The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 183: Chapter 183

"Eliza, do you even have a conscience?" Matthew leapt down from the carriage and stormed straight up to her, unleashing his fury without restraint.
"How could you kill so many shadow guards? They were our people! Do you have any idea what you've done? Father's been sick with rage because of you!"
"I don't know, and I don't care," Eliza said flatly, not even sparing him a full glance.
"You really are heartless," Matthew snapped.
"I'm heartless?" Eliza gave a cold laugh. "Then what does that make Sophie? A saint? Don't forget, even you tried to poison her—you absolute scum."
"I did it because I wanted to," Matthew shot back, his eyes burning. "And if it weren't for you, Sophie would never have turned on me!"
"Oh, you idiot," Eliza muttered.
She turned to leave, but Matthew blocked her path. "Where do you think you're going? Tell me—did you hide Sophie? Where is she? Bring her back to me, now!"
"I told you already—I don't know. And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you," she snapped, her patience wearing thin. "If you're so desperate to find her, go look for her yourself. I'm not your answer."
Matthew clenched his jaw so tight it looked like his teeth might shatter. "Don't think I won't lay a hand on you just because someone powerful's backing you now."
Before he could finish, Eliza slapped him hard across the face. She raised her chin and stared him down, eyes glinting with defiance. "Too late. I already laid a hand on you. What now? You gonna hit me back? Go on—try me."
Matthew's hand shot up, trembling with fury—but in the end, he let it fall.
Eliza sneered. "So, you've finally learned your place. About time, too. Because if you try anything stupid again, the whole Stonor family can rot in prison together."
"You're getting too full of yourself, Eliza," Matthew hissed.
"Too bad. I like being full of myself."
With that, she shoved past him and headed downhill, leaving Matthew standing at the roadside, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked.
"Idiot. Moron. Brain-dead lunatic," Eliza grumbled as she walked, her anger still simmering. "You're just as useless as that fool Caleb."
She kept cursing under her breath until the fire in her chest finally died down. Only then did she pick up her pace, making her way toward Hasen City.
Before long, a slow-moving ox cart rumbled up the path.
"Eliza!"
The driver was a villager from nearby, someone who often ferried the nuns of Saint Grace Nunnery into town. He waved warmly from the front of the cart. "Headed to Hasen City again? Hop in."
Eliza didn't refuse. She pulled out a few coins and handed them over. "Thanks."
"Oh come on now," the driver, Jackson Hunt, chuckled. "You folks are always so polite. It's on the way—no need to pay every time."
Eliza smiled. "Mary's strict. If I don't pay, I'll get scolded when I get back. So please—just take it."
She wouldn't actually be scolded, but it was only fair to give what was due.
Jackson laughed and finally accepted the coins. "Well, can't have you getting in trouble over this."
Noticing how clean and neat Eliza looked, he instinctively wiped his hands on his shirt before taking the money. As the cart rolled on, they chatted now and then—Jackson being a man who loved a good talk.
"So what're you heading into the city for today?" he asked. "If it's along the way, I'll drop you off."
"I'm just going to pick up some supplies for planting medicinal herbs," Eliza replied.
"Ah, now that's a good trade," Jackson nodded. "Heard you can make decent money growing the right ones."
He perked up, clearly delighted by the topic. "There's this old man in Vonalo Village near us, real legend when it comes to herbs. People've tried to hire him for crazy money just to help them grow stuff, but he won't budge. Says he's too old, doesn't want the fuss—just grows his own and sells a little here and there."
Eliza's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of herbs does he grow?"
"Loads," Jackson said, then lowered his voice, as if sharing a great secret. "They say he even grew ginseng."
"Seriously?" Eliza's eyes widened. "That's impressive."
"Right? I've never seen it myself, but folks in Vonalo Village swear it's true," Jackson said earnestly. "I mean, think about it—why would all those rich folks go knocking on his door if he was just growing common herbs? Makes sense, doesn't it?"
Eliza had to admit, he had a point. She leaned forward with interest. "What's his name? Where exactly does he live in Vonalo Village?"
She asked until she'd gotten every detail straight, then made a mental note to visit the old man once she got back.
Later, when they arrived in Hasen City, Eliza first picked up some tools for cultivating herbs.
She strolled through alleys and markets, tucking each item away into her pocket farm as she went.
Next, she headed to a library, hoping to find books on herbal cultivation.
But to her disappointment, she scoured the entire place without finding even a single volume on the subject.
"Eliza. Long time no see."
She turned around. Standing not far off was Isabelle, with her maid in tow, looking like she'd been waiting there just for her.