Chapter 98

“Violet should attend our engagement because it is a big deal,” Oliver stated, breaking his silence.

His white suit lent him an air of refined elegance.

“What if she refuses to come?” Emily said, feigning a sweet demeanor. “I sincerely wish she’d come.

Regardless, she is my only sibling. I’m still hoping for her blessings.”

Under her mother’s influence, Emily had gotten skilled at making her falsehoods sound true.

“I’ll speak with her,” Oliver suggested, standing up.

Patrick gave a slight nod in agreement, showing minimal reaction to Oliver’s proposal.

Both Belle and Emily’s expressions changed, but due to Patrick’s presence, they kept their emotions in check.

“It’s getting late. I should go,” Oliver announced, casting a warm look at Emily before saying goodbye to her parents.

“I’ll see you out,” Emily said hurriedly, following beside him.

“Do you really intend to see Violet?” she probed cautiously. “You’ve always had such an aversion to her. Won’t her presence at our engagement upset you?”

“Regardless of my feelings, she’s your sister. I’m aware of the circumstances and will manage my emotions.”

Inside, Emily wished Oliver wouldn’t restrain himself. Ideally, he would confront Violet harshly, prompting her to keep her distance in the future. Better yet, he shouldn’t seek her out at all, nor should she attend the engagement.

“Oliver, there’s something I’ve never mentioned to you.”

Emily halted, biting her lip, embodying the image of a wronged innocent.

“Violet damaged my throat because…she’s been in love with you for ages. Her feelings began even before your accident,” she revealed.

With her face hidden in her hands, she continued, “I’m sorry, Oliver. My love for you made me overlook her emotions. Believing you might not recover, I wanted nothing more than to be by your side. I thought… I thought Violet’s feelings for you have faded since she never visited you. I blame.

+15 BONOS “How could that be your fault? Without you, I’d still be unconscious in the hospital. You’re my lucky star, remember?” Oliver reassured her, enveloping Emily in a comforting embrace.

His voice was tender and deep, and his arms offered solace.

“Emily, don’t worry about others. Just know that I adore you, and that you’re the only person I’ll ever love.”

That was precisely what she wanted to hear.

Emily, still trembling, looked vulnerable and fragile, like a leaf in the wind. “But what about Violet? How do we confront her? She believes I took you from her, oh…!”

“Emily, your heart is too pure. There is no stealing in matters of love, but about choosing whom to be with. My choice is you.”

“Oliver…” Emily embraced him more tightly, her voice filled with relief. “Hearing you say this makes me feel relieved. I really, really love you. I thought of you every day while you were in a coma, hoping you’d wake up. I continued to sing to you, saddened that you couldn’t hear me.”

“Your dedication moved fate itself. I did hear you, my love,” he replied.

Oliver gave her a gentle kiss. They remained in each other’s arms for a long time before parting reluctantly. Oliver entered his car and drove away.

As the car drove away, picking up speed, Oliver felt a tightness in his throat, as if something was suffocating him and making it difficult to breathe.

Violet loved him, so why wasn’t she by his side when he was in a coma? Why hadn’t she been the one to wake him up?

She was unaware of his initial disappointment upon seeing Emily when he woke up, and her claim that she was the one who sang to him during his coma.

Perhaps this disappointment fueled his eagerness to blame Violet for Emily’s predicament. foregoing any investigation.

Emily had been his savior, and he resolved to devote his life to her, to cherish and protect her.

Farewell, Violet! He removed a long–worn necklace and threw it out the window.

For two weeks after Violet’s departure, life at the Imperial Palace had gone on as usual.

Her departure didn’t seem to have much of an impact here, at least on the surface. Lucius went +16 BONOS He rarely lost his fury over food, for George uncovered his culinary preferences and employed a countryside chel known for simple, rustic cooking.

Observing Lucius consistently finishing his meals, George remarked cheerfully, “All credit goes to Ms.

Violet. We never would’ve guessed Master Luclus’s dietary preferences without her insight.”

Realizing his slip of the tongue, George quickly fell silent.

One of the servants shared, “I really miss Ms. Violet. She wasn’t one to cause trouble or put on airs.

Her being here made our work smoother. And the way she handled Regina’s care–a task we all feared–made it look effortless. We were harsh to her at times, but looking back, she was quite pitiful.”

George, in fact, shared this sentiment but kept it to himself.