Chapter 1081

Violet's heart sank. "What are we supposed to do? Just let him continue harming his daughters? For the sake of his so-called career, he's sacrificing one daughter after another, treating them like mere objects! And I can't understand why he would push Karen to kill herself. With such a vile mind, shouldn't he have kept her alive...?" She trailed off, unable to articulate the chilling implications.

Rafael, having lost his appetite, put down his cutlery. "Because he doesn't know who the culprit is," he explained. "The affair has leaked, and he fears consequences. It was easier to have Ms. Whitley kill herself, deny her as his daughter, and eliminate any future leverage. He probably erased her from the family records as well."

Violet's eyes blazed. "Is there nothing we can do? The officials are corrupt, and the king won't act. Won't the prime minister intervene?"

"We can launch an investigation. The Supreme Court could look into it," Rafael said, glancing at Carissa. "But to avoid implicating Ms. Whitley, the investigation would need to focus on other aspects of Mr. Whitley's life. He's a minor official with no power to embezzle, and his negligence doesn't warrant much attention. We could examine his family life or character, but externally, he maintains a decent reputation. The greatest evil is his selling his daughter and even his sister to advance his ambitions."

"So, two options," Violet stated. "Drag Karen into this—which I won't do—or fabricate charges."

Carissa, after a moment of contemplation, looked at Violet. "There's a third option. We can keep him bedridden for life, unable to hold office, barely surviving, at the mercy of his wife and daughters."

Violet's eyes brightened. She glanced at Rafael and whispered, "Let's discuss this privately later. His Highness, being from the Supreme Court, can't hear this."

Rafael resumed eating slowly. "I heard nothing. Eat. No matter what, don't neglect your stomach."

Violet smiled. "Of course. We should all eat well."

Carissa paused her meal. "The man who harmed Karen must also be found. I'll have the Capital Guard investigate."

"Leave Douglas to me, Cari," Violet said, her tone hardening. "You focus on finding Karen's attacker."

Rafael added, "The hot spring is owned by Nathaniel Judd, The Golden Tower's heir. It's best to start there. Give him a heads-up. His cooperation will lend legitimacy to the Capital Guard's investigation."

Carissa nodded. "Understood." She considered the strategy: a reported theft at the hot spring might provide a plausible reason for the Capital Guard's involvement.

Rafael, understanding the system's intricacies, knew how to navigate its loopholes.

After dinner, Carissa and Violet discussed their plan: investigate first, then act, giving their target a few more days.

Violet, calmer now, looked at Carissa with concern. "But you're a court official. Could this cause trouble? If discovered, will you keep your position?"

Carissa sighed. "There's no other way. Making Karen's suffering public would endanger her and her sisters. The law has loopholes. If it comes to it, we'll use brute force."

Violet's anger flared, but Carissa steadied her. "Only as a last resort. Otherwise, what is the law worth?"

Violet nodded solemnly. "The law must be upheld. Otherwise, His Highness's position as Chief Judge is meaningless."