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Sophie did not press further, instead asking, “The shop has been running for several years now. Have you received complaints from customers about impure gold? How have you handled them?” Luke was standing by. He lifted the fire poker, and waved it.
Terrified, Eric trembled and answered, “We’ve been giving out some inexpensive gifts to silence the complaints. This year’s business has been good, and Lady Jessica’s plan is to close the shop after August next year, once the wedding season is over.”
“That’s it?” Sophie scoffed. “I said to tell me the truth. You’re only giving me half the story. Do you want to see if you can swallow this fire poker?”
The fire poker was thrust directly in front of Eric, who screamed in terror and fell to the ground.
“No! Please! I’ll tell you everything!”
Sophie’s voice was cold, “Then, speak honestly. If you le, you’ll end up swallowing this fire poker.”
Eric stared at the glowing fire poker, and didn’t dare to withhold any information. He prostrated himself heavily on the ground and said, “Your Highness, I will tell you the truth!
Lady Jessica plans to shift all the blame onto Lady Helen when the matter comes to light. As Lady Helen is the mother of the Hell Monarch, she can handle the backlash. Then, Grand Princess Eleanor will step in to arrange the compensation. As for the compensation, it wil be paid with the cheap stock from The Gilded Tower…
He paused, hesitating. If he continued, it would become even more serious.
However, Sophie didn’t need him to say more.
“So, Grand Princess Eleanor will gain a reputation for supporting the common people, while Lady Helen. and Prince Rafael become the targets of public scorn. Moreover the compensation consists of the store’s cheap goods, which are hardly worth much. When att is said and done, Grand Princess, Eleanor and Jessica will have profited immensely, gaining both money and fame.”
Eric’s face turned pale, and he dared not utter a word. Clearly, the Hell Monarch’s princess consort had already figured everything out.
After sending Eric away, Sophie sneered, “She really is something else, stepping on Mother and Rafael to elevate herself. She wants to win the people’s hearts while currying favor with the noble families Luke, what do you think she’s planning?”
Luke thought for a moment and replied, “I’m but a dim-witted humble servant, Your Highness. I truly don’t understand.”
Eleanor was the grand princess, and her nephew was now securely on the throne.
What other ambitions could she have?
Luke couldn’t guess, and Sophie wasn’t sure either.
It couldn’t just be about securing Jessica’s position in the capital or in the Marquis of Ironridge’s family, could it?
Regardless, since the scheme had already landed on Helen and Rafael’s household, they couldn’t be left to do whatever they wanted.
Sophie instructed the accountant to calculate the investment and the funds Helen had provided over the years, along with the profits divided at seventy percent, and then report the total amount.
Sophie returned to her room and changed into a water-blue brocade dress with floral embroidery. She donned a black cloak, concealing the red whip strapped to her waist, making it barely visible.
Once the accountant finished calculating the amounts, the accounts were handed to Sophie.
After Sophie reviewed them, she nodded and passed them to Helen. “Mother, please have a look and see if the figures are correct.”
Helen took the accounts and studied them carefully. She looked prepared for any potential confrontation.
However, as she examined it, her expression turned to one of shock.
“Did I really spend this much over the years?”
The total expenditure, including the capital outlay, amounted to an astonishing 136,000 silver coins, Although she had recorded each transaction, she had never realized the total sum would be so vast.
If Sophie hadn’t taken her to review the figures and brought Eric in to be interrogated, Helen would have continued to believe she was incurring losses and would have kept giving away money to maintain her prestige against Dakota.
The 136,000 silver coins were the principal amount. The total profits from previous years plus this year’s profit reached 186,530 silver coins.
According to her share, Helen was entitled to 130,571 silver coins from this profit.
Including the profit, she would need to recover a total of 266,571 silver coins from Jessica.
Helen’s previously commanding demeanor instantly weakened. “That’s quite a lot. It will be difficult to recover.”
“Mother, this statement not only undermines your own confidence but also underestimates Eleanor’s financial standing.” Sophie said calmly.
Helen wanted to respond, but the cold, indifferent look from her daughter-in-law made her think of how smoothly Sophie had retrieved the Mystic Pearls.
It seemed best to avoid pessimistic remarks.
Luke asked, “Lady Helen, Lady Sophie, should I arrange for the guards to accompany you?”
Helen quickly agreed. “Yes, arrange for more guards-several dozen at least. It’s better to intimidate them first.”
Sophie replied, “There’s no need for guards. We’re only going to reconcile the accounts.”
Helen disagreed firmly, “How can we go without them? It’s better to be safe than sorry. Who knows what dirty tricks they might use?”
Sophie looked up, watching them pack up the account books. “There’s no need to fear any tricks. Just a few people will suffice to carry the books.” “It’s a must!” Helen insisted.
Luke glanced between Helen and Sophie, carefully asking. “So…. Should we bring the guards or not?”
He realized that being in his position was going to be tricky. He couldn’t afford to offend either Helen or Sophie.
Sophie stood tall, and replied flatly, “No guards.”
Her tone was devoid of warmth, but carried a weight of authority
Luke looked to Helen for confirmation.
Helen rolled her eyes and said, “Why are you looking at me? If she says no guards, then there won’t be any!
Was there a need to be so fierce? Was it really that important?
Luke understood the situation now. It seemed there would be no future conflicts between Rafael’s mother and his princess consort. Sophie was clearly in charge.
Previously he and Jacob had been worried about how to balance Helen and Sophie to ensure they wouldn’t develop grudges against each other that would lead to constant disputes within the manor.
But that worry was unnecessary now.
Sophie had been in the estate for only three days, and she had already managed to gain complete obedience from Helen.
Kiera was also a source of relief.