The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 2018

Veronica slowly opened her eyes, her gaze locking onto Stella's face.

Her eyes immediately dropped to their intertwined hands. The man had Stella pulled protectively against his chest. The tenderness in his expression and the utter devotion in his eyes were things she had never once seen from Roger.

She had done so much for him. Why didn't he love her? If it weren't for Stella—if Stella hadn't seduced him—given enough time, Roger would have accepted her. This was all Stella's fault.

Apologize? Why the hell should she apologize?

"Veronica, say something!" Funk urged desperately, cold sweat breaking out across his forehead. If this stalemate continued, they were both going to be ruined. They just needed to survive this hurdle; there would always be time for revenge later.

Propped up by her father, Veronica faced Stella. She stared with a deathly pale face and forced the words through her cracked lips. "I still don't understand... why it's you."

Stella's fists clenched tight, forcing herself not to look away. The entire Gates family had gambled their reputation to back her up. Lottie, heavily pregnant, was standing up for her. No matter how much she wanted to hide, she couldn't back down. If she did, she would be betraying everyone's kindness.

"Even if it wasn't me, it should have been someone better. A girl from a good family..." Veronica's eyes were bloodshot, her voice turning hysterical. "But why? Why did it have to be you? You have absolutely nothing! Even after I ripped away your disguise and let the whole world know you don't deserve him, he still chose you!"

Not just him. The entire Gates family was actively defending her. She couldn't understand it. She just couldn't!

"Are we really letting her trigger Stella like this?" Kenneth leaned over to Lottie, his brow furrowed with concern. "Should we just poison her so she can't speak and throw her out?"

Lottie pressed her lips together, her deep eyes locked onto the distressed girl. "No," she answered softly.

This was Stella's past. Even if Veronica didn't bring it up, someone else inevitably would. Stella couldn't survive in the world with a fragile heart. She needed the courage to accept her past and face reality head-on. Lottie refused to let this remain a weapon people could use against her.

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