Chapter 4

There were cries of alarm as everyone scrambled, trying to hold her back.

Robert's face was livid as he raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face.

"Sarah, I never imagined you could be so heartless," he spat.

He tried to hit me again, but Simon grabbed his arm, completely immobilizing him.

"Robert, if you dare touch her again, I'll break your hand," Simon growled.

Simon swept his cold, piercing gaze across the crowd.

He demanded, "Listen. I've said it before. I never touched Leona, and I didn't ruin her reputation. Why won't you believe me?

"If any of you dare insult my sister again, you'll see what happens next."

Seeing this, the crowd was in an uproar, everyone furious and indignant.

"Simon, after doing something so disgraceful, you still have the nerve to act all arrogant? Do you think you're above the law?" someone shouted.

"If you won't admit your guilt and take responsibility today, we'll drag you before Her Majesty and let her judge you," another person threatened.

I clutched my stinging cheek, but Simon's words filled my heart with warmth.

No matter what, even if it meant sacrificing myself, I would protect him with everything I had.

I shot Leona a cold, mocking smile. "So, you're hell-bent on smearing my brother's name today, aren't you?

"But if you think Simon is going to marry you, you're delusional.

"Even if my brother and I die here today, neither of us will ever let you have your way."

Leona was stunned. She never expected that even after forcing me into a corner, I'd still refuse to let Simon marry her.

A fierce look flashed in her eyes as she shouted, "Miss Chapman, just because no one was here to witness it, you refuse to admit anything, no matter what.

"I've already gotten involved in this scandal. I can't go on living. You don't have to keep humiliating me again and again. I'll just end it all."

With that, she gritted her teeth and dashed at a nearby tree.

Everyone scrambled to stop her, but it was too late.

She crashed her forehead into the tree, blood streaming down her face.

The crowd's anger reached its peak.

"The Chapman family is driving her to her death," someone shouted.

"Simon messed up, and now they're pushing Leona to kill herself. The Chapman family is so cruel," another person yelled.

"Leona, this isn't your fault. It's the Chapman family who's to blame," someone else called out.

"Leona, if you end your life over this, it's not worth it," another voice urged.

"That's right, Leona. If you die, you'll be playing right into the Chapman family's hands," someone else shouted.

"Today, we'll make sure Leona gets justice. If the Chapman family keeps trying to deny everything, tomorrow, we'll have our husbands bring this to His Majesty," another threatened.

Robert snapped, "Sarah, are you really going to push Leona to her death before you're satisfied? Today, I finally see your true colors. You're vicious.

"I would never marry someone as cruel and heartless as you. If the Chapman family doesn't give Leona an answer today, then the engagement between us is over."

Everyone started chiming in, backing him up.

"That's right. A woman like her would bring nothing but trouble to the family. Better to call off the engagement now before it's too late," someone shouted.

Robert was betting I wouldn't dare call off the engagement.

In this society, once a woman had her engagement broken, there was no way she'd ever find a decent match again.

The crowd's words were like daggers. One slip, and their gossip could ruin a woman's life.

But what Robert didn't know was that I'd been waiting for him to take the bait.

"Alright. You said it yourself, Robert. There's no taking it back. From today on, our engagement is over," I declared.

"Someone, bring me a pen and paper. Mr. Hayes, write out the breakup letter," I ordered.

Robert was holding our engagement over my head, all to pressure me into letting Simon marry Leona. He never meant to actually call it off.

He never saw it coming when I agreed without hesitation, and it left him speechless.

Robert was shrewd, always thinking several steps ahead.

When he saw his threat wasn't working, he backed down a little. "Sarah, as long as you let Simon marry Leona, there's no need for our families to call off the engagement."

I said firmly, "Simon is a virtuous hero. He would never do something so disgraceful. Mr. Hayes, hurry up and write the letter to break off our engagement."

One of the servants quickly brought over pen and paper for Robert.

Stuck with no way out, Robert gritted his teeth, wrote the breakup letter, and then flung it at me, trying to look dignified.

Just then, there was a stir in the crowd.

"Aileen Sutton, the wife of the secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, is here," someone called out.

Leona shrank back in fear.

"Lady Sutton is here. She'll punish me so harshly. Miss Chapman, I'm begging you. Please show mercy," Leona pleaded.

The other ladies started pleading with me again.

"Miss Chapman, you're a woman too. You know how precious a woman's name is. If word gets out, how will Leona ever find a husband?" one of them said.

"That's right. Leona is a concubine's daughter, hated by Lady Sutton. Please agree to this marriage and give her a way out," another added.

All the ladies were completely taken in by Leona's pitiful act. Who would ever guess how lewd, shameless, and cruel she was?

I let out a cold laugh. "You reap what you sow, Leona. I can't help you. No one can."

Aileen strode over and stared at Leona, who was dripping wet. "What happened here?"

Everyone started chattering, each trying to get their version of the story out.

Aileen frowned. "Someone, take Leona away. Don't let her embarrass herself any further in front of everyone."

One of the attendants who had come with Aileen stepped forward and hauled Leona out.

Leona's eyes brimmed with tears as she pleaded, "Miss Chapman, General Chapman, if you don't help me today, I might as well be dead."

Vivian spoke up for Leona. "Lady Sutton, you really can't blame Leona for what happened today. Now that you're here, you have to stand up for her."

Aileen's face turned cold. "Miss Chapman, General Chapman, we Suttons may not have all those military honors or the king's favor like you, but we're not pushovers either.

"Leona's a member of my family. Today, as the lady of the house, I have to stand up for her and demand justice from you."