366.Chapter 366
“Ive told you to behave and stop meddling with reckless schemes long ago. But you just won’t listen, will you? Are you trying to kill all your brothers?
“Your brothers have always doted on you. First, you poisoned Matthew, and now Benedict. Who’s next? Anthony? Or me?” “No, no, Father! I would never dare! I swear I wouldn’t Sophie quickly knelt, trembling as she begged, “Father, please don’t be angry I know I was wrong I swear I never intended to harm Benedict or Matthew. It was just a mistake! I never wanted to take their lives!”
“Is it that you don’t want to, or you don’t want to yet?” Gabriel aw right through Sophie’s act. A cold smirk twisted his lips as he sneered. “Every time I’ve wamed you, you’ve obediently admitted your mistakes. But have you ever truly listened? You keep causing trouble in this family. Do you truly believe this indulgence will last forever?”
Sophie frantically shook her head, too terrified to admit even half a word of what Gabriel said.
“So what’s your excuse this time? Come on, tell me. I want to hear why you thought it was acceptable to poison your brother, Gabriel asked.
Sophie hesitated, her mind racing as she met Gabriel’s piercing gaze.
Slowly, she began to speak, “Father, I… I was just so upset. Like you said, ever since I came back to the Stonor family, Benedict and the others have treated me like their little sister. Even when Eliza bullied me, they still stood by me. But then, not long ago, Dylan left, and Benedict stopped supporting me, too. I was scared he’d leave me like Dylan did. So, I sent him some flowers under the guise of reconciliation.”
Though Sophie often acted foolishly, her mind always seemed to sharpen in critical moments, especially when dealing with Gabriel
If she told him the truth that she wanted to poison and control Benedict, Anthony, and eventually Matthew, turning them into pawns, Gabriel would never forgive her.
But she didn’t say that.
Instead, she played the victim, claiming it was Benedict and Dylan’s changes that had driven her to act this way. This way, the blame wouldn’t fall entirely on her.
She said she poisoned Benedict because she was afraid of losing him.
That would make Gabriel think she wasn’t trying to manipulate Benedict but was simply scared he’d leave.
After all, a healthy man could come and wouldn’t have that option.
d go as he pleased. But someone bedridden, like Anthony, who was frail and sickly.
Dylan could leave because he could rely on himself to survive. But if Anthony left the Stonor family, it would be a death
sentence.
As Sophie spoke, Gabriel almost believed her.
To Gabriel, Sophie was a venomous fool. A little possessiveness wasn’t surprising.
Suddenly, Gabriel thought of something. He frowned. “How many pots of flowers did you say you sent to Benedict?” Sophie froze. She was about to say “two pots” when she noticed Lucas, standing slightly ahead of her, discreetly holding up three fingers behind his back.
Though she didn’t understand why Lucas wanted her to change her answer, his earlier actions, shielding her and showing loyalty to her mother, convinced her to trust him
She quickly corrected herself. “Oh, right, it was three pots. I misspoke earlier. I sent Benedict three pots of flowers.” Gabriel narrowed his eyes slightly
Under the weight of his scrutiny, Sophie dared not show even a hint of quilt. Only when a thin layer of sweat formed on her forehead did she finally hear Gabriel scoff
Gabriel said, “Whether it was two pots or three, I’ll believe you this time. Fifty lashes with the family whip–no exce
-no exceptions.
It was the same punishment she had received when she poisoned Matthew
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