Chapter 381: +25 BONUS

Rafael and Dylan led the way on horseback, the carriage following slowly behind. Helen grasped Carissa’s hand, her excitement almost uncontainable. “I truly didn’t expect you to successfully get all the money back. Others may not be aware, but I know Grand Princess Eleanor very well. She may appear amiable, but in reality, she’s quite domineering.”

Carissa gently pulled her hand away. “Now that you know what kind of person she is, it’s best to keep interactions with her to a minimum in the future.”

Helen nodded, but her expression grew worried. “I’m just concerned that if we fall out with her, she might speak ill of us to other ladies and tarnish our reputations.”

“What’s there to worry about?” Carissa said dismissively.

“Of course, you’re not concerned. Your reputation is already in tatters, but I’ve just left the palace and can’t afford to gain a bad name.”

Carissa gave her mother-in-law a sidelong glance. Helen was truly harsh with her words, especially when speaking to those she considered her own.

Helen quickly realized her mistake and tried to clarify. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that Kiera is currently looking for a husband. Eleanor has connections with many prominent families, so I’m worried she might spread rumors that could harm Kiera’s reputation.”

“Kiera is a high princess, protected by the king and queen. She also has the backing of the Hell Monarch’s household. Who would dare gossip about her? They’d be courting disaster,” Carissa responded.

She recalled her conversation with the queen, who seemed keen on having Logan marry Kiera. Carissa planned to first learn about Logan’s character. If he was trustworthy, she would then discuss her thoughts with Kiera.

Naturally, she would also need to ask Logan about his intentions. After her failed marriage with Barrett, Carissa felt that simply following parental orders and the advice of matchmakers was no longer sufficient—mutual agreement between the two people involved in the marriage was crucial.

“Are you upset?” Helen asked after Carissa had been silent for a while.

“I’m not upset,” Carissa said, pushing those thoughts aside. “I was just thinking about a few things.”

Helen generously said, “You don’t need to worry about it. I said I would give you half if you got the money back for me. I promise I won’t go back on my word.”

Carissa chuckled softly. “Please keep your money, Mother. I can’t accept it from you.”

“You don’t want it?” Helen was puzzled. “If you don’t want it, why did you go to such lengths to confront Grand Princess Eleanor for me?”

“You’re my mother-in-law. If Aunt Eleanor and Jessica deceived you and took your money, isn’t it only right for me to stand up for you and recover it?” Carissa replied.

Helen glanced at her daughter-in-law’s calm profile, recalling the time at Harmony Palace when they had been reviewing the accounts. When Helen felt extremely cold, Carissa had instinctively wrapped her in a cloak to keep her warm. The memory brought a fleeting warmth to Helen’s heart.

+25 BONUS

“You’ve been kind to me. I’ll remember that. I’m not like those ungrateful people.”

Helen was, of course, referring to the Warren family.

Carissa smiled but remained silent.

Helen observed her closely, thinking that her daughter-in-law was not as insufferable as others had claimed. In fact, she was quite the opposite. It was clear that the former accusations by Eleanor about the Duke of Northwatch’s family were nothing but lies meant to deceive and stir trouble.

Reflecting on it now, Helen realized she couldn’t just blame others—she had been the one to look down on Carissa because of her past. Thinking of how Carissa had helped her twice now, shame and fear crept in.

If Carissa were like other noblewomen and had made a fuss upon discovering that her mother-in-law had stolen her dowry, would Helen’s reputation still be intact?

But it wasn’t just about reputation. Helen wouldn’t have been able to assert any authority over Carissa. If her daughter-in-law had turned things around on her, there would have been nothing Helen could do to stop her.

After all, who ever heard of a mother-in-law stealing the bride’s dowry on her wedding day? Even common folk wouldn’t stoop so low.

Helen’s anger flared as she thought about Eleanor’s cruelty and her own foolishness. How could she have been so easily provoked by a few words, all for the sake of a little pride?