Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5 She's Different

Tessa was caught in a dilemma. She couldn't accept the gifts, but rejecting them didn't feel like an option either.

Had she known it would come to this, she should have stopped things the moment Raul ordered Margaery to apologize at the recognition party.

Now, what was she supposed to do?

She glanced at Avery, hoping he might step in, but to her surprise, Avery's face was clouded with anger, his gaze fixed intently on the bracelet in Margaery's hand.

A flicker of resentment stirred within Tessa.

"Why aren't you accepting them, Tessa?"

Margaery's voice was soft, with just a hint of innocent surprise.

"This is getting interesting," the crowd murmured.

The guests exchanged knowing glances, their curiosity piqued. Even Serena, the noble consort, seemed to be watching with great interest.

Tessa broke out in a cold sweat. With a forced smile, she reluctantly took the ruby pendent, the bracelet, and the hairpin from Margaery. Her voice trembled as she said, "Since it's your gesture, I'll accept them."

"And that means you've forgiven me, right?" Margaery asked, her voice carrying a note of innocence.

Tessa's face tightened, and she struggled not to look at Russell. She feared he might lash out at her if he saw any sign of weakness.

"Margaery!"

Russell's voice was full of fury, his glare so intense it seemed like he might burn Margaery alive with his eyes.

"What is it, Russell?"

Margaery turned her head slowly, meeting his gaze calmly.

Her composed tone was like a splash of cold water, dousing Russell's fury. His fists clenched, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage.

Tessa saw his expression and instinctively took a step back, her heart pounding.

Among the five brothers, Russell was the most unpredictable.

She feared that if he lost control, she might be caught in the crossfire.

With no one to intervene, Russell and Margaery stood face to face—one seething with anger, the other as calm as still water.

Seeing the tension rising, Avery quickly stepped forward, placing a hand on Russell's shoulder. "Russell, calm down. We're in front of so many people."

Russell's face flushed red, and for a moment, his eyes filled with tears. Without looking at anyone, he turned his head away, clearly torn inside.

Margaery had given away the very things he valued most. How could he stay calm?

Avery realized with a start that Russell didn't actually hate Margaery as much as he'd assumed. It seemed more like a feeling of disappointment, of not living up to expectations.

"Margaery…"

Avery turned, about to say something comforting.

But Margaery interrupted him, her voice steady. "Since Tessa has forgiven me, I'll leave now and not interrupt her welcoming party."

With that, she bowed to the room and turned to walk away.

"Margaery really is an interesting character," someone in the crowd remarked with a chuckle.

Serena said, her voice thoughtful. "I actually like her."

Tessa clenched her fists, a sharp sting of humiliation coloring her face. Her hatred for Margaery deepened.

She hadn't expected this. The girl who used to chase after Russell everywhere, even at Inkwell Academy, and couldn't bear to be away from him, had now so easily pushed him to the edge and walked away without a second glance.

"Russell, Margaery—"

Tessa cautiously spoke, glancing toward Russell.

He stared at the footprints in the snow outside, his thoughts distant.

'Margaery just walked away like that?

'She sent the most precious things I cared about and didn't even apologize or explain?

'What do you think of me, Margaery?'

Shock quickly turned to a deeper, more searing rage.

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