Chapter 1008

Seeing Carissa and Violet exchange glances, Jessica's temper flared. She no longer cared if Carissa was someone she could afford to offend.

“So, you’re all hypocrites! You don’t actually want to shelter mistreated and outcast women. Pretending to be kind-hearted—what a joke! I’ll expose you!” she shouted.

Despite her outburst, she remained seated, glaring at Hannah with bitter resentment.

Carissa watched, confused. Hannah's maid's report had led Carissa to believe Jessica was merely stirring up trouble. Now, she wasn't so sure. Jessica seemed angry, but her demeanor was contradictory. She was shouting but hadn't moved. Was she truly destitute after being cast out?

“I heard you even want to change the name of our workshop,” Violet asked, her tone softening slightly, though a hint of amusement colored her voice as she observed Jessica's pathetic attempt at dominance.

“Naming it after a dead person is bad luck,” Jessica sneered.

“Then don't come here,” Violet retorted sharply.

No matter how miserable some people appeared, their irritating attitudes persisted.

“Do you think I care?” Jessica huffed, clearly wanting a sharp retort, but she paused at Carissa's composed, serious expression. Her prepared words died on her lips.

“Fine, leave then,” Violet smirked, her patience wearing thin. “You're really something, complaining after coming here. Do you think you're here to live comfortably? You'll have to work for everything.”

“I’m not leaving! I’m staying to see if you are as hypocritical as you seem.” Noticing Hannah's pale face, strained with composure, Carissa intervened to de-escalate the situation. “Mrs. Lloyd, perhaps you should leave now.”

Hannah, eager to escape Jessica's presence, replied, “Then I’ll leave it to you, Your Grace.”

Chapter 1008

Hannah remained uncertain about Jessica's intentions—part of her felt it was a mere disturbance, but another part wasn't sure. Before Carissa and Violet arrived, Jessica's arrogance had made Hannah want to slap her.

Fortunately, they were at Skye Embroidery. Had this been Hannah's estate, Jessica would have been ejected long ago.

Once Hannah left, Carissa addressed Jessica. “You can go back now. We’ll investigate your situation. If you were indeed cast out for infertility and have nowhere else to go, Skye Embroidery might take you in—but only if you genuinely need help.”

“What’s there to investigate? I’ve told you everything!” Jessica's impatience grew. “If I’d committed a crime, the Marquis of Ironridge’s family would have handed me to the authorities.”

“Jessica, you own several properties and businesses. You’ve made considerable money. The Marquis’s family wouldn’t have thrown you out penniless.”

Jessica stood rigidly, fingers clutching her sleeves. Her well-maintained nails clashed sharply with her haggard face.

“That’s right! I own houses and shops. I came to see if this workshop is as rumored. Don’t think you can push me around!”

“If you own houses and shops, you don't meet our criteria,” Violet stated, studying Jessica. It was still difficult to understand her situation. “Unless you have no property, no means of support, and are truly destitute, we won’t take you in. Are you that poor and desperate?”

“Of course not!” Jessica denied vehemently, a faint flush rising on her dull skin. “I’m not poor and destitute.”

Carissa nodded. “Then you should leave.”

Jessica glared at the floor, her brow furrowed, before rising.

“Fine, I’ll leave! But don’t regret this.”

She was about to leave when Carissa called, “Wait, are these coins yours?”

Jessica spun around; a few copper coins lay beneath her chair. She pretended to search her purse.

“They’re mine. Even a few coins, I won’t let you take advantage.”

She quickly retrieved the coins and left hastily.

Violet turned to Carissa. “What’s going on? Is she really that broke?”

Carissa had placed the coins there herself. They weren’t Jessica’s.

This revised version improves grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for clarity and flow. It also removes unnecessary repetition.