Chapter 4
Margaery was surrounded by the
previous life.
chaos of voices, feeling as though she had returned to the day before her death in her
She had finally found the evidence that proved Tessa wasn’t a true member of the Wallen family, but the daughter of an enemy family.
Tessa’s purpose for entering the Wallen family was to bring ruin upon them and eventually take control of the entire Chancellor’s estate.
Fearing for Raul’s and five brothers‘ safety, Margaery rushed home to reveal the truth and warn them to be cautious.
But instead of being met with gratitude, she was slapped by her third brother, Russell, who called her a vile, irredeemable person–toc wicked even to die peacefully.
In the end, to protect Tessa, they killed her with their own hands.
They declared that the Wallen family had no need for a daughter like her.
On the day Tessa was kidnapped by bandits, there wasn’t a hint of fear on her face. Instead, she seemed almost pleased. Because the kidnapping was part of her plan.
It was all meant to silence Margaery, and in the end, Tessa gleefully told her that her brothers were willing to scatter her ashes for the sake of Tessa.
As these memories resurfaced, Margaery couldn’t help but smile coldly.
She would certainly apologize to Tessa, but not in the way they expected.
She would help Tessa rise to the top of the Sinderin City’s elite, watching as those who once adored her were sent to their graves, and then send Tessa to hell.
“What’s this? Are you not sincere in your apology, trying to brush things off?”
Russell’s cruel voice rang in her ear.
Avery looked at Margaery with a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
But she had done wrong, and now she had to face the consequences. So he urged her, “Margaery, now that you understand, just apologize to Tessa properly. We’re all family now.”
Not a single person spoke up for Margaory.
Even Raul stood by, silent and observing
This was a hunt aimed solely at her,
In her previous life, she had already endured this, only to be locked back in the firewood shed, left to nearly die before they finally released her.
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This time, she wouldn’t fall into the same trap again.
Amid the clamor, Margaery finally spoke.
ingarry, Tessa. These past few days in the firewood shed, I’ve been thinking about that day, and it feels like my heart is being tom apart
She sighed, resigned. “But Father has already said, there’s no place for me to speak in this family. Next time, don’t bring up decisions that have already been made by everyone, and don’t go to dangerous places like the artificial mountain.
“But no matter what, this time, it’s all my fault. Please, Tessa, forgive me and don’t hold it against me.”
Her words were sincere, filled with regret.
The room fell silent, everyone exchanging confused glances.
“Margaery’s words are curious. Why did Tessa go to the artificial mountain in such cold weather? If Tessa is so frail, why would she go to such a place to find Margaery?”
“It’s odd, isn’t it? Tessa is supposed to be afraid of her, but why would she go alone to such a place?”
Considering the rumors that had already spread, it wasn’t hard to guess:
Margaery, heartbroken by the fact that Raul and the five young brothers of the Wallen family had made the decision to bring Tessa into the family without consulting her, had run to the artificial mountain, crying, throwing a tantrum, and even threatening suicide.
Tessa, who could have easily gone home, still chose to go to her, flaunting her superiority. Wasn’t that just twisting the knife in Margaery’s heart?
So, whether she fell by accident or was pushed, wasn’t it her own fault?
The people in the room, men and women alike, all came from prestigious families.
Who didn’t know the ugly truths behind closed doors?
The looks exchanged between them as they glanced at Tessa and Margaery became incredibly telling.
Suddenly, someone asked Russell, “Lord Russell, you were the one who said Margaery pushed Tessa down the artificial mountain, right? Did you see it happen?”
–”
Russell hesitated, caught off guard.
Before he could think of a response, someone quickly interrupted, “How could he have seen it? That day, he was with me, attending class at Inkwell Academy!“,
“Lord Chancellor, isn’t there any witness to this?” asked Serena, the noble consort, from her seat of authority.
Raul froze for a moment. “Tessa said…
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Tessa hadn’t expected things to unfold this way. Seeing the skeptical expression on Raul’s face, she immediately burst into
“Father, although it was snowing heavily that day and there were hardly any people around, Margaery’s maid, Paige, saw
Tessa, weed that Paige Clemons might crack under the pressure and reveal everything, quickly backtracked. “But no matter what, I don’t blame Margaery anymore. Let’s just let this matter go.
“I only want to get along with Margaery. I don’t want to cause any more trouble in the family.”
As he saw her tear–streaked face, Raul’s lingering doubts melted away. He shot an angry look at Margaery. “You rebellious daughter! You pushed her, and now you stand here making sarcastic remarks!”
Russell, still stung by his earlier embarrassment, was quick to escalate things. “Margaery, I know you’re malicious, but i didn’t expect you to be so smooth with your words!
“Who are you apologizing to? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re the victim! If you don’t show some real sincerity today, I’ll have Father throw you out of this family!”
“Margaery, I’m really disappointed in you,” Avery said, his brow furrowed. “You promised me you’d speak properly when you came here…”
Tessa breathed a sigh of relief.
She knew that as soon as she pretended to be pitiful, Raul and brothers would side with her.
Their guilt was always the best weapon.
Once she used it right, Margaery wouldn’t stand a chance.
Margaery calmly let them finish before turning her attention to Tessa.
“You all are right. Just saying it isn’t enough–it does seem insincere.”
Margaery reached up and took off the ruby pendent around her neck. “To show my sincerity, I’m giving this to Tessa. May it protect you.”
She then removed the warming gemstone from her wrist and the hairpin from her head, offering them all to Tessa.
“These, too, I give to you, Tessa. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
The room fell into shocked silence.
“Why is Margaery giving away such important items?”
“If I remember correctly, these were the gifts she received during her coming–of–age ceremony last year–from Lord Chancellor, Lord Avery and Lord Russell, right?”
“Well, there’s sincerity now, but I wonder if Tessa will accept them
Chapter 4
Tess for a moment. She had expected Margaery to try and make a scene, confirming the accusations of her mistreating her
But Margaery was acting completely out of character, giving her such precious gifts instead.
The gifts were certainly tempting.
But as she looked at the items in Margaery’s hands, they felt almost too hot to touch.
She couldn’t help but glance at Raul, Avery, and hussell.
Raul’s angry expression turned more serious at that moment.
Avery’s brow furrowed deeply, his expression dark.
Russell’s rage was practically palpable. He glared at Margaery, practically burning with fury. “Margaery!”
He thought, “How dare she take the hairpin I made for her with my own hands and offer it to someone else?!
Avery also spoke up, “Margaery, this isn’t…”
Margaery calmly interrupted him, “Actually, these three items were gifts from Father, Avery, and Russell at my coming–of- age ceremony. Today, I’m giving them to Tessa as an apology. Surely, you wouldn’t begrudge her accepting them?”
Her eyes swept across the three men’s faces.
After all, these items had been taken back from her in her previous life and given to Tessa anyway.
Since they were things she couldn’t keep, it was better to get rid of them now.
No need to dirty her hands with them.
The room fell silent.
Tessa instinctively turned to look at Raul.
His face, which had been filled with rage, now appeared more solemn.
Then she glanced at Avery,
His words were stuck in his throat, his face filled with bitterness.
As for Russell, he was practically seething with rage. His teeth clenched as he hissed, “Margaery, what do I care about these things? If I’d known it would come to this, I would’ve fed that hairpin to the dog instead of giving it to you!”
“Perfect!” Margaery said, a smile spreading across her face as she eagerly handed the items to Tessa. “Now, take them.”
She stood there, watching her with expectation.
Everyone turned to look at Tessa, but no one spoke.
Tessa felt as if she were being roasted alive, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
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She felt that if she dared to accept the gifts, Russell would have no hesitation in cutting her hand off,
The timing was all wrong. She couldn’t take them.
She pulled her hand back, shaking her head and lowering her gaze. “Margaery, these things are too valuable. They carry Father’s as well as Avery and Russell‘ affection for you. I can’t accept them.”
“But Father, Avery, and Russell are willing to give them to you,” Margaery replied, her voice full of sincerity. “And these are my gifts to you as an apology.”
Margaery looked at her with pleading eyes. “If you don’t accept them, as Russell said, I’ll be kicked out of the Wallen family. Do you want to see me sent away?”
AD
