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Chapter 12
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A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 13
Justine was stunned. The man from the coffee shop had changed into a white coat and put on gold-rimmed glasses. He looked even more gentle and scholarly.She smiled and signed, "God, talk about a coincidence!"Leon slid the book into its place on the shelf, then approached Justine, smiling as though meeting an old friend."Please, take a seat! We can just chat about whatever," he said.Later, Justine realized Leon had been sincere—they chatted as if it were just a casual teatime between friends.More than an hour passed, and Leon still hadn't mentioned her treatment.She was the one who eventually steered the conversation in that direction."Have you thought this through carefully? You'll be reopening a scar you've left untouched for years. 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant,' as they say. We need to identify what's holding you back and work to remove it," he cautioned gently."It's not going to be easy, but we'll do our best together, alright?" he encouraged.'No wonder he's
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 14
Justine looked at Leon and the book."How odd," she signed. "I bought this exact book as a gift for the man I loved. But now, it's a gift for me because I took the first step to overcome my past scars."She smiled and thanked him.Leon watched her until she reached the ground floor before finally turning away.The receptionist leaped to her feet."Wasn't that your favorite performer, Dr. Tuke?!" she whispered excitedly."Oh, so this is the one who made Dr. Tuke fly home from Hattenberg—before the conference even ended—just to see her perform?" her colleague chimed in.Indeed, Leon had attended a science conference in Hattenberg, one of the largest cities in Libernois, a country across the ocean from Novaris. It was supposed to last three days—until he flew back to Novaris early, just to catch her swan song.Leon grinned. "Keep this lore quiet when she's around, young women. She's just a patient here.""Yes, sir! Definitely, sir!" The young women nodded enthusiastically. "She's
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 15
"I know what you're thinking, Aunt Carina, but I don't think I can do much about this!""Your baby is growing, Jenny. You can give up on yourself, but you shouldn't give up on giving your baby a real family and name, right?" Carina snapped. "If you can't do anything, then make Ash do something instead!""R-Right," Jenny stammered.The call ended.Jenny's demeanor shifted abruptly. She threw her phone to the floor. "I knew it! That bitch changed her mind!""You have to tell Ash soon!" Sue urged. "The Thierrys' ruling old farts love Justine. They practically treat her like their real daughter! If she cries in front of them, you're done for!"Jenny hesitated, recalling Ash's warning. He had been clear—she was not to interfere in Justine's affairs.Despite this, she texted Ash using the burner phone she kept for harassing Justine.[Mr. Vanderbilt, your ex-wife regrets the divorce and is going to the Thierrys for help!]-As rumors suggested, Justine was indeed visiting the Thierr
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 16
"They say you should let old grudges die with the dead, Jean, but you asked for this. If it's the truth you want, I'll give it to you—because the last thing we want is for you to resent us when we've done nothing wrong!" Eleanor's voice trembled with pain."Did you know where your parents' accident happened?" She paused, her brow furrowed. "Rhys! Do you know how far that is from Minnishkee State? It's several states away! And yet, you, who was with your parents back then... You ended up there!"Justine had no idea where the accident had occurred. This was the first time she had been given a concrete location. Her ears rang with shock and confusion."Your grandfather ordered a thorough investigation before he passed, and it became obvious what had happened. The only reason you were there wasn't because some kind souls brought you to the orphanage. Aurora Roch took you away!"Then, when we found you, you… You…"Eleanor faltered, unable to bring herself to mention Ares. She quickly s
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 17
"Did you even find out what really happened to my parents? Was it an accident or suicide?"Felix and Eleanor frowned in silence. Even now, no one could ascertain the truth."So, you don't even know what really happened that day, yet somehow you decided that Aurora was the one who was 'bad' for me?" Justine laughed as tears streamed down her cheeks."She was just the easiest scapegoat! Why hasn't anyone considered that I could have died if she hadn't rescued me?" Justine retorted, signing.They remained silent.Justine laughed again. These modern-day aristocrats would never think from the perspective of a decent human being. Their position and power had granted them the unchecked authority to decide the fate of others, and Aurora had been an easy target."You blame her because she wasn't one of you. You knew she was dying from cancer, and that she loved me..." Justine faltered.She clenched her fists. If only Aurora had been a little more selfish, she would have come to see Justi
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 18
Justine was pleased with their reaction. Whatever heartache or shock these two had experienced, it could not possibly compare to the weight of pain Aurora had suffered.She nodded affably at them and started toward the entrance.Eleanor hurried after her. "Julia! Come back!"She slipped, but Felix caught her before she could fall and hurt herself.Justine heard the commotion but pressed on, not sparing them a single glance. She was about to leave the living room when…Ash stormed in from outside, his expression dark.Their eyes met. He was on the verge of erupting in rage when he noticed the tear stains and the redness in her eyes.His chest tightened.Justine kept walking as if she hadn't noticed him, brushing past him without a glance.Ash grabbed her shoulder, forcing her to face him. His grip was strong enough to crush bone, but she simply glared at him.God, he was in that stupid suit and tie again. She was getting so sick of it."You're the one who wanted a divorce, Ju
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 19
"She's not looking back, Ash," Felix remarked slowly.Ash was stunned. He hesitated before asking, "Didn't she come to ask both of you to intervene and stop our divorce?""No. It wasn't a plea—it was an announcement. She said she's never going to see us again." Felix waved tiredly. "You've been terrible to her from the beginning until now, so congratulations. She no longer cares about you."From now on, you're free to marry whoever you like. Eleanor and I won't meddle in this affair anymore."It was an open secret: the old Thierry couple despised the Vanderbilts for their role in Julia's death. That disdain extended to Ash, their own grandchild.But Ash was the one they hated the least. He was all they had left of Julia.How could they hate him as much as they wanted when they had loved his mother so deeply?Felix chose not to tell Ash the truth about Justine's love for him. Being someone's inferior substitute was undignified.And Ash was critically, fatally proud.Since the t
A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt Chapter 20
The Thierry family drama became headline news.Justine hadn't bothered to be discreet. Even those unfamiliar with sign language could tell she had been arguing with the two most important members of the Thierry family… and it had ended with Eleanor in the hospital.Carina let out a belly laugh and immediately informed Jenny.Jenny was just as thrilled.Felix and Eleanor were Justine's only shields and protectors. Sending one of them to the hospital over a health scare?! Justine might as well have shot herself in the foot."Thank you, God, for these endless blessings! Who knew my return to Novaris would spark all of this?!" Jenny chuckled with glee. "First the divorce, and now she gets into a fight with that old hag?! Man, if only my luck were better… If only she had died right then and there!"Eleanor had always hated Jenny. The feeling was mutual—Jenny had long wished for Eleanor's death.Now, both of her enemies were down."This is your best chance, Jenny! You have to make hi
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