When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 1048 A few days later, the rumors finally began to die down.

It was curious how fickle public opinion could be. After the storm of gossip, slander, and outrage, sbegan to look at Skye Embroidery in a new light.

It might be because sagreed with the articles written by those scholars, prompting other academics to interpret the situation more positively.

As one of the storytellers at the Ascension Coffeehouse had put it, Skye Embroidery was, at its core, a lifeline for women cast out of their homes. It wasn't searth-shattering rebellion against morality or societal order. Could it truly be so difficult for anyone to show even a sliver of compassion? However, this line of thinking was shared only by a portion of the populace. Most still withheld their approval, though the vehemence of their opposition had lessened. Cooler heads began to prevail, even if grudgingly.

It was around this tthat Leona, the Duchess of Everpeace, made a shocking move.

She stepped into the halls of Skye Embroidery and declared to the world that she was severing all ties with Harvey. She no longer recognized Harvey as her dad and announced that Skye Embroidery would henceforth be her home.

This decision had not been made on a whim.

When Skye Embroidery had stood empty, with no one willing to take up residence, Leona had already considered moving in. She had discussed the matter several times with Alana and Leah. They had advised against it, saying it would seem too deliberate. They worried it would bring more controversy to the workshop rather than help it.

Even after the recent upheaval, Leona remained steadfast in her resolve. Alana eventually sought counsel from Carissa. Carissa personally met with Leona and had a long and private conversation with her. Afterward, Carissa gave her blessing-on the condition that Leona publicly disavowed her ties to Harvey.

Since trouble was bound to cfrom Harvey, severing their father-daughter relationship would ensure Leona wouldn't be implicated in the future.

Leona hadn't made her decision with such practicalities in mind. Many things remained outside her awareness, but her parents' actions or lack thereof-had left her heart cold.

When she had fallen into trouble, her parents had turned their backs on her. When her grandfather faced tribulations, they still didn't care or even visit him once.

After enduring her tumultuous marriage to Samuel, Leona had cto understand that srelationships could not be forced. Love was like that, and so was family. To force affection where it did not exist only led to pain for everyone involved. Letting go was better 1/3 Chapter 1048 -for herself, and for them.

+25 BONUS Back at Ironridge Estate, Leopold had Serena, tearful and hysterical, sent back to her family. Once she was gone, he dispatched someone to fetch Jessica.

At Skye Embroidery, Violet and Hannah were assisting Leona in settling in when the new steward from Ironridge Estate arrived to escort Jessica back. Seeing this, they assumed Jessica would be overjoyed to return.

Jessica had once been so desperate that she swallowed her pride and begged to stay at Skye Embroidery. Now that she had the chance to return as the Marchioness of Ironridge, everyone assumed she would leave triumphantly. Perhaps, she might even sneer at those she left behind before striding out the gates.

Yet there she was, sitting on the stone steps in the main courtyard. Her arms were wrapped around her knees, and she was staring blankly ahead. She hadn't said a word about leaving.

Leona approached and settled beside her cousin. "Jessica, why aren't you going?" Jessica turned to her with confused eyes. “Going? Where would I go?” "Back to Ironridge Estate-to take your place as the Marquis of Ironridge's wife," Leona said gently.

Jessica didn't reply. Instead, she absentmindedly pulled a tiny sprig of grass stubbornly growing from a crack in the stone. She tugged at it a few times, but it wouldn't budge. In her struggle, the sharp edge of the grass cut her finger. A drop of blood fell on the weathered stone.

She stared at her hand, then back at the small blade of grass, transfixed by its resilience.

"Oh no, you're bleeding!" Leona exclaimed softly.

Selma quickly stepped forward with a handkerchief and wrapped it around Jessica's finger. "What were you thinking? That grass wasn't bothering anyone. Why tear at it like that?"

Her tone was sharp, as it often was when addressing Jessica. From the day Jessica arrived at the workshop, Selma treated her coldly.

In the beginning, Jessica had hated Selma for it. She hadn't just hated Selma-she had hated Hannah, the workshop itself, every last twig and stone in the workshop. She especially despised the broom, a symbol of the labor she had been forced to do just to earn her meals. And yet, now, she could start a fire with ease. Who would believe it?

"Go on," Selma urged. "Go back to your life. The steward has been m waiting outside for Are you you putting on airs again? How many times must I remind you-be practical and ages.

2/3 Chapter 1048 efficient?" +25 BONUS