Chapter 375

In the blink of an eye, more than ten people surged into the room. At Eleanor’s command, they headed for the account books.

Helen was frantic. “Grand Princess Eleanor, what are you doing? The account books are clearly correct! Why are you trying to hide them?”

Eleanor glanced at her fingers, then lazily gave Helen a sidelong look. “How do I know you haven’t tampered with them?”

“Then let’s review them together. If we do it together, we’ll find out if there’s been any tampering, won’t we?”

Eleanor snorted derisively. “There’s no need to trouble yourselves. Since you’ve already reviewed them, it’s our turn now.”

Jessica barked, “What are you waiting for? Take them away!”

Carissa, holding her whip in one hand, hurled her cup at one of the guards. It struck him squarely on the forehead, and he collapsed unconscious.

Carissa stepped forward, her whip cracking through the air with sharp, resounding snaps. The ten or so guards, despite not being lined up, all received lashes from the whip.

Carissa stood in front of the boxes, glaring coldly at the guards. “I dare anyone to try and move these!”

“Carissa, how dare you strike my people? How bold of you!” Eleanor was livid.

“Aunt Eleanor, you flatter me. I may not be bold, but I have nothing to hide. I had no choice but to strike them; it was a last resort. Please forgive me.”

Jessica screamed, rushing out. “Are you all dead? Can’t you handle one woman? Someone, get some help!”

Helen, terrified, stood up and hid behind Carissa.

Carissa’s voice was icy. “I advise you not to make such a fuss. Harmony Palace is surrounded by the estates of various influential families. If word gets out, they might say you’re bullying your niece-in-law.”

Jessica roared, “Carissa, who’s bullying whom here? You’re the ones who came to provoke us!”

Carissa responded calmly, “Everyone saw that I came to Harmony Palace with my mother-in-law and a few servants, without a single guard. You’re the ones escalating things by calling for the household soldiers and causing a scene.”

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed. The little schemer had more cunning than brute force.

Carissa flicked her whip lightly; it crackled sharply through the air, whipping up a gust of wind that struck those nearby. The household soldiers involuntarily took a step back, their faces reflecting their unease. These people had heard of Carissa’s exploits on the Southern Frontier battlefield. They knew she had led the charge as the vanguard, maneuvering through a storm of arrows with her elite troops to breach the city gates. Her martial prowess and courage were unmatched, and none of the household soldiers present could stand against her.

Having intimidated the household soldiers, Carissa raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“It’s quite strange. I’ve merely brought the account books from The Gilded Tower for verification, and you’re both seizing the books and calling for a fight. Is there something fishy going on here? Could it be that it’s not Eric who embezzled The Gilded Tower’s funds, but Jessica who misappropriated my mother-in-law’s profits?”

“You’re talking nonsense!” Jessica retorted sharply, but her inner turmoil was evident.

“Let’s hope I’m talking nonsense. Since you refuse to review the books, my mother-in-law and I will head to Ironridge Estate.”

Holding her whip, Carissa blocked the way of the household soldiers and calmly instructed her own people, “Take the account books outside. We’re going to Ironridge Estate.”

The household soldiers were unwilling to act against her and stood by. The servants from Rafael’s household were skilled and nimble; under Carissa’s protection, they began moving the boxes with ease. Carissa turned, deliberately ignoring Eleanor’s dark expression, and beckoned Helen. “Mother, let’s go. Harmony Palace is not a place for reasoned discussions. We’ll find another place to resolve this.” Helen hurried forward, her steps quick and small. Carissa took her hand with one hand and held the whip with the other, leading the older woman out with the servants in tow.

“Stop!” Eleanor’s voice cut sharply through the air.

Carissa turned, raising an eyebrow and smiling. “Aunt Eleanor, do you plan to have your five hundred household soldiers fight us? If they win, they’ll be charged with assaulting the royal family. If they lose… well, that would be quite a disgrace, wouldn’t it?”