Chapter 0491
+25 BONUS
Serena was three years older than Evangeline, and the two sisters shared a decent relationship. In fact, they were each other’s last remaining family in the world.
Their father had been nothing more than a servant, but his striking looks had caught the eye of their mother, the Empress. What started as a fleeting night of passion resulted in Serena’s birth–and a sudden rise in status for their father.
On the day Serena was born, their father was granted the title of “Consort” and enjoyed a few blissful years by the Empress’s side.
However, as the ruler of a vast empire, the Empress couldn’t remain loyal to just one man. ‘The world was full of attractive suitors, and soon after Evangeline was born, the Empress’s
affections shifted elsewhere.
Their father, consumed by bitterness, blamed everything on Evangeline. He believed she had cursed him and ruined his fortune. His resentment festered, turning into physical and verbal abuse. Beatings and scoldings became part of Evangeline’s daily life, and he even tried to take her life in a murder–suicide attempt.
It was Serena who saved her sister.
But their mother’s love for their father had long since faded, and she barely paid attention to her daughters.
In the cold, ruthless world of the imperial palace, with no one to shield them, Serena and Evangeline lived difficult lives. During those dark days, Serena used her frail body to shield Evangeline from the storms, earning Evangeline’s deep respect and loyalty toward her
elder sister.
Serena’s palace was far more extravagant than Evangeline’s.
When Suzy arrived, Serena looked at her with genuine confusion. “Who are you?”
Suzy’s gaze swept over Serena from head to toe. “You and Evangeline are full–blooded sisters, yet you look nothing alike. Why is that?
Most siblings shared at least a faint resemblance, but the two sisters had none. In contrast, Evangeline bore a striking resemblance to Suzy’s mother–a resemblance that only became more apparent the longer she looked.
Serena frowned, her tone sharp. “Who exactly are you? Did you come here just to spout this nonsense?”
“If you don’t know who I am, let me introduce myself,” Suzy said, walking over to a nearby sofa and casually sitting down. “I’m Suzy Frost Someone hired me to kill your sister, Evangeline.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0491
“What did you say?” Serena’s expression shifted instantly, a mix of caution and genuine concern for Evangeline flashing across her face. “Who sent you to kill sister?”
my
Suzy carefully observed Serena’s reaction, searching for any signs of deceit or guilt. But there was nothing–no subtle tells, no cracks in her composure. If Serena really were involved, no amount of acting could completely mask her reaction.
Suppressing her doubts for the moment, Suzy replied, “You don’t know? I thought you might. After all, if your sister has enemies, surely you’d know a thing or two about them.”
“Helena,” Serena said without hesitation. “Other than Helena, no one has a grudge against my sister. But Helena is already dead. Unless…”
““‘Unless what?” Suzy prompted, leaning forward.
Serena hesitated, glancing at Suzy before finally speaking. “Helena’s lover. Don’t let her reputation for collecting handsome men in the royal harem fool you- there was only one man she truly loved. He was the commander of her shadow guards.
“The two of them grew up together, practically childhood sweethearts. He’d been sent to the palace as her study companion when he was very young. Helena once tried to name him her consort, but the court opposed it vehemently.
“The reason? He wasn’t one of us was because he was a foreigner. His lineage disqualified him from becoming the royal consort. At best, he could only hold the rank of a lowly court
servant.
“But he was proud and unyielding. Instead of staying in the harem and enduring petty jealousy and squabbles, he chose to serve as a shadow guard, protecting Helena at all costs. Despite his low status, Helena loved him above all others. She showered him with everything she could, except the official title of consort.”
