The Slave Queen - Chapter 108: Chapter 108

What they overlooked was that Grant Weber, under the pretense of vindicating Julia, had already utterly sealed her fate.
Seething with anger, Hugo slammed his fist on the table again.
At that moment, doubts crept into his mind. 'Does Mr. Weber really like Julia, or is he just trying to humiliate her?'
Hearing the conversation between her father and brother, Julia's sobs intensified.
Just yesterday, ordinary citizens came forward and identified Raelynn as the true benefactor.
Even if they claim those three were merely planted witnesses Raelynn hired, thousands of citizens in Hazond City saw Raelynn at the Reformed Church.
They couldn't possibly allege that Raelynn bribed every single one of them.
If word of this reachd the king, the Duke's estate would truly be in grave danger.
But there was no way Julia could just endure this humiliation.
Hearing Julia sobbing, Cecilia felt her heart ache even more.
Unable to hold back, she muttered under her breath, "Raelynn always has to turn everything into a battle of right and wrong. We're family. Why does she have to be so particular about every little detail?"
Then she turned to Gabriel. "Gabriel, what do you think we should do about this?
"Julia's reputation is at stake!"
However, Cecilia, who was entirely focused on Julia, never stopped to consider one thing. If they stepped in to clear Julia's name, Raelynn would become the target of public condemnation instead.
Gabriel shook his head at her question. "I'm at a loss, Mother. Raelynn's move was downright vicious.
"For some petty reputation. she's putting our entire Duke's estate through the wringer!'
Unable to hold back, he finally let out a curse.
At the same time, a dull ache lingered on both cheeks.
Last night, in the howling snowstorm, Raelynn's merciless slap struck his face and pierced his heart.
He never imagined that the sister he'd once doted on, the very one who had braved Mount Darost to find him a healer, would one day raise her hand against him.
A whirlwind of conflicting emotions swirled within Gabriel.
After returning last night, he spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Thinking back to her cold, determined gaze, and the way she was so gentle with Shawn, Garbiel just couldn't stand it.
He thought. 'How dare she? I'm her brother. Yet she smiles at an outsider.'
All night, Gabriel was tormented by these conflicting emotions.
Just before dawn, Gabriel finally made up his mind.
'I'm going to break her of this attitude once and for all,' he told himself.
Gabriel thought, 'Isn't she only acting so insolent toward me because Shawn's got her back?
'Well then, let's just make sure she loses that powerful ally for good.
'I may not be able to do anything to Shawn, but that doesn't mean I can't deal with Raelynn.
'Besides, I know better than anyone just how compassionate Raelynn truly is.
'All those times she showed me care and concern, none of that was ever fake.
'Conveniently, Julia truly loves Shawn. So why not just let her marry him, while Raelynn stays with Ian as before?
'Back then, before Raelynn entered the palace, her feelings for Ian ran deep.
'I'm certain she still carries a torch for him.
'She formed an alliance with Shawn and always tried to make things difficult for Julia and me. Isn't it all just because she's jealous that Ian has moved on and fallen for Julia?
'Well then, I'll just have to correct this mistake.
'Besides, I've always wanted to curry favor with Shawn. Instead of relying on Julia and going through Ian to get close to him, why not just cut straight to the chase? If Julia marries Shawn, it'll be much easier for me to ask for favors than if Raelynn were the one to marry him.'
Gabriel found a sliver of comfort after thinking it through.
After some deliberation, Gabriel finally laid out his plan.
Hearing his words, everyone in the room fell silent for a moment.
Hugo was carefully assessing the viability of this arrangement.
On the other hand Cecilia weighed the options carefully. While this arrangement would benefit Julia, she couldn't help but wonder if it would inflict more damage upon Raelynn.
Only Julia, upon hearing Gabriel's plan, was so thrilled she nearly jumped for joy.
All traces of her earlier distress and anger vanished instantly.
Julia wondered excitedly, 'Was last night's dream actually prophetic? Does this mean I'll truly become Lord Shaw's wife and finally trample Raelynn completely underfoot?'
After a brief pause, Hugo nodded decisively. "Julia has suffered such injustice. Making her marry Lord Shawn would be proper compensation. Gabriel, it's settled. Now, do you have a concrete plan?"
After all, Shawn was the current Prime Minister and the Emperor's most trusted confidant.
Despite how deeply the Emperor had loathed Raelynn over the years, he remained conspicuously silent upon hearing of her impending marriage to Shawn.
It seemed that he was giving his tacit approval to this union.
This spoke volumes about Shawn's standing with the king.
If Julia could marry Shawn and gain his patronage, not only would she enjoy a blissful and prosperous life for the rest of her days, but the entire Duke's estate would also share in the benefits of this prestigious alliance.