Chapter 728

Harmony Palace was in disarray. All the stewards, including Eleanor, had been taken away. Palace maids and servants were temporarily confined within Harmony Palace under the watchful eye of Supreme Court officials, awaiting later questioning. The Capital Guard and Garrison Unit had withdrawn; the case was now in the Supreme Court's hands.

Rafael's deputy minister, Matthew, arranged for the imprisoned women to contact their families. If those families were found to be involved and their assets subsequently confiscated, the Supreme Court would seize the funds from Eleanor's accounts instead.

Melanie Lester, living in the capital, was allowed to return home first. Carmen arrived to collect her, still reeling from the operation's October 1st execution, rather than the planned fifteenth. Considering Carissa's deception, Carmen felt a surge of anger. Carissa hadn't trusted her—despite Carmen's complete openness and even bringing Henry along—concealing her true plan.

Only in the carriage home did her mother speak. "Your father never intended to cooperate with Lady Carissa. He informed Grand Princess Eleanor of the fifteenth's plan. It wouldn't have succeeded without the earlier timetable."

Carmen was incredulous. "Dad sold me out? Doesn't he realize he could have gotten me killed?"

Melanie leaned weakly against her daughter, tears streaming down her cheeks. "He sees each daughter as a tool, just like Grand Princess Eleanor."

"But… he loves you most, doesn't he?" Carmen wiped her mother's tears, her own beginning to fall. "He said he'd do anything for you, as long as you escaped the dungeon!"

"Don't trust a man's words. Complete trust leads to irreparable loss," Melanie said bitterly, resentment evident. "Initially, he paid attention because of my beauty. But love? None. It was an act to make Grand Princess Eleanor believe she controlled him. His weakness lies with the Kingsley family. His frequent dungeon visits were to make the Grand Princess believe she controlled him through our bond. He was using it to control you and Celeste."

Melanie coughed, her face pale with anger. "If he cared for you and your sister, he wouldn't have told that woman your plan. If he found it too risky, he could have persuaded you to abandon it instead of pretending to agree and then betraying you."

Carmen clung to her mother, her admiration for her father shattered. "How could he be so cruel? I always obeyed him! Doesn't that mean anything? I'm his flesh and blood!" she cried.

Chapter 728 +25 BONUS

Melanie gripped her daughter's hand, her teeth clenched. "Remember, you can't trust men. Don't give your heart away, even when you marry. Never follow my path. I fell for his lies, leading to your exploitation. You're better off—your martial arts training is a good start. But your sister, taught wrong from childhood, is ruined."

"Now that you're safe, Celeste doesn't need to continue," Carmen said, wiping her tears.

Melanie sighed. "She visited. I told her to escape and forget me. She claimed she was merely playing a part for that woman, but deep down, she craves entanglement with a powerful family. She believes she deserves more. She's gone astray, likely thinking she can succeed alone. But it's not entirely her fault. That woman taught her to pursue only wealth and power—all she sees now."