Chapter 698
Chapter 698
Seeing Marilla dare to talk back, Edith felt a surge of rage so intense, her meticulously manicured nails
almost digging into her own palms.
If it weren’t for the crowd around them, she would have slapped that fool across the face already!
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Edith’s red lips curled into a venomous smirk as she leaned close
to whisper in Marilla’s ear, her voice dripping with mockery.
“That’s right, you’re not an idiot, you’re a lunatic.”
Lunatic.
She was calling her a lunatic.
A buzzing sound filled Marilla’s head, and cold sweat soaked through her pure white cotton dress. Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
And just then, the piano recital began on stage.
The flowing music filled her ears. That was to Marilla a torturous cacophony, only serving to heighten
her psychological burden.
“Marilla, you wholeheartedly wish to be my brother’s wife. But do you think you’re worthy? You know
your condition best. Do you really believe you can bear my brother a child with a sound mind?”
Edith struck right at her sore spot, each word a dagger to the heart!
Marilla hung her head low, her eyes reddening with moisture, her cotton dress wrinkled beyond
recognition by her slender fingers. Just like her heart in that moment.
“My brother isn’t just your lover; he’s the heir to the entire Fairhaven Group, the future head of it.”
Edith posed as the picture of dignity, her voice icy, “My father’s dying wish was for the Fairhaven Group
to become a century–old prestigious family. If you want to be the lady of the Fairhaven group, it’s
inevitable that you’ll need to ensure the succession of the Fairhaven family.
How sure are you that you can give birth to a healthy child? What if your illness is passed on to your
child? Do you want to leave the Fairhaven group without a successor? Do you want my brother to
become the laughingstock of the entire Elmsworth?”
Marilla closed her eyes tightly, sweat beading on her forehead.
“Even if my brother dotes on you, indulges you, decides against having children… would he also give
up on the Fairhaven Group?”
Edith continued to torment her fragile heart, “The Fairhaven group is my father’s life’s work. If my
brother cannot inherit the Fairhaven group, how could our father rest in peace? Do you think Grandpa
would accept a woman like you as the future lady of the Fairhaven group? If my brother insists on
marrying you, then he’ll only grow further from the role of heir. Grandpa might well change his mind and
choose my uncle as the heir instead. If that happens, you’ll be the one who ruined him.”
Every word she uttered was like a frost–edged blade, slicing mercilessly into Marilla’s tender heart.
“Since you claim you’re not an idiot, you must understand what I’m saying, right? Think about it
carefully. If you really love my brother.”
Having said her piece, Edith rose to leave.
“I will not leave Jareth, Marilla spoke softly, her head still bowed but her each word clear!
Edith’s pupils dilated, “What did you say?”
“I love Jareth so very much.”
Slowly lifting her gaze, Marilla mustered all her strength to meet Edith’s sinister stare, “All my life, I’ve
been a coward, never fought for myself, never truly desired anything. But now, all I want is to be with
Jareth.”
Grinding her teeth, Edith was livid.
“Grandpa may not like me, the Fairhaven group may not accept me, it doesn’t matter. I don’t seek a
title, I only want to be with Jareth. As long as he doesn’t send me away, I’ll never leave him.”
As Marilla spoke, her eyes shone with a brightness so compelling, they outshone the stars themselves.
A shameless woman, clinging on desperately and not wanting to let go!
Edith clenched her jaw, her high heels clicking sharply as she walked away, ignoring the annoyed looks
from those around her
Lily waited patiently in the hallway until the celebration ended.
Finally, the doors opened, and students poured out with laughter and chatter.
Lily hurried forward to meet them.
But even after everyone had left, Marilla still hadn’t come out.
A knot of worry tightened in Lily’s chest, and she rushed through the doors.
In the vast, empty auditorium, Marilla’s fragile figure sat alone, motionless.
“Madam!”
Lily ran to her in a panic, only to stop short in shock!
Before her, Marilla looked as if her soul had been hollowed out, her face streaked with tears.
“Madam, what’s happened?!” Lily scrambled to sit beside her, fumbling to offer tissues to dab at her
tears.
“Lily.”
Marilla, as if her tear ducts had burst, sobbed intermittently, “Am I causing trouble for Jareth? Without
me, would he be less troubled?”
“Madam, you mustn’t think like that!”
Lily, not knowing what had occurred, immediately embraced her, soothing her with patience and
tenderness, “The young master loves you more than life itself; without you, he couldn’t live!
Madam, promise me you won’t think this way. The happiest moments of the young master’s life are
those spent with you. Even if it meant giving up the entire Fairhaven group, he would never give you
up!”