Chapter 7
Gideon dragged her back to the main hall.
I was already sitting at the head of the room, watching her pathetic state.
She was still wearing the same pale pink dress from when she tried to run off with Luke-only now it was caked in dirt and looked more like a sack of ashes.
I was in the high-backed chair, and she was dumped on the floor like a filthy rag.
“Evelyn, I heard the General’s alive-is that true?”
I stood up and slapped her across the face.
“He’s alive and stronger than ever. How dare you curse him, you venomous snake.”
She stared at me like she couldn’t believe it.
“You bitch. I’m the real Lady of the House.”
You’re nothing but a cheap little whore! If you and your thugs hadn’t knocked me out, I’d be married to the General right now.”
Gideon stepped forward, disgusted by her nonsense.
He was ready to toss her right back out.
Ever since I dragged the General back from death’s doorstep, the whole estate had treated me with a new kind of respect.
Just then, the General returned.
He walked into the courtyard, hearing all the shouting.
“What the hell is going on here? This is no way to run a noble house.”
Seraphina saw him and leapt toward him like he was her savior.
She tried to yank herself free of Gideon, and in the struggle, her dress tore-revealing her shoulder, covered in angry red welts and cuts.
In my past life, she did the same thing.
showed off her injuries, claimed I was the one who’d done it.
The General was horrified then, thinking I was a monster.
He didn’t even ask questions-just had me beaten to death.
But this time-he looked her straight in the eye… and kicked her to the ground.
Then he walked over and pulled me into his arms.
My lady-was this the maid you picked up from the slavers’ market? She’s got the look of a thief and a liar. She can’t stay here.”
Seraphina looked like she’d been struck by lightning.
Barely a month had passed, and somehow I’d turned the General into putty in my hands.
She still couldn’t believe it.
Her mind was spinning-
She’d been sold off by Luke to a butcher for a few silver coins, and I was now in her rightful place.
“General, I was the one chosen by the King for you.”
She only came back because she somehow found out you were still alive.”
She knocked me out and sold me to that man.”
Please, let’s go see my father-he can confirm everything I’m saying!”
But the General didn’t buy a single word of it.
He told Gideon to fetch a broker and have her sold.
But I stopped him,
I had a better idea-selling her off wouldn’t even scratch the surface of what I wanted.
I whispered my plan to him.
He didn’t like it at first, but after a little coaxing and sweet talk…
He gave in.
