The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

The Silent 217

Chapter 217 Chapter 217

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Father, Benedict - Matthew snapped, his voice shaking with fury. "I can't believe this is how you're treating Sophie!"

Anthony chimed in, equally frustrated. "You both know exactly what the Imperial Palace is like. You know how deeply the King distrusts the Stonor family, and yet you still left her there like it was nothing!"

"What if something happens to her? Matthew's voice rose. "What if she's bullied or humiliated in there? With none of us by her side, who's going to protect her?"

"Fine. If you two won't go after her, then I will!" His eyes burned with resolve. “Had I known you were just going to abandon her the moment she entered the palace, I would've limped in there myself-broken leg or not!"

The Stonor household had been in an uproar over Sophie's entrance into the palace for two days straight. Or more accurately. Matthew had been the one raising hell.

Anthony didn't shout as much, but he stood firmly behind Matthew in every argument.

Gabriel and Benedict, on the other hand, were quickly losing their patience. They had tried-tried-to explain that it wasn't their decision. Sophie had insisted on going. But that reason fell on deaf ears.

"Sophie's too naive, Matthew barked. "She has no idea how dangerous the palace is! Sure, there may not be anyone else in the harem now, but what about later? Once the King gets bored and decides to hold a selection, the palace will be packed- and Sophie, being the first one in, will become every woman's target!"

Gabriel finally snapped. "If you really understood how wary the King is of our family," he said coldly, "then you'd realize there's no way he actually intends to keep Sophie in the palace for long."

"And what if he does?" Matthew shot back "What if that's exactly his plan? What if he's keeping her as leverage-to threaten you, threaten all of us?"

that's how you insist on seeing it,

voice calm but cutting. "Even if the King did want to use

snapped toward him. "What's

things. At best, Sophie is Father's adopted daughter. At worst, she's

roared, stepping forward, fists clenched, 'Don't you dare call

flinch. What-going to

of your mouth? They're disgusting. Matthew seethed. "Sophie's the sister we've loved and protected for years. Don't

"Years? How

long? Six months? A year? Is that what you call

Eliza?" His voice trembled with fury. "She was our real sister for fourteen years. Fourteen! And yet you said nothing when she was

raw power behind Benedict's words stunned Matthew-and even Anthony fell silent. Even Gabriel, who had h...

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to argue but could only manage a weak, bitter murmur. "It's not like we forced her to leave. She made that

We all are. The only one who

please," Matthew sneered. "That wasn't clarity. That was stupidity. And you- have you seen him? You talk like he's noble. but the guy's squatting in a shack outside the city like some half-dead

with quiet pity. "You call him the fool, but you don't even see what a joke

Matthew sent fire

don't care about any

Please. If that's your plan, then I suggest you cut ties with us first-at least that way you won't drag us

cut through the room

is currently in the Benevolent Palace. No one