"What? She dumped water on you, huh? Just like yesterday?" Dn''s face darkened with shock and anger.
Sophie forced a bitter smile and waved it off, "It''s fine, Dn. It''s just water. What really matters is that Eliza refuses toe horne."
"How is that fine?" Dn snapped. "That''s too much. She ims she''s not malicious, but she keeps bullying you. If that''s not malicious, then what
"Dn, don''t talk about Eliza like that, Sophie said, stomping her foot with exaggerated urgency. "No matter how she acted before, we have to get her back quickly. Otherwise, something terrible might happen!"
Dn immediatelytched onto her words. "What do you mean? Did Eliza cause some kind of trouble at Saint Grace Nunnery?"
"She... Sophie hesitated, biting her lip
pas if struggling with what to say.
"What about her? Dn pressed, his impatience growing
Finally, Sophie looked up, her expression Filled with panic and hesitation. "1 saw her... alone with a man on the back mountain of Saint Grace Nunnery. They wereughing and acting way too familiar. And even..."
And what?" Dn''s eyes widened, his gut telling him something was seriously wrong. "Sophie, spit it out!"
"They were all over each other-hugging and everything" Sophie blurted out, as if she''d been holding it in
The moment she said it, a wave of satisfaction washed over her. That''s what you get for sshing me, Eliza, she thought. "You think you can just walk away from the Stonor family, huh? I have my ways!
wrap his h
Dn felt like he''d been struck by lightning. Alone with a man? Laughing? Hugging? he thought and couldn''t wrap
Even as hothraded as he was, he hesitated. "Sophie, are you absolutely sure? Didn''t you misinterpret what you saw?"
head around it.
It wasn''t that he didn''t trust Sophie, but this was huge. If true, Eliza would be in serious trouble-the kind even the king wouldn''t overlook. Sophie hadn''t expected him to question her. Immediately, her face fell. “I saw it with my own eyes, Dn! Why would I make this up? But if you don''t believe me, then just forget it."
"No! I believe you. Of course, I believe you!" Dn said quickly, cursing himself for doubting her even for a second.
Sophie is kind and pure-hearted-she wouldn''t lie about something like this, he thought, and his anger reignited.
"This can''t be ignored," he said, standing abruptly. "If Eliza''s really doing something this disgraceful, I''ll drag her back and let Father deal with her." Without another word, Dn stormed off to change. Momentster, he was
is already heading toward Mount Westin.
Watching I
[his retreating figure, Sophie smirked to herself. Everything was falling into ce. She wasn''t worried about her story being questioned. Knowing Dn''s temper, she was sure he''d resort to violence when confronting Eliza. Once that happened, there was no way they would have a
civil conversation.
As Sophie predicted, when Dn reached Saint Grace Nunnery and found the gates shut, he started pounding of them. "Open upt Open this door
From inside. a Reverend rushed forward. "Sir, pleaset The nunnery is closed to visitors"
impatiently, his voice sharp. "Get Eliza out here right now. Or I swear I''ll kick down this damn
"I don''t care if you''re dosed or not Dn cut her off impati down and tear this ce apart!"
The Reverend could tell right away that Dn was trouble and had no intention of opening the door.
But after Dn called out three times with no response, he lost patience and started kicking it.
Saint Grace Nunnery was a humble ce, and its main gate was just two simple wooden doors. After a few hardd kicks, they gave way with a loudl bing before the Reverend could stop Dn.
Dn strode inside, shooting the Reverend a cold re before pushing forward.
"Stop Men aren''t allowed inside Sam Grace Nunnery without permission," the Reverend protested
Dn shoved her aside without hesitation. "Get in my way again, and I kick you
ino"
10:18 AM
He stormed through the main hall, his voice sharp and threatening as he demanded. "Where''s Eliza?"
Terrified young nuns scattered at the sight of him, some nearly in tears.
By the time Eliza heard themotion and rushed over, the scene was already a mess. "Stop this she snapped, fury shing in her eyes. "Dn, what the hell do you think you''re doing"
Hearing her voice, Dn turned to face her, his expression full of contempt. "Well, well. You finally decided to show yourself, huh?"
Eliza instantly knew Sophie had
gotten to him, but she had no idea just how badly her name had been dragged through the mud.
Dn crossed his arms. "Tll give you onest change-for the sake of our so- called sibling bond. Pack your things ande family right now.
ne back to the
Stonor
Eliza''s expression turned ice-cold. I''m a nun now
now. I have na family. And I''m not going back."
Instead of getting angry, Dn let out augh–bitter and full of disdain.
"A nun!" His tone was dripping with mockery. "You shameless thing, you dare to call yourself that, huh? I''m giving you a chance to leave with some dignity, but if you don''te quietly, you''ll regret it."
Eliza''s patience snapped. "Shameless What the hell do you mean by that?"
She red at him, her voice firm. "I have a clear conscience. How dare you say I don''t deserve to call mys
myself a nun!
You''d better watch your mouth."
Dn let out a cold chuckle and took a step forward. "Oh Sull acting all high and mighty, huh? Fine. You won''te willingly, but too bad-you
don''t have a choice"
Eliza''s instincts screamed at her to run. But before she could move, Dn lunged and grabbed her arm.
*Let go! You lunatic, let go of me she yelled, pounding on his arm with all her strength.
But Dn was stronger. He gripped her wrist so tightly it ached, and no matter how much she struggled, she couldn''t break free.
Ignoring her protests, Dn started dragging her toward the gate. The nuns around them were frozen in fear, powerless to stop him.
Panic surged through Eliza''s chest No. I''m not going back. I can''t go back to that hell, she shouted inwardly.
Desperation red in her eyes. Then, without thinking, she opened her mouth and sank her teeth hard into Dn''s arm