Stephanie didn’t waste ti any further. She couldn’t stay still until she got so information about Lariette’s situation.
But, first, she needed to appear at least a little presentable.
"Urgh... My eyebags."
Standing opposite the vanity mirror, Stephanie looked at the reflection of her face. Her eyebags deepened from the lack of sleep, looking hideous because of her bloodshot eyes.
Stephanie also noticed her skin lost its usual luster. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed the hair brush before forcibly entangling her blond locks. She was not in the mood to put on any makeup.
Perhaps... She could rouse so sympathy when the others saw how worn out she was.
Even though she was caught in the middle of a scandal, Stephanie believed the maids wouldn’t openly look down on her. They had a high price to pay if they dared to offend her.
After all, she was still the precious princess of the Elsher family!
Putting down the hair brush, Stephanie clenched her fist around its handle. Leon’s recent ssages set her heart afla from the audacity of his wishful dream.
"Who does he think he is? He’ll regret trying to threaten ."
Sure, Leon was great in bed but, this didn’t an Stephanie wanted to marry him. Her only goal was being Matthias Silvera’s wife, not Leon Holt’s!
"Screw you!"
Stephanie hurriedly walked out of the room, unable to wait any longer. The silence of the entire villa greeted her, save for the white noise.
Stephanie knew her parents and brothers would be out this morning to attend to their personal matters. Even though she didn’t ask anything, she believed so of them were related to her ruined wedding.
’What else are they gonna do? Urgh... will Dad scold again today?’
Before Samantha headed out with Jonathan, she ca to check on Stephanie. The middle-aged lady was elegant in her burgundy sumr dress.
Samantha looked exhausted under her ticulous makeup. As usual, she coaxed the upset Stephanie while promising this issue would be resolved soon.
"We’ll et your in-laws next week. Phanie, don’t think too much about it. Matthias just needs so space for himself now."
Stephanie could only smile weakly at Samantha’s attempt to cheer her up. She still rembered how crazily angry Mrs. Silvera was a few nights ago.
Knowing how displeased Mrs. Silvera was with her, Stephanie doubted that the two families could have a peaceful eting. She also knew that the Silveras wouldn’t want to see her right now.
Mrs. Silvera most likely would chase them away as soon as she saw them, despising the idea of eting them.
’Calm down, Phanie. You have to settle this first.’
Stephanie shook her head, giving herself encouragent. As much as she wanted to run to Matthias, she knew she had to handle this matter involving Leon first.
Walking down the hallway, Stephanie bumped into one of the maids. The older woman, Penelope, quickly acknowledged her presence, pausing to do her task.
"Young Miss Stephanie, do you require anything?"
Stephanie’s eyes lit up, thinking how lucky for her to cross paths with Penelope. She heard the latter’s younger sister worked at Chairman Delaney’s villa.
Wouldn’t they exchange any gossip?
"The thing is..." Stephanie lowered her tone as she approached Penelope closer, "I heard sothing worrying about... my sister, Lariette. Do you know anything?"
Penelope blinked, seemingly caught off guard by the simple question. In the split second, Stephanie noticed the look of recognition flickering in the forr’s eyes.
Yes.
This maid indeed knew whatever happened to Lariette.
Unfortunately for Stephanie, Penelope didn’t seem eager to share the news with her.
"T-that... I didn’t hear anything," Penelope shook her head, the smile on her lips faltering, "Young Miss Stephanie, aren’t you hungry? The madam told to..."
Stephanie quickly cut Penelope off, not letting the maid change the topic. She kept her voice as gentle as possible, trying not to intimidate her.
"Penelope, I’m sure you knew sothing. Can’t you tell , please?"
"Young Miss, I didn’t hear anything, really," Penelope repeated her words, smiling guiltily at Stephanie, "The madam should know more than ."
Stephanie shook her head, pleading, "My brothers said they’re busy with my sister’s issue. Is she alright? Did she get injured? I’m worried about her, you know."
Stephanie pretended to sound as sad as she could, showing that she was concerned about Lariette’s well-being. She blinked her limpid eyes slowly, hoping Penelope would fall under her pitiful act.
Penelope continued staring at Stephanie, seemingly unsure of which action she should take.
Until... she cowered under the lady’s teary and pitiful gaze.
"W-well... I only heard a little from my sister."
Stephanie almost jumped for joy. She nodded once, encouraging Penelope to talk. She kept herself quiet as the maid began, her voice low in the quiet hallway.
"Yesterday, Young Miss Lariette brought her new husband to one of the tiny islands. I heard... so n attacked her. They..."
Not long after, Stephanie returned to her room with a pale white countenance. She almost fell on the floor once she closed the door, her eyes widening in horror.
"T-this... this can’t be..."
Those words slipped out of Stephanie’s mouth, sounding shaky due to the shock overwhelming her heart. She had just taken a step forward when her legs suddenly failed her.
"L-Leon... that bastard..."
Grasping the flat surface of the floor, Stephanie saw how much her hands trembled as the tremors flared to her entire body. Her heartbeat quickened, pounding rapidly against her chest.
Stephanie initially assud Leon exaggerated his action. She thought the attack on Lariette was simply to scare her, not an attempted rape!
"Crazy... this is crazy!"
Leon dared to incite the two n to violate Lariette as if he wasn’t afraid that he would be caught!
And... now he dragged her as an accomplice?
Stephanie didn’t even have the courage to imagine the consequences if Leon’s plan was uncovered. She knew how capable Declan was.
No matter how much Leon thought he would be left unscathed, Stephanie dared to say that Declan would eventually catch him.
"W-what should I do? What?"
Should she sell Leon out to Declan and pledge her innocence?
Or, should she keep quiet and deny Leon’s claims?
Damn it!
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