The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

The Silent 217 Chapter 217 Chapter 217 86% 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 becevery 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?" Gabriel turned away, shaking his head in exasperation. "If that's how you insist on seeing it, then there's nothing more to discuss." That was when Benedict spoke, voice calm but cutting. "Even if the King did want to use a consort as leverage against the Stonor family-it wouldn't be Sophie." Matthew's head snapped toward him. "What's that supposed to mean?" "Isn't it obvious?" Benedict stared him down. "Let's not sugarcoat things. At best, Sophie is Father's adopted daughter. At worst, she's his illegitimate child" "Shut your mouth!" Matthew roared, stepping forward, fists clenched, 'Don't you dare call her that again!" Benedict didn't flinch. What-going to hitnow, Matthew?" "Have you even heard the words coming out of your mouth? They're disgusting. Matthew seethed. "Sophie's the sister we've loved and protected for years. Don't you feel anything?* Benedict's voice turned ice-cold. "Years? How many years, exactly?" "Tell me, Matthew-how long is so long? Six months? A year? Is that what you call a lifetof love?" "What about Eliza?" His voice trembled with fury. "She was our real sister for fourteen years. Fourteen! And yet you said nothing when she was cast out. You didn't raise your voice once for her. Is fourteen years just a joke to you?" The raw power behind Benedict's words stunned Matthew-and even Anthony fell silent. Even Gabriel, who had h... watching in quiet detachment, furrowed his brow.

11:47 Fri, 18 Apr Chapter 217 100 Matthew opened his mouth to argue but could only manage a weak, bitter murmur. "It's not like we forced her to leave. She made that choice herself." Benedict let him go with a scoff. "Then you really are blind. We all are. The only one who saw clearly was Dylan. He understood everything-and that's why he left, just like Eliza did." "Oh, 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 shalf-dead beggar. That's your idea of "wise?" Benedict's expression darkened with quiet pity. "You call him the fool, but you don't even see what a joke you've become." The way he looked at Matthew sent fire through his veins.

"That's enough" Matthew shouted, "I don't care about any of that anymore. I just want to save Sophie!" "And how do you plan on doing that? Benedict asked mockingly. "You're going to storm the Imperial Palace with your laughable martial skills? Please. If that's your plan, then I suggest you cut ties with us first-at least that way you won't drag us down when you get yourself killed." "Enough!" Gabriel's voice cut through the room like a blade.

He turned slowly to face them both. "Sophie is currently in the Benevolent Palace. No one is to act recklessly.

Matthew gritted his teeth. "So what, we just sit and do nothing?" There is one other way to get Sophie out of the palace sooner, Gabriel said, pausing deliberately.

Matthew's eyes lit up. "What way!" Gabriel's expression darkened. "This entire situation began because someone told the King about your mother. That's why Sophie's being targeted" Matthew's breath hitched. "So-she was set up?" He didn't even wait for confirmation. "It was Eliza, wasn't it? It had to be her! Who else would stoop that low?" He barely finished his sentence before a fist cflying at him.

Matthew hit the ground hard, landing with a grunt. His injured leg was still strapped in a brace, and the impact made it nearly impossible for him to get up

He propped himself up on one elbow and glared at Benedict with disbelief. You've lost your mind. Benedict he shouted, Tm your brother! I'm injured, and you hit me?"

"And I'll hit you again if I hear one more word slandering Eliza, Benedict growled, fists clenched. When your N leg's better, feel free to hitback-but until then, keep your mouth shut."

There was no one else in the room capable of stopping him. Anthony was too stunned to intervene, om Matthew was on the floor, and Gabriel-well, he never was the physical type. Realizing just how powerless he was at that moment, Matthew's expression turned a shade darker than fury- shame.

11:48 Fri, 18 Apr Chapter 218