Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling is Multifaceted!-Chapter 265: The Secret of Veridian Isle

"Seraphina..."

Rory’s eyes widened, staring incredulously at Seraphina Redgrave. It was as if she’d been burned; she let go and stepped back.

Seraphina really was a fugitive from Veridian Isle.

Even if such suspicions had existed before, when the truth was laid bare, the feeling was undeniably different.

James Lynch and Claire Ford were unwilling to believe it, their gazes complex as they looked at Seraphina.

The sunlight seemed even more glaring, stinging their eyes.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the jade bracelet shattered completely, leaving only the silver electronic handcuffs deeply embedded in Seraphina’s flesh — removing them forcefully would result in a bloody mess.

The goddess statue behind them seemed to gather dust at that moment; its former grace and elegance were no longer sacred.

Seraphina stood on the platform, Mia Redgrave was still desperately screaming, but her voice was drowned out by the roar of the crowd.

How familiar this scene was; the way she had overthrown Jonathan Redgrave back then was exactly how she was failing today.

Nathan Ayers moved swiftly; the onsite security had done their utmost to maintain order, preventing some radical individuals from climbing onto the stage.

A few bodyguards rushed to Seraphina’s side, respectfully lowered their heads, and said, "Miss, Special Assistant Ayers wants us to take you away. As for what happens afterward, we’ll hold a press conference to explain once we’ve thought of a solution."

No time left.

Escaping now was the last resort. Once she left, all she had done would dissipate into nothing; all her efforts would become an illusion. What was the point then?

She turned her head, looking at the faces below, flushed with excitement, each one shouting to capture and kill her. It was laughable, as these were the same people who had just vocally supported her.

They wanted her dead?

If she were to die, she would have died on Veridian Isle long ago. They didn’t have the right to decide her life and death.

She lowered her eyes in thought, then looked at the electronic handcuffs on her wrist. In the next second, she took the microphone and resolutely said, "That’s right, the identity of Sylvia Shaw was forged by me. My real name is Seraphina Redgrave, the adopted daughter by the Redgrave Family twenty years ago."

When she finished speaking, the whole crowd fell silent, everyone staring at her in a daze, even Mia Redgrave was stunned in place.

Selena Quinn sat among the crowd, conspicuous, her smile becoming even more brilliant and smug.

"Two years ago, the Redgrave Family used some means to send me to Veridian Isle, becoming what everyone labeled as an inferior. But it was only from then that I knew how undeserved all the avoidance, as if Veridian Isle were a virus, truly was."

Seraphina could not wait any longer; it was time to reveal these facts, "I changed my name and identity to join The Law Council and become a member of parliament for a reason. Just as my speech said earlier, I want to make the law of Z Country more just, to abolish such a strict hierarchy in this country, and I hope everyone can see Veridian Isle anew."

"..."

The silence in the crowd was terrifying.

Nathan Ayers stood on the perimeter, looking at the solitary Seraphina, cold sweat covering his forehead and back.

The members of The Defiance Society looked at Seraphina in her current state, still not recovering from the shock, but they felt the persistent fog dissipating.

"You don’t truly know Veridian Isle; what the magnates want you to know is all you get. The secrets inside are enough to astonish every one of you."

She threw herself into it.

This was her best chance to unveil the secrets. For a long time after this, she wouldn’t have a chance to speak publicly again.

Seraphina stepped forward, "A hundred years ago, Veridian Isle and its people were treated like trash, like a virus, despised by everyone. People said Veridian Isle bred crime, violence, greed — but have you really seen it? You haven’t, right, because it’s all false. Have you ever wondered why the punishment for fugitives from Veridian Isle has become increasingly severe?"

Thousands of people were rendered speechless by the question, waiting for Seraphina to continue.

"A century ago, Z Country’s magnates oppressed each other with countless dirty tricks. Where there were winners, there naturally were losers, who faced crippling, blinding, and being mutely poisoned. Where did they go? They were all sent to Veridian Isle, which slowly became what you all perpetuate today."

Seraphina exposed all of Veridian Isle’s secrets directly; at this point, there was nothing left to hide, "For so many years, everyone has lived under the elite systems devised by magnates. What survival of the fittest? They’re just lies spun to justify their actions."

"Veridian Isle’s crime, poverty, and maladies... which of these wasn’t orchestrated by the magnates?"

These words were raw, tearing down the magnates’ last facade.

The crowd was in an uproar.

In just a few minutes, Seraphina revealed the filthy secrets between the magnates, leaving everyone unable to digest it immediately.

Seraphina wanted exactly this effect; she intended to say more, but the sound system was suddenly cut off.

She looked into the distance and saw countless police cars with red and blue lights approaching, large numbers of officers dispersing the crowd and heading towards her.

Their speed was astounding. It seemed she stepped on a nerve.

But this also indicated that someone was stirring the pot behind the scenes.

"Miss, we must go quickly!"

The bodyguards, seeing that the situation onsite was deteriorating, immediately pulled Seraphina away.

Seraphina frowned but did not resist, following them to leave. Before departing, she looked once more at the members of The Defiance Society, seeing anxiety, fear, and confusion on their faces.

"Remember what I said."

After saying that, Seraphina left with a calm demeanor.

Remember what?

No one grasped it immediately, but then they recalled that Seraphina had once said if she ever posed a threat to them, they could use any means to protect themselves.

This day came too soon.

The plaza was in chaos, the speech which was supposed to end perfectly had concluded in an unexpectedly dramatic fashion, exactly like Jonathan Redgrave’s downfall.

After a while, police rushed to the stage, apprehending all members of The Defiance Society, "You need to come with us to assist in the investigation concerning Seraphina Redgrave."

"..."

Until that moment, The Defiance Society had been revered by everyone, now pulled down from their pedestal.

All these scenes were recorded live by cameras.

...

The car raced down the road.

Nathan Ayers gripped the steering wheel, pressing the gas pedal to the floor, choosing paths difficult to track.

Seraphina sat in the back, leaning into the seat, her eyes void of emotion as she watched the swiftly passing scenery outside the window, her heart a tumult of emotions.