Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126 How Could This Happen?

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Hearing her words, Jasper was filled with quiet relief. “You’re always the reasonable one. As long as you two stay on good terms, I’ll have complete peace of mind.”

Stella nodded her head slowly. “It’s nearly time for supper, isn’t it? Father mentioned earlier that we ought to go share a meal with him together tonight.”

“There’s no rush at all,” Jasper said in a calm, quiet voice. “Father’s tied up with urgent work today and will most likely run late. We can take our time as well.”

He glanced over at the bowl of soup on the table. “It’s cooled down to the perfect temperature now–why not taste it?”

Stella’s lips twitched with unease.

Taste it?

Even if this soup had no poison in it, I’d never dare take a single bite.

Margaret and I stopped pretending to get along long ago. I’ll never believe she has good intentions. She must be hatching some cruel plan behind this quiet gesture.

Still, she could not bring herself to turn Jasper down, not when he stared at her with such warm, expectant

eyes.

It’s truly odd. Jasper is so desperate for me to drink this soup Margaret made.

Anyone watching would think he was the one who cooked it.

Trapped under his earnest gaze, Stella finally gave in and sipped the soup lightly.

She pulled on a soft, gentle smile. “This tastes amazing. I never knew Margaret had such wonderful cooking skills.”

Warmth deepened in Jasper’s eyes. He’d rarely made soup on his own, and he’d never guessed it would turn out this well.

He wanted nothing more than to tell Stella the truth–that he was the one who’d prepared the soup.

Yet mending the rift between his two sisters mattered more to him than earning simple praise.

All his careful planning would be worth it if they could reconcile at last.

Lost in his own thoughts, he did not notice Stella drinking several more spoonfuls. “It really is delicious. Would you like some, too, Jasper?”

“I’m fine. I’ve already had some,” Jasper replied.

“Did Margaret pour you a bowl as well?” Stella asked. “She’s never this kind on ordinary days.”

Jasper let out an awkward, flustered laugh. “Yes, she did.”

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Chapter 126 How Could This Happen?

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Stella narrowed her eyes slowly.

Is the world turning upside down today? Or has Margaret finally admitted she cannot beat us, and chosen to use gentle tactics instead?

The chicken soup in front of her tasted rich and comforting, just like the one their mother used to make when they were young in the old medieval manor.

I never knew Margaret held such hidden talents.

If she truly wants to make peace, and Jasper is already drowning in guilt over our fights…

The two of them could fix their bond in no time.

No.

I will never let that happen.

The thought had barely settled when Stella pressed both hands to her stomach and let out a sharp cry of pain. “It hurts. My stomach hurts so badly.”

Jasper’s face turned pale. “What’s wrong, Stella? Why is your stomach aching all of a sudden?”

Stella hunched over, clutching her stomach tightly as her skin drained of all color. “I have no clue. The pain is unbearable.” She broke into trembling sobs. “Jasper, please send for the doctor right away.”

Jasper grew flustered and frantic at once. He quickly ordered the waiting servants outside to fetch the doctor.

Nadia stepped forward instantly to support Stella. “Are you alright?”

Cold sweat rolled down Stella’s forehead. “My stomach won’t stop throbbing, the pain won’t fade at all.”

Watching Stella suffer, Nadia acted fast and drank every last drop of the leftover soup on the table.

Jasper stared at her in shock and disapproval. “How dare you do something so reckless? That soup was

meant for-”

“Can you not see the plain truth, Mr. Jasper Campbell?” Nadia cut in firmly. “Ms. Stella Campbell fell ill right after drinking this broth, which means it is clearly tainted. I must taste it to confirm. If I feel the same pain, it will prove Ms. Campbell is behind this harm.”

“Nadia, do not speak out of turn,” Stella said weakly, her face still ashen.

She turned her weary eyes to Jasper and forced a frail smile. “You should go dine with Father now. I’ll be alright. The doctor will arrive soon and give me medicine to ease the pain.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as the pain worsened, though she fought to stay composed. Her fragile look stirred immediate sympathy from anyone who saw her.

Jasper’s voice trembled with anxiety. “Where did this sudden sickness come from? Did you eat something spoiled earlier today?”

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Chapter 126 How Could This Happen?

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A sudden cry of pain burst from Nadia, and she dropped to the floor in an unrefined slump. “My stomach hurts, too, all at once. This soup is the only cause. It has to be.”

Both of them now wore ghastly, sickly faces.

Stella sank back into her chair, still trembling. “Do not make wild accusations. Margaret would never try to

hurt me.”

Nadia grew frantic with pain and frustration. “How can you defend her now? You’re in such terrible agony -how have you endured this for so long?”

She doubled over, pressing hard against her midsection. “I snuck a tiny sip of this soup earlier and felt nothing. That means it only brings sickness when you drink more. You had far too much; you must be in terrible agony.”

The pain stole Stella’s ability to speak entirely. She eventually collapsed forward, resting her upper body heavily on the table.

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Jasper was consumed with overwhelming worry and confusion. “This can’t be. How could this happen?”

He’d sipped a few small spoonfuls of the soup earlier himself, and he’d felt no discomfort at all.

He moved to help Stella, only to see the doctor rush into the room in a hurry. He stepped back and waited outside the chamber.

Moments later, the doctor finished preparing the remedies and took his leave.

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