Chapter 1007

Moments before, Jessica had been brash and loud. However, the sight of Carissa and Violet instantly silenced her. She clutched the hem of her dress, her chin raised slightly, unwilling to lower her head even in her fallen state. A pair of small, gilded butterfly earrings dangled from her ears—a stark contrast to her shabby attire, as if they were all she had left to maintain a semblance of dignity.

She had come alone, without a maid.

"Your Grace, Ms. Spencer, you've arrived at just the right time," Hannah said, her face livid, ashen with anger. "I've dealt with my fair share of troublesome people, but I've never seen anyone cause this much of a scene! She wants to stay at the workshop and insists we change the name to her own. When I asked why she was cast out, she refused to say a word."

It wasn't hard to understand Hannah's fury. When the workshop was established, she and Carissa had laid down strict rules: women cast out for evil deeds or harming others would not be accepted. So, Jessica's evasiveness and arrogant demeanor were infuriating.

Carissa and Violet sat. Jessica saw their silk dresses and jewelry, similar to what she herself had worn as royalty. Now, clad in coarse fabric and simple hairpins, she looked old and poor, her face devoid of makeup. The contrast fueled her anger and shame.

But she couldn't avoid coming, and she dared not show her arrogance to Carissa, a government official, especially with Eleanor's case being handled by Rafael.

Carissa studied Jessica. "Jessica, do you really want to stay at the workshop? Do you understand that it's not a place of luxury? You'll have to work here."

Jessica's bravado wavered, but she clung to her pride.

"By virtue of your age, you and Rafael should be more respectful. But I won't hold it against you. I'm here to stay at the workshop, but don't think I've come begging! You said it's a shelter for" She paused, bitterness and resentment flashing in her eyes. "women who have been cast out. I'm sure you already know why I was divorced. You've heard the details, perhaps even laughed behind my back. But if you offer shelter, you can't turn me away."

"I've heard about your divorce, but not why you were cast out," Carissa replied calmly. "As for laughing, it's not worth our time."

Jessica's face turned crimson. "I don't believe that! You must be enjoying my misfortune!"

"Your misfortune is none of our concern. But your wanting to stay at the workshop is. Why were you cast out? We need the full story," Carissa said calmly.

Jessica clenched her teeth. "Isn't it obvious? I couldn't bear a son. Everyone in the capital knows. They threw me out to bring in a younger wife. You helped that poor embroiderer and held a proper funeral, so why won't you take me in? Why don't you care about me? Or is it all for show, to polish your reputation?"

Hannah shook her head, exchanging a look with Carissa. She sensed more to the story. Carissa nodded in agreement.

Margaret, currently managing the Marquis of Ironridge's household, was known to Hannah. She wouldn't cast out a woman simply for infertility.

In ordinary families, a woman might be divorced for not producing an heir, especially if the husband couldn't take a concubine. A childless woman was considered worthless.

But the Marquis had a secondary wife, Emma (Margaret's niece), and a concubine, Serena. Emma had children. Even if Jessica couldn't bear children, Emma's children would be considered hers.

The contrast between high nobility and common folk was stark. Wealthy marriages were often political alliances, not solely about heirs.

Though Jessica had been stripped of her title and estates, the Marquis's family wasn't the type to cast out a wife for infertility. They weren't cold and calculating.

Carissa had also interacted with Margaret, receiving a gift—a golden bracelet—before her marriage to Rafael, indicating Margaret's kindness.