Chapter 2

I strode into the main hall, my eyes sweeping over the three people inside.

My father, excited, grabbed my arm and pulled me over to Edward.

He said, "Charlotte, your sister died, and Lord Edward doesn't trust anyone else to look after your little nephew. He wants to marry you and—"

Before he could finish, I turned to look at Edward.

Edward held his chin up, looking at me like I was beneath him, like letting me marry into the Langley family was doing me a favor.

"My lord, didn't you swear you'd follow Rosalind to the grave? She's dead now, so why aren't you?" I said.

As soon as the words left my mouth, a loud slap cracked across my face.

Vivian sneered, "How dare you? A merchant girl talking to Lord Edward like that."

My cheek stung, and I whipped my head around to glare at Vivian, the one who'd hit me.

Her hair sparkled with pearls and gems. Her tiara and jewels cost a fortune. Her dress came from costly brocade.

I had personally chosen every piece she wore and sent those things to Langley Manor for Rosalind.

Rage boiled up inside me. I raised my hand and slapped her with all the strength I could muster.

Vivian collapsed, her hair tumbling loose and her jewelry clattering across the floor.

Her golden tiara shattered, and her pretty face twisted into something ugly with fury.

She scrambled up, lunging at me like a wild animal, ready to rip me to shreds. "You bitch. How dare you mess up my headdress? I'll kill you."

I'd seen chaos like this before, back when I was five years old.

That time, Rosalind stood in front of me, protecting me.

But I wasn't a little girl anymore. I'd seen far more dangerous things than this.

A crisp slap echoed through the room, and Vivian lay sprawled on the floor, her face swollen.

As if finally realizing what had happened, Edward rushed to Vivian with concern on his face. "Vivian, are you all right?"

Vivian immediately dropped her scowl and put on a sweet, tender look. "It hurts, my lord."

Edward's eyes bulged with rage as he shot me a murderous glare. "Charlotte, who gave you the guts to lay a hand on my woman?"

I gave a cold laugh, strode to the head seat, and sat down, looking down at that vile pair.

Vivian acted that cocky before strangers thanks to Edward. Think how much Rosalind suffered inside those walls.

If not for my sister, Edward would have died the day he brought Vivian home. He betrayed Rosalind and deserved it.

Rosalind, I suddenly didn't want them to die quickly. I wanted them to taste the same despair you did. Only then would justice be done for you.

"A mistress is nothing but a lowborn wretch. You brought that wretch to my home and let her slander your wife and beat your wife's sister," I said, looking up at Edward, my lips curling into a half-smile.

"Langley Manor has stood for a hundred years and calls itself a house of honor. My lord, you have truly shown me something today," I added.

Edward glanced at the maids and servants I'd brought, waiting outside the hall. His face went ashen, then flushed red, caught between anger and shame.

So, he did care about his precious reputation after all.

Rosalind, I'd changed my mind.

Vivian screamed, her voice shrill with fury. "Charlotte, you and your sister are just low-born merchant girls. Who are you to judge Lord Edward?"

I let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Maybe Quinn family girls are lowly in station, but at least we'd never lower ourselves to be a cheap mistress."

Vivian was nearly hysterical, clutching Edward's arm. "Merchant girls are all trash, my lord. Rosalind cheated on you, and Charlotte's just as bad. You mustn't marry her."

I locked eyes with Edward and smiled. "Langley Manor is a noble house. The Quinns truly cannot aspire to reach it."