Chapter 522

“Could it be that Miss Palmer tampered with the box when she opened it earlier?” Someone in the crowd voiced their suspicion.
Clearly, Watkins had considered that possibility, too. He turned to Celia and said, “Miss Palmer, would you mind opening the box again for us?”
Celia raised her hand and lifted the lid.
At once, a delicate, ethereal melody floated out from the music box, enchanting everyone. Celia was about to close the lid, but Watkins stopped her. “Wait-let me do it myself.”
“Be my guest,” Celia replied, withdrawing her hand.
Watkins closed the lid, then tried to open it again. Just like before, the lid wouldn’t budge, no matter how hard he tried.
It dawned on Watkins that Celia hadn’t lied. He had closed the lid himself; even if there were some hidden mechanism, Celia wouldn’t have had the chance to tamper with it.
The guests in the dining hall stared wide-eyed in amazement.
“Incredible! How is this possible?”
“My goodness-a tiny music box that can tell good from evil, and even distinguish between men and women?” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ.net
“I wonder if Miss Gonzales will be able to open it!”
Watkins handed the music box back to Celia, his tone now tinged with newfound respect. “Miss Palmer, here’s your music box. I must admit, I simply can’t open it.”
Celia accepted the box and looked out at the audience. “I assume no one still thinks I’m playing tricks, right?”
She glanced at Caitlin and continued, “I’ve heard that Miss Gonzales is both beautiful and kind, pure of heart, and has never done. wrong by anyone. Surely, Miss Gonzales will be able to open the lid of Vitality. If she succeeds, I’ll gladly give Vitality to her as a gift.”
“In that case,” Caitlin replied with a faint smile, stepping forward, “I’d be honored
to try.” She reached for the music box.
But just as her hand touched the lid, Celia interrupted, “Wait a moment, Miss Gonzales.”
Caitlin paused. “Is there something else, Miss Palmer?”
Celia, certain that Caitlin would fail, let a sly smile play at her lips and enunciated each word with
deliberate clarity: “Just a
reminder-Vitality isn’t an ordine
trinket. If the person opening it
harbors impure thoughts has ever terminated a pregnancy, or has been unfaithful in love, not only will the lid refuse to open, but the music box will also burn their palm.”
A buzz of whispers rippled through the hall as guests exchanged glances of shock
and intrigue.
Everyone kneй Caitlin had gone
through a divorce; it was hardly a secret in their social circle. There were rumors-some said she’d been unfaithful, others whispered about an abortion-but these were ust gossip, never confirmed.
No one expected that, tonight, there might be a way to put all those rumors to the test.
The question lingered in the air: after Celia’s warning, would Caitlin still dare to try?
In the past, family scandals had always been kept behind closed doors. But if Caitlin’s hand were to be burned, the rumors would be confirmed, and both the Richards and Gonzales families would be utterly disgraced.
Celia pressed on, leaving Caitlin no room to retreat. “Miss Gonzales, I hear you’re quite the chess player. But if Vitality burns your hand, you might never play again. Are you sure you want to take that risk?”