Chapter 1034

In the side hall, Selma offered Jessica coffee. Jessica drank a cup quickly, her throat parched and stomach rumbling. Hungry and thirsty, she remained in her room, fearing the people outside would barge in.

Seeing Jessica's distress, Selma said, "I saw you working diligently a few days ago. May I make you a bowl of noodles?"

"Thank you," Jessica whispered, tears welling in her eyes as Selma left.

Her eyes were swollen, and exhaustion was evident. She looked utterly defeated and stripped of dignity.

"I gave everything I had. I paid my debts," she murmured, her voice flat. "But I still owe so much. I don't deserve sympathy. I'm no good. But as a so-called duchess in Ironridge Estate, could I really do anything evil?

"My mother-in-law hates me, my husband is indifferent, and I have no control over the household. When my mother was alive, I spent twenty days a month at Harmony Palace. After her death, the Kingsley family fell apart. I was demoted to a commoner, and even in Ironridge Estate, I endured everything. Even when upset, I remained silent."

Tears streamed down her face. "I had nothing against the woman who married into the Marquis of Ironridge's family. I had no say in the matter. Perhaps I cared before, but not now. When Serena joined the family, I hated her. Carissa, you think I brought this on myself because Serena wanted Rafael. Yes, it's karma."

Jessica wiped her eyes and nose with her sleeve, sobbing. "I hit Serena, but she deserved it. She was vile, using underhanded tactics to gain favor. She craved attention, and even my mother-in-law knew it. She punished Serena repeatedly.

"Flora, however, never offended me. After she joined the household, she was always respectful. If not for her, I would have slapped her mother long ago. Why would I harm her child? Consider my situation. Why would I bother—"

Violet interrupted, "What did Flora's mother do to you?"

Jessica's eyes flashed with anger. "That woman is vicious. She stole my royal jelly soup. She called me a useless hen who couldn't lay eggs and said I shouldn't eat it—that her daughter, carrying the marquis's heir, should have it. She said, as a lowly commoner, I had no right to such luxuries."

Carissa frowned. "A concubine's mother dared to say that? Where did you hear this? Could someone be slandering her to you?"

"I heard it myself!" Jessica's voice rose, thick with fury. "She said it to my face. When I yelled at her, she packed to leave. Then my mother-in-law and husband scolded me."

"How could I defend myself? Should I complain to Madam Margaret that Flora's mother called me a hen? They wouldn't believe me. They never believe anything I say."

Carissa saw tears welling in Jessica's swollen eyes again.

She asked quickly, "What laxative did you give her? How much? Who did you ask to administer it?"

Jessica sniffed. "I told Serena. I don't know how much she used. I only said that vicious woman should suffer for two days."

Violet stared. "You asked Serena? Are you out of your mind? You treated Serena horribly, and you still asked her to give someone a laxative? I don't know what to say."

Jessica was vicious and stupid!

"I made her miserable? Since she arrived, I've only hit her three times. After that, I let it go. But sometimes, when she misbehaved, I snapped—a dozen times, maybe more. But she got used to it, even saying I was 'teaching' her."

Jessica reached for a handkerchief, but seeing their fine clothes and her own simple attire, she withdrew her hand.

"Even though I dislike Serena, this isn't about her. I told her to do it. I pushed her into the lake later because she betrayed me and revealed my role."

Carissa and Violet exchanged a look, unsure what to say.