Chapter 779

"No need for that!" Gareth shouted angrily. "If you have something to say, spit it out and then get lost!"

"Gareth!" Mikhail snapped. "Mind your manners!"

Gareth rolled his eyes. "Don't be so weak, Mikhail. What are you afraid of? If we've done nothing wrong, we have nothing to fear."

Carissa studied Gareth, noting his temperament mirrored his father's. However, Norman possessed genuine skill and achievements, which allowed people to tolerate his temper, however difficult. Gareth was different. He relied on his father's power, barking complaints at the slightest provocation—a yapping dog emboldened by his connections. This explosive attitude intimidated most in the Ministry of Defense, fueling his arrogance.

Carissa refused to indulge him. "Fine. Since you don't want the scribe, I'll remember our conversation. You're Lord Gareth, correct? Bring out your concubine, Lady Cecilia. I have questions for her."

Cecilia had been in the Whitfield family for seven years, bearing two sons and a daughter. She was the apple of Gareth's eye, enjoying far more favor than his other wives, though not at the expense of his primary wife's position. His primary wife had only borne daughters, while Cecilia had provided him with sons. Naturally, he held her in high regard.

The mention of Cecilia altered the expressions of those present. Rumors about Eleanor's household and the dispersal of her concubines' daughters among noble families were well known, and the implications were not lost on them.

Gareth was only momentarily taken aback. Carissa's direct mention of his beloved concubine only inflamed his anger.

"What does a woman of the inner courtyard know? Do you want to humiliate her? You can ask those of us present whatever you want!"

Carissa gazed at Gareth's flushed face and enunciated clearly, "Lady Cecilia's surname is Kingsley. Her father is Lord Henry, and she is part of the Kingsley family, as well as Eleanor's household. Her mother, Thelma, passed away in May three years ago."

The revelation stunned everyone.

After a moment of shock, Gareth exploded with rage, shouting, "You're spouting nonsense!"

Mikhail, typically subservient, remained composed. He commanded a servant, "Bring Cecilia out here."

"Mikhail!" Gareth turned to his brother, his eyes blazing. "This is impossible! Why are you calling Cecilia? This is a blatant attempt to frame her! You know her parents are deceased, and she has no relatives. This woman is trying to pin this identity on Cecilia to implicate our family in the treason case! How could you even consider such a malicious notion?"

Mikhail ignored him. "Open the main door and let the Capital Guard and scribe in."

Chapter 779

"Dad!" Gareth looked at Norman, whose face was ashen. "If Mikhail lets them in, what dignity will our family have left?"

Norman remained silent. Having suppressed his anger, he had calmed down, but he could neither refute Carissa's statement nor oppose the Capital Guard's entry.

It was no wonder Carissa hadn't left after waiting an hour. As Mikhail had said, she had only come because it was necessary; she needed to verify certain things.

Now, Norman could only hope Cecilia was not Henry's daughter, or this could become a major scandal.

Norman was unaware that Carissa had already reported to Salvador. Once Salvador agreed the concubines' daughters were victims, Carissa came to Oakspire Estate. Otherwise, given Gareth's position in the Ministry of Defense, Salvador would have suspected the Duke of Oakspire's family. After all, most weapons and armor found in Harmony Palace were modeled after those from the Ministry of Defense's arsenal.

Among the concubines' daughters, Celeste and Carmen were the most dangerous. The one with the Quinton family was relatively harmless; the Quinton family's strict nature made her unlikely to cause trouble. Still, they would need to remove her.