Chapter 3

Honestly, anyone with eyes could tell this woman and I were mother and daughter when we stood together.

From the moment Helen walked in, her gaze landed on me. Complicated, searching, but not a hint of happiness at seeing me again.

Andrew said, "Mom, look! Rowena gave Sybil a present. I told you, Rowena's always thoughtful. She wouldn't get upset just because Sybil came back. So you can relax now," someone chimed in, trying to sound reassuring.

Helen Peyton's gaze swept over the Cloud Brocade and those fine hairpieces, her brow creasing for a moment, but she let it go and walked up to me.

Helen said, "Sybil, even though Rowena isn't my own by blood, I love her just the same. In my heart, you're both my dear daughters.

"Since these gifts are from Rowena, you should treasure them and not let her kindness go to waste."

Rowena's tight frown melted away in an instant.

I caught all of it. I hadn't really expected much, but still, my heart felt empty. I just nodded quietly.

If my father and little brother were clueless, Helen definitely understood what Rowena was up to.

But she still chose to side with Rowena, deliberately setting me up to lose face so Rowena's position in the family would be even more unshakable.

On the day of my grandmother's grand birthday celebration, the house was filled with distinguished guests and high-ranking officials.

Of course, many of them came out of respect for Rowena.

The Peyton and Crane families were related by marriage, and Matilda Crane had been promised to a newly-promoted court official. No one would dare turn down such an invitation.

The other reason was that everyone was curious to see what kind of person the Peyton family's adopted daughter really was. So when I walked in, every single pair of eyes was on me.

Someone snickered, "So that's the Peyton family's new adopted daughter? Seriously, what are the Peytons thinking?

"Most people take in girls for marriage alliances, but they went and picked someone who's no spring chicken. What are they even after?"

"I heard she used to make a living doing some pretty questionable stuff out there. Totally embarrassing for the family," another person chimed in.

As I walked closer, the whole room went silent for a moment. Everyone was stunned when they finally got a good look at my face.

"Wait, isn't she supposed to be the adopted daughter? How does she look so much like Mrs. Peyton? She actually looks even more like Mrs. Peyton's real daughter than Rowena does..." someone muttered.

Helen shot me a glance and let out a soft laugh. She said, "She's just a distant cousin from my mother's side.

"Her folks pleaded with me to take her in, and honestly, how could I refuse? Who doesn't have a few struggling relatives?"

After she said that, the way the guests looked at me changed. They started complimenting the Peyton family for their generosity.

Rowena's eyes caught the Cloudsilk dress I was wearing, and there was a hint of amusement hidden in her gaze. "Oh wow, Sybil, you actually wore that Cloud Brocade dress out?

"The King made it clear that noble ladies aren't supposed to wear Cloud Brocade. Today was Eve's birthday, and the Crown Prince was coming with Lord Ashfield. You really should stay low."

Helen acted all shocked and started scolding me, too. "Sybil, didn't I tell you? If you like that dress, you can wear it around the house."

"But why would you show up at your grandmother's birthday party in it? Go change, now," she snapped.

I stood my ground, my smile never wavering. "No need, Mother. I'm actually quite satisfied with this outfit."

Helen was caught off guard, her frown deepening as she stared at me.

Her eyes were full of contempt. She believed I was clueless because I didn't grow up under her roof.

Rowena gently took my hand, smoothly cutting in before I could respond. "Sybil, you may not realize, but His Majesty has little tolerance for extravagance.

"Though Cloud Brocade is beautiful, it's exceedingly expensive. If the Crown Prince sees you in it, he might think our Peyton family is far too indulgent."

"If you don't have any other suitable dresses, I can have a few more selected and sent to your residence. Would that be alright?"

Her graceful demeanor and soft-spoken words were like a spring breeze, earning approving nods from all the guests.

The commotion in the back courtyard quickly caught the attention of my father and grandmother.

As soon as my father showed up, he didn't bother with explanations. He just told the servants to take me back to my room.

"Take Sybil back to her quarters. There are plenty of distinguished guests today, so she doesn't need to be out here," he ordered coldly.

I gave them a frosty stare, then let out a sharp laugh. "Father, you don't even ask what happened, just jump straight to blaming me?"

"Honestly, if I weren't here today, I doubt those distinguished guests would have bothered to come and pay their respects to Grandmother just because of you," I said, my tone laced with sarcasm.

My words were downright defiant, and even my father was caught off guard for a second. "You rebellious brat, what nonsense are you spouting? This isn't a place for you to mouth off. Get out, now!" he barked.

I met his glare head-on, completely unafraid, locking eyes with him and fueling his anger even more.