Chapter 198
Carissa's smile widened; her fan fluttered as she tried to dispel the oppressive atmosphere in the room.
“It seems you believe in setting double standards, Lady Jessica. How is it that when I speak the truth, you want to tear my mouth apart, yet it’s perfectly acceptable for you to slander and spread rumors? I trust the Grand Princess has invited Sebastian today. Should we perhaps ask him to clarify things?”
Carissa cast a meaningful glance at Rebecca. “Rebecca, if you feel wronged, you may address your concerns directly with Sebastian.”
Rebecca looked at Carissa with a mixture of resentment and coldness. Carissa had once been so submissive and obedient, but now her gaze was filled with indifference. Rebecca blamed Carissa for everything that had happened. Carissa couldn't even tolerate one concubine. What kind of virtue could she have as a wife?
Yet, Rebecca remained silent. She knew that if Sebastian were called over, she might find herself cut off from Snowdrop Pills in the future.
Jessica felt cornered. She glared at Carissa and snarled, “What right does a discarded woman have to act so arrogantly?”
Carissa’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone to hear, and it carried a note of intimidation.
“I am not a discarded woman. The divorce was my request—I chose to leave Barrett. I don’t care what you say behind my back, but in public, I expect you to be mindful of your words. Even though I’m the only one left of the Duke of Norwatch’s family, I’m not someone you can easily mess with.”
A hush fell over the room. Many of the ladies present were unwilling to be complicit in Eleanor’s machinations. However, they couldn’t say or do anything due to her status. At this moment, they were internally cheering for Carissa.
They had attended many such parties. While they might not know Eleanor’s true nature, they recognized her tendency to form cliques and target those who were not genuinely loyal to her.
Eleanor never confronted people directly. Instead, her daughter, Jessica, and a few others would act as her proxies, often leaving others speechless.
But this time, it seemed they had met their match. Carissa may be an orphan, but she wasn’t one to be easily bullied.
Helen watched Carissa with inexplicable satisfaction. Though she disliked Carissa, she admired the latter’s courage in standing up to Eleanor and Jessica.
“Cari, you’re quite impressive,” Leona said softly from beside Carissa, her eyes full of admiration.
Eleanor finally spoke, her tone cold and detached. “Lady Heather, how is your health these days?”
Heather, already on edge, felt her heart leap into her throat as her daughter praised Carissa. She was keenly aware of the potential consequences and had no desire to offend Eleanor.
As soon as Eleanor asked, Heather flinched and forced a smile. “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My health is improving.”
After answering Eleanor, Heather abruptly waved for her daughter. “Leona, come back and sit beside me.”
Leona, who was holding Carissa’s arm, replied with a smile, “Mom, I’d like to talk with my cousin for a moment.”
Heather’s expression changed, and she snapped, “You can talk later. Come here now!”
Carissa gently patted Leona’s hand and said softly, “Go ahead. I still need to pay my respects to Her Highness and present my gift.”
Taking the scroll from the visibly furious servant, Carissa approached with measured steps. Her dress flowed gracefully with each step, and her movements were poised and deliberate, far removed from the roughness of military life. As she walked, the silk ribbons in her hair swayed slightly.
The crowd, having already been dazzled by her beauty, now watched in awe as she approached Eleanor. They thought to themselves that Carissa had inherited her mother’s otherworldly beauty, perhaps even surpassing it.
Eleanor watched her with eyes that, usually so inscrutable, were now filled with unmistakable and uncontainable resentment. To Eleanor, Carissa embodied everything she despised, a reflection of the woman she loathed.