Chapter 224
Eleanor smiled slowly, thinking it was time to extract more money from this "money tree."
Inside Evergreen Palace, Helen sneezed repeatedly. While preparing for her noon nap, she was informed that Eleanor and Jessica had arrived.
Gillian furrowed her brow. When those two came together, it was usually for a specific reason.
A few years ago, Jessica and Dakota opened a makeup shop and made money. Helen, hating to be outdone, learned of their success and considered starting her own shop. However, she didn't plan to partner with Jessica; she wanted to work with her maternal nephew.
Jessica, however, approached Helen with a proposition. She claimed to have a unique formula that produced makeup as good as that used in the palace. She asked Helen for three thousand silver coins to start a business, suggesting they open a makeup shop together.
Helen was skeptical of Jessica, so Eleanor intervened, making sarcastic comments suggesting Helen was worried about being tricked and didn't trust them. Helen, already intimidated by Eleanor and Jessica's presence, handed over the money after seeing Eleanor's grim face.
Over the years, the makeup shop never made a profit, consistently suffering losses. Periodically, Helen was asked for more funds to keep it afloat. Despite private complaints, she felt compelled to comply to avoid accusations of poverty or stinginess.
In these years, Jessica had extracted nearly ten thousand silver coins for the perpetually unprofitable makeup shop.
Gillian, who had served Helen for many years and followed her into the palace, was naturally concerned about the expenditure. She suggested, "It seems they are here again to ask for more money. Lady Helen, the makeup shop isn't making any money. Perhaps it would be best to close it down to avoid further requests for funds. You've already spent so much on it."
Even if that amount of silver were thrown into the water, it would at least make a splash.
Helen also felt the makeup shop had been a failure, but she was reluctant to close it; she felt it would be embarrassing. Jessica and Dakota's shop continued to profit, while Helen and Jessica's shop was perpetually in the red. She refused to believe it would remain unprofitable indefinitely. It was a matter of pride.
Determined not to be defeated, Helen invited Eleanor and Jessica in. As she listened to their reasons, she complained, "Why does your shop with Dakota profit every year, while our shop—larger than yours—suffers losses every year? What happened to the unique formula you promised?"
Jessica was well-prepared with her explanation—a story she had repeated countless times. It went something like this: a business needs time to establish itself and gain a reputation, so initial losses are inevitable. Once the reputation is built, the money would start flowing in.
Helen was not easily swayed. Her primary concern was not to make a large profit, but to surpass Dakota.
Eleanor merely lifted her gaze and said calmly, "What's the matter? Are you unable to come up with the money? If you really can't manage, you might as well sell your share to Dakota. She has been saying she wants it."
Ignoring Gillian's frantic head shaking and signals, Helen instructed someone to fetch the money.
Three thousand silver coins were quickly produced, and Eleanor and Jessica left, visibly satisfied.
Once they had gone, Gillian said with a pained expression, "Lady Helen, this can't go on! The makeup shop is a bottomless pit; no matter how much you pour in, it won't be filled. It might be better to sell it."
Helen was distressed over the loss of money. Sitting in her chair with a dark expression, she said, "How is it that Dakota's shop is making money while mine is not? Mine is two stories high, much larger than hers, with a greater variety and better quality. It will make money eventually."
"I'm afraid the makeup shop might actually be profitable, but they're hiding the true figures from you. You wouldn't know if they kept reporting losses," Gillian replied.
"How could I not know? Aren't there ledgers? The ledgers are sent to me. Besides, weren't you the one who reviewed them for me?" Helen retorted.
"Ledgers can be falsified," Gillian sighed. "Lady Helen, next time they come asking for money, don't give them any more. Just consider the previous money a loss."
Helen grumbled inwardly. She had never wanted to give the money in the first place. However, when Eleanor's gaze swept over her, she felt an inexplicable fear. Besides, she also wanted to avoid looking bad in front of them.
Helen suddenly thought of Carissa. If Carissa were in her place, would she have given them the money?