Ever since Sophie heard that Dn had broken into Saint Grace Nunnery and injured Eliza, she had been in an exceptionally good mood. But what happened next exceeded even her expectations.


    The king ordered Dn to receive eightyshes for Eliza''s sake and demanded that the Stonor family secure Eliza''s forgiveness before Dn could


    be released.


    The moment Sophie heard the news, she instinctively snapped, "On what grounds?"


    It was ridiculous. She could not believe that the king was actually willing to offend the entire Duke''s estate over a nun.


    "What right does Eliza have to be under the king''s protection! Sophie fumed inwardly. ''She''s not even part of the Duke''s estate anymore-just a lowly nun. What makes her so special?


    Unaware of the full picture, Sophie assumed it was only the king backing Eliza. She had no idea there was someone else with the power to sway half


    the court in Eliza''s favor.


    When a servant informed her that Gabriel wanted to see her in his study, she immediately guessed the reason-they were going to question her about what had happened that day.


    If that was the case, then fine. She''d make sure to expose what Eliza had done at Saint Grace Nunnery.


    Once the family found


    what kind of woman Eliza really was, Sophie was certain none of


    of them would take her


    - side


    Hiding her satisfaction, Sophic smirked before telling the servant, "Got it Tell Father I''ll change and be there shortly,"


    Back in her room, she deliberately chose a in outfit.


    Ever since she saw Eliza wearing simple clothes at theing of age ceremony, that pure, dignified image had been haunting her. "If Eliza can pull off that look, so can I she thought.


    Determined to prove it, Sophie had recently ordered an entire collection of understated clothing. She nned to dress like Eliza-except even more refined, more graceful, more dazzling.


    Unfortunately, she never understood that some things simply didn''t suis her. No matter how she dressed, it always felt off.


    But believing she looked perfect, Sophie adjusted her sleeves and walked toward the study in high spirits.


    *Father, Benedict. I''m here," she called out sweetly as she stepped inside.


    Gabriel and Benedict both turned to look at her. They seemed to notice the change in her clothing Gabriel remained expressionless, but Benedict frowned slightly.


    Still, there were more important matter at hand.


    Benedict wasted no time. Sophie, do you know why Dn suddenly went to Saint Grace Nunnery looking for Eliza a few days ago?"


    Just as expected. Sophie kept her faceposed.


    "So that''s why you called me here," she murmured before letting out a quiet sigh, lowering her gaze. "It''s all my fault, really"


    Benedict frowned. "What do o you mean? How does Dn attacking Eliza have anything to do with you?"


    Sophie''s eyes turned misty as she bit her lip. “Benedict, you don''t understand. Dn only went to find Eliza because he wanted to stand up for me"


    She blinked rapidly, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. "That day, I wanted to try onest time to persuade Eliza toe home. But as you know, Saint Grace Nunnery doesn''t let people in easily anymore. I [ud to find another way"


    "What way?" Benedict had a sinking feeling-this was turning out to be moreplicated than he thought


    But even so he wasn''t prepared for what Sophie would say next. Her words shocked both him and their father, momentarily breaking their usual


    Saint Grace Nunnery.


    Book a deep breath. "I heard there''s another monastery on the slopes of Mount Westin, with a hidden path


    path leading to Saint Gr tur day. I went up the back way. But when I reached a small stream, I ran into Fliza"


    Benedict frow


    owned. "What


    the doing there?" He hadn''t yet grasped the weight of the situation.


    Spreutated for effect, then, as if making a difficult confession, she let out a shaky breath and said, "She she was meeting a man in secret


    the floor.


    The sound of shattering porcin echoed through the study as Gabriel''s coffee cup slipped from his grasp and hit t


    Benedict''s eyes widened in surprise. "Sophie, do you even realize what you''re saying?"


    He believed there was no way Eliza would do something like that. She simply wouldn''t.


    wit with my own eyes. When the


    Sophie''s eyes welled up. "Father, Benedics, I know it''s hard to believe-I didn''t want to believe it either! But I saw it wi realized I was there, I tried to talk to her, to convince her not to do something so reckless, but she—"


    Her voice e caught as she wiped at her eyes. "She pushed me into the water and warned me to keep quiet, or else she''d drown me


    Silence filled the room. Gabriel''s expression was unreadable, but the sharp tension in his jaw spoke volumes.


    Benedict, on the other hand, struggled to ept it. He knew Eliza had changed- she was rebellious now, distant, and defiant. But this was something else entirely. Threatening Sophie! He couldn''t believe it


    Gabriel inhales deeply, his voice cold and clipped. "You may go."


    Sophie nodded obediently, curtsied to both of them, and left without another word.


    Benedict hesitated before speaking. "Father, I think there''s been some kind of misunderstanding"


    Gabriel''s


    gaze was ice, “Misunderstanding? We''ll find out soon enough."


    A momentter, two servants were called in-Sophie''s maid and Dn''s manservant.


    Benedict knew exactly what his father intended and got straight to the point. "Nine days ago, when Sophie spoke to Dn, did either of you overhear anything?"


    Dn''s manservant


    nservant answered first, "That day. Lord Dn was exercising in the courtyard when Lady Sophie came running to


    to him in clothes were soaked. Lord Dn asked me to fetch dry clothes for her. After that, I don''t know what was said between them"


    in tears. Her


    Benedict turned to Sophie''s maid


    The maid hesitated and said, "I brought the clothes over, but I heard Lady Sophie and Lord Dn having a serious conversation, so I waited outside. I didn''t hear much but caught a few words."


    She nced at Gabriel nervously before continuing, "Lady Sophie mentioned something about hugging. I didn''t dare listen any longer. A short whileter, Lord Dn stormed out, furious."


    The statements weren''t conclusive, but they lined up disturbingly well with Sophie''s story. The maid confirmed that Sophie''s clothes had been wet, The words "hugging" supported Sophie''s im of seeing Eliza with a man, out, you both


    Gabriel''s expression darkened further. He turned a chilling gaze on the two fervants. "If a single word of what you said today gets o know what will happen."


    The two servants paled and immediately dropped to their knees, swearing their silence


    e over and over again.


    "Get out!" Gabriel snapped,


    As soon as they hurried away, Gabriel''s nextmand was swift and final.


    "Prepare the carriage. We''re going to the pce"


    If Eliza still refused toe to her senses, then he would make sure she did-one


    way or


    y or another. And if she truly had no shame left, then he


    For the sake of the Stonor family''s reputation and household harmony, she would


    be disowned.


    ￥