Chapter 4: The "Compassionate" Madam

"I understands that Father has my best interests at heart. If the Marquis family breaks the engagement because they are dissatisfied with me, then even if I were to marry into their family, they would not treat me kindly. If it is due to some misunderstanding, then such a family, which cannot discern right from wrong, is not worth relying on," Miranda explained calmly and logically, her words perfectly hitting the mark in Count Croyso's heart.

She then added sorrowfully, "I'm merely saddened to have brought shame upon Father!"

Looking at his innocent daughter, Count Croyso's heart was filled with affection.

He gently said, "It is not your fault, my dear. It is the Marquis family that has gone too far! Humph, that heir Andrew is not a good match either—arrogant and narrow-minded due to being spoiled. He does not deserve my daughter! Rest assured, I will find you a better match in the future!"

Even if the Marquis family has now connected with the Empress Dowager, he will still seek justice for his daughter!

The Countess raised her eyebrows slightly: Humph, an unattractive, talentless girl who has been jilted—what good match could she hope for in the future? She will be at my mercy from now on!

Miranda shook his arm, pouting, "I do not want to marry. I want to stay with Father forever, unless Father grows tired of me and abandons me!"

She then laboriously bowed to Selena, saying, "We are all daughters of the Earl's house; we share in its honor and disgrace. The Marquis family's withdrawal from the engagement might also affect the reputation of my sisters. No wonder Selena is angry. I apologizes to you here."

Being the youngest and the one jilted, Miranda still showed such thoughtfulness, apologizing to Selena for the sake of her reputation.

In contrast, Selena, instead of comforting her sister, had just mentioned the broken engagement with barbs, appearing narrow-minded and unsisterly.

Selena, who had always been the one to plot against Miranda, was caught off guard by Miranda's proactive attack and was momentarily stunned.

Seeing Selena speechless, the Countess grew anxious and quickly smiled, "Miranda, what are you saying? You and Selena are sisters; how could she be angry over this? Even if she is angry, it is at the Marquis family for bullying you, standing up for you!"

As she spoke, she seemed to inadvertently touch her left arm, letting out a soft cry of pain, attracting everyone's attention to her left arm.

Noticing the slight inconvenience in her left arm, Count Croyso's heart surged with tenderness. Looking at Selena, his previous displeasure vanished, and he gently said, "Your left arm is injured; be careful and sit down!"

"Madam's left arm is injured? What happened?" Knowing full well that the Countess was acting, Miranda still asked in surprise. If she didn't let the Countess play her part, how could she ruin the show later?

The Countess's face turned pale, yet she still smiled lovingly, "It's nothing serious, Miranda, don't worry."

Count Croyso sighed, "Miranda, you don't know. When you were ill and unconscious, your stepmother was extremely worried, consulting numerous doctors. One traveling doctor said that to cure you, human flesh was needed as a lead. Your stepmother immediately cut a piece of flesh from her arm to use as medicine for you. Miraculously, you recovered after taking it. she has been so kind and sincere, yet she didn't even mention this significant deed to you." He praised, "Sophie, entrusting the Earl's house to you was indeed the right choice!"

The Countess shyly lowered her head, her demeanor charming, "My lord, please don't say that."

Selena took the opportunity to act spoiled, "Mother, you treat my sister better than me; you only care for her and not for me. I won't stand for it!"

"Miss Selena, don't say that. Madam's great kindness is a blessing for our Earl's house!" Lady Wilson, wiping her moist eyes, said, "I never thought the Countess, so delicate, could endure the pain of cutting flesh from her own arm for Miss Miranda's treatment. Her kindness moved heaven and earth, curing Miss Miranda's illness."

"Cutting flesh to heal—such kindness is comparable to that of a birth mother!"

"Indeed, Miss Miranda is fortunate to have such a loving stepmother who saved her from the brink of death. Otherwise, she might have..." The maids in the room chimed in, praising the Countess's actions.

Listening to the flattery around her, Miranda appeared deeply moved, her eyes misting with tears. She choked up, "Madam, I... never thought you treated me so well... I..." Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks, "I was ignorant before, not understanding your kindness. From now on, I will... listen to everything you say!"

These were her exact words in her previous life. Saying them now, they naturally sounded genuine and flawless.

In her last life, her relationship with the Countess was merely ordinary until the Marquis family broke the engagement. Devastated, she fell ill.

At her weakest, she heard that the Countess had cut flesh from her arm to treat her illness. The shock and gratitude she felt were immense.

From then on, she trusted the Countess completely, obeying her every word and tolerating Selena's arrogance.

How could she have known back then that it was all part of the Countess's plan?

Cutting flesh to heal... a piece of pork that won the hearts of both her and her father. Such a clever "cutting flesh" treatment!

Seeing this scene of motherly love and filial piety, Count Croyso was deeply relieved. He had worried that the Countess might mistreat Miranda.

Learning about the flesh-cutting incident, he was completely reassured. Such a great act of kindness showed that the Countess truly cared for Miranda like her own daughter!

The Countess, skilled at manipulating hearts and understanding the nature of Count Croyso and Miranda, felt smug seeing how easily she had won them over.

She smiled, "Good child, don't cry, lest it harms your health. Forget the past; from now on, we will live well together as mother and daughter." Noticing the prepared medicine bowl, she quickly added, "We came at a bad time, interrupting your medicine. This is important. Come, let me feed you!" She picked up the bowl and spooned out some medicine, bringing it to Miranda's lips.

Seeing her stepmother's kind and caring demeanor, Miranda suppressed her raging anger. Her eyes glanced over the dark medicine, a strange look flashing across them. She then put on a grateful smile and reached for the bowl, "Madam hurt her arm for me; it must be painful. I dare not trouble you further; I will take it myself."

Determined to maintain her image as a "kind mother," the Countess refused to give in.

In their struggle, Miranda "accidentally" knocked over the bowl, spilling the medicine precisely onto the Countess's injured arm.

Miranda exclaimed in shock, "Madam, I didn't mean to! Did it burn you? Does it hurt?" She lifted the Countess's sleeve to check the wound, scolding the maids, "What are you all standing around for? Didn't you see Madam got burned? Go get the burn medicine and call the doctor! If anything happens to Madam, you will all be punished!"

More shocked than Miranda, the Countess hurriedly said, "No need! No need!"

Cutting flesh to heal was just a ploy to please Count Croyso. She wasn't foolish enough to cut her own flesh for Miranda. If Miranda unwrapped the bandage and applied medicine, her ruse would be exposed!