Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53

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Compared to Beatrice, Flora was never as cautious. She just couldn’t wrap her head around the idea that a mother would begrudge her own daughter’s happiness.

She’d always thought Sylvia truly cared about Vivian, and that Sylvia had chosen her own nephew for Vivian because she worried her in–laws would treat Vivian harshly over that scar.

Sylvia said, “He’s not exactly a top scholar, just a promising academic at best. But he’s supposed to be honest and upright, keep himself clean, and, even after marriage, remain faithful and not keep a mistress.”

Hearing this, the System was practically rolling with laughter inside Vivian.

It scoffed, “Keeps himself clean? Charles only puts on that act in front of Sylvia. Behind her back, he’s already got a bunch of pretty lovers, and some of them are so pregnant they can’t even hide it.

“No surprise there: the Linden family is all the same; hypocrisy runs deep in their veins. Host, you better not let Charles get away with this.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let him off easy,” Vivian replied. Her voice was gentle, almost like a lover’s whisper, but her eyes burned with unmistakable murderous intent.

In her previous life, Celia, the Cuckoo Child, had driven Vivian’s parents to their deaths, severing her family ties to drain every last drop of her Fortune.

She’d even manipulated Charles, who was infatuated with her, into a betrothal with Vivian, extinguishing any hope Vivian had for genuine love.

Charles, twisted by Celia’s influence, had taken a knife to Vivian before the wedding, slicing open her chest and tearing out her heart.

With her life and all her bonds severed, Celia finally claimed Vivian’s final Golden Plume.

With that, Celia shed her Cuckoo Fate and rose as the Nine–Plumed Golden Phoenix. She became the most distinguished woman in all of Veronia.

Meanwhile, Vivian, robbed of her Fate, was left to endure endless agony. Even after being reset, those memories refused to fade.

Every night, at the stroke of midnight, Vivian would be jolted awake by nightmares. And in those dreams, the elegant, charming Charles was one of the vengeful ghosts haunting her.

Before Vivian died, Charles constantly belittled and degraded her. He thought she was ugly, but at the same time, he couldn’t stop seeing Celia in her face. Sometimes, when the scar was hidden, she was even prettier than Celia.

Every time he looked at her, Charles would lose his cool. He hated himself for letting Vivian, an ugly freak, mess with his mind, and told himself Vivian was just trying to seduce him deliberately.

Angry and humiliated, he repeatedly insulted and belittled Vivian just to protect his own ego.

Vivian wasn’t about to let Charles off the hook.

Beatrice suddenly opened her eyes and said, “Vivian is still young. There’s no need to rush her into marriage.”

Flora was taken aback. She thought, ‘Beatrice was the one who brought up Vivian’s marriage in the first place. Why the sudden change of heart after just two days?‘.

Beatrice pretended not to notice the confusion in Flora’s eyes. Sylvia was always good at hiding her true intentions. No one

Chapter 53

else ever caught on except Beatrice herself.

If Beatrice tried to explain too much, she’d just end up making things more complicated for herself.

“Vivian, what do you think?” Beatrice asked.

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“Grandmother, I’ll do as you wish,” Vivian said softly, bowing her head, her cheeks flushing with a hint of shy embarrassment.-

Sylvia’s gaze flickered, her eyes glinting with something mysterious.

Three days later, Vivian made her usual visit to the silk shop.

This place had the finest fabrics in Aurestus and the most skilled embroiderers around. Every day, it was packed with customers, bustling with activity.

The moment Vivian walked in, the shopkeeper, usually so aloof, rushed over with a big smile.

“Lady Vivian, we just got cloud silk so thin it’s like a cicada’s wing. Perfect for clothing. Please, come take a look,” the shopkeeper said eagerly.

Vivian raised an eyebrow. She could tell right away that Sylvia was using this chance to make the rumors about her and Charles seem real.

Otherwise, this shopkeeper, usually so full of himself and obsessed with profit, would never have treated her so warmly. He’d always ignored her before, looking down on her because of her illegitimate status.

The System chimed in, “Host, there’s something fishy about this shopkeeper.”

Vivian replied inwardly, but her expression didn’t change at all. She just gave Judith a quick, subtle look.

Cloud silk wasn’t really used as a lining, but as an outer robe; it looked almost magical: floating around the wearer like mountain mist whenever they moved. That was how it got its name, and it was worth a fortune.

Usually, high–end fabrics like this would be delivered straight to Aurea Manor. After the main ladies picked out their favorite designs, the embroiderers would handle the rest. They hardly ever showed up at the shop in person.

Vivian maintained her composure, trailing behind the shopkeeper as they passed through the hallway. She spotted the hem of a deep blue coat ahead: clearly a man’s garment.

A voice called out, “Vivian.”

Vivian paused, turning toward the voice.

Standing in the courtyard was Charles. He was dressed in a scholar’s doublet, his bearing cultured and elegant. He greeted Vivian with a respectful bow.

Hearing Charles call her name sent a wave of discomfort through Vivian. She frowned in irritation, and she instinctively took a step back.

Judith immediately stepped in front of her, shielding Vivian from Charles.

Seeing this, Charles’s temper spiked, irritation flashing across his face.

He sneered inwardly, ‘Who does Vivian think she is? Just a ruined eyesore, an illegitimate daughter at that. She only got lucky because Flora claimed her. What right does she have to act so proud?

‘If Aunt Sylvia hadn’t insisted on this marriage, I wouldn’t have given such an ugly girl the time of day. It’s Celia who is my true love!‘

11:27 Wed, Jan 14 MM

Chapter 53

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Charles remembered how Celia, with tears streaming down her face, had cried in front of him, saying, “Vivian is my own sister. She was scarred for life protecting me as a child, and because of that, her marriage prospects were ruined.

“She’s suffered so much ever since. Mr. Linden, Vivian is like a sister to you, too. You two grew up together, so you must know her better than anyone. Promise me you’ll look after her, won’t you?”

Charles’s heart broke at the sight of Celia crying. Unable to bear her sadness, he swore he’d always be good to Vivian.

Celia finally managed a smile through her tears.

Honestly, Charles had barely seen Vivian more than a few times. To him, she always kept to herself, seemed withdrawn, and was easy to overlook.

Charles thought, Vivian is nothing like Celia, who is as dazzling as spring’s first light and just as kind as she is beautiful.

‘Aunt Sylvia is a real stunner. If she hadn’t been a stunner, there’s no way an illegitimate daughter like her could have had Quentin wrapped around her finger, let alone taken charge of the whole Aurea Manor.

‘But Vivian doesn’t resemble Aunt Sylvia one bit. It is downright odd.’

Charles reached out, trying to push Judith aside. He gave her a push. But Judith didn’t budge an inch.

The System snorted, “Pathetic.”

Vivian was totally on board with that.

“Vivian, I need to talk to you. Can we step into the parlor for a moment?” Charles said, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Vivian replied, “No.”

Even though she wanted Sylvia and Celia to think she’d walked right into their scheme, Vivian still refused to get too close to Charles. He disgusted her.

Charles snapped, “Do you really think that just because His Majesty praised you and Flora claimed you as her own, you can actually change where you come from?

“You’re Aunt Sylvia’s daughter. You’ve got Linden blood in your veins. What makes you think you can act like you’re better than us?”

Vivian let out a cold, mocking laugh. She was Flora’s flesh and blood, and that was all there was to it.

If Sylvia hadn’t shamelessly taken in the newborn Cuckoo Child and used the Fate–Reversal Enchantment to steal her Fortune and birthmark, Vivian would have no connection to the Linden family whatsoever.

Vivian thought, ‘Charles is hopelessly foolish. No wonder Celia used him up and tossed him aside in the previous life.

Vivian was just about to fire back when suddenly, a commotion of footsteps erupted outside.