Bride behind the mask novel (Marguerite)
Chapter 598

Shivers coursed through Yuna's body. If it weren't for the prying eyes that surrounded her, she would have loved nothing more than to scratch that smug look off Marguerite's face. The very idea of apologizing to someone as lowly as Marguerite made Yuna's blood boil - surely Marguerite, the wretched thing, was reveling in this moment.

But with Frederick's command hanging in the air, Yuna knew all too well the consequences of defiance.

So, she bit back the venom in her heart, planning to bide her time and seek her revenge later.

With every ounce of her pride hanging by a thread, Yuna reluctantly raised her voice, enunciating each syllable with disdain,

"I... am... sorry!" Her apology was grudging at best, filled with an undercurrent of loathing.

Off to the side, Penelope shook her head, a mix of sorrow and regret washing over her.

Her threat to Yuna had been a bluff - a gamble. Penelope wasn't certain Yuna was the one who spiked Manley's drink; she just suspected it strongly.

But Yuna's reluctant apology was as good as an admission of guilt, and it only served to confirm Penelope's suspicions.

Penelope lamented her family's misfortune. Her daughter, whom she had waited 25 years for, turned out to be such a disappointment - it pained her deeply.

And so the drama concluded, under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Penelope felt a pang of guilt towards Marguerite and, before leaving, pulled her aside.

"Marguerite, I am so sorry. If there's anything that can make this right, tell me. I'll do anything to make amends."

Marguerite, however, remained composed throughout. She shook her head, her usual grace intact, "Penelope, you worry too much. As long as my name is cleared, that's all that matters to me. Please, don't worry I'm quite alright."

Internally, Marguerite was quite content. Forcing Yuna to apologize in public was a rare victory, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

Meanwhile, Yuna was seething. What could be worse than publicly apologizing to a rival in love?

Not only had she embarrassed herself in front of the servants, but she had also been harshly scolded by her own mother, Penelope. She felt like she was about to explode with frustration.

Penelope ignored Yuna's defiant scowl, her gaze lingering on Marguerite - this noble and lofty young woman - with a sense of melancholy.

Why couldn't her daughter be more like Marguerite? Ah, the cruel twists of fate!

As she contemplated this, a wave of sadness washed over Penelope.

She took Marguerite's hand gently into her own, caressing it tenderly, and sighed, "Marguerite, I've been away from the office these past few days, and if Yuna has wronged you in any way, don't take it to heart Tell me, and I will deal with her. You won't be wronged under my watch."

Marguerite felt a stir of emotion as she looked into Penelope's eyes, suddenly feeling an inexplicable sense of injustice.

No matter what Yuna did, no matter the trouble she caused, she had Penelope, a loving and protective mother.

But Marguerite had no one.

She couldn't afford any mistakes because she had no one to fall back on. She had to protect herself, and so she built a fortress of thorns around her heart, simply to avoid more hurt.