Standing to the side, Jessica smiled as she said, "Mom, that won''t do. If Carissa questions uster and mes Aunt Helen, wouldn''t it be... Oh, never mind, Aunt Helen wouldn''t dare." The mother and daughter duo were clearly manipting Helen, whose "innocence" bordered on frightening, making her particrly susceptible to provocations.


    Helen immediately responded, "It''s just a few Mystic Pearls. Do you think she''ll really get angry at me?"


    Earlier, she had worried about Carissa''s powerful backing and how she might struggle as a mother-inw. But now, after a few words, she felt emboldened. Her concern seemed to have evaporated. Helen rose from her seat, chin held high. Gillian apanied her as she made her way to the side hall.


    Outside, the guests were still enjoying the banquet and making toasts. There were only a few guards watching over the wedding gifts. After all, the guests in the residence were of high status, none of whom would dare tomit petty theft.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    It was Jacob who had ordered the guards assigned to watch the gifts. When they saw Helen arrive, they had no suspicions. They simply nodded respectfully and allowed her to enter. Helen walked through the room filled with gifts, marveling at the sheer volume. The room was nearly packed, leaving only a narrow passage for people to walk through.


    The four jars of Mystic Pearls were on disy, each pearl round and gleaming. The unique luster of these special pearls was iparable to that of ordinary pearls.


    "Four jars there must be over two hundred and twenty pounds of Mystic Pearls! Goodness, I''ve never seen so many," Helen eximed, once again stunned.


    Sensing Eleanor''s ill intentions, Gillian quietly advised, "Mydy, with your status, it''s improper to do such a thing. If you were to take your daughter-inw''s dowry, it wouldn''t reflect well on you."


    Helen looked at her attendant as if she were foolish. "Of course not. How could I do something like that?"


    Gillian sighed in relief, having been worried that Helen might fall for the scheme.


    But before she could fully rx, Helen said, "I certainly won''t take any. Otherwise, why would I have brought you? You take them."


    Gillian stared in shock, unable to believe her ears. "What?"


    "What are you afraid of? Do you think I can''t protect you if something goes wrong?" Helen nced outside and whispered, "Hurry, just take three pearls. No one will notice. There are so many of them. Even if ten or so are missing, no one will notice."


    Gillian could hardly believe her ears. Was this really the woman she had raised? To think she would ask Gillian tomit such a theft.


    Ancient wisdom proved true-living too long of a life could be problematic!


    But what could Gillian do? This was the youngdy she had raised with so much care-this was karma indeed.


    Gillian was extremely nervous as she was stealing something for the first time. Although Helen was blocking the view of the people outside, the older woman''s hand still trembled slightly as she reached out. Her heart pounded in her chest.


    She grabbed a handful of pearls, not knowing how many she had taken, quickly stuffed them into her pocket, and turned around as if nothing had happened. Fortunately, the people outside didn''t look in, given that it was Helen who had entered-who would ever suspect her of theft?


    With Gillian nervously in tow, Helen made a show of inspecting the room and said, "Well, these dowry items are indeed impressive. There are many rare treasures."


    Gillian wiped the sweat from her forehead. Despite the chilly weather, she was drenched in cold sweat.


    "Alright, let''s go. We need to attend to the guests," Helen said as she headed out the door.


    Gillian quickly followed, the guilt of thievery tormenting her. She prayed for forgiveness from the heavens. She had no choice but to do as her mistressmanded.


    As Helen and Gillian left, the guards at the door exchanged nces. One of them nodded and hurried off to find Jacob.


    "Seriously?" Jacob asked, frowning.


    "I wouldn''t dare use Lady Helen falsely, nor would I obstruct her. I feared causing her disgrace," the guard replied.


    "Very well. Return and keep watch. No one is to speak of this," Jacob instructed.


    After the guard left, Jacob poured himself a drink and strolled around the banquet, casually observing from behind a partition screen. From his vantage point, he could clearly see the area where the women were gathered. Helen was speaking with Eleanor, then handed something over to her.


    Jacob had a clear view of what was exchanged-Mystic Pearls, at least five or six of them.