Chapter 480

Dorothy’s vision darkened, and she nearly collapsed in anger. She swayed before steadying herself. Pointing a trembling finger at Helen, she stammered, “I will… I will surely go to the palace and report to the Queen Dowager. You are utterly outrageous!”

“Go ahead and report, you vile woman!” Helen retorted, lifting her chin proudly. “The Queen Dowager is my sister, but she is reasonable. If she learns how your family is bullying Leona, she may be so enraged that you’ll lose your title! Then you can forget about being a noble lady and return to being a commoner.”

“When did the title become yours to take away? Who do you think you are?”

Dorothy, thoroughly infuriated, dropped her cane and pushed Helen, who fell to the ground.

Helen cried out, “How dare you lay hands on me? How dare you defy your betters and strike me?”

The Earl of Gracehold’s household was stunned. Moments before, Helen had been cursing fiercely, but now she appeared a wronged young woman, tears welling in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Carissa and Rafael had already departed for Gracehold Estate. There were matters Carissa couldn't directly intervene in, but if her mother-in-law was mistreated, she would certainly act. She'd instructed Violet to advise Helen that reprimanding, even physically confronting, the Earl of Gracehold’s family was acceptable. If provoked, Helen could fall; this would give Carissa and Rafael a legitimate reason to intervene.

Additionally, Leah went to Hartstone Estate after Violet began dragging Ruby to the sitting room. Leah informed Harvey and Heather that Helen had gone to Gracehold Estate to stir up trouble.

Harvey and Heather were startled. Given Helen’s temperament, wouldn't she turn both families into enemies? Heather longed to see her daughter, but Harvey had previously forbidden it. Fearing hostility, he quickly summoned a carriage for Gracehold Estate.

The two carriages arrived almost simultaneously. Rafael helped Carissa alight, while Harvey jumped down and assisted Heather. Their eyes met. Rafael greeted coldly, “Uncle Harvey, Aunt Heather.”

Harvey was taken aback. “What brings you here?”

“Why are you here, Uncle Harvey?” Rafael asked.

Chapter 480 +25 BONUS

Harvey, intending to prevent Helen from causing a scene, hesitated to reveal his purpose to Rafael. He said, “We heard Leona was in trouble, and came to see for ourselves.”

Rafael’s eyes darkened, anger flashing. “My cousin is being bullied? Let’s go inside!”

“No,” Harvey began, wanting to clarify it was a domestic dispute, not bullying. But Rafael, taking Carissa’s hand, strode inside.

“Prince Rafael and Lady Carissa have arrived!” “Prince Harvey and Lady Heather have arrived!”

The announcement echoed. Rafael and Carissa entered confidently. Everyone stood. “Greetings, Your Highness, Your Grace.”

Seeing her son and daughter-in-law, Helen wailed, “Cari, Son, the Earl of Gracehold’s family is outrageously overbearing! They even dared to push me! They clearly disrespect the royal family!”

Rafael’s imposing presence filled the room. His cold gaze swept across the room, causing heads to bow. Even Samuel, initially defiant, bowed under Rafael’s intense stare.

Only Ruby held her chin high, feigning pitiful innocence. Tears welled as she gazed at Rafael. His gaze lingered; her expression shifted to defiance.

Rafael turned away and, with Carissa, was led to the main seats. Harvey and Heather, despite their rank, could only sit to the side.

“Who dared to bully my mother?” Rafael’s voice, cold as frost, echoed through the room.