Chapter 347

The scene before Helen was pleasing. Her son, Rafael, was handsome, and Carissa was beautiful. They presented a cold, imposing image as husband and wife. A moment ago, Gillian had rushed in to report that Carissa's chastity had been confirmed; she had consummated her marriage with Rafael only the previous night.

Helen was satisfied, though her satisfaction was limited to Carissa's purity. She hadn't yet come to terms with this being Carissa's second marriage.

Helen sat upright, her demeanor proud, her gaze authoritative. Rafael, suppressing his anger, led Carissa forward by the hand. They knelt and bowed their heads in greeting.

Gillian, holding a tray, stood aside and announced, "The new bride offers a toast to Lady Helen!"

Carissa took the cup, respectfully offering it to Helen with both hands. "Mother, please have some wine."

Helen waited. Only when she saw the anger brewing in Rafael's eyes did she slowly extend her hand to accept the drink. She took a small sip and set the cup aside.

"Hand her the gift," Helen said slowly, her voice laced with haughtiness.

Gillian set down the tray and presented a pair of stag-and-dove bangles, smiling as she placed them on Carissa's wrists. "These are a gift from Lady Helen to the new bride. The new bride should bow and thank her for this honor."

Since her mother-in-law had given her a gift, Carissa bowed and expressed her gratitude. It was customary.

After thanking Helen, Carissa stood, and Helen began rubbing her neck. "I didn't sleep well last night. The noise kept me up, and now I have a headache. Come over and massage my head."

"No need to rush," Rafael said coldly. "There's something I need to ask you, Mom. Did you, by any chance, take some Mystic Pearls from Carissa's dowry and give them to Aunt Eleanor last night?"

Helen froze, her eyes darting away—a clear sign of guilt.

Realizing she had been caught, she blustered, "Who's been spreading such nonsense? I'll have their tongue cut out!"

Rafael pressed on, "Mom, just tell me—did you or did you not? If you did, say yes. If you didn't, say no." Helen feared nothing more than her son's stern expression—it was exactly like the late king's when angry.

Helen could use her charms to appease the late king, but that was useless with her son. His gaze would cut through her like knives.

Chapter 347 +25 BONUS

Under the intense pressure of her son's gaze, Helen glanced at Gillian. Taking the cue, Gillian dropped to her knees.

"Please, Your Highnesses, don't be angry. It's all my fault."

Gillian confessed everything about the bet between Eleanor and Helen, sparing no detail.

Helen glared at Gillian—how could she not keep even a small matter like this hidden?

After hearing the whole story, Carissa gave Rafael a reassuring look, signaling him not to lose his temper.

She said, "It's just a few Mystic Pearls. If Mother wants them, I can offer them as a token of respect. Since Grand Princess Eleanor said that if I don't ask you for them, she would return the pearls and even pay you three thousand silver coins, then that's easily settled. Today, you can accompany me to Grand Princess Eleanor's palace. I'll explain the situation to her in person. Grand Princess Eleanor is reasonable. Since she made the bet, she'll honor it, return the pearls to you, and give you the three thousand silver coins."

Helen's eyes lit up. "You're not upset? You're not angry? I took your dowry, and you're not angry?"

Was Carissa really this generous?

Carissa smiled. "It's just a few pearls. I'd be happy to give them all to you, Mother. There's nothing to be upset about. But those pearls are valuable, and it would be a shame if they ended up in someone else's hands, don't you think? We can't let her have them for nothing."

Helen clapped her hands in delight. "Excellent! I've won! I'll go with you to Grand Princess Eleanor's palace right now, demand the pearls back, and get those three thousand silver coins. The Gilded Tower cost me quite a bit of money, and I've never earned a single coin from it. Now, getting three thousand silver coins from them would just make up for what I gave them last time."

"The Gilded Tower?" Carissa asked, her tone laced with intrigue. "Was that jewelry shop something you and Grand Princess Eleanor started together?"

"Of course! It's been running for years, and I haven't earned a single coin. I even have to fork over money from time to time to keep it afloat."

Helen trailed off, realizing this wasn't appropriate. Didn't it make her sound like a poor investor? That would be embarrassing!

Helen quickly changed her tune.

"But that's how business works—sometimes you lose, sometimes you gain. You wouldn't understand. Starting a business is hard, and keeping it going is even harder. Eventually, it will turn a profit."