Chapter 1157

Zoey helped Evelyn drink the herbal soup, then sat with Isaac to hear her story.

“I was deceived,” Evelyn began. “I believed Reverend Lazarus's claim that Seraphina would bring David good luck. David seemed to care deeply for Seraphina. When she fell ill, he was distraught, tirelessly seeking physicians and treatments. But her condition worsened. By the time he was five, he could barely leave his bed.”

Evelyn’s voice faltered, the pain still raw.

“Reverend Lazarus claimed that without intervention, Seraphina wouldn’t live another month. He suggested sending her to the temple at Gravelstone Peak, praying for divine blessing, to give her a chance to live past eighteen. He said her life would be smooth sailing afterward.”

“Grandfather disagreed, dismissing it as nonsense. But David brought Reverend Lazarus to him. I don’t know what transpired, but Grandfather relented, paying the priest three thousand silver coins annually for a supposed blessing or ritual to protect my life.”

Evelyn’s voice rose, fierce.

“It was all a lie! He lied to me, Grandfather, everyone! The ‘priest’ told David that Seraphina was keeping Grandfather alive. As long as she lived, David couldn't inherit, and might even die young. He plotted against Seraphina, tampering with her medicine. Some was poisoned, some neutralized, some weakened her heart and drained her strength. That's why her health deteriorated.”

Her breath hitched, her eyes blazing with hatred.

“How did I find out? After the fire, Reverend Lazarus sought David. They spoke in the study; I was outside, listening. David wronged my child—he should never have done this!”

Evelyn’s fists clenched, her body rigid with fury, the hatred undimmed by time.

Zoey, seeing her anger, suddenly thought of something. “Then… Father’s death?”

“I killed him,” Evelyn said coldly, her eyes icy. There was no hesitation.

Chapter 1158 (Excerpt)

“He killed my son; he had to die. I knew his methods—every bowl of soup he consumed contained a slow-acting poison. It didn’t kill him quickly; he grew weaker, his body failing. Eventually, he was bedridden, never inheriting the title.”

Zoey and Isaac were shocked. Murder was a grave crime. Isaac stared at her, disbelief etched on his face. Zoey, however, felt conflicted. Evelyn had always been devoted to her children, her heart and soul bound to them.

Evelyn took deep breaths, regaining composure.

“Grandfather eventually learned David’s treachery. He named the heir, barring David from succession. David got his punishment—he never obtained the title, not even in death.”

Tears welled in her eyes, her voice breaking. She looked at Isaac with unbearable sorrow.

“I watched him die. I told him I poisoned him. He wanted revenge, but he couldn't. But my child…he’ll never return.”

Evelyn gripped Isaac’s hand, sobbing. “I never knew you were alive… I failed you. I’m so sorry…”

Zoey watched, her heart aching. She had believed her in-laws had a loving relationship, her father-in-law a good man. This…this was beyond comprehension. A father harming his child? Even a beast wouldn't do such a thing. Yet, she questioned whether Evelyn was capable of such an act.

Isaac felt sorrow, but not the overwhelming grief he'd felt earlier. He'd found people who cared. Still, he couldn’t call Evelyn "Mom." That bond had died long ago. His family was his mentor and fellow apprentices at the Pathfinders Guild. He had no other family.