Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Chapter 57

“Miss Archer, maybe the one who’s fallen for another man isn’t me. It’s someone else,” Vivian said, her voice calm, her words carrying a subtle implication.

“Vivian, I know you’re angry with me and refuse to admit the bond between us. I promise you, from now on, you’ll be the only one by my side. My heart will never stray,” Charles said.

Charles threw all dignity aside and swore to God, his sincerity almost overwhelming.

Charles was determined to make everyone present believe he was head over heels for Vivian, to the point that he wouldn’t marry anyone but her.

That way, the Snyder family wouldn’t be able to refuse the marriage.

Luna was absolutely delighted as she said, “Lady Vivian, did you hear that? This gentleman is pouring his heart out to you. Priceless treasures are easy to find, but a true lover is rare. Come on, don’t stay mad at him.”

Vivian replied, “If you fancy this devoted gentleman, Miss Archer, he’s all yours.”

Luna’s smile froze. She never expected the once timid and reserved Vivian to liave the nerve to talk back to her in front of

everyone.

‘Give him to me?‘ Luna thought. ‘A penniless scholar who wouldn’t even dare to approach the Archer family’s carriage? He’s not even in the same league as me.’

“Lady Vivian, you really are sharp–tongued,” Luna said, her tone icy.

Flora couldn’t help but feel disappointed as she watched Luna become so confrontational.

Luna wasn’t always like this. When Luna was a child, she was kind and filial; she’d nurse injured sparrows, keep her grandparents company, and even hand out hot soup to the poor in winter.

‘How did such a good girl turn into someone I barely recognize?‘ Flora thought.

Flora stepped back a little from Luna, putting some space between them.

She still cared about their aunt–niece bond, so she kept her words gentle. “Luna, Celia already understands how you feel. It’s getting late. You should head back to the Archer residence.”

But Luna had no intention of leaving.

All these years, Vivian was always reminding everyone she’d once scarred her face to save Celia, acting like she was Celia’s savior, and Celia had to put up with a lot because of it.

Now that Vivian had finally gotten herself tangled up in her own mess, Luna wasn’t about to miss out on the drama.

Acting clueless about Flora’s meaning, Luna strode over to Celia, pulled a ruby hairpin from her sleeve, and fixed it in Celia’s hair.

“Celia, I promised I’d spend your birthday with you, and I’m not about to break my word,” Luna said.

Celia forced an awkward smile and glanced at Flora. But inside, Celia couldn’t help but feel a little pleased with herself.

If it had just been the people of the Snyder family, even though Vivian had been caught meeting a man in secret, as long as Beatrice was determined to protect her, the whole thing could have been swept under the rug.

But with Luna, Grace, and Emily all here, and their families just as powerful as the Snyder family, Beatrice couldn’t afford to

Chapter 57

threaten them.

Doing so would mean making enemies of those families.

With that, Vivian’s reputation for being loose would spread like wildfire across Aurestus in no time.

Celia couldn’t help but feel a rush of satisfaction just thinking about it, but she didn’t dare let it show.

Beatrice and Flora had both been completely charmed by Vivian, always favoring her over Celia.

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If Celia showed even the slightest hint of ill will, it would shatter the good–girl persona she’d worked so hard to build over the years.

Celia didn’t want Beatrice or Flora to get suspicious and start thinking she was manipulative.

Beatrice’s expression was calm and unreadable as she instructed, “Celia, take the young ladies to your courtyard first.”

“Yes, Grandmother,” Celia answered.

Celia felt a pang of disappointment that she wouldn’t get to see Vivian face the family’s discipline.

To Celia’s surprise, before they could even step out of Hearthstone Court, Vivian called out to her. “Hold on, Celia,” Vivian said.

Celia blinked in surprise, turned around, and asked, “Vivian, do you need something?”

Vivian replied, “Celia, you know how much a girl’s reputation matters. The others just heard some gossip and might’ve gotten the wrong idea.

“Why not stay here a little longer? Once I clear things up, we can celebrate your birthday properly.”

Sylvia’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help but glance at Vivian.

‘Clear her name?‘ Sylvia thought, her mind racing. ‘How is Vivian supposed to prove she’s innocent? Could she have figured out that I was the one behind all this? No way.

Compared to the nervous Sylvia, Quentin wasn’t bothered by all that.

He tightened his grip on the switch and asked in a low, stern voice, “Prove your innocence? What? Are you going to have your maid testify for you? Her loyalty to you makes her testimony worthless.”

“Father, come on, of course not,” Vivian replied, idly twirling her pearl bracelet.

Noticing the heated, almost scorching stares from Sylvia and her mother, Vivian couldn’t help but let out a secret, amused smile.

‘Now it’s my turn to call the shots, Vivian thought.

“Grandmother, Father, Mother, please come with me to the front courtyard,” Vivian said, gesturing for them to follow.

Quentin was completely baffled and snapped, “What are you trying to pull now? Don’t think you can just drag things out and get away with dodging the family punishment.”

“Father, please, just trust me this once,” Vivian said.

Quentin didn’t want to waste any more time, but Beatrice put her foot down. “Let’s follow Vivian’s lead,” she said.

Reluctantly, Quentin nodded his agreement.

Chapter 57

Vivian felt a surge of gratitude for Beatrice’s trust. She stepped to the front and led the way.

Her steps were steady and calm, as if she wasn’t the one her father had just threatened and scolded.

Celia was lost in thought, glancing between the ground and Vivian’s feet.

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Celia couldn’t shake the feeling that this stone path was different today; it felt like a walk to the underworld, sending chills down her spine and making her skin crawl.

Noticing Celia looking uneasy, Luna couldn’t help but ask, “Celia, are you feeling unwell?”

Celia slowly shook her head and replied in a hoarse voice, “I just don’t want Vivian to be punished.

“She’s already suffered so much because of me, bearing the brunt of all the gossip. She just slipped up this once. If Father really lays down the law, she’s so delicate; there’s no way she could handle it.”

Even though she was a bundle of nerves inside, Celia still played the role of the perfect sister.

‘Seriously, she has no shame at all,‘ Vivian thought. She caught every word and snickered behind her hand.

“Host, Celia is the Cuckoo Child. She could just steal Fortune and rise to the top, one step at a time. Why does she have to put on such an act?” the System said.

“Trust me. Celia’s always been cold–hearted. She only trusts herself and never lets anyone else in,” Vivian replied.

“Ever since she was little, she’s been wearing that mask of pretense. After all these years, it’s second nature to her now; it’s not something she can just drop whenever she feels like it,” Vivian added.

The System said, “Lucky for you, host, you planned ahead. If you’d really fallen for their scheme, it’d be like getting drenched in filth from head to toe; no matter what you did, you’d never shake off the stain.”

Before long, the group arrived at the front courtyard.

Other than a few servants milling about, there was nobody else in sight, and nothing seemed out of place.

The weight on Celia’s chest finally lifted, and she let out a sigh of relief.

Quentin’s patience was completely gone, and he snapped impatiently, “Vivian, where’s this so–called evidence of yours? Where exactly is it?”

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