Chapter 1030

Carissa couldn't visit the Marquis of Ironridge because his family was in mourning. Numerous rumors circulated, and although she wanted to quell them, clarifying the truth proved impossible. Without facts, suppressing the rumors would be futile.

Claire returned with her investigation's results, confirming the rumors originated at Ironridge Estate. She meticulously traced the gossip's source, even spending money to discover that Ironridge Estate's servants were the initial informants. Jessica's past cruelty and abuse of the servants fueled their revenge. Enraged by the story, the rumor-spreaders felt it their duty to expose Jessica's wickedness.

Claire questioned them: "Since you're so passionate about justice, are you sure this is the truth?"

They responded with surprise, "Of course! She's Eleanor's daughter. The king stripped her of her dukedom, proving her guilt in the treason case. If she plotted against the king, what won't she do? Who knows how many people she's harmed?"

Jessica's name was already synonymous with guilt. Claire questioned others but found no concrete evidence. Her report contained little hard evidence.

Violet visited the workshop that day, only to find it besieged by a large, angry crowd threatening to tear it down. The gates and walls were covered in filth.

Furious, Violet immediately returned to Hell Monarch Estate. Overhearing Claire's explanation about the servants' revenge, she slammed a cup down, exclaiming, "This is outrageous!"

Carissa, however, paused before asking, "Did you see Jessica?"

"I couldn't even get in!" Violet replied, her anger evident. "Just thinking about her makes my blood boil. And honestly, it doesn't surprise me; she was never a good person."

Carissa smiled reassuringly. "Don't let it consume you. We anticipated various challenges when establishing the workshop. We must solve problems, not let them derail us."

Violet's discomfort was palpable. "How can you still smile? I'm ready to lose my mind! If it weren't for her—"

Carissa interrupted with a light laugh. "If it weren't for her, you'd be worrying about the workshop's lack of customers. We're equally affected by these rumors. Let's simplify—view this from the workshop's perspective.

"Jessica sought our help first. Let's set aside personal bias. Let's pretend we've never met her and reinvestigate. Then we'll decide what's necessary—whether that means dismissing her or clearing her name."

Violet processed this, understanding the logic but feeling uneasy about Carissa's leniency. She felt she must address her discomfort.

"What's wrong?" Carissa asked after a silence.

"Cari, we should just expel Jessica. Wouldn't that satisfy the public? It would show we only accept good people."

Carissa's eyes widened. "Vivi, how do you define 'good'?"

"Someone who hasn't done anything wrong."

"Would you distinguish between minor and major wrongdoings?"

Violet faltered. "Wellanyone who's done wrong shouldn't be allowed in. We should only accept the good ones."

Carissa raised an eyebrow. "So, do you think we're good people?"

"Of course."

"Have we never made mistakes or done anything wrong?"

Violet hesitated, guilt creeping in. "Well, small mistakeswe're only human."

Carissa smiled softly. "Exactly. We can't hold others to an impossible standard. If we did, no one could join. A divorced woman isn't always guilty of something major. Marriages end for many reasons. We need clear workshop standards, not those based on personal feelings."