"Pap!" Harper's words were cut off by a hard slap on her face. Evelina's eyes were red with rage as she glared at this unruly younger sister of her's. Harper stared at the face before her before slowly curling her lips to form a grin. It was only then did Evelina realize the sounds of footsteps approaching.

Evelina's heart shook and she immediately realized what was about to happen. She was actually tricked! Harper was purposely provoking her! Evelina panicked but there was nothing she could do as she had already fallen into a trap.

"Let's see how you like it when the victim act is against you this time." Harper smirked and moved into position. She sat down on the ground, as if she had been pushed, and held her swelling red cheek while she let her tears stream down her face. She had watched Evelina perform this act many times, thus she knew exactly what to do.

"Lady Harper!" Alice exclaimed in shock as she helped Harper up and supported her. Evelina and Harper have been away for some time thus they all grew curious and decided to see what was going on, they didn't expect...

"Evelina, what did you do!?" Rienne glared at Evelina with disgust.

"Lady Evelina, please explain." Lilith said with a cold expression on her face. Evelina knew Lilith was a part of Harper's little scheme, they were setting this all up to put her in a difficult situation and if she didn't act properly, this will damage other's view of her greatly. She knew this but she wasn't sure what she should do. Tell them the truth? But it's unlikely they will believe her. Make up a lie? They still won't believe her! Confess? That won't help her at all! Evelina really was backed up against a wall and there was no way to turn to...

Everyone present confirmed the speculations in their mind at Evelina's strange silence. What was on their mind is clear to anyone. Evelina and Harper were secluded from the rest, when they arrived, Harper laid on the ground, tears shedding down her fair face and Evelina was the only one standing, what couldn't be clear about this situation? It's not possible that Harper slapped herself and fell onto the ground willingly, right? In their minds, the whole situation was put together very quickly but most were still stunned. They all never liked Evelina but they didn't expect for her to harm such an innocent pure maiden like lady Harper!

"I see. If you are not going to explain what exactly happened, then I shall view this situation how I think it went about. Lady Evelina, you slapped Lady Harper and pushed her down because of anger? I didn't expect this from you. I really did want to try to form a friendship with you today, even after our relationship broke apart after I had left the Skyler family. I'm disappointed. I had generously invited you to my palace to enjoy tea together, however, instead of gratefulness, you disrespected me by showing up late and even harmed one of my dear guests!" Lilith stated aggrievedly. From her appearance, everyone realized how hurt the second princess was and all rushed around her to comfort her. Their princess was already magnanimous enough to welcome Evelina with open arms and yet this is what Evelina has done!? Who does Evelina think she is!? Did she really think she is comparable to the second princess!?

"Hmph! Your highness, you are too kind! Lady Evelina has always been a self-centered brat! What could be expected from a seductive wh*re like her?" Rienne scowled at Evelina as she hugged Lilith's shoulders.

"Indeed, lady Evelina is being too much!" Alice turned to Evelina and questioned her, "Lady Evelina, do you bear no shame?"

"Lady Evelina, you truly do lack etiquette and respect, should I send one of my family's teachers to educate you?" Arianna sneered with ridicule written in her ice cold eyes.

"Don't blame lady Evelina, everyone. This was my fault. I had accidentally offended Evelina, it's inevitable for her to be angry." Harper said tearfully while leaning against Alice weakly.

"No, lady Harper. Why should you defend her? Don't be afraid, is she threatening you?" Alice asked, her gaze dependable and comforting, yet Harper's body was still trembling with fright. This reaction of her's is enough to confirm Alice's words. The people around stared at Evelina in shock. They never knew Evelina could be this cruel! What happened to the pure lady Evelina that everyone adored so much?

"What!? That is not true! Stop accusing me of those things!" Evelina protested her innocence. But none was having it. All pointed cold eyes when facing her as well as disapproving gazes. This came as a shock to Evelina. It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck her and caused her to freeze in place.

"No need for excuses, lady Evelina. I had already given you a chance to tell your side, it's too late now. Don't even try to name me as unfair or unjust in the future, I have spared you too many chances. You have disrupted my tea party, you may return to your Skyler estate now. If we cross paths again, be sure that you have fixed your attitude and found a way to contain that temper of yours." Lilith shot her an icy look before turning away and gesturing for a few strong maids nearby to escort Evelina out.

What a successful day.

As the noblewomen gossipped to each other about what had happened earlier on the way to the spot of the tea party, Lilith, Rienne, Arianna, Alice, and the 'hurt' Harper, secretly cast glances at each other and grinned.

Of course they had all planned this. Every word they said was pre-planned. Even the usually aloof Arianna took part. Although she didn't have a particular grudge against Evelina, she still played a role in the performance earlier. Evelina had hurt her close friends and also bothered her on multiple occasions, she didn't see it a loss to lend a hand in teaching her a lesson...

Alice and Rienne were so excited and joyful they practically danced their way back.

After that event, the ladies who attended couldn't wait to spread the word of what had occured and soon the rumor spread across the capital, even those who lived in the deepest parts of the capital knew what was happening. The Skyler family was once again damaged. Though the commoners and servants working for the nobility had fun laughing about the whole event, the aristocrats were shakened by it. Those who had previously hid their dislike for Evelina laugh at her recent scandal, but those who originally admired her were more concerned of how they should deal with the shock. Evelina has already been revealed to not be as perfect as she seemed in front of others, and many had already cut ties with her in order to protect themselves, but they never expected for Evelina's character to be this horrible! Preying upon the innocent lady Harper, how could Evelina be so cold-hearted!?

Harper was quite liked by the nobles. They cherished her pure and loving temperament. One could say the nobles who had 'loved' Evelina took her as a replacement. Thus now that the 'not well-liked version' was bullying the 'well-liked version', many predictably took Harper's side. And just like that, Harper grew in reputation among the aristocrats. However it wasn't only Harper that benefited from this incident.

Lilith received many letters from others apologizing on behalf of Evelina and they even commented about Evelina's rude behavior, writing things like,

[Lady Evelina was spoiled with leniency from others in the past, thus she dared to step out of line and behaved improperly.]

[Your highness's generosity truly knows no bounds after welcoming such a brazen lady like Lady Evelina. I'm afraid Lady Evelina has become even more wilder than those loud and rude rural women from the countryside.]

[The Skyler family is doomed to have Lady Evelina as a daughter. Princess, I admire you for having the patience to deal with her peacefully, rather than bestowing her a punishment right then and there. If she disrespected me like that I would've lost my temper and beaten her myself!]

Even the disliked Rienne received letters of apology from those aristocrats, saying how they were blind to have mistreated her. Though many still didn't like Rienne that much, at least her messy reputation has improved slightly... There were reports stating how in the Balloria mansion, servants could hear Rienne's voice cursing Evelina's name triumphantly echo in their ears even after being halls away!

Though many were having fun with this situation, the Skyler estate is far from joyful. They were already having trouble dealing with the financial troubles as their income was drying up, then Evelina's mess brought them even more trouble! But it seems misfortune can't keep itself away from them as they receive another blow.

The Emperor has given his imperial permission for Duchess Skyler, Beatrice Ordeline, to divorce her husband Duke Skyler.

Normally, divorced women wouldn't live comfortable lives even if she was born into nobility. No man would want to marry her and she would have to endure being humiliated. Not only that, If the woman had children with her former husband, the custody of the children would go to the father instead of the mother. In some situations, even the family of the divorced woman would be ashamed to have, due to her failed marriage. Many pitied Beatrice, until they were told that Beatrice would actually receive many benefits. Once she has signed the divorce papers, she would be moved to the Heaven's Rain Palace for the reason that she is the second princess's birth mother. And her former husband must give her a sum of his money as compensation!

Everything is ready, all that is left is for Beatrice to decided. Will she accept or decline?