Chapter 138
“You just want to disgrace my family today and infuriate Lady Sophia! Would God tolerate someone like you?”
Sophia came to her senses and echoed, “Vicious woman! You are a vicious woman! You are abusing your power to bully others, deliberately trying to harm my life!” With that, she acted like a shrew and began to wail loudly.
Margaery was amazed and sneered, “It seems the Hadley family had forgotten who wrote the marriage contract. Back then, you personally arranged the engagement, saying that as long as you were here, Dominic would never betray me. If he ever mistreated me, you would stand up for me. And what happened? Have you forgotten?”
Sophia felt guilty, paused for a moment, and hurriedly tried to think of a response. But she was, after all, aging, and with her internal injuries, her mind was muddled. Even though Nolan had administered acupuncture, her thoughts remained clouded, and she could not come up with anything to say for the
moment.
Yet in that instant of her hesitation, she was already seen through. “My goodness, the Hadley family is truly shameless. Today has been an eye–opener.”
“A person can’t stand without integrity; I never expected an entire family to be like this.”
Today, among those attending the birthday celebration, aside from those close to the Hadley family, many others arrived uninvited, holding positions higher than the Hadley family. Their purpose was to find a suitable opportunity to see for themselves what kind of person this recently rumored Star of Fortune truly
was.
Yet unexpectedly, they witnessed such a spectacle. Moreover, Dashnell’s recent remarks placed Margaery in an extremely elevated position, and gradually, everyone began to lean toward Margaery.
“Birds of a feather flock together.” The Marquis shook his head, tugged at Christina’s sleeve, and stood up, saying, “In that case, there’s no need for us to stay for this meal. Let’s go.”
“Margaery, this is for you!” Christina tossed over a medicine bottle, “I’ll come visit you another day!”
Margaery caught it in one swift motion and bowed to the two, “Thank you.” Another day, she would also find an opportunity to express her gratitude.
Following the Marquis of Longridge, several others left in succession, casting identical looks at the Hadley family and Wallen family members: disdain for association.
“This is infuriating!” Sophia was so enraged that she spat blood on the spot and fainted at the edge of the
Stove.
“Mother!” Yvette was startled, let out a wail, and rushed to her side.
Seamus panicked and hurriedly called out, “Nolan! Where is Nolan? Please save my mother! Mother, wake up!”
16:21 Wed, Dec 17 M.
Chapter 138
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In an instant, the room descended into utter chaos. “Margaery, today you truly angered Lady Sophia so much that she collapsed. Who would dare want you in the future!” Joshua was so shaken by the scene that his pupils turned red, clenching his fists in helplessness.
He wanted to strike her, but Dashnell was present. But Joshua was no match for Dashnell.
Dominic’s eyes were also red as he looked at Margaery with accusation, his voice trembling: “Margaery, you were never like this before. How could you stand by and watch my grandmother spit blood and fall unconscious? Do you truly wish to anger her so much that she collapses?”
“Indeed,” Margaery reflected on the past, her smile cold. “I never knew you kept vigil by Tessa’s side day and night, nor did I realize your grandmother’s words were so unreliable.”
She had merely returned tit for tat. That day marked the downfall of Sophia.
Dominic’s face burned with shame. Everything was now beyond redemption.
The crowd sighed, glancing at Tessa in the corner, and said, “This Lady Tessa is truly shameless. How could she covet her own sister’s fiancé? Has she never seen a man in her life?”
Tessa wanted to defend herself, but Raul was already injured, and Joshua dared not move. Even if she cried and pretended to be pitiful now, no one would dare stand up for her. She was nearly beside herself with rage, only resenting that Halle arrived too late.
Alicia could no longer remain seated. She stood, adopted a commanding air, and coughed lightly. “Dominic. what you did was wrong and lacking in propriety. Here is what you will do: drop your knees and swear to Margaery that from this day on, you will sever all ties with Tessa and treat Margaery with sincerity.”
As she spoke, she turned to Margaery. “Margaery, the engagement must still stand. It’s fine that you tore up the marriage contract in anger today; we won’t hold it against you. Now, Lady Sophia has been driven to cough up blood by you, and even your father was slapped by Prince Dashnell. Calm your anger and marry the day after tomorrow.”
She was the highest–ranking person present. Once she spoke, her words could not be defied. Even the princes present were considered juniors.
Upon hearing this, Dominic immediately knelt and swore, “I, Dominic Hadley, hereby make a solemn vow once again: from this day forward, I will sever all ties with Tessa, devote myself wholly to life with Margaery, take no concubines, seek no mistresses, and for this lifetime, have only her!”
As he spoke, he looked pleadingly at Margaery. “Margaery, will you marry me? I made a mistake, but the one I wish to wed has always been you! And as you can see, I have already severed ties with Tessa!”
He had been on the verge of tears. If Margaery rejected him, then even with his reputation already in ruins that day, he would never have been able to remain in Sinderin City. It was far too humiliating.
Alicia and Marcus would also abandon him completely. From that point on, if the illegitimate sons rose above him, he would have no place to stand.
To suppress Margaery, Alicia stood up directly and declared, “Margaery, my mind is made up. Three days from now, you will marry Dominic!” Even if it meant tying her up, she had to be bound to Dominic’s bed.
16:22 Wed, Dec 17 M…
Chapter 138
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Seeing this, the crowd sighed to Margaery, “In the end, there is no way to escape this fate. After all, marriage is determined by parental command and the words of the matchmaker; children have no say in the matter.”
“Indeed, it seems the Wallen family and the Hadley family are determined to see this marriage through. Even Lady Alicia has intervened, so not even Prince Dashnell has the authority to interfere any further.”
“Exactly, since Lady Margaery is the daughter of the Chancellor’s estate, they can marry her off to whomever they wish.”
“That’s right, as long as the Wallen family doesn’t mind about the marriage contract, it still stands.”
Amidst the heated discussion, Margaery felt an inescapable sense of oppression. Even though that day’s events had brought disgrace to both the Hadley and Wallen families, she still could not break free from the shackles of family control; this was the sorrow of women in that era.
She narrowed her eyes and tightened her grip on the packet of poison. If it truly came to a desperate situation, she did not mind resorting to poison and then negotiating terms with them.
But at that moment, Dashnell spoke up. “Margaery Wallen, receive the decree!” He drew out an imperial edict from his sleeve and looked at Margaery.
Margaery’s heart trembled; she hurriedly knelt and said, “I, Margaery Wallen, receive the decree.”
“What does Prince Dashnell mean by this?” The crowd was stunned, unable to understand, exchanging confused glances.
“No idea. Did he come today to deliver the King’s edict to the Star of Fortune? Why would the King issue a decree at this moment?”
Even Alicia frowned and glanced at Marcus. “What does Dashnell mean by this? Why did the King suddenly issue an edict concerning Margaery? There hasn’t been any news from the palace…”
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
