Chapter 742

Florence's cold, hollow gaze fixed intently on Carissa, who returned her stare. Carissa had seen Florence during her visit to Harmony Palace, where the old woman had worn a stone-blue silk gown. Authority had been etched into every wrinkle of her face, instilling fear in many who crossed her path. However, Florence was now dressed in a wrinkled indigo outfit, her hair disheveled. Her eyelids sagged, and dark spots marred her once-proud visage, revealing the toll of age and hardship. She looked painfully thin, her frailty accentuated by worry and her refusal to eat, making her appear almost skeletal. Though Florence seemed indifferent, caught in a state of waiting for death, she was, in truth, anxious—otherwise, she wouldn't have aged so dramatically in such a short time.

Matthew had spoken to her, but she hadn't uttered a word, not even glancing in his direction. Now, facing Carissa, she spoke first: "Don't think you'll hear a single word against the Grand Princess from me. I advise you not to waste your breath."

"Kurt said you saved my uncle and his family. If it weren't for you, they might not be alive. For that alone, I thank you," Carissa replied.

Florence scoffed and said coldly, "How presumptuous. I had no intention of saving them. My people captured them. Whether they lived or died was entirely up to my whims."

"Regardless, they walked out of Grand Princess Eleanor's residence unharmed," Carissa remarked.

"Stop pretending. You want me to testify against Grand Princess Eleanor, don't you? Don't bother. The Grand Princess is innocent. She knows nothing of what transpired. Everything was orchestrated by Kurt and me," Florence shot back.

"What things are you referring to?" Carissa asked, regarding Florence with an unfazed demeanor. "There are plenty of unsavory matters hidden within Harmony Palace."

"Are you talking about the women in the back courtyard? Hmph!" Florence's eyes glinted with resentment as she locked her gaze on Carissa. "Anyone has the right to criticize that matter, except you and your family. Your father, Hector Sinclair, ruined the Grand Princess's life. Those women in the courtyard were victims of your father's actions, too."

Carissa didn't let anger show on her face, but her eyes were icy. "What terrible sins did my father commit that harmed Grand Princess Eleanor and those women? Was he fickle? Did he deceive Grand Princess Eleanor's feelings? Or did he gather those women for Lord Henry to ruin him?"

Florence chuckled coldly. "Yes, he did nothing at all. But do you dare say those women didn't suffer because of him?"

Carissa's voice grew slightly harsher. "Why wouldn't I? Their suffering stemmed from the resentment born out of Grand Princess Eleanor's unrequited love. My father had nothing to do with it. Even if you want to absolve her, don't drag my father into this and tarnish his reputation. As a member of the Sinclair family, I must say that my father was unfortunate to have crossed paths with her."

Florence fell silent, her hands gripping the edge of the table tightly.

Bonus Passage (Chapter 742):

Carissa's gaze shifted from the old woman's hands to her slightly trembling face. She could tell that Florence understood everything, yet chose to turn a blind eye out of favoritism and indulgence.

"You know the truth in your heart, but you refuse to accept it, Florence. You think it was a privilege that Grand Princess Eleanor set her sights on my father. Or perhaps, in your mind, she can do no wrong. Everything she did was out of necessity, and any pain she felt justifies the harm she caused to others. For her happiness, you'd excuse anything and even allow her to hurt others. But Grand Princess Eleanor isn't the only person with feelings, Florence. Everyone else is human too, with their own joys and sorrows. Those women had lives of their own, and because of your so-called heartbroken princess, they've been ruined for life."

Florence's knuckles turned white. "You must acknowledge that some people are born noble, while others are born lowly, Lady Carissa. The noble can do anything to the lowly and call it a blessing."