Leaving Lulu outside the hall, Carissa lowered her head and steppe inside.


    The white marble tiles beneath her feet were so polished that it looked like mirrors, reflecting the opulent and luxurious decor tha surrounded her.


    Carissa quickly nced up and saw a distinguished woman seater on a chair in the center of the hall, dressed in a regal purple gown Her hair was styled in an borate bun, adorned with luxurious jewels, and her features bore a slight resemnce to Rafael''s.


    Carissa knew this woman was Helen.


    Stepping forward, Carissa knelt. "Greetings, Your Highness."


    Carissa''s posture was perfect, her gaze lowered, and her dress neatly arranged. The slight movement of her hairpins as she knelt was just right, leaving no room for criticism. After all, she had spent a year learning proper etiquette upon her return from Meadow Ridge, under the guidance of the pce tutors.


    Helen''s cold voice pierced the air, "Raise your head, and let me see your alluring face."


    Carissa obeyed, lifting her head slowly to face Helen. Although their eyes did not meet, she could feel the coldness in the older woman''s gaze.


    "Hmph. You''re indeed a beauty. No wonder my son is bewitched by


    you."


    Helen extended her hand, and the elderly maid beside her helped her down from the chair. Standing before Carissa, Helen raised her hand, adorned with long protective w rings, aiming to


    Carissa across the face.


    "You vile woman! How dare you seduce my


    son?"


    Before the p couldnd, Carissa swiftly grabbed Helen''s wris


    Startled and furious, Helen was about to speak when Carissa said Your Highness, if you wish to punish this humble servant, please instruct the pce maids to do so. Thave practiced martial arts since childhood and possess inner force.


    "Should anyone harm me, my inner force will retaliate tenfold. I dar not harm you, Your Highness. But if you insist on striking me personally, please forgive my offense in advance."


    Helen hesitated, recalling that Rafael had mentioned Carissa''s prowess on the battlefield, where she had cut enemies into thre pieces with a single stroke.


    It didn''t seem like a lie.


    Whether it was true or not, Helen couldn''t risk getting hurt by thi woman. She withdrew her hand and nced at the elderly maid beside her. Knowing the maid was too old for such exertions, Hele ordered a strong male servant to be summoned.


    To be pped upon the first meeting was an immense humiliation Helen wanted Carissa to know this was just the beginning of her trials.


    A burly male servant entered. Following Helen''smand, he raise his hand to strike Carissa''s face.


    Before his hand could make contact, he was sent flying,nding heavily on the high-backed chair where Helen had been sitting moments before! He spat out a mouthful of blood and passed ou instantly. Helen was horrified. She had been watching Carissa closely, and the girl hadn''t moved a muscle.


    quickly cared the male servant out, though his


    blood had stamed Helen''s chair. Despite the maids best efforts to deen it the scent of blood lingered Helen, known for her love of cleanliness, would likely never sitin that chair again. Fortunately. such chairs were not in short supply, and the servants promptly brought a recementThis is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Canssa''s disy of power left everyone in Evergreen Pce speechless. Even the usuallyposed eld: y maid was at a loss for words, her hands trembling as she supported Helen.


    Helen sat back in her chair, staring at Carissa''s stunningly beautiful face. A sense of suffocation washed over her, a feeling she had only ever experienced around her son. To her dismay, she now felt it from this young woman


    Carsse''s kneeing posture exuded the authority of a seasoned


    warrior, pertaps a residual effect from her recent return from the barefec. Helen could almost hear the echoes ofbat in the air around them.


    This any imensried Helen''s displeasure.


    Taking a deep breath, she looked at Carissa coldly and said, "You are well aware of your status. You''re not worthy of my son. I hope you understand your ce. In consideration of the merits you sarted at the Southern Frontier, I will overlook today''s offense."


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