Became A Queen After divorce

“Aunt… Aunt?!”

Libby stared incredulously at the person in front of her. During their time together, her aunt had treated her like a daughter, even more so than her own daughter, Pearl. But now, the first person to punish her was the one she respected the most.

Natalia suppressed her inner turmoil, her elegant and dignified face filled with disappointment.

“Libby, despite how well I’ve treated you, you actually tried to kill my daughter! Pearl is your blood-related sister!”

Libby felt a wave of hypocrisy from Natalia’s accusations. Natalia had often hinted that Pearl was not as filial or capable as she was, always expressing disdain and disappointment towards her own daughter. Without her encouragement, how could Libby have dared to make an attempt on Pearl’s life?

“Hmph! Aunt, are you really angry because I tried to hurt Pearl?”

Afraid that Libby might reveal other secrets, Natalia quickly interrupted her, her tone softening considerably.

“Of course, no matter what, she is my daughter.”

“Libby, apologize to your godfather and sister so that your aunt can forgive you.”

Declan understood the situation clearly now. Natalia’s slap earlier was just a ruse to soften Pearl’s heart.

“Pearl, what do you think about this? Your father respects your decision.”

Caught off guard by her father’s question, Pearl stood there, unsure of what to do. She didn’t want Libby dead, after all, she was her cousin. If Libby died, her mother would be heartbroken.

At this moment, Natalia spoke again, pleading for her niece:

“Pearl, your sister only made a mistake in a moment of confusion.”

“Forgive her this time, please. I promised your uncle to take good care of his daughter, and I’ve failed. If something happens to Libby, how will I face him in the nether world?”

As she spoke, Natalia held Pearl’s shoulders, crying bitterly.

“Mommy…”

Pearl’s tears flowed silently as she embraced her mother. After several seconds, she bit her lip and squeezed out a few words with difficulty. “Alright, I’ll forgive her this once.”

Hearing this, Natalia wiped her tears and looked at Pearl with joy. “Thank you, Pearl. You’re indeed a kind-hearted and forgiving child.”

“Your sister is getting married to Duke Austen in a few days. You wouldn’t want this to escalate and ruin her marriage, right?”

Her words implied that no one should spread tonight’s events, including Pearl, the victim.

“Yes,” Pearl agreed, but she had an additional demand.

“What do you want? I’ll agree to anything you say!” Natalia promised.

Under everyone’s gaze, Pearl announced, “I want her to kneel and apologize at Ruth’s grave!”

Kneeling and apologizing? For Libby, this was worse than losing her life. She had only ever knelt to Declan.

“No way, I would rather die than kneel and apologize! Why should I? She’s just a lowly whore!”

Speaking ill of the dead completely enraged Pearl, who, usually gentle, shouted angrily at Libby.

“Because you killed her!”

“I didn’t, it was Lord Parker who killed her. Don’t accuse me.”

The thought of Ruth suffocating to death in cement pained Pearl. She pulled out a recording device from her sleeve.

“Don’t try to deny it. I’ve recorded every word you said. If you don’t do as I say, I’ll make the recording public!”

Her preparation surprised everyone present. Libby doubted the recording’s authenticity. Pearl, known for being naive, had secretly recorded their conversation. This cunning was not her usual behavior, indicating someone else was guiding her. It had to be either Sam or Declan.

If the recording were made public, Libby’s painstakingly built image would be ruined, and her forces would turn against her. Weighing the pros and cons, Libby reluctantly agreed.

“Fine, I’ll apologize! Give me the recording device.”

“Not so fast. I’ll give it to you after you kneel and apologize at Ruth’s grave. Otherwise, how can I trust you won’t go back on your word?”

Pearl didn’t trust Libby’s character.

“You! Pearl, you’re underestimating me. I’m a small leader in the Gilliam family; I keep my word.”

Declan felt compelled to speak up when the Gilliam family was mentioned.

“From now on, Sam will handle the gang’s matters. You focus on preparing for your engagement party.”

His cold voice echoed in the night, decisive and irrefutable.

“Daddy! I know I’ve made a mistake, and Pearl has forgiven me. Why are you still taking away my power?”

Libby, who had held back her tears until now, finally broke down, her eyes filled with disappointment.

“You never treated me like this before Pearl came back. Am I really so much less important to you than she is?”NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Seeing her so heartbroken, Natalia couldn’t help but pat her shoulder in comfort.

“Stop crying, Libby.”

Declan decided to reveal his true feelings.

“Of course, you’re no match for Pearl. I don’t judge the younger generation by their abilities but by their filial piety.”

“You grew up by my side, so you resemble me the most-ambitious, ruthless, selfish… I even dislike myself, so how could I like you?”

“Pearl is different. Not only is she my biological daughter, but she also has more filial piety than you.”

His health was not as good as it appeared. He often felt chest tightness and coughed when alone. Yet, despite smoking for decades, Libby never noticed, while Pearl did on the second day after meeting him and earnestly advised him to quit.

This is the difference between a biological child and an adopted one. Libby always wanted the empire he built; Pearl treated him as a simple father.

That is their biggest difference!