I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 51

At the front of the group stood two elders–one in a purple robe and the other in yellow.

Their presence radiated the kind of integrity that made Marcel look like a joke in comparison.

“Yes, Mrs. Jamison is home. Please, come in.” Devan quickly welcomed them in.

Just then, Lauren walked over, smiling. “Who is it?”

The moment she saw the people at the door, her face dropped. These people were genuine geomancers from Aethermark Sanctuary.

Rhea stepped forward to greet them. “Mr. Gallagher. Mr. Rowland, it’s been a while.”

The man in the purple robe, Zaire Gallagher, smiled. “What a coincidence. We were performing a ritual at the Colburn sanctuary.”

That was why they were still in their geomancer robes.

Rhea said, “We’ve prepared dinner. Please, come in.‘

Lauren’s expression soured as she watched them enter the dining room.

Upon hearing the commotion, Carter rose to his feet. “Who are they?”

Rhea replied, “They’re geomancers from Aethermark Sanctuary. I invited them to join us for dinner since they happened to be nearby.”

The geomancers and their apprentices nodded politely. “We hope that we’re not intruding.”

The moment Marcel saw them, he shot up from his seat in shock.

As the guests took their seats, Rhea turned to smile at Marcel, whose face was now stiff.

“Oh, by the way, Mr. Gallagher, this is Mr. Coleman. He said he’s from Aethermark Sanctuary as well. What a coincidence.”

One of the apprentices quickly reacted. With a hint of confusion in his voice, he asked, “Pardon me, but who are you? We’ve never seen you before.”

Zaire raised a brow. “There are 372 geomancers at Aethermark Sanctuary, but I don’t recognize this man. Are you sure he’s from Aethermark Sanctuary in Draventh?”

Rhea blinked in confusion and looked at Marcel. “Didn’t you say that earlier, Mr. Coleman?”

Lauren rushed to jump in. “You must’ve misheard. Mr. Coleman is from a different branch.”

But Devan quickly said, “No, I heard it too. Mr. Coleman clearly said Aethermark Sanctuary in Draventh when he introduced himself.” 1

The maids nodded quietly.

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Chapter 51

+25 BONUS

“All geomancers from Aethermark Sanctuary carry an official license. Where’s yours?” Elliot Rowland, the geomancer in the yellow robe, solemnly eyed Marcel.

Too many charlatans had been using the name of their sanctuary to con people, ruining the reputation of genuine geomancers.

Rhea said lightly, “Maybe Mr. Coleman was in a rush and forgot to bring it with him.”

Marcel could barely stand upright now.

Chloe was the one who had brought him here. Before arriving, she and Lauren had explicitly told him to blame all the household’s misfortune on Rhea.

To convince them, he had lied about being from Aethermark Sanctuary.

How could he have known that Rhea actually knew legitimate geomancers from Aethermark Sanctuary?

He didn’t know what to do next.

Getting exposed was a trivial matter, but if things escalated, Aethermark Sanctuary could take legal action against him. (1

“Mr. Coleman, if you can’t prove that you’re a licensed geomancer from Aethermark Sanctuary, then we have a serious issue here.” Elliot stared coldly at Marcel.

At that moment, Marcel barely managed to steady himself by holding onto the edge of the dining table. “I…”

Lauren’s face twisted. She immediately turned on him and questioned, “Mr. Coleman, were you lying to us?”

She had to shut him down before he exposed the truth.

Marcel lowered his head. “I–I’ve always admired the geomancers of Aethermark Sanctuary. That’s why… Please forgive me! I promise I won’t claim that title again.”

All he could do now was deflect.

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