Oliver's situation caught Carissa off guard. She had assumed he would have taken trusted allies with him, at least people capable of keeping themselves hidden for two or three years.

Who would have thought he would be robbed halfway through, losing everything, including the mistress he doted on, who ended up abandoning him? In that moment, did he regret his reckless choices?

To think that, at his age, he still believed in true love. He even dared to cast aside the wife who had worked tirelessly for over ten years to care for him, only to be discarded himself. Perhaps that was his karmic punishment.

But his punishment didn't end there.

Knowing Celeste's temperament, Carissa imagined that she had likely humiliated Oliver when she left, just as she had once done to Samuel. Celeste used her beauty as a tool but despised the men who coveted it.

Carissa didn't think Oliver would stay in Stonebridge County. Given his fugitive status, he couldn't risk revealing his true identity, and he certainly wouldn't stay in one place for too long. He would be forced to hide, and he still had a child with him.

Carissa wondered when he had nowhere else to turn, would he try sneaking back into the capital? Despite Oliver's foolishness, he wasn't entirely stupid. He knew the most dangerous place was often the safest. As a military official, he likely had the means to forge a fake identity. If he came back to the city with his child and changed his appearance, the guards at the gates might never recognize him. With that thought in mind, Carissa ordered Max to keep an eye out for men traveling with a child. She then went to Skye Embroidery to see Zoey and tell her of this possibility, so the latter could keep an ear out as well.noveldrama

If reporting Oliver could earn them some credit, it would be a huge benefit for Zoey and her entire family. Still, there was concern that someone might soften their stance. After all, a mother might forgive her child's catastrophic mistakes with just a few pleas and some tears.

Zoey frowned after hearing about Oliver's situation. From what she knew of her husband, he wasn't the type of man who would be a good dad. When he was desperate, he wouldn't want the burden of a child. Éspecially when he needed to stay on the move, a child would only slow him down. He would likely abandon the child without a second thought.

"He may not even bring the child with him," Zoey mused. "So, we can't just focus on men with children." Carissa blinked, surprised. "You mean he might leave the child behind?"

Carissa didn't believe Oliver had any genuine fatherly affection. Rather, she thought that carrying the child might help him avoid some scrutiny. But upon reflection, she realized it was widely known that he had fled with his child and concubine, so he might very well abandon the child after all.

And considering that the child's mom had already turned her back on Oliver, it could be a significant blow

to him. He may well be able to discard the child without hesitation.

So, the instructions Carissa had given Max about keeping an eye on men with children weren't entirely accurate. She needed to reconsider her approach.

"How is Madam Prince? Has she gone out recently?" Carissa asked, concerned that Evelyn would show Oliver mercy.

"She visits Arcane Sanctum three times a month-once every ten days. Viola always accompanies her. Counting the days, she's due to go out tomorrow," Zoey replied.

Carissa nodded thoughtfully. "Keep

a close eye on her. If you happen to find any trace of Mr. Prince, report it to the Capital Guard headquarters immediately. If your tip-off leads to something, Cedric and the others might be able to come back sooner."

Zoey, who had once wished for Oliver's downfall, now found herself hoping he would survive.

She nodded. "Thank you, Your Grace. I'll keep an eye out. But please don't send anyone to follow my mother-in-law and Viola. If Oliver does return to the capital, he won't dare show himself if he knows we're being watched."

"Understood. I'll leave that honor to you, but only if he actually sneaks back into the city," Carissa replied with a smile.

"If he's really backed into a corner, he'll come crawling back," Zoey said with conviction.

She knew him better than anyone. Oliver didn't have much in the way of ability. In the past, whenever trouble arose, he always turned to her to fix it. He had always believed that, no matter what he did, she would forgive him without question, and even be glad to help him pick up the pieces.

In the past, she really would have done it. After all, her son's career and her daughter's marriage depended on maintaining their family's reputation. So, she had to cover up all those messy things. However, with the fall of the Earl of Silverstone's family, she had nothing left to worry about.