Even the two who were supposed to be family were of no help at all.
Her father was a piece of trash who thought his words were the only truth and treated his daughter like a disposable item, and her younger brother was a foolish pervert who, locked in his room and doing nothing, kept asking her for secret meetings.
‘Where did it all start to go wrong…!’
Lizzy pondered where it had all begun to unravel.
For a moment, the thought crossed her mind that perhaps she shouldn’t have coveted that position, but she quickly erased it without leaving a trace.
Such thoughts were a luxury. Other luxuries might at least make her feel good, but this one only dirtied her feelings and was utterly useless.
Thus, she sought something to blame.
‘It’s all Ariella, that girl’s fault.’
Yes, everything was Ariella’s fault.
If Ariella hadn’t flirted with Aaron, if she hadn’t ruined the debutante ball. If only she had quietly endured when she was attacked by those strange men back then, she wouldn’t be suffering like this now.
Excessive anger dulled her reason. As a result, Lizzy didn’t stop at breaking things but opened the door and walked out.
Three or four servants tried to stop her as they realized her destination, but they failed.
Thud, thud, thud! Her angry footsteps continued until they finally stopped in front of Ariella’s room.
Just then, Ariella, who had returned from the study after finishing her work, welcomed the guest at her door.
“What brings you here, Lizzy?”
“Where have you been today?”
Lizzy, with her disheveled hair and wide-open eyes, asked.
The sight was reminiscent of a husband questioning an unfaithful wife, and Ariella couldn’t help but smile lightly. She didn’t know why Lizzy was so furious, but she found it amusing.
Just then, she also had something she wanted to say to Lizzy.
“Although it’s summer now, it seems a bit cold in the hallway for a long conversation. Come inside.”
Her attitude in inviting Lizzy into her room was not just relaxed but kind. Ariella stepped into the room first and dismissed the surrounding servants.
“I want to have a private conversation with my sister, so everyone else please leave.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Amira stepped forward to clear the way. The servants, who had gathered due to the sudden commotion, reluctantly followed her. They looked disappointed to miss out on the entertaining spectacle.
With a click, the door closed, leaving only Ariella and Lizzy in the not-so-large room.
Before there was even a chance to offer tea, a fierce voice followed.
“Answer me. Where have you been?”
“Oh my, Lizzy. Since when have you been so interested in my schedule?”
“I said answer me!”
Ariella chuckled softly and gazed at Lizzy’s face.
Though she had grown accustomed to the death glare directed at her, today, the fiery emotion in Lizzy’s violet eyes seemed more intense than usual. It was as if she was cornered at the edge of a cliff.
Lizzy couldn’t possibly have figured out where Ariella had been today. She was likely afraid of something else. Perhaps she feared that Ariella had spent time with her fiancé again without her knowledge.
“I went to a much better place than you think.”
Ariella said with a smile.
“Hotel Mercedes. You know where that is, right?”
Just the mention of the hotel was enough to see the way her eyes flickered with agitation. Ariella willingly added fuel to the blazing fear that engulfed her.
“Phew, Aaron should know when to stop pestering. You know, Lizzy, doesn’t he seem a bit frustrated these days? Or is it just me?”
“You—! You, this…!”
As expected, Lizzy trembled at the light provocation.
Ariella couldn’t help but laugh at her pale face, which looked so cute.
“Hahaha! I’m just joking, Lizzy. I went to a place much better than that hotel today. Of course, I didn’t run into Aaron.”
Only then did Lizzy realize she had been teased and bit her lip tightly. Standing there as if rooted to the ground, her eyes wide with fury, she glared at Ariella, sending chills down Ariella’s spine.
“Goodness, why are you glaring at your sister like that?”
“Don’t say disgusting things. Who’s my sister? She’ll soon be thrown into a brothel, waiting for customers.”
Lizzy spat out words filled with malice, her curses reflecting her true feelings.
Ariella had to pay the price for ruining her life like this. She would make sure of it. Lizzy was determined.
Even if Aaron’s attention was momentarily on Ariella, it wouldn’t change anything. He wouldn’t dare cast her aside just because he had a mistress. The Duke of Abercorn would be no different. He might get angry, but how could he possibly cast aside someone who would one day be an empress?
