Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137 Hide for a While

Deep down, those two had always acted more like true siblings to each other.

Finished

When Jasper found Stella a short while later, she sat hunched on the stone steps, her head bowed as she sobbed quietly.

The moment she spotted Jasper, Nadia said, “Mr. Jasper Campbell, you’ve finally come. Ms. Campbell attacked Ms. Stella Campbell again. She pinned her to the ground and struck her face over and over. Her cheeks burn with sharp pain. No servants answered our cries for help, and that is why Ms. Campbell grew so bold and reckless. You must give Ms. Stella Campbell the justice she deserves.”

Stella lifted her tear–streaked face, shoulders shaking with every cry. “Jasper, Margaret targeted only my face. She slapped me dozens of times. My skin throbs and aches terribly.”

Her skin looked smooth and flushed, soft and unmarked–no bruising, no swelling, nothing out of the ordinary. Jasper stared at her, unable to find the words to speak.

Stella spoke in a trembling tone. “You have to believe me. She used a secret remedy to hide all my injuries. No matter how badly she hurts me, not a single mark shows on the surface. I’m truly badly wounded underneath.”

She raised her hand and slapped her own cheek hard to prove her point.

“That’s enough, Stella,” Jasper cut her off at last, his voice heavy with disappointment. “Even if you redden your own skin, you cannot blame Margaret for it. She already told me the truth–you tripped and fell outside just now.”

Stella’s eyes widened in pure disbelief. “You don’t believe me?”

“Stop lying, Stella,” Jasper said quietly. “I once thought you were thoughtful and humble, that you never felt jealousy toward Margaret. I barely recognize the person you’ve become lately.”

He looked at her with quiet confusion. “Are you still the kind, gentle sister I’ve always known?”

The clear disappointment in his eyes sparked a flicker of panic in Stella’s heart. “Jasper, I…”

“I know your heart is not cruel,” Jasper said gently. “I understand you’ve endured hard things during your two years away. You never used to scheme or deceive others. No matter what has changed, you are still my sister. I will treat you the same as before, if you are willing to mend your ways.”

He reached out and helped her to her feet. “Sisters must never turn on one another. Margaret is far from perfect, but she is still your blood sister. I hope you understand how much I’m asking of you.”

Stella clenched her jaw tightly. She burned with frustration and resentment, but she knew no amount of arguing would change Jasper’s mind now.

She nodded slowly, her expression hollow and defeated. “Nadia, let us go.”

Nadia shot Jasper a tearful, hurt glance. “Let me help you back.”

Jasper called out softly, “Stella…”

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Chapter 137 Hide for a While

Finished

If you no longer trust me, there is nothing left to say,” Stella replied faintly. “My heart is too heavy to bear his pain. I would rather return to my room and rest.”

she walked away with empty, lifeless steps, leaving Jasper standing alone in the courtyard. A quiet veariness settled over him.

The one in the wrong this time was clearly Stella, yet he was the one left feeling sad and conflicted.

He once believed both Margaret and Stella were simple and kind..

Now he realized he understood neither of them at all.

He could not even tell which one had been lying all along.

The next morning, Margaret slept soundly until dawn. She woke at her usual time and began tending to her wounds with fresh medicine.

She had grown exhausted these past few days. She rarely strained her body, and she woke each morning eeling light and refreshed.

Margaret had lost nearly fifteen pounds little by little, day after day.

She studied her reflection in the mirror. Her facial features had grown sharper and more defined, and her round, full jawline had slimmed down greatly.

Then she pressed a hand to her stomach; the extra flesh there had faded away. In another twenty days, her waist would return to its natural, slender shape.

Winter rushed into the room in a fluster just then. “Ms. Campbell, terrible trouble has broken out at Ms. Stella Campbell’s court. Mr. Timothy Campbell is furious, and he demands your presence at once.”

Margaret brushed her hair up into a neat, simple style, calm and unrushed, as if she had expected this all along.

Winter explained, “Ms. Stella Campbell woke this morning with her face swollen beyond recognition- puffed up, covered in bruises. Her forehead is inflamed and swollen, too. She cried nonstop the moment she woke, and she swears you are the one who beat her.

‘Mr. Timothy Campbell called for doctors to tend to her, yet nothing eases the swelling. Her eyes are puffy and shut tight from crying now. Her face looks as if she’s gained twenty pounds overnight, Mr. Timothy Campbell is enraged. If you go to him now, you will surely face harsh punishment. You should slip out through the back door and hide for a while.”

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