4.22%
At that time, the people outside didn’t know that Sophie was an illegitimate daughter, and the old allies of the Padilla family didn’t know what Eliza had experienced in the Stonor family.
All they knew was that, at some point, someone had begun secretly targeting them. They started with the Baker family, the Fletcher family, and then the Stevenson family. Even Dale wasn’t spared.
One by one, the Padilla family’s old allies died. Even those who survived were no longer in any position to influence anything
Prince Regent was around back then too.
But he hadn’t been treated by Eliza in that timeline and hadn’t received the Bloodshade Blossom. Hence, he couldn’t suppress his illness for long. Eventually, due to violent outbursts during his madness, and with Gabriel rallying the civil officials to attack him politically, the Prince Regent was imprisoned and eventually “died of a sudden illness” in jail.
Because of this, Duke’s estate grew overwhelmingly powerful in the previous timeline. He could do whatever he wanted.
But this timeline was completely different.
Eliza was reborn, requested to leave secular life and become a Holy Lady, defied her father and brother, exposed Sophie’s illegitimate status, and cured Nolan’s illness.
Step by step, she unveiled Gabriel’s true face, protected herself, and even preserved the Baker family.
Now, within the entire imperial court, Gabriel no longer had the final say. But Sophie didn’t understand.
In her eyes, her wonderful father had refused to make her the legitimate daughter all for the sake of some mere heir.
So now she wanted all the children of the Stonor family. She wanted to use them to take revenge on her “dear father,” to make sure he would have no descendants.
“They betrayed you. What does that have to do with Rafe?” Eliza asked as she looked at her.
Exactly! What the hell does this have to do with me?‘ Rafe thought to himself.
Standing to the side wearing a mask and not recognized by Sophie, Rafe stared wide–eyed in frustration.
Sophie, still unaware that the person in question was right there, sneered coldly. “He returned to Duke’s estate at just the wrong time. And he’s also my father’s illegitimate son. If the legitimate sons are all dead, my father might even make him the heir. So, he has to die too!”
Eliza was speechless for a moment. She then realized what Sophie said could actually be true.
After all, Gabriel had nearly used Rafe to replace her once.
If he had succeeded back then, Rafe would have undoubtedly become the heir..
Now Rafe had returned.
Though she had sent him back, Gabriel’s attitude toward him seemed off.
After Rafe returned, he hadn’t been severely punished for supporting her in court. He was just placed under house arrest.
Meanwhile, his original heir, Benedict, who also sided with her, had now gone missing entirely.
Eliza touched her chin and glanced at Rafe, saying nothing.
1/3
15:26 Thu, 29 May R
Chapter 693
Rafe, ever sensitive, noticed the glance and instantly had a bad feeling.
He thought, ‘Wait a minute! Is Eliza suspecting me because of what this crazy woman said?’
He wanted to shout that he was innocent. He’d never once wanted to be heir to that cursed Duke’s estate.
Feeling incredibly wronged, Rafe shot Sophie a fierce glare.
‘Bitch! Keep glaring at me. Just you wait. I’ll have you turned into a pickled specimen soon enough!‘ Rafe fumed inwardly.
Sophie, still unaware she had attracted the attention of a “major villain,” was focused only on Eliza. She then asked, “Well? Do we have a deal or not? Those people don’t really matter to you anyway, right?”
“As long as you agree, I’ll even let you see Caleb first,” Sophie said with great generosity.
But Eliza didn’t believe Sophie would be this generous.
She smiled faintly. She had already guessed that Sophie had a deeper motive hidden behind all her words.
So she shrugged nonchalantly and said, “Fine. Let’s do it. But you have to guarantee that Caleb is still alive.”
Seeing that Eliza had finally taken the bait, Sophie felt thrilled inside and immediately agreed. “Relax. He’s alive. As long as I don’t want him dead, he won’t die.”
Adeline grew even more anxious. That didn’t sound reassuring at all.
But she dared not speak again. Dale even lowered his voice and warned her not to say another word.
Sophie said, “Come with me then.”
She could barely contain her excitement now.
If she hadn’t tried to avoid Eliza’s suspicion, she’d have rushed over to Caleb already. But she had to lure Eliza and her people over slowly.
Eliza gave Rafe and Renee a subtle glance, then stepped forward to follow Sophie toward the courtyard of the Marquis’s
estate.
After setting the house on fire the day before, Sophie had moved Caleb to another courtyard.
And in that courtyard, she had placed numerous parasites.
These were far more ferocious than those scattered elsewhere in the residence.
The moment Eliza stepped through the courtyard gate, she immediately sensed numerous eyes locking onto her.
Rafe, Renee, and the others felt nothing.
Clearly, these things were instinctively drawn to the poisonous parasites on Eliza’s body.
But without having been purified by magical water, they didn’t understand the repulsion of kindred species. They only felt an uncontrollable bloodlust.
As their master, Sophie naturally sensed her parasites‘ restlessness.
She frowned slightly, assuming it was simply due to too many people approaching, making the parasites nervous and on edge.
It seemed like she’d have to feed them a little extra blood today to calm them down.
2/3
15.27 Thu, zy May
Chapter 693
422%
Thinking this, Sophie quickly reached the room’s door. She didn’t even glance at the two servants stationed there and pushed the door open directly
Sophie said, “Your son is inside. If you want to see him, go on in
Sophie didn’t call Eliza first, but instead lured the ones who could no longer hold back, Adeline and Dale,
Sure enough. Adeline cried out, “My precious son! I’m here to save you!”
Adeline worried about her son. She shook off Dale’s hand and rushed past Sophie, charging straight into the room.
15:27 Thu, 29 May 7
