Chapter 1179

Vera quickly pressed her hand over Jocelyn's mouth. "Stop shouting such nonsense! How dare you speak so vulgarly? If those words reach your uncle's ears, he'll scold you severely." The Quinton family upheld strict traditions; every action and word from the younger generation had to be proper.

Jocelyn shook her head, slapping Vera's hand away. "How can he criticize us when his own behavior is so dishonorable? I don't fear him anymore!"

"Enough!" Vera scolded sharply. "You're being childish. Others may criticize your uncle's past, but we've protected him all this time. Remember, he's still the Civil Minister, and his son-in-law is the king. Many people's careers depend on him—don't forget that!"

Jocelyn sniffled, pouting silently, no longer daring to speak ill of her elders. "I just can't stand General Farrell! He's weak and cowardly. His wife had an affair, causing a huge scandal, yet he says nothing."

"This is the queen's decision," Vera replied calmly, applying medicine to her daughter's wound. She then carefully explained the differences between marrying Hubert and Thomas.

Jocelyn, though admiring Kylie, disagreed. Kylie's recent mention of Thomas had seemed odd. She asked, "Did General Farrell speak to the king about this? Does the Farrell family truly believe they can marry into ours? They should know their place! I can't stand those military men; they're smelly, shabby, and rough!"

Understanding her daughter's stubbornness, Vera, realizing she couldn't convince Jocelyn, dropped the matter. After all, Victoria's approval was still needed. They could discuss it again later.

However, Jocelyn remained furious. Returning to Gracewood Women's Academy, she told Hailey and the others about Thomas's audacity in considering marriage, ridiculing him relentlessly. Hailey, finding the situation humorous, spread the story. Some students laughed, but others, revering Thomas's wartime bravery and heroic status in Starhaven, considered her words insulting. A heated argument ensued, with some students remaining indifferent, merely observing the spectacle.

The argument escalated; young women hurled books, paper, and quills, creating chaos. When Athena arrived, ruler in hand, Jocelyn had already struck another student.

The victim was Courtney Prince, Zoey's daughter and Thomas's former niece-in-law. Courtney, initially silent—warned by her mother to avoid trouble—finally spoke up to defend Thomas, suggesting Jocelyn simply reject the proposal if she disliked him.

What truly enraged Jocelyn was Courtney's subsequent remark: "I haven't heard anything about your families discussing an engagement. Perhaps you're spreading rumors? How could General Farrell possibly be interested in you?"

This implied Thomas wouldn't consider her, a serious insult. Jocelyn, without hesitation, slapped Courtney.

Athena entered the scene, seized Jocelyn's hand, and declared sternly, "How dare you strike another student? Such behavior disgraces both your family and Gracewood Women's Academy!"

Jocelyn, still smarting from previous punishment, feared Athena but felt aggrieved, her eyes welling. "She provoked me! She started it! I did nothing to her!"

Athena examined Courtney's scratched cheek, her anger intensifying. "There's no excuse for striking anyone. If her words offended you, you should have sought a teacher. Gracewood is for learning, not violence. This will be dealt with severely."