She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 185

Herbert's shoulders went completely rigid, his face dark and heavy.

"Spit it out. What happened?" Valery broke the ice first.

She was met with dead silence.

Sylvie aggressively wiped her tears, clearly radiating unbearable grievance, but refused to utter a single word.

Looking at the bruises decorating her neck and arms, and watching her cry, Herbert felt a crushing wave of self-loathing.

"I drank too much and lost control. It's entirely my fault."

Piecing together Callie's testimony, the injuries on her body, the blood on the sheets, and the shredded clothes, the truth was undeniable. He had assaulted her last night.

With Miles out of the room, Cora felt no need to hold back. "Lost control? You acted like a wild animal. Look at what you did to her, she's covered in bruises."

Normally composed and authoritative, Herbert was utterly speechless under his sister's mockery.

"Cora, shut your mouth. Is that how a proper lady speaks?" Valery scolded her daughter sharply with an icy glare.

She then turned her sharp gaze back to the two of them. "The damage is done. What do you plan to do about it?"

She aimed the question directly at Herbert.

But for the first time in his life, Herbert had no answer.

For the first time, he didn't know what to do.

Sylvie's fingers curled into the fabric of her pants, tightening her grip as the silence stretched on.

"What else is there to do? You ruined her reputation; you have to take responsibility," Cora stated bluntly.

Sylvie's brow twitched. She turned her tear-filled, wide eyes toward Herbert.

She had been so worried. Hulda was so dramatic. Just because Herbert threw a fake wedding for Sylvie, Hulda had turned the household upside down and run away.

If she found out Herbert had slept with Sylvie, she would have dragged their name through the mud.

Where would the Jewell family's prestige be then?

But to her surprise, Herbert had dumped her and finalized the divorce.

Well, that made everything much easier!

Cora's face lit up with pure joy. She had always loathed Hulda; every time she saw her, it brought back memories she wanted to bury.

Now, she never had to see that woman again, and she wouldn't have to carry the guilt of that one secret anymore.

With that thought in mind, Cora said, "Well, since you're already divorced, you should just be with Sylvie. Miles loves her anyway."