Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120 She Would Never Do This

He stood a short distance away, as if he had been waiting for her.

Finished

Stella lowered her head and walked over slowly. “Why haven’t you gone to change your clothes yet?”

Jasper spoke in a cautious, tentative tone. “You didn’t tell Father that Crown Prince Christopher had Margaret flogged, did you?”

Stella’s eyes turned red at once. “Do you truly think I would do something like that? I never spread gossip or speak ill of Margaret behind her back. Even if Father learned the truth, the words would never come from my mouth.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Jasper hurried to soothe her. “I only fear Father will grow disappointed in Margaret if he finds out. I’m relieved you stayed quiet. Please don’t cry.”

Stella pouted in quiet anger and walked forward with her head down.

Jasper fell into step beside her. “You know Father cares only about status and gain. He paid Margaret no mind once she gained weight. He only treated her well because of her engagement to Crown Prince Christopher.”

He paused, then added, “Now that you are the chosen Crown Princess, I fear Father will blame and condemn Margaret once he sees how much the Crown Prince dislikes her. I have always treated you both equally, you and your sister.”

Stella spoke in a hurt, soft voice. “I know that full well. I would never speak badly of Margaret to Father. After you left just now, I even praised her to him. It hurts to be accused by you for no reason.”

Fresh tears slipped down her cheeks. “I know you feel guilty for misunderstanding Margaret, and that’s why you defend her now. Even after being brutally beaten and left covered in bruises, I chose not to blame her or claim she hired those men to attack me. I cannot help but feel wronged, too.”

Sympathy washed over Jasper’s face. “You’re right. I was in the wrong.”

He sighed heavily, “I alone am to blame for misjudging Margaret. None of this is on you or Crown Prince Christopher. As he said, you owe no apologies and carry no guilt. I will speak to Margaret privately when the time comes. This small conflict is not worth dwelling on.

“Crown Prince Christopher’s heart belongs only to you. We all see it clearly now. He holds no affection for Margaret anymore. Even if she was the one who cured his poison long ago, it will never change how he sees her. You are his one and only choice, and I will always stand by your side. Try not to trouble yourself over this.”

Stella sniffled softly and nodded with feigned understanding. “I know. Thank you for comforting me, Jasper. I’m feeling unwell, so I will head back to my quarters first.”

With that, she turned and walked away without a single glance back.

Jasper watched her retreating figure, his heart heavy with tangled thoughts.

He let out a long, weary sigh.

Chapter 120 She Would Never Do This

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Finished

“Do not trouble yourself, Mr. Jasper Campbell.” A personal attendant stepped forward cautiously. “Ms. Stella Campbell is gentle and reasonable. She will not hold this against you.”

“I know she won’t.” Jasper’s tone was low and troubled. “I cannot shake this strange feeling. Who do you think sent those men to attack her today?”

“The men looked deathly ill, as if cursed by a deadly poison,” the attendant answered carefully. “Their words likely hold some truth. Someone poisoned them and ordered them to beat Ms. Stella Campbell, promising the antidote only once the deed was done. This is only my speculation, of course.”

Jasper frowned. “Are you saying Margaret poisoned them, sent them to attack Stella, and had them lie and shift the blame after their capture?”

“There is that possibility.” The attendant hesitated. “Or everything they said could be the full truth.”

Jasper shook his head firmly at once. “No. Stella is not capable of such cruelty. She is kind and gentle, always giving alms to the poor and showing mercy to every living thing. She would never harm even a small insect, let alone hire thugs to kill her own sister. It would be foolish to hire assassins and then be beaten by the very men she paid. If she truly planned such a thing, she would never leave such obvious evidence behind.”

He shook his head again, dismissing the thought entirely. “It is impossible. She would never do this.”

“Truth and lies matter little in the end,” the attendant said plainly. “You know in your heart one of the two young ladies is lying. Either Ms. Campbell hired those men, or Ms. Stella Campbell did. One side must speak the truth.”

Jasper narrowed his eyes, the quiet truth settling heavy in his chest. “Silence those two men quietly and dispose of their bodies outside the estate. The truth is no longer important.”

The attendant was stunned, then said, “I shall see it done at once.”

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