Carissa thought back to how Jessica had been so desperate that she had to pick up a few coins. It was clear she was now at her wit''s end.


    However, the situation had grown increasinglyplicated. While Jessica''s original intent was merely to get back at Flora''s mom, the oue was far more severe-Flora ended up losing her child. As if that wasn''t enough, Jessicater pushed Serena into ake, fully aware that thetter couldn''t swim. This meant Jessica''s actions weren''t idental. Her malicious intent toward Serena was clear.


    "I know it''s wrong, but I can''t help it-I find it a bit funny that Serena got pushed into ake," Violet said with a solemn face.


    She quickly muttered an apology and prayer under her breath, hoping to redeem herself spiritually.


    Carissa frowned slightly. "What I don''t understand is how Jessica could be so stupid. She''s no longer a duchess and she''s not even respected at Ironridge Estate. Her mom''s imprisoned and her dad''s dead, yet she''s still causing trouble. Is she trying to ruin her life on purpose?"


    "If she didn''t want to keep living, why would shee to the workshop for help?" Jacob asked.


    Carissa turned her gaze to Rafael. "What do you think?"N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Rafael paused for a bit before replying, "This situation might have more to it than we realize. Giles doesn''t necessarily know the full truth. There are a lot of dirty secrets in a big family, things they''re desperate to keep hidden. As far as Madam Margaret is concerned, Jessica had to be cast out. Maybe it''s because Madam Margaret found out about her involvement in usury."


    Carissa nodded. "It could be abination of several things. Perhaps Madam Margaret just couldn''t tolerate it any longer. The Marquis of Ironridge himself isn''t the most decisive, and the household is run by his mom. Plus, the marquis clearly doesn''t care much for Jessica."


    "They''re clearly two people who can''t stand each other. It''s a sad state when a marriage falls apart like that," Rafael said with a hint of mncholy.


    Carissa murmured in agreement, but her mind wasn''t focused on their failing rtionship. When a couple no longer had affection for each other, it was pointless for others to specte on their feelings.


    Instead, she said, "The workshop has been open for some time now, but no one''s willing toe.


    "Jessica used to be a duchess. If we take her in, it could be a good starting point for the workshop-but that''s only if she wasn''t actually trying to harm the concubine''s child.


    "Let''s think this through. She had intended to give Madam Barbara thexative. At worst, it was a prank. She didn''t mean to harm the child, but the mishap caused the miscarriage. It''s obvious Madam Margaret wasn''t fully enraged yet.


    "But when Jessica pushed Serena into theke, and with all her other actions piled on top-especially the usury-Madam Margaret finally reached her breaking point and had to cast her out."


    Everyone nodded in agreement. The situation was indeed as Carissa had said-time and again, Jessica had made the same mistakes and refused to change. Given all that, her downfall wasn''t unjust.


    Carissa continued, "The problem is,


    why did the medicine end up in Lady Flora''s hands by ident? The medicine that caused her


    miscarriage-how strong must that dosage have been? Who gave it to her? And what was behind Serena being pushed into theke? As for the usury, Jessica didn''t profit from it and the court already imposed a fine. We don''t need to worry about that part."


    She paused and added, "Of course, apart from that, we have to make sure that her intention to work at the workshop for a living is genuine. If she''s onlying to eat, drink, and sleep without contributing, then we can''t ept her."


    Violet had always disliked Jessica,


    and she was initially against the idea of taking her in. However, Carissa''s reasoning was hard to argue with.f even someone of Jessica''s former status was willing to seek refuge at the workshop, perhaps it would inspire others who were hesitant and worried about social judgment to take the same step.


    Q


    They couldn''t afford to wait any longer. No one wanted to see another incident like Hollis''. And in truth, how many others had suffered before her?


    Violet turned to Carissa. "What if you


    go to Ironridge Estate and ask the


    people there directly? If Jessica''s truly at rock bottom, she''ll probablye to the workshop again for help... But I''m not sure if Madam Margaret will be willing to reveal the full truth."