Chapter 372

+25 BONUS

Eleanor, clearly irritated, 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 personally went out to handle the situation. Noticing 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 they were the account books, but Carissa interjected, "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, seeing that they had brought manuscripts, she sneered, "Aunt Helen probably thinks she offended you by retrieving the Mystic Pearls, so she brought Carissa along to present Kyle's manuscripts as an apology. At least she has some sense."

Eleanor glanced at her. "If you continue to use that brain of yours in your husband's house, your mother-in-law will kick you out in less than three years."

The mention of Margaret darkened Jessica's expression. "That old hag! I'll poison her sooner or later."

Eleanor's tone was cold. "You'd better calm down and avoid causing any trouble that will need me to clean up your mess. Your mother-in-law isn't someone you can easily handle. Try to get close to her before saying anything else."

Jessica was frustrated. "Forget about that old hag. What do you think Aunt Helen and that wretched Carissa are here for?"

Eleanor set down her chopsticks. After the maid brought her some water, she rinsed her mouth and used a handkerchief to wipe her lips. Throwing the handkerchief aside, she stood up, and the maid draped her cloak over her.

Eleanor stepped out, saying, "We'll find out soon enough."

Seeing this, Jessica also put on a cloak and followed her out.

In the side hall, Eleanor first saw several boxes on the floor, and her heart skipped a beat. She was very familiar with these boxes. The account books from The Gilded Tower were always sent to her in similar boxes every year, so she knew exactly what they were. These were the very same boxes. Now, with six boxes on the floor, it seemed that all the financial records from recent years were contained within them.

Chapter 372

+25 BONUS

The Gilded Tower appeared to be Jessica's, but it was actually Eleanor's. Naturally, she wouldn't acknowledge The Gilded Tower as her own since it was styled after The Golden Tower.

Jessica recognized the boxes and exclaimed, "Aren't these the account books from The Gilded Tower?" Carissa rose with a bright smile. "Greetings, Aunt Eleanor, Jessica. We meet again."

Jessica's expression darkened. "Don't try to start sweet-talking! Why are you here?"

Eleanor slowly took her seat and gently reprimanded her daughter, "Jessica, don't be rude."

Jessica sat down heavily, her gaze skimming over the account books. Her face changed slightly, but soon returned to its usual expression.

"Helen, what's the meaning of this?" Eleanor asked, pointing to the boxes on the floor. She didn't bother asking Carissa directly—it was far better to question the more pliable Helen.

Carissa wasn't stupid enough to let Helen make opening remarks, so she said with a smile, "It's like this. Yesterday, I heard from Mother that she and Jessica had opened a jewelry shop together. After a little inquiry, it turned out to be The Gilded Tower. It was such a coincidence! Before my marriage, Kyle gave me a large gold bracelet from the very same shop."

Her face was all smiles; there wasn't a hint of sharpness in her eyes. She wasn't there to inspect the accounts at all.

Having dealt with Carissa a few times, Eleanor wasn't about to let her guard down. She turned to Jessica.

"This Gilded Tower is the same one you mentioned you and Helen partnered in, right?"

Jessica replied, "Yes, Mom, that's correct."