Share

Chapter 368

Author: Summer's Blaze
Carissa first sought out Luke to get a general understanding of the situation and the current status of The Gilded Tower.

Luke assured her that there was no need to worry. They had Eric in their custody and had sent some people to monitor The Gilded Tower, ensuring that no one could slip out to send a warning.

Feeling reassured, Carissa headed towards the accounting room.

Helen had not yet finished reviewing the accounts, but the entire room was filled with people kneeling in fear and anxiety. The place was in disarray—anything that could be thrown from the desk was thrown, except for the account books. Several cups had also been smashed.

Helen's hair was a mess, and her face was pale with anger. Upon seeing Carissa, her feelings of grievance and humiliation reached its peak, and she burst into tears.

"How could they do this to me?!"

Carissa entered the room, and addressed everyone, "Please rise. Everyone except for the accounting staff, leave the room. Gillian, you too."

Ther
Locked Chapter
Continue Reading on GoodNovel
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 369

    Carissa decided not to address the issue immediately. She instructed the staff to prepare a meal for Helen first.After Helen had finished eating, Carissa said, "Let me see the contract. We need to check for any hidden traps. If there are any, we must prepare in advance."Helen blinked through her tearful eyes. "What can we do if there are traps?""There are ways to deal with them. Just bring the contract to me first," Carissa replied, not meeting Helen's gaze, especially not when she was crying. So, Carissa turned to find Gillian and asked her to retrieve the contract.Gillian knew exactly where the documents were kept. She quickly found the contract, and brought it to Carissa.Carissa read through the contract three times from start to finish and found no issues with it—it was fair and impartial. As for the parties involved, Helen had used Gillian's name, while Jessica had used Eric's name. Surprisingly, Eric was a household servant of the Winchester family.For a lady from

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 370

    Carissa deliberated for a moment before ordering that Eric be brought in for questioning.In the side room, a charcoal stove was set up with a fire poker roasting over it. After a while, the fire poker was glowing red-hot halfway through.Seeing this, Eric was so frightened that he nearly wet his pants. He fell to his knees and pleaded, "Your Highness, spare me! Please spare me!"Carissa sat upright, frowning slightly. "Why would I want your life? I just need you to answer a few questions truthfully." Eric nodded vigorously. "I will tell you everything I know."Carissa held up the purchase ledger. "Is Jessica aware that you've been purchasing cheap, rough goods?""Yes, of course! She was the one who instructed us to get them.""Did you inform her that the gold used in the jewelry is impure and might cause problems?"Eric's eyes shifted nervously as he replied, "I did mention it, but Lady Jessica said it didn't matter. She said if there were problems in a few years, we'd be clo

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 371

    Once the accountant finished calculating the amounts, the accounts were handed to Carissa.After Carissa reviewed them, she nodded and passed them to Helen. "Mother, please have a look and see if the figures are correct."Helen took the accounts and studied them carefully. She looked prepared for any potential confrontation. However, as she examined it, her expression turned to one of shock. "Did I really spend this much over the years?"The total expenditure, including the capital outlay, amounted to an astonishing 136,000 silver coins. Although she had recorded each transaction, she had never realized the total sum would be so vast.If Carissa hadn't taken her to review the figures and brought Eric in to be interrogated, Helen would have continued to believe she was incurring losses and would have kept giving away money to maintain her prestige against Dakota.The 136,000 silver coins were the principal amount. The total profits from previous years plus this year's profit re

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 372

    Eleanor was clearly irritated and said, "Have them brought in and seated in the side hall for a while. There's no need to take them to the main hall. I'll join them after I finish my dinner."The steward went out personally to handle the situation. Noticing that they were bringing in items that didn't look like gifts, he asked Helen, "May I ask what you've brought, Your Grace?"Helen was about to blurt out that it was the account books, but Carissa interjected first, "They are some old manuscripts for Grand Princess Eleanor to review."The steward's eyes brightened at the mention of manuscripts. Could they be Kyle's manuscripts?He immediately ordered refreshments to be served, then went to report to Eleanor and Jessica."Manuscripts? Kyle's?" Eleanor asked slowly."I'm not sure. She didn't say, and I didn't dare to ask," the steward replied.Jessica had only recently learned about the Mystic Pearls and the three thousand silver coins, which had left her very angry. Now, seein

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 373

    Eleanor nodded thoughtfully. "I remember you mentioned before that the shop's initial reputation wasn't good."Jessica vented her frustrations, "That's right! Despite several years of operation, it failed to make a profit and has been running at a loss. We had to resort to discounts and promotions at the end of the year just to cover costs for rent and wages. I truly feel guilty towards Aunt Helen. She believed in me, and invested in The Gilded Tower with me. Yet, instead of earning any profit, we've only faced losses.""Business is tough these days, Jessica. There's no need to feel too guilty. I'm sure Mother understands, don't you, Mother?" Carissa interjected.Carissa turned to look at Helen.Helen felt a bit confused. What was with the look?Carissa had instructed her to stay silent if possible before entering, and now, she was being questioned.But, catching Carissa's subtle hint, she could only nod and respond awkwardly, "Yes."Carissa continued off Helen's answer, "Yes, e

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 374

    Eleanor and Jessica's expressions changed at the mention of the Supreme Court. They knew all too well that the current head of the Supreme Court was Rafael. Eleanor glanced at the boxes of account books. "Since Eric deceived you as well, and you've already reviewed the account books, Jessica will also need to go through them. Leave the books here for now. After we've completed our review, we will visit you personally to reconcile the accounts. Once the evidence is clear, we'll send it to the authorities for proper action."Carissa sipped her coffee and smiled. "Aunt Eleanor, I'm rather impatient by nature. The account books are here. Please have your accountants come over immediately to review them. If more accountants are needed, I can send someone to Ironridge Estate to bring over their accountants as well. We'll sort it out tonight, and the accounts can be recalculated by tomorrow.""No, you can't go to Ironridge Estate!" Jessica stood up, her face pale. Margaret and Leopold

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 375

    In the blink of an eye, more than ten people surged into the room. At Eleanor's command, they headed towards the account books.Helen was frantic. "Grand Princess Eleanor, what are you doing? The account books are clearly correct! Why are you trying to hide them?"Eleanor glanced at her own fingers, then lazily gave Helen a sidelong look. "How do I know you haven't tampered with them?""Then, let's review them together. If we do it together, we'll find out if there's been any tampering, won't we?"Eleanor snorted derisively. "There's no need to trouble yourselves. Since you've already reviewed them, it's our turn now."Jessica barked, "What are you waiting for? Take them away!"Carissa held her whip in one hand, and hurled her cup at one of the guards. The cup struck him squarely on the forehead and he collapsed, unconscious.Carissa stepped forward, her whip cracking through the air with sharp, resounding snaps. The ten or so guards, despite not being lined up, all received las

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 376

    Seeing Carissa's smile, Eleanor felt a deep-seated revulsion. Carissa's resemblance to Melanie was too striking. Both mother and daughter were insufferable.Carissa maintained her pleasant smile. "We're here to settle accounts openly and honestly. I'm not sure why you're making such a fuss, Aunt Eleanor. Is there really something shady happening? Mother, after we sort things out at Ironridge Estate, you'll need to host a gathering so everyone can discuss this matter properly."Jessica retorted angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting? What could be shady? Haven't I sent the account books for Aunt Helen to review all this time?""It's quite a coincidence," Carissa said, her tone growing stern. "The account books you sent to my mother-in-law are completely different from those I found at The Gilded Tower. The books you provided show losses, while the ones from The Gilded Tower show profits. Do you think there's something shady going on?"Jessica was exasperated. "Why are you talkin

Latest chapter

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1502

    Spring Pavilion was full that day.The restaurant wasn't very big to begin with, and it usually had some customers. The black-clad men that lady brought had taken up all the remaining seats.Carissa, Violet, and Travis had to sit at a small table the owner had set up at the last minute, separate from the others.The man's voice, soft and apologetic, reached Carissa's ear. It was warm and pleasant. "These are my brothers-in-arms. We've been traveling since last night and haven't had a bite to eat. If it troubles you, I can have them wait outside and just pass them some bread each when we're done."Violet paused, surprised, but quickly shook her head. "No need for that. Please, let them stay. They can sit where they like and order what they wish."The man smiled kindly. "You are kind-hearted, miss. In that case, we'll order freely, and we'll take extra.""Alright… That's fine," Violet replied, casting a glance at the sea of black. The men were dressed in a way that suggested some

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1501

    Carissa studied the man and woman carefully, feeling a sense of unease. She couldn't quite place their age. They looked to be in their thirties, yet there was an undeniable vitality about them, as if they were no older than twenty.Her gaze moved to their eyes, particularly the man's. His eyes were as deep and mysterious, yet they held the calculating sharpness of a seasoned old fox.Before Carissa could say anything, the man stepped forward and spoke. "This is where the orphanage is being built? Is the local government funding it?"Travis glanced at them, noting their perfectly spoken Starhaven dialect. They clearly weren't from Victory Pass, yet he saw no malice in their faces. He nodded. "Yes, it's a place to take in abandoned children," he replied. "It's being supported by the local government."The man nodded. "That's a good cause."Carissa stepped forward. "Are you from the capital?"The man regarded her but didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked, "Are you the He

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1500

    Kendrick didn't wake until well into the afternoon the following day, his body heavy with exhaustion and hunger. When his eyes finally fluttered open, he felt as if his entire body had been shattered. Every muscle ached, and lifting even his arm seemed like a Herculean task.The weariness sank deep into his bones, and he had no energy to move. His attendant, a trusted servant by the name of Avery, stood at his bedside, awaiting his attention. He said quietly, "Your Highness, Lady Carissa has been waiting for you for half the day. She wishes to speak with you."Kendrick had initially planned to stay in bed, have all his meals brought to him, and then drift back to sleep. He was simply too tired to move. But when he heard that Carissa had waited so long, he immediately threw the covers off and commanded, "Prepare me, quickly."Over the course of the journey, Kendrick had come to understand just how formidable Carissa was. As a woman, she had never once complained about exhaustion

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1499

    After lighting a candle for Edith, everyone returned to the backyard. They wiped away their tears, set aside their grief, and gathered around Carissa to ask about her married life. The most frequent question was about how well Rafael treated her.That was how families were. They knew she was capable, yet they couldn't help but yearn for her spouse to treat her with genuine love and care.Carissa had many cousins, all daughters of her uncles, but most had only met her a handful of times. Still, when they saw her, they were all overjoyed.Her cousins were all married, and many had returned to Victory Pass with their husbands and children. Having heard so much about Carissa, they couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and sympathy.Among them was Shayla Sullivan, the eldest daughter of Carissa's second aunt. She had married Chase Hudson, one of Dominic's subordinates. But within a year of marriage, Chase died in battle before their child had even been born.Now, the child was 12

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1498

    After nearly twenty days of grueling travel, they finally arrived at Victory Pass on the third of August.The heat had been unbearable along the way, causing many in the party to fall ill. Fortunately, Carissa had come well-prepared with plenty of medicine. They had also brought along a royal physician, Dorian, who was able to manage the illnesses without any major issues.But Kendrick, having never endured such hardship, was exhausted beyond measure. By the tenth day of their journey, he could barely speak. His face and lips were pale, and the exhaustion was evident in every line of his features.When they finally reached the outskirts of Victory Pass and saw the Sullivan family and the troops come out to greet them, Kendrick collapsed. The sight of him fainting right there gave everyone a fright, and they quickly rushed to carry him back.However, Carissa barely noticed Kendrick's condition. As soon as she saw her family, she ran straight into her grandfather's arms, tears stream

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1497

    On the twelfth day of July, the Starhaven envoy delegation departed the capital in a grand procession, heading toward Orivenia.Rafael rode alongside the group for five miles, only reining in his horse reluctantly when Dylan and Jacob both insisted it was time to stop. Carissa turned back to wave at him, her smile as bright as ever. There wasn't a hint of sadness on her face.Rafael gazed after her, his eyes filled with longing.But under his breath, he muttered, "She's heartless, truly heartless."The sun had risen high, and the road was still and stifling with the lack of wind. Still, Rafael waited until the last of the procession had disappeared from view before reluctantly turning his horse around and heading back.This journey to Orivenia was a significant one. Carissa had brought along three hundred men from the Mystic Army, as well as Travis, Violet, and the others.Though the two kingdoms enjoyed a temporary peace after the last conflict, Leroy had made public what happen

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1496

    The evening before the trip, Carissa, accompanied by Rafael, made her way to bid farewell to Helen. Since she was leaving early in the morning, before her mother-in-law would be awake, Carissa chose to say her goodbyes the night before.Helen had known about the trip to Orivenia for some time. At first, she hadn't fully understood the situation and felt Salvador's order was a bit much. Why did it have to be Carissa, of all people, who had to undertake such a long and tiring journey?But after hearing from Violet that the real purpose of the journey was for Carissa to visit her maternal family, Helen only sighed quietly."The greatest pain in life is the separation from loved ones, whether by life or death. And the greatest joy is the reunion with loved ones after a long time apart."Of course, those words were spoken to Violet, and would never be said in front of Carissa. To say them to her would be like rubbing salt in an open wound. After all, Helen had come to love and cherish h

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1495

    In the blazing heat of July, a letter from Westhaven arrived.Westhaven's king, Edmund, had abdicated. Grand Princess Lisandra was now queen. She had taken the throne and assumed control of the kingdom, and its name was officially changed from Westhaven to Orivenia.The new queen invited Starhaven to send an envoy delegation to attend her coronation and to discuss the long-standing border disputes. Lisandra had already ascended the throne, so attending the coronation was merely a formality. The true purpose of the visit was to negotiate the border issue.When the Westhaven envoy delegation previously came to Starhaven, their primary goal was the border—an issue that had been put on hold due to internal unrest. It was also the matter that had weighed most heavily on Lisandra's mind. So, with her coronation behind her now, she wasted no time in reopening the talks.At the morning court session in Starhaven, there was unanimous agreement that old grudges were behind them. Both kingdom

  • Her Graceful War Song   Chapter 1494

    At Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa and Cynthia were busy teaching Roxana and Courtney martial arts. Mostly, it was Cynthia who took charge of Roxana's lessons, while Carissa kept company with Courtney, observing but not actively participating.Work at the Capital Guard headquarters was actually quite busy, but time seemed to slow down, bringing a sense of calm to everyone's hearts. No matter how long this period without suspicion would last, they decided to cherish each day as it came.But there was one thing that weighed heavily on Carissa's mind—Rafael's health.Although he was gradually recovering, his vitality had been severely damaged. Working tirelessly every day, leaving early and returning late, with irregular meals and inconsistent medication, he wasn't able to rest properly, which was always a worry.Bun came down the corridor and approached Carissa, saying, "Vivi says she won't be home tonight."Carissa nodded, her expression unchanged. She didn't need to ask. She knew exa

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status