Chapter 616

Melanie nodded. "Yes, we spread that rumor ourselves. But it's not entirely accurate. My brother now... by conventional standards, is truly disfigured. We released that information to deter those in the capital who were eager to latch onto our family's coattails. After all, this isn't the feudal era where daughters are sold off for political marriages." Her lips curled into a sneer. "Who knew the Brown family would be so shameless? Even after learning how 'ugly' my brother was, they still schemed to worm their way into our good graces." Jane finally understood why Melanie had attended Rory's birthday party that day she hadn't seemed close to anyone there. "And..." Melanie hesitated before continuing, her voice dropping lower, "to most people, my brother probably seems not just disfigured but... simple-minded." For the first time, Jane saw something resembling sorrow flicker across Melanie's usually haughty face. Though she suspected Melanie's brother's condition might be connected to h