The Slave Queen - Chapter 72: Chapter 72

Margot watched as Verda apologized to her with desperate abandon, yet her typically benevolent face showed no trace of emotion.
Margot had never been foolishly kind.
Just a moment ago, Verda dared to insult Raelynn. Now, she pleading tearfully in terror for her own ruined future. Margot felt not a shred of sympathy in this situation.
Margot thought coldly, 'If someone has done wrong, they must pay the price.
'Her pitiful display of remorse is nothing more than regret that her misdeeds have been exposed. It is not genuine guilt.
'I deserve every one of these apologies!'
Even if rumors later spread that she was using her seniority to bully a young girl in public, Margot would still demand justice for Raelynn, no matter what.
Raelynn also remained impassive.
She knew that Verda was just Julia's pawn.
Raelynn thought, 'Verda has come here today to utterly ruin me.
'Seriously, how dare she try to help Julia snatch Shawn away from me?
'What a joke!
'Even if I don't want him, I'd never in a million years let the likes of Julia lay a finger on him!'
By now, the commotion had already drawn quite a crowd.
The annual Ice Party was always a prime occasion in Hazond City's social season. Many people from wealthy and influential families attended it regularly.
The Ice Party always culminated in numerous matches between noble heirs, which was precisely why all the great families of Hazond City held this annual event in such high regard.
At this traditionally joyous Ice Party, it was truly extraordinary to see someone actually kneeling before an elderly lady in full public view.
Since these young ladies were all daughters of prominent officials in Hazond City, many recognized them immediately.
Burning with shame, Trina, Lark, and the others wished the ground would swallow them whole.
Trina and the others thought bitterly, 'We were only following our families' orders to socialize with Julia since she has earned such a good reputation among the civilians. How did we end up becoming the object of everyone's public scorn?'
Trina became even angrier with Julia and Verda.
She used to be on good terms with Julia.
But later, Trina realized Julia was constantly two-faced. Julia could even be shockingly arrogant and cruel. So Trina gradually distanced herself from Julia.
Trina thought, 'Damn it! I should've known that getting involved with Julia would only bring me trouble.
'Once I get home today, I'm definitely telling Father everything about this. That way, I'll never have to suck up to Julia again!'
Moreover, Trina recalled having accompanied her parents to meet Margot on several occasions in the past.
Trina thought to herself, 'Mrs. Lennox is a woman of unwavering principles. She loathes evil with a passion and always metes out rewards and punishments with absolute fairness.
'If Margot favors Raelynn but dislikes Julia, then Julia definitely isn't the saintly image she projects.
'Anyway, I'll just keep my distance. The Ward family hasn't fallen so low as to grovel at anyone's feet.'
With her mind made up, Trina's look at Julia shifted. It was filled with resentment.
Perhaps Trina's gaze was so openly hostile that Julia couldn't help but notice.
Julia glanced back at Trina, and an inexplicable sense of dread washed over her.
Sure enough, in the next instant, Margot's voice rang out with indisputable authority.
Margot declared, "Since everyone is gathered here today, I shall set the record straight before you all!
"As you all must have heard, in recent days the Duke's estate has been establishing soup kitchens for charity at the Reformed Church in the suburbs, and has even invited the renowned physician Dr. Coventry to provide free medical consultations for the impoverished."
As soon as she finished speaking, voices from the crowd immediately chimed in.
A person said, "Yes, we've all heard about it!"
Another said, "Lady Julia is truly kind-hearted, serving the country and its people so selflessly. Even the King has praised her for it."
Someone else said, "Our families have told us about it!"
The onlookers were all young, but they certainly weren't clueless about what was going on around them.
Hearing Margot's words, the young crowd felt obliged to show their respect.
Julia locked her eyes on Margot, instinctively willing her to stop.
Julia had a sinking feeling. Whatever Margot was about to say next would drag her down into an abyss of ruin.
But by now, Julia realized she couldn't even muster the strength to stop her.
Julia could only watch as Margot began to speak, each word unveiling the meticulously crafted rumors she had painstakingly spread.
Margot scoffed coldly when she heard the crowd praising Julia's so-called charity work.
Margot declared, "Let me make this clear. It was Raelynn who battled through a snowstorm that night to climb Mount Darost and bring Dr. Coventry to treat me. If it weren't for Raelynn's timely help, I would have perished two weeks ago!"
The reason her condition took such a drastic turn for the worse was all because of Julia.
Knowing full well that Margot was attending the Ice Party, Julia still had the audacity to spread those rumors, clearly hoping to drive Margot to her grave.
However, this family scandal wasn't something that should be revealed in public.
After all, Julia was still Hugo's daughter.
Margot thought, 'Utterly ruining Julia's reputation would do Raelynn no good at all when it comes to her future marriage prospects.'
She could care less about the reputations of the Duke's estate or Julia, but she couldn't expose Raelynn to public scrutiny.
So with that in mind, Margot merely cast Julia one icy glance.