out, Matthew exploded. His eyes were bloodshot and hair was a mess. He looked totally unhinged.

“Enough, Matthew,” Flora snapped, completely fed up. ‘Vivian hasn’t done anything, and he just keeps going after her, she thoug it.

‘He’s a grown man, and all he does is pick fights with his little sister who can’t even fight back. It’s honestly pathetic, Flora fumed.

Quentin said, “Did you read all those books but learned nothing? You keep slandering your own sister again and again.

“Before, I could let it slide when you made wild accusations. Now, even Hadley said Vivian’s‘ clean, but you still don’t believe it. Just how long are you planning to keep making a scene?”

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Chapter 44

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Quentin was so furious that he completely lost his mind. No longer caring about appearances, he grabbed Matthew and made to drag him out of the Sanctuary of Peace.

“Quentin, please wait,” came a deep voice.

Quentin turned and saw Enoch approaching. A wave of panic crashed over him, and he dropped to his knees with a heavy thud.

“Your Highness, it’s all my fault for failing to discipline my son. He’s been suffering from hysteria and has brought shame upon us. Please forgive us,” Quentin said.

As he spoke, Quentin felt as if his heart was bleeding.

Not long ago, the Prince of Wiltonshire had hinted at wanting to marry his daughter to Matthew. If that marriage had gone through, the Snyder fainily would have gained a powerful ally and a noble princess.

But now, Matthew was snapping at Vivian like a mad dog for all to see.

He was openly accusing Vivian, but what he was really doing was casting doubt on Enoch himself.

Quentin had no choice but to claim that Matthew was suffering from hysteria.

Would the Prince of Wiltonshire marry his daughter to a man with hysteria? No way. This marriage is as good as dead, Quentin thought.

Right now, Matthew had no clue what he was throwing away. He was so furious that he wished he could shut Vivian up for good, just so she’d never get away with her lies.

“Vivian, you’re so fake. Maybe you can fool people for a while, but you can’t hide forever. Sooner or later, you’ll get what’s coming to you,” Matthew roared.

Vivian glanced at him, thinking, ‘Celia’s got some serious skills. She’s got Matthew defending her without caring about a shred of self–respect and even his status.

‘Is Fortune really that powerful?‘

The System kindly explained, “Host, the Cuckoo Child stole five Golden Plumes from you since the day she was born, and she’s been leeching off your Fortune ever since.

“Matthew, as her blood relative and having grown up with her, is the most deeply affected one. He’s unknowingly given everything he has to the Cuckoo Child.”

“Then why is my mother still sane?” Vivian asked, referring to Flora, not Sylvia.