Chapter 757

When Carissa asked the question, no one answered. Their silence was understandable; whatever they said would be recorded. Disloyalty toward parents or elderly relatives was a grave sin. Even if they weren't held accountable, it would harm their future prospects if word got out. In a noble family, who would want to marry a disloyal daughter?

Only Randall showed a hint of guilt, but he remained silent.

Carissa glanced at them and said to Kirk, “Make a note of this: Lady Avis's children, as well as the concubine's children in the household, have nothing to say. I can't tell if they are ashamed or indifferent.”

Stephanie quickly replied, “How can you say that? Of course we wanted to care for our mother! Our father was unwell, so we had to care for him. Besides, we were young and unmarried; it wouldn't have been appropriate for us to go to Verdant Monastery.”

A mocking glint flickered in Carissa’s eyes. “So, because your father was ill, you all stayed in the manor to care for him, while your mother, who was seriously ill, had to go to Verdant Monastery? Why couldn't she stay at Horizon Estate to recover? Did you treat her poorly? Or did she discover something unsavory in the estate?”

Fiona shuddered. “You can't say such things, Commander Sinclair! Lady Avis wanted to go to Verdant Monastery of her own accord. We tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't listen. Besides, this is a family matter. What right does the Capital Guard have to meddle in our family affairs?”

Molly, disliking any mention of Avis, coldly remarked, “Exactly! What does this have to do with the rebellion case? Regardless of your rank, you can't interfere in the affairs of a prince's household. Even as the Hell Monarch's princess consort, that doesn't grant you special standing.”

“Right! This is a family matter! We don't need to explain ourselves to you!” Everyone joined in denouncing Carissa, their expressions filled with righteous indignation.

Carissa allowed them to vent. Once they were sufficiently animated, she turned to Fiona and asked, “You once offered a girl to Eleanor. What was her background? What was her name? Did you buy her or abduct her? What was the purpose of presenting her to Eleanor?”

Fiona, previously pleased with herself as she watched Molly and the two county duchesses denounce Carissa, was completely stunned. A flicker of panic crossed her face, quickly masked.

“What girl? When did I ever offer a girl to the Grand Princess? Don't make unfounded accusations, Commander Sinclair! That's slander!”

Carissa looked at Fiona. “You don't remember? Let me help you recall. She was a girl from Valken named Wendy Lloyd. Her father was a craftsman, and she had three older brothers. You brought her to the capital when she was fifteen, and she died at eighteen. Do you know how she died? She gave birth to a son, who was then killed. Eleanor ordered the girl's fingers and toes to be chopped off; she was tortured for three days before she died.”

Chapter 257 (+25 Bonus)

Fiona’s face paled slightly. “Who said such nonsense? I don't even know anyone by that name!”

Carissa leaned back, watching her coldly. “It doesn't matter if you deny it. Someone in Harmony Palace remembers, and it's recorded in the books. Those records detail every girl who entered Harmony Palace: where they came from, who brought them, how they arrived, their ages upon arrival, when they died, and the abuse they suffered—everything is crystal clear.

“Do you want to explain now, or should the Supreme Court summon you directly, Lady Fiona? Do you think Eleanor is only implicated in the rebellion? Over a hundred girls suffered and died in Harmony Palace. This case will shock all of Starhaven, and the king is taking it very seriously.”

Fiona gripped the armrest, tiny beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She hadn't expected to be caught, despite her precautions. She had even forgotten the girl's name; it had been too long. All she knew was that when Eleanor saw a girl resembling Melanie Sullivan, she would take her back to Harmony Palace.

Back then, Fiona had just married Yuvan, and she had sent a single girl to curry favor with Eleanor.

After a thoughtful pause, she said, “Now that you mention it, I do remember something. I did send a concubine to the Grand Princess. At that time, Grand Princess Eleanor had just given birth to Lady Jessica and didn't want more children. She didn't want Lord Henry's line to end, so she sought a few concubines of humble origins who would be easy to manage. I recommended one, but it's been so long, I nearly forgot.”