Chapter 1195

Carissa brought Jacob the news, leaving him visibly stunned. He immediately asked, “How did the Sandorians get into the capital, and why are they here?”

“Exactly,” Carissa replied. “We need to investigate the remaining gentlemen’s retreats and their owners. If they’re harboring Sandorians, they know more than they’re letting on.” Their primary goal was to determine when the Sandorians arrived, who brought them, and their purpose in the capital.

Carissa, accompanied by Violet and Isaac, personally investigated the five remaining gentlemen’s retreats over several days. Three harbored Sandorians—fifteen in total. Their breathing and movements revealed them to be skilled martial artists. While not all looked typically Sandorian, they resembled average Southern Frontier people, clearly selected for their roles. Their Stellish accents were flawless, likely explaining why their presence remained undetected. All three retreats were owned by the Marquis of Glandale, Fabian Schmitt.

After discussion, they decided against immediate action, instead discreetly monitoring the retreats and observing the Sandorians' intentions. Jacob simultaneously launched a new investigation into Fabian. Fabian was known for male companionship, but this didn't negate his interest in women—he was married, with children and a harem, including his youngest daughter, Hailey.

This surprised everyone, given the Marquis of Glandale’s discreet household. Aside from a few incidents involving Hailey and Jocelyn at Gracewood Women’s Academy, they’d remained scandal-free. Their reserved nature made them easily overlooked. Who would suspect such unobtrusive behavior masked the harboring of fifteen Sandorians in three gentlemen's retreats?

After several visits to the gentlemen's retreats, Carissa noted the patrons: many powerful courtiers and sons of noble families frequented these establishments for drink and pleasure.

That evening, Carissa encountered someone unexpected—Gerald Quinton, the previous king's royal tutor. He was being assisted upstairs, his face pale and heavily made-up, his once grand appearance frail and sickly under the dim light. Dressed in opulent silks, he lacked his usual ethereal grace and scholarly demeanor. Carissa almost didn't recognize him, were it not for the emerald pendant bearing the Quinton family crest at his waist. That night, she had a terrifying nightmare of Gerald surrounded by men, waking in terror.

Still shaken the next day, after freshening up, she visited Gracewood Women’s Academy. It was exam results day, with awards for excelling students, followed by the holiday break until January 8th. Jocelyn's absence had created a noticeably calmer atmosphere, though petty rivalries remained.

However, as the ceremony ended, chaos erupted. Men stormed the academy, rushing towards the students. Screams filled the air as panic ensued. Claire, on guard duty, witnessed a middle-aged man reaching for Courtney. Without hesitation, she punched him, grabbed his collar, and threw him from the building. Turning back, she found Courtney frozen in terror.

Chapter 1196