Chapter 1006

Carissa furrowed her brow. "Why would she go to the workshop?"

Skye Embroidery had been advertised as a place for women who had been abandoned or cast out—those with nowhere to go and struggling to make a living. Jessica, however, should still be able to survive after her divorce. As far as Carissa knew, Jessica owned several properties and shops. Even after being cast out, she could continue living comfortably.

The Lloyd family's maid explained, "She said she had nowhere else to go and insisted on staying. She even insulted Madam Hannah, claiming that since the workshop takes in divorced women, she qualifies. If she's not allowed in, she said the workshop is hypocritical. Madam Hannah was so upset she sent me to inform you and Ms. Spencer, Your Grace."

Violet, upon hearing that Hannah had been insulted, immediately declared, "I'll go."

Davis often called his wife a "mother tigress," but Hannah was generally reasonable. Jessica, however, was being unreasonable. Having been cast out and her life in ruins, she was lashing out. Hannah, needing to protect the workshop's reputation, couldn't simply expel Jessica. That's why she was so upset.

Carissa stood up. "I'll go with you."

Violet nodded. "Alright. Let's have Jacob inform Prince Rafael. I've already told him, and his people have likely gathered some details."

Jacob nodded in agreement. "Go ahead."

The two women, along with the maid, went to Skye Embroidery. The front gate was firmly shut. The maid knocked, announcing their identities. The door opened.

Skye Embroidery's main courtyard wasn't large. They didn't usually receive guests; only two rows of chairs adorned the space. The middle courtyard was larger, with several looms. A partition screen on the left separated a room filled with embroidery frames and silk threads—the workshop itself. Hannah preferred the women working together, exchanging ideas and talking. They were all women who had suffered; she wanted them to become a family.

Chapter 1006 (Continued)

Behind the main courtyard were the sleeping quarters, not in separate buildings but connected rooms. Each room was small but had space for a bed, cabinets, tables, and chairs. There was also a sizable garden, originally used for drying fabrics but now repurposed to grow vegetables and raise chickens.

The workshop was currently empty. Hannah often visited, bringing two servants to tend the garden and clean. Shortly after Hannah's arrival, Jessica appeared. Carissa and Violet entered just as they heard Jessica's brash voice:

"Why can't I stay? You're all pretending to do good deeds! That little wench Carissa isn't kind; she's evil, ruined my mother's life, and now plays the good Samaritan? If you don't let me stay, I'll tell everyone and trash you all in the streets!"

No wonder Hannah couldn't handle it. Jessica was still ranting about Eleanor, a traitor and rebel. Hannah couldn't bear to hear it, especially given the potential for it to spread and implicate her husband.

Carissa stepped forward, her voice steady but sharp. "Your mother? Who is she? Tell me—how did someone as evil as me ruin her life?"

Violet followed, her tone cold. "I was wondering who it was. My heavens… It's you, Jessica?"

Violet gasped. Jessica's hair was streaked with gray, her eyes framed by deep wrinkles. She wore a simple, coarse dress, her once carefully styled hair loosely gathered and pinned with a plain wooden hairpin. Her once full face was gaunt and hollow, her cheekbones prominent. There was no makeup; her skin looked dry and sallow.

Carissa was also stunned. This was Jessica? How had she fallen so low?