The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 47 The Real Culprit

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48 Pearts

Ryker fell to his knees, his entire body trembling as he spoke This Montlins Manor-when Michelle was married,

she asked Mrs. Langley for it, claiming that the Velmont family had fallen on hard times and needed the estate to

sustain them. But Isolde later demanded it back. In desperation, Michelle cto m and together, we conspired

with the manor’s staff to frIsolde for assault. The plan was to have her locked away for a few years:

Eleanor. Eleanor had no idea. She wasn’t in on the plot. She didn’t think to be wary and was pushed into the

water by Michelle. But in her shock and panic, she thought it was Isolde who did it. Randy tried to save her, but

in the chaos, he startled Isolde’s dog, which delayed the rescue. It nearly cost both their lives”

Geoffrey let out a low, bitter laugh. “Brilliant,” he said coldly. “A truly magnificent scheme.”

His gaze snapped to Milton, his voice sharp as a blade.

“You knew nothing of this?”

Milton scoffed. “If | had, do you think Eleanor would have lost her child?

“I didn’t know either. Matilda added, her voice laced with forced indignation.

Oliver cast a glance at Isolde, his expression unreadable, before speaking.

“Since there’s no longer a need to take this case to the Southern Watch, let's have all witnesses give their

testimony again.”

And just 1

like that, under the weight of Ryker’s confession, every witness began to change their story.

The noble ladies now claimed they hadn't actually seen or heard much-only a scream, most likely the moment

Eleanor was pushed into the water by Michelle.

The maids and servants who had accompanied them split their statements-Eleanor’s people claimed they saw

Michelle push her, while Michelle's people conveniently “didn’t see anything.”

As for Isolde, it was now unanimously agreed that she had jumped into the water to save Eleanor but, being

unable to swim, had accidentally dragged Michelle under in her panic.

The swiftness of these changes was no coincidence. The mere mention of the Southern Watch was enough to

make them all fall in line. And with Ryker’s confession, the case was sealed. Milton and Matilda may have

appeared uninvolved, but Geoffrey saw the truth as clear as day.

Milton had meddled in his family’s affairs-tand tagain, never hesitating to resort to underhanded

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means.

Turning, Geoffrey fixed Michelle with an icy stare. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Michelle lifted her head slowly, her scarred face twisted into something ugly and bitter. A chilling smile tugged at

her lips.

“Of course, | have something to say,” she sneered. “I called Prunella’s mother just as Isolde did. So why was her

dowry left only to her? | am also a daughter of the Duke’s estate. What right did she have to claim this manor for

herself?”

Samiyabh, realizing her family had escaped blame, seized the chance to prove their innocence before

Chahunand forumed stribine Michelle hord seener the fire not anda hur multinle rimar

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13:45 sat, 8 Mar

Chapter 47 The Rent Chilpirit

Deads

“You ungrateful wretch!” she spat. “Milton and Eleanor treated you like family, and this is how you repay them?

You used them? You caused Eleanor to lose her chiME

Michelle's lip twitched as her battered face grew taut with suppressed rage. Her fists clenched rightly at her

sides.

Isolde had been watching her carefully, but she knew-Michelle wouldn't lash out now.

Michelle was far more calculating than even Milton.

She understood that if she bore the full brunt of the blame, Milton would owe her.

And she would hold leverage over him forever.

Isolde lowered her gaze, smiling faintly. Trying toMilton to rise again! How unfortunate. Milton would soon be

unable to protect even himself.

William, seeing the murderous gleam in Michelle's eyes, remembered how his child had been lost because of her.

He surged forward in a blind rage, ready to strike her down.

But Margaret caught him by the sleeve. “Let’s go,” she said simply.

She understood better than anyone the tangled web of schemes that had led them here.

Milton and Eleanor had used her. This had all been orchestrated from the start-once the child was lost, they had

feared Margaret would not acknowledge Eleanor. So they had arranged for her to be summoned here, to leave

her no choice.

Now, whether she wanted to or not, she had to accept Eleanor into the family.

Margaret and William left without another word. The other noble families followed, slipping away one by

one.

Matilda reached out to tug on Geoffrey's sleeve, but he shook her off with a scornful glare. “You know exactly

what you've done,” he said coldly. “We'll settle this when we get home.”

She staggered back, barely catching herself. Her eyes darted desperately to Milton, silently pleading for his

support.

But Milton did nothing. Instead, he turned to Isolde, his face slipping back into the familiar mask of sincerity.

“Isolde,” he said, voice heavy with remorse. “I wronged you. Surely, you don’t hold it against me?”

He acted as if nothing had happened, as if every word Ryker had spoken was the undeniable truth. His gaze was

laced with remorse, thick with guilt-so much so that anyone who saw him would have believed he was truly

repentant.

Isolde lowered herself into a formal curtsy, her voice distant, indifferent. “You overstate the matter.”

Samiyah, however, bristled with anger. “What kind of attitude is that? Disrespect towardis defiance against

your own blood. That is unfilial.”

Isolde did not even lift her gaze. “You should leave. Take your daughter with you and ensure she receives proper

care. A miscarriage left untreated... may cost her the ability to bear children in the future.”

“You dare curse Eleanor?!” Samiyah shrieked, her fury igniting. “I'll rip that mouth of yours apart!”

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Chapter 47 The Real Culprit

With that, she lunged. hands poised to strike

+ Pearls

But before she could close the distance, Isolde’s head snapped up. “Try touching me,” she said, her voice like a

deathly chill

Samiyah froze. This wretched girl-this girl

Who lund just moments ago been feigning weakness-hard

transformed into something cold, untouchable, and unshakable.

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But Samiyah was not one to cower easily. Stamping down her momentary hesitation, she scoffed. And what of it?

Can | not discipline you?”

From the shadows of the room, a voice-steady, low, and lethal-broke the tension. “If | am here, Doug finally

spoke, his words gliding through the silence like the edge of a knife, “who dares lay a hand on her?”

Samiyah'’s teeth clenched. She loathed Doug with every fiber of her being, but she was not fool enough to openly

defy him. Still, she could not help herself.

“Doug,” she snapped, you meddle in everything-will you now interfere in a matter between parent and child? Or

do you claim dominion over family affairs too?”

Doug's expression remained unreadable, his voice devoid of emotion. “The business of the Blackwell family?

That is yours to handle,” he said coolly. “But if you wish to strike her, then yes. That, | will interfere with.

Samiyah reeled back, stunned. Her voice rose into a near-hysterical pitch. “Why-why would

this little wretch?!”

The moment the words left her lips, Doug's face darkened like a storm rolling in.

Something flashed through the air-swift, precise-followed by two crisp, resounding slaps.

you defend

A stunned silence fell over the room. Samiyah’s face burned, her lips swollen almost instantly. Casually, as if

nothing had happened, he was slipping a boot back onto his foot, his fingers working the leather with unhurried

precision. “A small punishment, he murmured, his voice detached, “so you might learn that words have

consequences.”

The weight of his words crushed the room. Then, the shock wore off, and Samiyah erupted into sobs-loud.

wretched wails of humiliation and fury.

Milton watched the scene unfold, his mind spinning. Since when-when had Isolde gained Doug's favor? Since

when had she, of all people, secured the protection of him?

But this was not the tto linger. He had already lost all face here. Silently, he turned to leave.

But before he could escape, Oliver's voice-calm, deliberate-cut through the air. “Milton,” he said, his tone

deceptively mild. “Now that the truth is out... your daughter was harmed by Michelle.”

Milton did not let him finish. “This is a family matter,” he said stiffly. “No need to trouble the courts. We will

handle it within our own walls.”

Oliver's lips pressed into a thin line. “Oh?” he said, tilting his head slightly. “Had Isolde said the searlier, we

would have saved everyone a great deal of trouble.

A sickly pallor overtook Geoffrey's face.

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The Swordswoman'’s Revenge Story after Rebirth