I let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Oh? Did you forget what you said just moments ago? That you would never marry me? Everyone here heard it, didn’t they?”
I turned to the crowd, who were now eager to side with me.
“That’s right! The young lord insulted Miss Savannah–he said some truly vile things
“Exactly! He couldn’t even recognize his own fiancée and made such cruel remarks. He’s unworthy of her!”
“We all heard him pledge his undying love to Jessica. He said it loud and clear!”
Wyatt’s face flushed crimson as the crowd’s whispers grew louder. Still, he wasn’t ready to give up. He straightened his back, his usual arrogance creeping back into his tone as he reached for me.
“S–Savannah, look at me. Are you really saying you feel nothing for me? Not even a little?”
I didn’t hesitate. With a swift motion, I slapped him hard across the face.
“You disgust me,” I said coldly. “I want nothing to do with you. I demand our engagement be annulled!”
The King, seeing my resolve, wasted no time. “Very well,” he said. “I decree that the engagement between Savannah Harrington and Wyatt Stuart is hereby null and vold!”
The words struck Wyatt like a thunderbolt. He collapsed to the ground, his face blank with despair.
Jessica, meanwhile, had abandoned all pretense of dignity. She rushed forward, throwing herself at Wyatt’s feet. Her hands clung desperately to his legs as she sobbed uncontrollably.
“My lord, please! If she doesn’t want you, then take me instead! I don’t care if I’m only your concubine–I’ll accept any position, as long as I can stay by your side. My love for you is pure and truel”
But Wyatt, already humillated and furious, snapped. His face twisted with rage as he kicked her away, sending her sprawling to the ground.
10.59 AL
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engagement, my family’s reputation, the future of my house! And you think I’d take you in after all this? You’re nothing but a curse!”
Jessica whimpered, trying to crawl back to him, but Wyatt’s blows didn’t stop. His fists and kicks rained down on her while he shouted in rage.
The King didn’t even bother intervening. The Stuart family had already lost everything–there was no need to strip Wyatt of his title; it was meaningless now,
Jessica’s pitiful cries drew the attention of my remaining brothers, who rushed to her defense without thinking. Charles and Logan scrambled to shield her from Wyatt’s wrath, while Charlotte, sensing her chance, darted into the fay as well, adding fuel to the chaos.
Within moments, the six of them were tangled together in a wild brawl, pulling hair, tearing clothes, and shouting accusations at one another. Jessica’s hair was a tangled mess, her gown ripped in multiple places, leaving her looking more like a beggar than the “graceful lady” she had pretended to be
“Enough!”
My mother’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. The fighting stopped immediately, the participants freezing like scolded children. One by one, they turned to face her, their faces bruised and swollen, their clothes in tatters.
“What is the meaning of this disgraceful display?” my mother demanded, her tone icy. “In the presence of His Majesty, no less! Have you no shame?”
The room fell silent again, the only sounds the panting breaths of the disheveled fighters.
I couldn’t help but smile. Watching them tear each other apart had been more satisfying than lever could have imagined.
N007
“Savannah is my only daughter, my mother began, her voice resolute but tinged with sorrow. “She’s always been trail since she was a child.”
At that, I obediently coughed a few times, playing the part of the delicate daughter. Though my years training in the mountains had strengthened me considerably, I knew better than to abandon the image of a fragile, sheltered girl. Sometimes, appearances are everything.
My mother, ever the doting figure, gently stroked my hair before turning her sharp gaze on the crowd. “I’ve spent these past years traveling for and wide, healing the sick and helping the poor, all in the hope of earning enough goodwill to bless Savannah with better health. And yet, while I was away, you had the audacity to mistreat my daughter like this?”
Her words cut through the room like a blade. Indeed, what mother wouldn’t burn with fury upon discovering her beloved child had been abused?
Her eyes narrowed as they landed on the source of all this trouble: Jessica.
“Who do you think you are, daring to bully the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Harrington?”
“Mother.. Jessica’s voice trembled as she tried to speak, her doe–like eyes filling with tears.
But before she could finish, my mother’s palm came down hard across her face with a resounding slap. The sound echoed through the hall, sharp and unforgiving.
It seemed slapping people was something of a family tradition
“I have only ever had one daughter,” my mother declared, her voice icy. “And you, Jessica, are not her. You dare to call me your mother? You’re
not in worthy
Jessica’s eyes widened in shock, her expression pitifully innocent, as if she couldn’t understand what she had done wrong. Her trembling act, however, only spurred my four brothers into action.
They immediately rallied to her defense, united for the first time all evening.
Victor stepped forward first, his tone Indignant. “Mother, Jessica la more understanding, more considerate, than Savannah ever was. How can you ignore that and take Savannah’s side just because of her word?”
“Father took Jessica in Michael added, his voice rising with anger. “That makes her family! Why shouldn’t she call you ‘Mother?”
“You’re being unfair,” Logan chimed in. “You treat Savannah like she’s perfect, yet you won’t even look at Jessica. If you’re going to ignore
My mother’s lips curled into a bitter smile as she listened to their impassioned defense. “Fine,” she said, her voice laced with venom. “If that’s what you want, then so be it.”
