Chapter 548
The weather was growing hotter, and the inhabitants of Hell Monarch Estate were already using ice daily to keep cool. Rafael hadn't sent any letters, and Carissa was increasingly worried. Although he had gone with her martial uncle, the mission to rescue the hostages in the Sandoria border city was extremely dangerous, especially with Sandorian soldiers stationed there.
According to information Claire had gathered, plainclothes guards were stationed around Valor Estate, changing shifts day and night. It seemed the king was aware of someone's intent to harm Aurora.
The situation in Westhaven remained unclear. However, the special investigator, Patrick, had returned to report on the Brightmoor District case. The massacre of Lola's family had been solved: someone had used a Soulgrip Threadworm on Lola, causing her to lose her sanity and murder her family. The culprit was a local small merchant named Mason.
The murderer confessed and faced justice. The motive was that both families were in the same business, but the deceased's family's reputation for philanthropy allowed them to seize Mason's business. Enraged, Mason bribed James to use the parasitic worm on Lola, driving her mad and leading to the murders.
The special investigator had the authority to act first and report later. After the confession, Patrick ordered the Brightmoor District authorities to execute Mason and his wife. As a result, the case didn't require Supreme Court review.
Carissa learned this from Ivy upon her return. Ivy said that in court, the murderer wept bitterly, claiming his actions were a momentary lapse in judgment and expressing deep regret. Seeing his remorse, Patrick spared Mason's children, executing only the couple.
Carissa felt something was amiss. In business, conflicts and killings can occur in the heat of the moment. However, this was clearly premeditated, involving a rare parasitic worm known to few. Even if Mason and his wife knew about the threadworm, the plan required several precise steps: bribing James to poison Lola and then controlling the threadworm within her to commit murder. Each step had to be flawlessly executed.
Carissa didn't underestimate small merchants, but this was a deliberate massacre. Once convicted, Lola would have been sentenced to death. If it were a crime of passion, Carissa would have fewer doubts, but this case was fraught with discrepancies.
"Ivy, what do you think?" Carissa asked.
Ivy appeared composed. "I don't know much about the case, but Mason did confess."
Violet, sitting nearby, said, "Even if you find the case suspicious, it's useless. The man's been executed. Besides, you can't interfere."
Carissa frowned, worried about a possible miscarriage of justice. But as Violet said, the case was beyond her control.
"Let's not discuss that. You know Samuel has returned to Gracehold Estate, right?" Violet said.
"Yes," Carissa replied, fanning herself with her hand-held fan. The weather was unbearably hot, and her silk gown clung uncomfortably to her back.
"I also heard he's blaming Ruby's departure on Leona and you. There's been chaos in the household. A man as arrogant as him can't accept abandonment. He needs to believe his own lies to manipulate others," she added.
Violet spat dismissively. "Alana said he's been making indirect remarks, accusing you of instigating the duchess. He only dares to make a scene at home and lacks the courage to confront you directly. If he did, I'd actually respect him more."
"Leona must be having a difficult pregnancy," Carissa said, her heart aching for her cousin. "Fortunately, she's managed to hold her ground."
"Yeah. Samuel has caused trouble, but she's remained resolute. As for Leona's parents, I don't know what's wrong with them. They visit frequently, urging her to tolerate Samuel, saying that since Ruby is gone, making Samuel happy will improve their future."
Carissa propped her chin on her hand, deep in thought. "I might understand if ordinary people are weak and afraid. But he's a prince! He's so scared of being sent to his own fief that he hides and lets his daughter suffer. Is that reasonable?"
Violet considered this. "Not very, but that's how he is. Do you think there's something wrong with him?"
"It's hard to say," Carissa said, unwilling to suspect ulterior motives. Unreasonable things often have underlying reasons, though determining them is difficult.
"Even if a person doesn't seem special, they still have fundamental traits that can't be ignored."
No one in the capital paid much attention to Harvey and Heather. Their presence was too insignificant, and their public reputation too weak, making any attention seem foolish.
Chapter 549