I Read Their Tragic Fates, and My Family Reads My Mind?

Chapter 121: Chapter 121: I Suspect You’re Fobbing Me Off

On the receiving end of their complaints, Lillian Donovan didn’t dare keep them in suspense any longer. She sniffled and said, "But it wasn’t until I found Miss Ingram and asked her that I learned the truth. It wasn’t just about puppy love—that boy is rotten to the core! The only reason he got close to Joyce was for her family background and their money. He’d even planned to... to secretly harm her after luring her in."

Lillian Donovan was still putting it mildly, but that didn’t stop Arabella Donovan, who already knew where this was all headed, from easily understanding the situation.

"To think something like that could happen! That kid from your husband’s side of the family really crossed the line. No wonder Miss Ingram and Mr. Lowe were so furious. Who could stand to see their own child schemed against and harmed like that?"

"Exactly, right? That’s what I thought too, so I stopped pleading on his behalf as soon as I found out the truth. To put it bluntly, even though they’re all family, Joyce is far more important to me than that man’s nephew."

"Besides, that kid was the one in the wrong from the start. Shouldn’t he have to suffer a bit and reflect on his actions? So then I went to find that bastard Julian Croft, and then... and then... WAAAH..."

Mrs. Donovan: "..."

Arabella Donovan: "..."

"There, there, don’t cry. Wipe your face." Mrs. Donovan pulled a few tissues for her, a pained expression on her face as if she couldn’t bear to watch.

Lillian Donovan took the tissues, wiped her tears, blew her nose, and then continued, "As it turned out, I was right at their front door when I overheard him arguing with his sister. His sister said he couldn’t abandon the boy—that the boy was his own biological son."

Arabella Donovan put on a look of shock at the perfect moment, and Mrs. Donovan played along, gasping, "How could he possibly be Julian’s son? Isn’t he his sister’s child?"

"Yes, I was shocked too. I listened a bit longer and found out that he and his ’sister’ aren’t even blood-related—she was adopted. Sister-in-law, that child is several years older than Iris and Sean! Waaah..."

Mrs. Donovan’s mouth twitched. She shot Lillian a look that seemed to say, ’Aren’t you laying it on a bit thick?’

Outwardly, however, she had to play along. She slammed her hand on the table and said indignantly, "That’s just outrageous! He’s been toying with your emotions!"

"Yes. And he didn’t just toy with my emotions, he cheated me out of my money! Waaah... All the money he’s spent raising his ’sister’ and that child all these years came from me and my dad, and from our joint marital assets."

As she spoke, Lillian Donovan buried her face in her hands and started crying again, though her sobs didn’t stop her from airing her grievances. "That explains it! I was wondering why, when I went to ask Lucy for help, she suddenly told me to keep a closer eye on that bastard and his ’sister.’ She must have already found something but was too embarrassed to tell me directly, so she just gave me a roundabout hint to investigate it myself."

Mrs. Donovan sighed, finally getting to the heart of the matter. "In that case, what are you going to do?"

"Divorce! Of course, I’m getting a divorce!"

"What about Iris and Sean...?"

"Their last name is Donovan. They’ve always been part of the Donovan Family, so of course they’re coming with me. Besides, it’s not like *he’s* short on sons."

Hearing this, Arabella Donovan couldn’t help but give Lillian Donovan a thumbs-up. "Auntie, you’ve thought this through so clearly. I’m sure Iris and Sean will be able to understand your difficult decision."

Lillian Donovan snorted. "If they can’t even understand this, then they’re hopelessly stupid."

"Aside from the divorce, I also have to get back all the money I’ve been cheated out of over the years. Just the thought of him using my family’s money to support his other woman and child makes me sick to my stomach!"

"Yes, yes, of course. Let your brother handle it. I guarantee he’ll make them cough up every last cent."

And just like that, Arabella Donovan watched as the two women sealed the fate of the Crofts in just a few sentences.

It wasn’t until she sat down at the dining table for breakfast that Arabella Donovan’s mind, a bit sluggish from oversleeping, finally kicked into high gear.

’So much happened yesterday. Aunt Lillian actually stumbled upon the truth about Julian Croft and his sister because of that business with Caleb Croft. It must be fate. No wonder my divination for Beatrice’s calamity was successful last night. And after a full night’s sleep, I woke up feeling refreshed today, with no side effects at all.’

’Now that the true nature of the Croft Family—a nest of parasitic men who prey on wealthy women—has been exposed, the fates of my aunt’s family and Mr. Lowe’s family have changed. Naturally, my Merit has increased as well.’

Mrs. Donovan, who had been patiently consoling Lillian Donovan, froze mid-motion. Lillian, surprised, also looked up at Mrs. Donovan.

However, Mrs. Donovan knew that the Merit Arabella possessed now didn’t just come from changing the fates of Lillian Donovan’s and Liam Lowe’s families. Most of it likely came from those she had guided last night, giving them a chance to alter their own destinies—chief among them, Rochelle Rowland’s child.

Still, Mrs. Donovan breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Arabella say she had slept well and felt no discomfort. It was clear that Arabella’s collapse the previous night had left her quite shaken.

After breakfast, Arabella Donovan remembered what she needed to do.

"Mom, how is Cousin Eugene?"

Mrs. Donovan hadn’t expected her to bring up Eugene Jennings on her own. She nodded and said, "Your older cousin called this morning. He said that string of Five Emperors Coins you sent back with him was very effective. Eugene’s condition has improved a lot, and he can even eat on his own now. He should be transferred here to Stroven City by tomorrow morning at the latest."

"That’s good." ’But if it’s working, then my suspicion was correct,’ she thought. ’My cousin really was afflicted by something unclean.’

Having come to this realization, Arabella Donovan finished her breakfast and went upstairs to go poke her master.

The chat window, which had been as immovable as a mountain for the past few months no matter how much she poked it, sprang to life on the very first try.

SpareTheRod: Master! Master! SOS!!!

TranquilMind: ...

SpareTheRod: Master, you’re online!

TranquilMind: No duh. If I wasn’t, was a ghost replying to you just now? [eye roll] [eye roll]

SpareTheRod: It’s just that you weren’t here the last few times I looked for you, so I was surprised when you suddenly appeared. [shy] [shy] Master, did you read all those messages I sent you before? Can you give me an answer?

TranquilMind: Read. You are dismissed.

SpareTheRod: No, wait! At least tell me, what’s the deal with this library?

TranquilMind: Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.

SpareTheRod: Then what about my eyes...

TranquilMind: Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.

SpareTheRod: And my family’s situation...

TranquilMind: Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.

Arabella Donovan: "..." ’I have a feeling you’re just giving me the runaround, but I’m not going to say it!’

SpareTheRod: Fine, none of that matters right now. The important thing is my cousin.

TranquilMind: Why? Was the birthday gift not to your liking?

SpareTheRod: =·= So you really *did* foresee what would happen to my cousin and sent me the Five Emperors Coins for my birthday because of it.

The moment she sent that message, her old master started playing dead again.

Arabella Donovan: "..."