As Carissa returned to the Capital Guard Headquarters the next morning, Heather intercepted her at the door.

It had been a long while since Carissa had last seen Heather. In fact, it seemed Heather had kept herself mostly secluded lately.

Since Harvey had been brought back to the capital, his son Lennon Sanford had not been captured, but Chester's forces continued their search. It was almost certain that the boy would be caught soon enough. Heather, anxious that Lennon might be implicated and face the same brutal punishment of beheading, rushed Carissa for help.

Carissa knew Heather had already tried appealing to Leona when Harvey was first brought back. She had asked Leona to talk to Carissa on her behalf. Yet Leona had refused, and she never mentioned the matter to Carissa. Carissa only learned of this from Alana.

"Carissa!" Heather hurried toward her, her face frantic with worry. "I need to speak with you. Could we find a quiet place to talk?"

"I have matters to attend to. I don't have time," Carissa answered curtly,

Heather was desperate and quickly stepped into her path, her hands raised in a pleading gesture. "Just a few words, please! Save your cousin he's innocent. He knew nothing of it. It's all his dad's doing. You have to help him."

Carissa regarded Heather's red-rimmed eyes, her thoughts drifting back to the time when Dominic had been detained in the capital. Heather hadn't once gone to visit him, too scared to make any move that might bring trouble upon herself.

She couldn't tell if her reluctance stemmed from a cold nature or from cowardice. Whatever the reason, Carissa had no intention of indulging Heather now.noveldrama

Without a word, Carissa stepped around Heather and walked into the building, giving orders to the Capital Guard to clear the area.

Behind her, Heather's sobs broke through. "Carissa, are you really so heartless? Don't you remember how good I was to you when you were little?"

Carissa didn't turn around, but Heather's voice grew louder.

"Carissa, my sister loved me the most! If you stand by and do nothing, she'll blame you for this."

Carissa paused, then slowly turned around, her gaze cold and piercing. "So you still remember how kind my mother was to you, do you? But do you remember how Grandpa spoiled you too?"

Heather was immediately at a loss for words. "I..."

Carissa turned and walked inside, not paying any more attention to her.

Heather came for two more days, but stopped after that. In the capital, she hadn't built any solid connections. Even if she had, with Harvey now labeled a traitor, who would dare associate with her? Moreover, with Harvey's title as prince likely to be stripped away soon, her status as princess consort hung by a thread, ready to fall at any moment.

She could have sought help from her natal family. While Harvey was beyond saving, the Sullivan family still controlled Victory Pass. They could have approached Salvador on behalf of Lennon, seeking clemency for him. That much could have been arranged.

However, Heather suddenly realized the importance of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. She

had been ungrateful to her dad in the past, so she didn't dare write a letter to seek his help.

And so, she gave up.

She began selling off the assets in her estate and gathering whatever money she could, preparing to leave the capital when the opportunity arose.

The court had sent people to monitor Hartstone Estate, so Heather couldn't sell any of the property. However, she was free to take her silver and gold, assuming she could leave the capital.

Before she could even plan how to leave the capital, the Supreme Court had sent people to arrest her. Salvador's edict followed shortly after Harvey's title was revoked, his name removed from the records, and his assets confiscated.

Leona, who had long since been ousted from her family, was unaffected by these events. She

knew that appealing to Salvador.et

now would be useless, not to

mention dangerous for herself. It would also bring trouble to Carissa, so she chose to stay silent.

That evening, after Heather's arrest, Gerald slipped into the Supreme Court under the cover of night. He requested to meet with Clifford alone.

Matthew didn't dare make decisions on his own. The Quinton family was Salvador's in-laws, and Malcolm had been impeached before. Salvador was clearly displeased with them and wary of their influence. Seeing Matthew in a difficult position, Gerald suggested, "Why not ask Lady Carissa to accompany me? That way, it wouldn't be a private meeting."

Matthew sent someone to notify Carissa.

Carissa had known this day would come. Without bothering to change out of her official attire, she mounted her horse and headed straight for the Supreme Court.

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