Eliza''s words were cut off sharply, and the smile that had been ying on her lips slondy faded.


    She met Benedict''s confused stare and coolly replied, "Yeah, I''ve gone


    "Driven to the ridge by all at you, step by step," she silently added thisst bit in her mind.


    Benedict opened his mouth as if to speak, but when his eyes met Eliza''s icy gaze, his brows furrowed, and he fell into a long, ufortabile silence.


    It wasn''t until Eliza began to show signs of impati?are that he finally spoke. "Theing-of-age ceremumy''s alicut to start. We need to go"


    He added, as it worried Eliza might lose control again. “There are a lot of guests in the front yard, be mindful of your behavior. Don''t make us look


    After walking a few w paces, Benedict tralized he shish''t hear Eliza''s footsteps following him. He turned around tond she hadn''t moved.


    "Why aren''t youing?" Benedict asked, his voice a little sharper now.


    "Dn won''t let me goc" Eliza miswered, her tone almost too ralin.


    Are you kidding?" Benedict thought she was just


    just throwing a tantrum. "Today''s an important day for you and Sophie. You can''t just skipi att"


    Eliza shot him a half-smile, one that didn''t quite reach her eyes. "I told you, Dn won''t let me. You forcing me to go now, Benedict? If I show sip Later and Dn hits me, are you going to stop hirm


    "Or if you won''t, then maybe it''s better I just don''t go, so I don''t get another beating


    Benedict''s patience began to wear thin. "Dn has a temper, but he doesn''t just hit people for no reasoli-


    "Benedict, are you blind?" Eliza cut him off sharply, turning her face away, "Cust you see my face is still swollen? Or do you just not care!


    Benedict looked closer and saw the redness on her cheek. If she went out like this, everyone would see it, and the rumors would be unbearable.


    He''d been so caught up in his anger over the tom gown that he hadn''t even noticed this before.


    Now, seeing it, even he couldn''t help but frown. "Dil... dal Dn really hit you?"


    He knew that Dn had a violent streak, and while Elza wasn''t as obedient as Sophie, it wasn''t right for Dn in hit her, especially not on such an important day.


    His first instinct way to protect the family''s reputation.


    "Couldn''t this have waited! Benedict thought, frustrated. ''Can''t he ever pick the right moment!


    Benedict had been about to suggest Eliza touch up her makeup to hide the marks, but just then, someone arrived to hurry him along.


    He sighed and turned back to Eliza, clearly irritated, "Just cover it up as best you can. If anyone asks, tell them you tripped and fell. Got it


    "Tripped and fell" "That''s a joke,'' Eliza thought, a bitterugh bobbling up inside. Who trips and only bruises half their face, leaving a p mark"


    Eliza had long since stopped expecting anything different from Benedict and had no illusions anymore. "Fine. As long as you can stop Dn, III do exactly what you say"


    She was curious to see if everyone would keep pretending not to notice, just like the rest of the Stonor family.


    Soon, Eliza followed Benedict into the front yard. The front yard of the Duke''s estate was buzzing with activity, full of guests and chatter


    As soon as Eliza stepped into the yard, all eyes were on her-some full of disdain,


    others mocking, and some just waiting for the drama to unfold.


    Eliza quickly picked out a malicious re in the crowl Following it, she saw


    Sophie standing next to a tall, striking man with a hand, unyielding


    or other dun Caleb Nevill, the son of the Marquis of Bowel, Dale Nevill, and her fance,


    The site of that hostile gaze was nour