Chapter 184: The Stolen Dowry

+8 Pearls

Prudence's mouth foamed with blood as her breathing grew ragged and uneven. The world swam before her, her vision darkened, and she slipped into unconsciousness. Vance and Priscilla, however, remained indifferent. They continued rummaging through the room, her condition unheeded. They searched high and low, finding nothing. Then, a sudden thought struck Priscilla. Remembering Prudence's solitary trips to the storeroom, she wondered if the old woman had hidden the valuables there. It seemed the perfect hiding place—no one would think to look.

In the Normont Chamber, Matilda had already packed and was helping Michelle and Bryant gather their belongings.

Michelle, furious and hurling insults, snapped, “How could you be so foolish? You’ve completely embarrassed me!”

“What’s the point of saying that now?” Matilda replied, her voice strained with worry. “Hurry and pack. Luckily, your father doesn't know yet. He was arrested first. If he returns and hears about this, the servants will know, and we’ll never escape.”

Matilda’s heart pounded with fear. She hadn’t even known Geoffrey had returned. After their confrontation, she had retreated to her room, devising an escape plan. She realized she had no choice but to leave and take her children with her.

Bryant, drunk and oblivious to the gravity of the situation, thought they were merely preparing for a trip. “Where are we going? We don’t have anything—where can we even go?”

Michelle, her anger escalating, retorted, “I used to be a dignified young lady. Even after being sent back following the divorce, I dreamt of returning to Marquis Velmont’s estate. But now, I’m nothing but an illegitimate daughter. Even if we escape, it won’t be the luxurious life I once knew.”

Bryant burped loudly, looking confused. “Where are we going for a trip? We have no money. But didn’t Grandmother have some? Let’s just ask her.”

Matilda scoffed. “Do you think that old hag will give us anything? Don’t even think about it.”

But suddenly, Michelle’s eyes gleamed. “She won’t give us anything, but we can take it. I saw her lock up a whole jewelry box in the storeroom once.”

Matilda was stunned. “Impossible. Her jewelry is too precious to be kept in the storeroom.”

Michelle moved closer, her voice brimming with excitement. “I’m telling you, I saw her in there, messing with something. When she saw me, she quickly locked the cabinet, but I saw the jewelry box inside.”

Matilda’s eyes narrowed, a predatory gleam appearing. She sneered, “I never thought the old woman would be hiding such valuables. Those pieces—especially from the Sharp family’s dowry—are worth a fortune. If we take just a few, we could sell them and live comfortably.”

“Let’s go. Before Vance and Priscilla realize what we’re up to, we need to grab them first,” Michelle urged, grabbing Bryant’s arm.

Bryant, perked up by the mention of jewelry, jumped up eagerly. “Yes, let’s go!”

The three hurried to the storeroom. Matilda lacked the key to the cabinet, so she yanked at it in frustration. Bryant found a hammer and began to smash the lock. The noise attracted a servant, but Michelle, her face impassive, silenced him.

The frightened servant quickly retreated.

When the cabinet finally yielded, they found a large, beautifully carved wooden jewelry box inside, secured with a heavy lock. Bryant hammered it open. Michelle rushed forward and opened the box, and all three stood frozen in awe.

Inside was a magnificent golden headpiece, gleaming with an almost otherworldly glow. A single glance confirmed its priceless nature.

Matilda disregarded the box’s other contents. The headpiece alone was enough to make her salivate. “I’ve seen Prunella wear this before, at the Queen Mother’s birthday banquet. She wore it when she entered the palace. I heard it was a wedding gift from the Queen Mother, worth a small fortune.”

Matilda touched it, an evil grin spreading across her face. She remembered how, years ago, she had longed to own it. Now, the tables had turned—it was finally hers.

But then, a sharp voice cut through the moment. “What are you doing here?”

They whirled around to see Priscilla storming in, her footsteps quick and furious. Matilda’s heart skipped a beat. She clutched the jewelry box tighter to her chest, her eyes narrowing defensively. Bryant and Michelle positioned themselves protectively in front of her.

Priscilla’s eyes darted to the jewelry box in Matilda’s hands, a sneer curving her lips. “Matilda, don’t touch what isn’t yours. Put it down.”

Matilda hugged the box closer, her smile tight and cold. “This isn’t mine, of course. But it’s not yours either. I’m not taking it for myself. It’s your sister’s; I’m just holding onto it for safekeeping.”

Priscilla scoffed. “Since when did it become your job to ‘safeguard’ things?”

Matilda’s tone turned icy. “If I can’t safeguard it, then neither can you. This belongs to Geoffrey.”

Vance, standing to the side, asked curiously, “What’s in the box?”

“Nothing special,” Matilda said quickly, attempting to cover up. “Just some of Prunella’s old jewelry. Nothing too valuable—just sentimental pieces. Geoffrey needs to keep them.”

Priscilla’s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Sentimental? Don’t make me laugh. Weren’t you the one who stabbed the Sharp family in the back during all that drama? The Sharp family’s downfall wasn’t just their fault—it was partly yours. And now you’re talking about ‘sentimental value’? What, do you have no shame?”

Michelle’s voice was venomous as she shot back, “No one’s more shameless than you, Priscilla. You’ve been freeloading for years, taking what’s not yours, and now you’re trying to steal Geoffrey’s things? Who’s really shameless here?”

Priscilla’s face reddened with fury. She pointed at Michelle, her voice shrill with rage. “You worthless, shameless little wench! Who are you to speak to me like that? You’re just a discarded woman from Marquis Velmont’s estate. The Langley family took pity on you and let you stay, but don’t get too comfortable. If you don’t know your place, I’ll have you thrown out!”

Michelle’s eyes were icy. “You think you can throw me out? Go ahead. Let’s see how far your little threats get you.”

Priscilla’s eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You, Michelle, used to bow and scrape to me. Now that you see some potential benefit, you’ve shown your true colors. But don’t think I’ve forgotten how much you used to grovel. I’m warning all three of you—you’re not part of the Langley family. A slut like you and your two bastard children are to be far removed from the Duke’s…”

She lunged at Matilda, attempting to snatch the jewelry box.

Matilda quickly backed away, darting toward the door, but Vance blocked her path.

“Give it to me.”

The box lay half-open, its gleaming gold catching Vance’s eye. His gaze widened with greed. Without hesitation, he reached for it.

“Get away from me!” Matilda shrieked, backing away in panic. In her haste, she tripped over a pile of clutter in the storeroom and fell to the ground. The jewelry box flew from her arms, landing with a crash. The contents spilled out, scattered across the floor, glinting in the dim light.