When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 1029 The day after Jessica moved into the workshop, rumors about the reasons she had been divorced began to spread like wildfire across the entire capital. Whispers said she had plotted to harm the Marquis of Ironridge's children, caused trouble with the concubines, and even pushed one of them into the water in an attempt to kill said concubine.

As the rumors spread, someone also revealed that Jessica had been involved in usury.

She was such a wicked woman, yet the Marquis of Ironridge's family hadn't handed her over to the authorities. Instead, they had simply cast her out from the household to settle the matter. What truly shocked the people was that Skye Embroidery-of all places-had taken her in, providing her with food and shelter as though nothing had happened.

Carissa had been focused on wrapping up the cleanup operation of the Garrison Unit. She had no idea that Skye Embroidery was facing a storm of public backlash once again. She only found out the day before her operation ended, and immediately went to ask Violet.

Violet was flustered. "Claire looked into it. It wasn't Molly who leaked the news. I'm guessing it cfrom the Marquis of Ironridge's family. They never officially explained why Jessica was divorced, so someone within Ironridge Estate must have spilled the beans. Whoever did it wants to make sure Jessica is completely ruined." Carissa frowned. "This isn't just about ruining Jessica-it's about taking down Skye Embroidery too. Have you found out who's behind it? Spreading rumors on such a large scale must have cost a lot of money." "There's someone you know well from Ironridge Estate. Could it be her?" Violet replied.

"Serena?" Carissa thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. "She's the most likely one. She hates Jessica and despises Amelia too. The workshop is named after Amelia. But Serena doesn't have the means to do this on her own. She'd need help." The two of them exchanged a look, then burst in unison, "Flora!" If there was anyone who hated Jessica enough to go to such lengths, it was Flora, who had lost her child because of Jessica's actions.

Carissa had thought about it before. What kind of medicine could cause a miscarriage with just one dose? She had wanted to find out, but Margaret had been ill and refused to meet. It wouldn't be proper to just show up at her door Violet's face turned pale, and her heart felt like it was on fire. She couldn't decide whether to be angry or just deeply upset.

"Now everyone knows we took Jessica in! They're saying we're feeding and housing her, and that Skye Embroidery is sheltering a criminal and covering up dirt. The things they're saying are beyond cruel, Cari. I think this might be the end for us." 1/3 +25 BONUS Chapter 1029 "Don't worry. There's always a way out," Carissa reassured her. "With Skye Embroidery in such a mess, I'll have to put the Garrison Unit's matters on hold for a few days. I need the public's attention on my side. Once it reaches the Oversight Department, we can make sreal progress." "But what can we do now?" Violet fretted, still anxious. "I went to see Mrs. Lloyd today. She regrets the decision. She said even if we send Jessica away now, it would be useless because someone is clearly intent on causing trouble." "Let's have Claire investigate first and confirm whether the rumors really cfrom the Marquis of Ironridge's family," Carissa suggested.

Violet spent the rest of the day feeling down, but by the next morning, her resolve returned. She set out with Travis to look for any trace of the culprit behind the rumors.

Avoidance wouldn't help. They had to face the situation head-on, for there was still a slim chance of turning things around.

The next day, as Carissa was preparing to head back to the Capital Guard headquarters, she intended to send someone to Ironridge Estate with a formal notice of a visit.

Luke quickly intercepted her, walking briskly toward her.

"Your Grace, the Marquis of Ironridge's secondary wife passed away last night. It would be inappropriate to send a visit notice at this time" "What? Was her condition that serious?" Carissa froze, not believing the news. "Are you sure it was his secondary wife, Lady Emma?" "Yes, it was. Giles told me. He said that her condition had been improving with the warmer weather, but suddenly, over the past few days, her health worsened. She passed away last night," Luke explained.

"What illness did she have? I saw her last year and didn't notice anything terribly wrong," Carissa said, confused.

"Giles said Lady Emma's health had never been very good. She was in charge of the household's provisions and was always busy. When she was pregnant with her second child, something happened, and she fell ill. He didn't know the exact details, but he mentioned it was a result of overwork." The passing of a life could sometimes go unnoticed, slipping away quietly.

The Marquis of Ironridge's family hadn't made a big spectacle of Emma's death, keeping it low-key because of all the recent rumors. Even the funeral was kept quiet, and it wasn't until the coffin was carried out that people learned of the loss. But because the Marquis of Ironridge's family hadn't made an official announcement, rumors began to swirl.

2/3 +25 BONUS Chapter 1029

Sclaimed that Jessica had poisoned Emma, and that she had only survived thanks to a physician's NO care and expensive medicines. But now, she was finally unable to hold on any longer and passed away. Thus, the people strongly believed that Jessica was responsible for Emma's death.