The scene before Helen was truly pleasing to the eye.


    Her son was handsome, and Carissa was beautiful. Both of them exuded a cold, imposing match as husband and wife.


    sing aura-a true


    Just a moment ago, Gillian had rushed in to report that it had been confirmed Carissa was indeed chaste, and that she had only consummated her marriage with Rafael the previous night. Helen was quite satisfied with this news, though her satisfaction was limited to the fact that Carissa pure. As for this being Carissa''s second marriage, she hadn''t fullye to terms with it yet. Helen sat upright, her demeanor proud, and her gaze carried an air of authority.


    Suppressing his anger, Rafael led Carissa forward by the hand. They knelt down, and bowed their heads in greeting


    Gillian, holding a tray, stood to the side and spoke. "The new bride offers a toast to Lady Helen!"


    Carissa took the cup, respectfully offering it to Helen with both hands. "Mother, please have some wine."


    Helen waited for a moment. It was only when she saw the anger brewing in Rafael''s eyes that she slowly. extended her hand to ept the drink. She took a small sip and then set the cup aside. "Hand her the gift," Helen said slowly, her voiceced with a natural haughtiness.


    Gillian set down the tray and took out a pair of stag and dove motive bangles, smiling as she ced them on Carissa''s wrists.


    "These are a gift from Lady Helen to the new bride. The new bride should bow and thank her for this honor."


    Since her mother-inw had given her a gift, Carissa was obliged to bow and express her gratitude. It was customary, and sheplied.


    After thanking Helen, Carissa stood up, and Helen began rubbing her neck. "I didn''t sleep wellst night. The noise kept me up all night, and now I have a bit of a headache. Come over and massage my head." "No need to rush, Rafael said coldly. "There''s something I need to ask you first, Mom. Did you, by any chance, take a few Mystic Pearls from Carissa''s dowry and give them to Aunt Eleanorst night?" Helen froze, her eyes immediately darting away-an obvious sign of guilt.


    Realizing she had been caught, she quickly blustered, "Who''s been spreading such nonsense? I''ll have their tongue cut out!"


    Rafael pressed on, "Mom, just tell me-did you or did you not? If you did, say yes. If you didn''t, say no." Helen feared nothing more than the sight of her son with that stern expression-it was exactly the same as when thete king was angry.


    When thete king was enraged, Helen could still rely on her charms to appease him. But trying to do the same with her son was utterly useless. Not only would it fail, but his gaze would also cut through her like


    knives


    Under the intense pressure of her son''s gaze, Helen shot a nce at Gillian. Taking the cue, Gillian dropped to her knees.


    "Please, Your Highnesses, don''t be angry. It''s all my fault."


    Gillian then confessed everything about the bet between Eleanor and Helen, sparing no detail.


    Helen red at Gillian-how could she not keep even a small matter like this hidden?


    After hearing the whole story, Carissa gave Rafael a reassuring look, signaling him not to lose his temper.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    She then said, "It''s just a few Mystic Pearls. If Mother wants them, I can offer them as a token of respect. Since Grand Princess Eleanor said that if I don''t ask you for them, she would return the pearls and even pay you three thousand silver coins, then that''s easily settled.


    "Today, you can apany me to Grand Princess Eleanor''s pce. Il exin the situation to her in person. Grand Princess Eleanor is reasonable. Since she made the bet, she''ll honor it, return the pearls to you,


    and give you the three thousand silver coins."


    Helen''s eyes lit up. "You''re not upset? You''re not angry? I took your dowry, and you''re not angry?


    Was Carissa really this generous?


    Carissa smiled. "It''s just a few pearls. I''d be happy to give them all to you, Mother. There''s nothing to be upset about. But those pearls are valuable, and it would be a shame if they ended up in someone else''s hands, don''t you think? We can''t let her have them for nothing"


    Helen pped her hands in delight. "Excellent! I''ve won! I''ll go with you to Grand Princess Eleanor''s pce right now, demand the pearls back, and get those three thousand silver coins.


    "The Gilded Tower cost me quite a bit of money, and I''ve never earned a single coin from it. Now, getting three thousand silver coins from them would just make up for what I gave themst time."


    "The Gilded Tower?" Carissa asked, her toneced with intrigue. "Was that jewelry shop something and Grand Princess Eleanor started together?"


    "Of course! It''s been running for years, and I haven''t eamed a single coin. I even have to fork over money from time to time to keep it afloat."


    Helen trailed off, realizing that this line of talk wasn''t exactly appropriate


    Didn''t it make her sound like a poor investor? That would be embarrassing!


    Helen quickly changed her tune.


    "But that''s how business works-sometimes you lose, sometimes you gain. You wouldn''t understand. Starting a business is hard, and keeping it going is even harder. Eventually, it will turn a profit"