Chapter 1312
When Carissa returned to Hell Monarch Estate, she immediately learned that Silverstone Estate had been seized and the Earl of Silverstone's family imprisoned. She had already received word while still at the palace; indeed, she suspected this outcome upon hearing of Oliver's desertion. The seizure of Silverstone Estate was intended not only as punishment for Oliver's crime but also as an inducement for his surrender. Such confiscations and stripping of titles were standard procedure in such scandals; the family's wealth and status could not remain intact.
But what would happen next? Even Carissa couldn't predict Salvador's next move. Isaac, seeking help not from the powerful but from the common people, had already begun his efforts. Zoey, anticipating this, had established a food distribution stall outside the city to aid the poor and the sick. Luna had recounted Evelyn and Viola's criticism of this as a wasteful reputation-building exercise; yet, aiding the Earl of Silverstone's family now hinged on two factors: a significant Southern Frontier victory and widespread public support for Zoey. Supporting Zoey differed from supporting Oliver.
Isaac thus spread rumors portraying Oliver as having abandoned his wife for a concubine and their child, neglecting his duties and betraying the king, the court, and most importantly, his family. Isaac aimed to establish Zoey's virtue while simultaneously depicting her as a cruelly abandoned wife. They alleged that Oliver had long planned to divorce Zoey but delayed due to his Southern Frontier posting. Rumors from traders spoke of Oliver's captivating young wife at his marshal's residence, whose beauty allegedly enthralled all who saw her—rumors Jacob undoubtedly fueled. However, he emphasized Zoey's enduring compassion, highlighting the unwavering food distribution at Silverstone Estate, regardless of the weather.
Gradually, the common people formed a clear impression of the Countess of Silverstone: dignified, graceful, capable, compassionate, and generous. Yet, her life was far from easy, burdened by a demanding mother-in-law and a troublesome sister-in-law, Viola. Since marrying Oliver, Zoey had known little peace, enduring his lack of affection and respect, and the presence of numerous concubines. Despite her competence, her life lacked the luxuries her husband's title afforded, and now she suffered the consequences of his actions—a truly pitiable fate.
The weak often attract sympathy, and Zoey's virtuous reputation garnered public support. A wave of outrage over her suffering ensued. Seeing this shift in public opinion, Carissa immediately sought out Meredith. That evening, Meredith casually mentioned the situation to her father-in-law, Irvin, the Oversight Minister, a man keenly attuned to public sentiment. The following day, Irvin inspected Zoey's food distribution stall, surprised to find it still operational.
Puzzled by its continuation despite the imprisonment of its benefactor, he inquired. He learned Zoey had hired local poor people, not household staff, to run the stall, providing them with a thousand silver coins. Charlie, the stall's overseer, explained that Zoey's trust and the funds allowed the charitable work to continue. Irvin was deeply moved. Charlie, a man intimately familiar with hunger and hardship, could easily have absconded with the money; instead, he honored Zoey's compassion, demonstrating the power of true compassion to touch hearts and inspire others.