Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Back in his room. Matthew knelt before a large wooden chest. Carefully, almost reverently, he lifted out an old children’s kite–handmade and fragile, with faded colors.
It had been a gift from his mother when he was just a boy. Since her death, he hadn’t touched it, let alone flown it
And yet today… he’d taken it out again. Not for her. But for Sophie.
“She’s definitely hiding Sophie, Matthew muttered to himself. “If I want Eliza to release her, I’ll have to offer something she
can’t refuse.”
And if there was anything Eliza still treasured, they all knew what it was.
She had once tried to take Caroline’s memorial plaque with her when she left to become a nun. Later, she’d used Dylan to force them into handing over Caroline’s dowry.
At this point, there was hardly anything of their mother’s left in the Stonor household.
And this kite–this last, precious thing…
Matthew’s heart twisted. The thought of handing it over to Eliza made his chest tighten unbearably. But Sophie was still in
her hands
And DOW with Eliza accusing her of grave robbery, if he didn’t get her out soon, Sophie’s reputation would be completely destroyed
Tm sorry, Mother, Matthew whispered, voice hoarse. “I’ve failed you… but once I get Sophie back, I’ll find a way to redeem this. I swear I’ll buy it back.
The decision made, he mounted a horse with the kite wrapped carefully in cloth, and rode hard toward Mount Westin, just outside Hasen City.
Gabriel, still recovering in bed, slowly opened his eyes and sat up, wincing.
Cyrus Mooney, his steward, stepped forward to support him.
“Did he say what he was going for? Gabriel asked, coughing weakly.
“Not exactly.” Cyrus replied. “But… he was carrying a kite.”
Gabriel blinked, then frowned. “A kite?”
A swallow kite. Small, handmade. Looked like a child’s toy,” Cyrus said.
Gabriel fell silent. He knew exactly what that kite was,
sure he doesn’t force his way into Saint Grace Nunnery”
After a long, pause, he murmured. “Let him go. Just make sure h The King had grown increasingly displeased with the Stonor family, and ever since Nolan returned, the pressure had only
Gabriel had already lost several trusted men in court. He knew very well this was the King’s warning–a coordinated push from the crown and the Prince Regent both
He couldn’t allow that to happen.
But with their shadow guards decimated, he had no choice but to lie low, biding his time under the guise of illness, while
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Chapter 197
rebuilding his power in secret
His sons, however, remained unaware of how dire things had become.
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Two hours later, Matthew arrived at Saint Grace Nunnery.
“Eliza, a nun reported, “Matthew is here. He says he wants to make a trade. He insists you’ll regret it if you don’t see him.”
Trade something? Eliza raised an eyebrow.
She could guess easily enough what he was after. The question was–did he bring anything worth her time?Trade something? Eliza raised an eyebrow,
When she stepped outside and caught sight of the item in his hand, her expression twisted into a scornful smile.
Matthew’s face remained blank. “You know exactly what this kite means to me, so I won’t waste time. You wanted something that belonged to Mother. Fine. I’m offering you this. In return–let Sophie go.
Eliza stared at him in disbelief before letting out a bitter laugh. “Wow. I never thought you’d go this far for Sophie. What is it, Matthew? Are you planning to erase your mother from your heart just to save that woman?”
“I’m not abandoning my mother, Matthew snapped. “If you hadn’t kidnapped Sophie. I’d never have brought this out.” “Perfect” Eliza said coldly, glaring down at him. “You heartless traitor. The two of you really are a match made in hell–her, a grave–robbing monster, and you, a mother–denying coward.”
“Watch your mouth!” Matthew stepped forward, seething. Just because I won’t hit you doesn’t mean you can insult Sophie however you want!”
Eliza smirked. “Oh, I see. Ready to raise a hand against me now? Out of all the men in Hasen City, I guess you really are the best. Matthew–no one throws a punch at a woman like you do.”
Matthew’s grip tightened around the kite. The paper crinkled loudly in his fists.
He caught himself just in time, quickly loosening his hands and checking for damage. When he saw the paper had only torn slightly, he exhaled in relief.
Eliza rolled her eyes. “Really? You’re still worried about the kite? What for? You’re already giving it away to a so–called outsider What do you care?”
Her voice turned mocking. “Let me guess–you think I’ll treasure it, hold onto it, and someday you’ll come back with something better to trade for it?”
“You better not destroy it, Matthew growled. “That kite was made by our mother. If you ruin it, how could you face her memory: After everything she did for you?”
Eliza’s gaze turned icy. “She did make it–for you. Not for me. If you don’t cherish it, why should I?”
Eliza
“Don’t raise your voice at me,” she said coldly, standing tall at the top of the steps. “I’m not your sister anymore. Address me properly–Your Grace, Matthew”
His jaw tightened so hard he looked like he might crack a tooth. After a long pause, he turned his face away and snapped, “So? Are you going to make the trade or not? Because if you say no, I won’t be offering again.”
He was certain she’d accept.
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Chapter 197
After all, he knew how much she cared about anything related to Caroline.
This kite, with all its sentimental weight, would surely break her resolve.
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But what Matthew didn’t understand was it was because Eliza cared so much… that she made her choice without hesitation.
“I’m not trading. Eliza said flatly.
