Belle Finds Clarity

Hannah Lee was trembling like a leaf, her face pale with fright.

With so many people crowding around, it was getting out of hand. Lily Evans told everyone to disperse for now. Mrs. Charlotte Evans instructed Jill Evans to take Hannah Lee to her room, while Lily stayed behind to look after Belle.

Belle bit her lip hard, and only when she was back in her room did she finally break down, hugging Lily Evans and sobbing hoarsely, "Madam, I didn't embarrass you!"

"Good girl, you did great. You made me proud!" Lily Evans felt a pang of sympathy for Belle. For a woman in ancient times to stand up like Belle did, even Lily admired her.

"Madam, I'll listen to you. It's just like being bitten by a mad dog—I'll sleep it off like a bad dream!" Belle wiped her face, her expression both bitter and determined. "I have to live well, and live beautifully! Those who want to harm me won't get their way!"

Lily Evans breathed a sigh of relief at Belle's words. If she could think this way, she wouldn't seek death. The rest would heal with time; things would get better as the days passed.

The fewer people who knew about what happened to Belle, the better. Only those present that night were aware. Lily Evans didn't even mention it to Margaret Evans, only saying that Ernie Lee tried to slander Belle for money.

Margaret Evans cursed Ernie Lee when she heard, saying he was a toad lusting after a swan.

Lily Evans also reminded Margaret Evans not to mention Ernie Lee again, so Belle wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

But Mrs. Silver, not knowing the truth, kept insisting that Belle was too proud and would suffer for it later. She went on about how, when she was young, she was too picky, and now she was old and unmarried, left lonely in her twilight years.