Chapter 484

Violet glanced at Carissa, who nodded slightly. Violet then coldly laughed. “You claim to be a ‘pure courtesan’?” she said. “Perhaps you can fool someone as brainless as Samuel, but do you think you can fool us?”

Her words instantly enraged Samuel. “How dare you slander her?” he snapped.

Violet sneered. “Slander her? I wouldn't dare. Ruby, shouldn't you tell everyone your real name? I heard your esteemed father gave you a lovely name—Celeste Kingsley, wasn't it? But Grand Princess Eleanor didn't call you that, did she? She called you Cece, didn't she?”

Ruby’s face turned deathly pale, but only for a moment. Soon, tears filled her eyes, and she choked out, “W-what are you talking about?”

The faces of the Earl of Gracehold’s family also changed drastically. They stared at Ruby’s elegant face in disbelief. Could she really be Eleanor’s daughter? Surely, she wasn't her biological child. Eleanor had only given birth to Jessica. However, it was rumored that the grand princess had taken in several concubines for her prince consort, though none had ever appeared in public. These concubines must have had children, but those children had never been seen.

But this was simply too absurd. Even if Ruby wasn't Eleanor's biological daughter, she would still call the grand princess her mother. How could Eleanor allow her own daughter, even an illegitimate one, to end up in a brothel?

Violet snorted. “There’s no point in denying it. I’ve thoroughly investigated. Do you really think that little secret could be hidden from our princess consort?”

“No, I’m not! I’m not!” Ruby wept, clinging to Samuel’s sleeve. “If I were Grand Princess Eleanor’s daughter, how could I have ended up in such a low place?”

Samuel’s heartstrings were tugged by her pitiful sobbing. He quickly comforted her. “I believe you. She’s just trying to use you to defame Grand Princess Eleanor.”

“Idiot,” Rafael scoffed softly.

Carissa looked at Noah. “She is indeed Grand Princess Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter. As for why she entered your estate under a false identity, that’s for you to figure out. I won’t interfere. I’m here tonight because my mother-in-law was mistreated. As for Leona’s suffering in your household, I trust her parents will handle it. The prince and I need not worry ourselves further. Your Grace, please!”

Noah, panicked, stepped toward Carissa, but Violet blocked his way. He stopped, looking at Carissa desperately.

Chapter 484 +25 BONUS

“Your Grace, please clarify! Is she truly Grand Princess Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter?”

Violet replied coldly. “You should ask me. I investigated this. She is indeed Grand Princess Eleanor’s illegitimate daughter, born to one of Lord Henry’s concubines. She was raised in the western courtyard and, from a young age, was taught how to please men. As for her claim of being untouched before entering your household, it’s laughable. She lost her purity long before becoming part of this family. I don’t know how many men have ‘taught’ her, but if you doubt me, just watch how she tears your household apart, and you’ll know the truth.”

“I’m innocent! I am pure!” Ruby collapsed into Samuel’s arms, crying so hard she nearly fainted. “How could she slander me like this? Samuel, you know best whether I’m pure or not!”

Samuel held her tightly. His voice rising, he said, “That’s right. She is pure! I can vouch for it.”

Violet sneered. “Vouch? With what? A single red stain? You’re supposed to be a scholar, a top candidate in the national examination, yet you’re this foolish. Do you really not know how to tell if a woman is truly pure?”

Samuel’s face turned deathly pale with anger. He shouted at Violet, “Shut your mouth! Get out! All of you, leave!”

“You think we want to stay in this filthy place?” Violet shot a cold glance at Ruby. “We weren’t going to expose your secret, but you went too far by harming Lady Leona. She’s never done anything to you, yet she suffered because of you. And now you dare to hurt her? You’re only brave enough to pick on someone weaker. If you had any real courage, you’d go back and fight your legitimate mother. If you did that, I’d even respect you.”

Chapter 485