Chapter 1205

The banishment of the storyteller from the gates barely concluded one problem before another arrived. Matchmakers appeared, each vying to arrange Rosalind's marriage. The prospects they presented enraged Rosalind's parents; these men were so beneath their daughter's station that even a glance would provoke a disgusted sneer. It wasn't merely their low status or humble origins—it was their disgraceful behavior. Some had fathered illegitimate children; others squandered their days gambling, deeply in debt. Some frequented brothels; others maintained secret mistresses.

These were men who wouldn't typically dare propose marriage. Yet, they paraded forward, puffing out their chests, as if bestowing a great favor. They acted as if Rosalind had no choice but to accept, as if indebted to their "benevolent" interest.

Trevor's fury was immense. He stormed through the house, broom in hand, driving out the matchmakers, thus escalating the scandal. Gossip spread relentlessly. Citizens laughed at the absurdity.

“They act like she has options! If someone marries her, it'll only be because her ancestors accumulated good fortune.”

“She's been sullied. Does she still think she has any worth?”

“She's doomed to never marry. Let's see who would want her. She might as well shave her head and become a nun. At least then she wouldn't embarrass other women.”

Such remarks came from all corners, men and women alike. Whether out of cruelty or spite, there was no sympathy.

Jocelyn, however, was pleased; she hated Rosalind. Kylie had previously urged her to make Rosalind's life difficult, thus fostering their animosity. Upon hearing of Rosalind's misfortune, Jocelyn immediately sought out her close friend, Cassidy, anticipating shared satisfaction in Rosalind's downfall.

To her surprise, Cassidy avoided the topic, appearing distracted and troubled.

Jocelyn protested, "What's wrong with you? Aren't you happy Rosalind's reputation is ruined? You've hated her for so long!"

Cassidy instinctively denied it. "I never hated her."

"What do you mean?" Jocelyn demanded. "You tormented her most, unlike Hailey, who was too afraid to act."

Cassidy, taken aback, welled up with tears as memories flooded her mind.

"Was I really that cruel?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I didn't know. I never realized how monstrous I seemed."

Jocelyn jumped up, indignant. "What do you mean? Are you saying I'm cruel and vicious?"

Cassidy sobbed uncontrollably. Eventually, she gasped, "Ms. Young protected me when that man grabbed me. If not for her, I would have been assaulted. People would be talking about me. I might not even be here! I could have been sent to a nunnery."

Jocelyn froze, caught off guard. After a pause, she sank into a chair, trying to process this. "She…did something like that?"

"It's true," Cassidy sobbed. "Many people saw it. Hailey did too. Ask her if you don't believe me."

Her voice broke, her eyes red and swollen.

"But she's a bad person!" Jocelyn exclaimed, dazed.

"She's not a bad person. She saved me." Cassidy wiped her tears, her eyes still red and swollen. "Why do you think she's bad?"

Jocelyn opened her mouth but found no words. How could someone so bad save someone else? She was confused. Yet, Kylie's opinion of the academy resonated: Gracewood Women's Academy shouldn't exist; it was no place for women. If a woman wanted to learn, a tutor should come to her home.

Jocelyn found herself agreeing with her cousin. Still, despite her expulsion, she recalled moments of joy at the academy—the companionship, the learning—it had been somewhat fun, though waking early was exhausting. Her expulsion had fueled her anger, but was that anger truly about the expulsion itself?

"Courtney almost faced the same fate," Cassidy added, her voice shaky. "Ms. Wardell saved her."

Chapter 1206