Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65

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The esteemed scholar Celia studied under was rumored to be much older, but in truth, he was a young man who had just turned 20 years old. He was a genius who had achieved the top rank in many competitions.

He was handsome and distant, someone impossible to reach.

His name was Stephan Landon. He was very fond of Celia and always spoke highly of her.

One time, Stephan came as a guest to Aurea Manor.

Vivian, confined in the courtyard, saw from afar him walking side by side with Celia, standing very close.

Stephan even gently brushed a fallen flower from Celia’s shoulder.

Celia blushed, lowering her head with a shy smile.

They didn’t seem like a teacher and a student, but more like close friends or lovers.

However, Celia cared more about real power and status than talent, eventually leaving Stephan behind and going to Xavier.

Unlike Stephan, Arthur was a legendary master of painting. His works were so valuable, and people would pay a fortune just to get their hands on one.

That was why Paulina decided to gift this painting to Vivian as a thank–you.

However, Vivian found the landscape in the painting odd. It didn’t quite match Arthur’s style.

“System. can you tell if this painting is real or fake?” Vivian asked. She had a hunch, but she couldn’t be sure yet, so she decided to let the System verify her suspicion.

Even though the System couldn’t assist her in dealing with Celia, it could tell the difference between real and fake. And that was a big help for Vivian.

“Hang tight. I’m scanning the painting now. Okay, it’s all done. Host, this is the real deal. It’s definitely Arthur’s work,” the System confirmed.

Vivian’s heart skipped a beat.

She thought, ‘If I’m not mistaken, the painting looks different because it isn’t regular artwork. It’s actually a military map.

Even though she was given another chance, Vivian had never once set foot outside Aurestus, so she had no clue what the world beyond the city looked like.

However, she’d devoured plenty of traveling stories.

These sharp ridges and narrow deep valleys were the kind of terrain heavily guarded to keep outsiders out at the frontier.

This was actually a military map of the borderlands.

From what Vivian knew, Arthur had personally overseen the creation of the Veronia Grand Map.

Ba then, the late king had just taken the throne and wanted a map that covered every corner of Veronia, yet the

cherous frontier terrain made access nearly impossible even with stationed troops.

Only Arthur, authorized by the late king, could stay there to survey and make the Veronia Grand Map.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t enter the lands of the foreign tribes, so the maps were incomplete.

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Chapter 65

In the final Veronia Grand Map, only the frontier was missing, much to everyone’s regret.

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There were rumors that Arthur had actually finished the borderlands map. He poured his heart and soul into it, but before he could present it to the late king, the effort took its toll, and he passed away.

It turned out that all this time, the map detailing the borderlands had been tucked away in the Fletcher residence.

Over the years, people only remembered Arthur’s great name, unaware that this was his final work left in the world.

This map was far more priceless than Vivian had ever expected. She even considered heading straight back to the Fletcher residence to return the map.

However, she restrained herself.

She remembered that in her previous life, after Edward died, the Fletcher family was left without an heir. Enoch fell ill with hysteria and was confined to the Hunting Palace.

Celia and Stephan had once gone to visit the dying Paulina.

Not long after that, the enemy forces miraculously broke through the frontier, and Xavier commanded the army to crush them, earning legendary glory.

More and more people in court supported deposing Enoch in favor of a worthy one, and eventually, Xavier became the next crown prince of Veronia.

Vivian couldn’t say for sure if the invaders smashing through the frontier had anything to do with this map, but deep down, she definitely wasn’t about to hand it over.

It was a long ride. As soon as Vivian got back to Aurea Manor, the first thing she did was carefully lock the map away.

Just as she finished, a maid came over, saying that Celia was here.

Celia said, “Vivian, a few days ago on my birthday, Mom intended to hold a party, but after that Charles stuff, the party was called off.

“Your birthday is coming up soon, and I’d like to celebrate it with you. What do you think?”

Celia took Vivian’s hand, her voice warm and sincere, as if all the bad blood between them had never existed.

She even pulled out a jeweled hairpin, slipping it gently into Vivian’s hair. “This hairpin is so elegant, just like it was made for you.”

Vivian looked down, remembering clearly the intense hatred in Celia’s eyes that day.

She thought, ‘Why did she suddenly come to see me and appear so friendly? There has to be a reason behind it.’

Celia said, “Vivian, do you remember what happened at the Sanctuary of Peace? Matt made Father so mad that he got sent off to Pinecrest Academy, and now he’s not allowed to go back.

“Come on, he’s our elder brother. We’re supposed to love each other. Could you talk to Grandmother and put in a good word for Matt? He really wants to come back.”

Vivianly understood Celia’s intention. Her expression turned cold as she pulled her hand away.

She said, “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten what Matthew did to me. He accused me in front of everyone of helping Enoch cheat and causing the Silvermoon Twinbloom to bloom prematurely. That really hit me hard.”

Celia’s eyes filled with tears. “Matthew is sorry about this. He’s always been a softie, and he really cared about you when we were kids. We can’t just leave him out there forever, can we?”

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Chapter 65

Vivian frowned. She didn’t think she could change anything.

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Matthew was the legitimate heir of the Snyder family, and no matter how angry Quentin was, that fact could not be changed.

Besides, even if Vivian begged Beatrice for his return, Matthew might not be grateful at all.

Vivian thought, ‘He’d probably just think I was faking it, playing the part of the concerned sister. What’s the point?”

Vivian reached up, took the jeweled hairpin out of her hair, and pressed it back into Celia’s hand. “You should talk to Grandmother yourself.”

Celia couldn’t help but blurt out, “We’re family. Aren’t you going to help me?”

Vivian shrugged. “No.“”

“Guess you’re feeling proud now, huh? With Grandmother and Mom backing you up, you don’t even respect me anymore,” Celia snapped.

Celia had never spoken so harshly before; she was really pissed.

Vivian leaned back, watching Celia’s outburst with cool detachment.

With her Fortune Points tanking, Celia lost the ease and confidence she once had; she grew restless and indecisive.

Vivian wondered if Celia could actually sense her Fortune Points slipping away.

The System kindly filled her in. “Of course, she can.

“Celia might not be able to see her Fortune Points as a visible form, but the scarlet cuckoo is linked to her fate. As Fortune falls, she feels her energy draining and becomes more anxious.

“She used to care for the plants in her yard, which grew lush thanks to her Fortune. Lately, even if the plants aren’t dead, they’re not thriving like before. Host, you stole her Fortune. Of course, she’ll hate you.”