Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Since moving into the estate, she had spent her days purchasing various shacks. Now, she was so engrossed in these treats that she couldn’t be bothered with other matters, nor did she trouble the staff.
At Harmony Palace, Eleanor frowned as she looked at the servant holding the note informing her that one had come to visit.
“They’re here again?”
It was mealtime, and she was dining with Jessica.
As for Henry… He was not worthy of dining with her.
“Mom, if they’ve come, then just see them. What’s there to be afraid of?” Jessica said lazily.
She had been staying at her natal home for quite some time, but bot husband had yet to come to fetch her, which was beginning to irritate her.
Eleanor was clearly irritated and said, “Have them brought in and seated in the side hall for a while. There’s no need to take them to the main hall. I’ll join them after I finish my dinner.” The steward went out personally to handle the situation. Noticing that they were bringing in items that didn’t look like gifts, he asked Helen, “May I ask what you’ve brought, Your Grace?” Helen was about to blurt out that it was the account books, but Sophie interjected first, “They are some old manuscripts for Grand Princess Eleanor to review.”
The steward’s eyes brightened at the mention of manuscripts. Could they be Kyle’s manuscripts?
He immediately ordered refreshments to be served, then went to report to Eleanor and Jessica.
“Manuscripts? Kyle’s?” Eleanor asked slowly.
“I’m not sure. She didn’t say, and I didn’t dare to ask,” the steward replied.
Jessica had only recently learned about the Mystic Pearls and the three thousand silver coins, which had left her very angry.
Now, seeing that they had brought manuscripts, she sneered, “Aunt Helen probably thinks that she offended you by retrieving the Mystic Pearls, so she brought Sophie along to present Kyle’s manuscripts as an apology. At least she has some sense.”
Eleanor glanced at her. “If you continue to use that brain of yours in your husband’s house, your mother-in-law will kick you out in less than three years.”
The mention of Margaret darkened Jessica’s expression. “That old hag! I’ll poison her sooner or later.”
Eleanor’s tone was cold, “You’d better calm down and avoid causing any trouble that will need me to clean up your mess. Your mother-in-law isn’t someone you can easily handle. Try to get close to her before saying anything else.”
Jessica was frustrated. “Forget about that old hag. What do you think Aunt Helen and that wretched Sophie are here for?”
Eleanor set down her chopsticks. After the maid brought her some water, she rinsed her mouth and took a handkerchief to wipe her lips. Throwing the handkerchief aside, she stood up, and the maid draped her cloak over her.
Eleanor stepped out, saying, “We’ll find out soon enough.”
Seeing this, Jessica also put on a cloak and followed her out.
In the side hall, Eleanor first saw the several boxes on the floor, and her heart skipped a beat.
She was very familiar with these boxes. The account books from The
Gilded Tower were always sent to her in similar boxes every year, so she knew exactly what they were.
These were the very same boxes.
Now, with six boxes on the floor, it seemed that all the financial records from recent years were contained within them.
The Gilded Tower appeared to be
Jessica’s, but it was actually Eleanor’s. Naturally, she wouldn’t acknowledge The Gilded Tower as her own since it was styled after The Golden Tower.
Jessica recognized the boxes, and exclaimed, “Aren’t these the account books from The Gilded Tower?”
Sophie rose with a bright smile. “Greetings, Aunt Eleanor, Jessica. We meet again.”
Jessica’s expression darkened. “Don’t try to start sweet-talking! Why are you here?”
Eleanor slowly took her seat, and gently reprimanded her daughter, “Jessica, don’t be rude.”
Jessica sat down heavily, her gaze skimming over the account books. Her face changed slightly, but soon returned to its usual expression.
“Helen, what’s the meaning of this?” Eleanor asked, pointing to the boxes on the floor.
She didn’t bother asking Sophie directly-it was far better to question the more pliable Helen.
Sophie wasn’t stupid enough to let
Helen make opening remarks, so she said with a smile, “It’s like this. Yesterday, heard from Mother that she and J?ssica had opened a jewelryshop together. After a little inquiry, it turned out to be The Gilded Tower. It was such a coincidence! Before my marriage, Kyle gave me a large gold bracelet from the very same shop.”
Her face was all smiles; there wasn’t a hint of sharpness in her eyes, as if she was not there to inspect the accounts at all.
Having dealt with Sophie a few times, Eleanor was not about to let her guard down. She turned to Jessica.
“This Gilded Tower is the same one you mentioned you and Helen partnered in, right?”
Jessica replied, “Yes, Mom, that’s correct.”
Eleanor nodded thoughtfully. “I remember you mentioned before that the shop’s initial reputation wasn’t good.”
Jessica vented her frustrations, “That’s right! Despite several years of operation, it failed to make a profit and has been running at a loss. We had to resort to discounts and promotions at the end of the year just to cover costs for rent and wages. I truly feel guilty towards Aunt Helen. She believed in me, and Invested. in The Gilded Tower with me. Yet, instead of earning any profit, we’ve only faced losses.” “Business is tough these days, Jessica. There’s no need to feel too guilty. I’m sure Mother understands, don’t you, Mother?” Sophie interjected.
Sophie turned to look at Helen.
Helen felt a bit confused. What was with the look?
Sophie had instructed her to stay silent if possible before entering, and now, she was being questioned.
But, catching Sophie’s subtle hint, she could only nod and respond awkwardly, “Yes.”
Sophie continued off Helen’s answer, “Yes, exactly. It’s not your fault, Jessica. It’s tough to run a business.
Jessica quickly agreed, “Yes, of course! Business is quite difficult.”
Sophie took out a document. “I’ve reviewed this contract. My mother-in-law holds a 70% stake in The Gilded Tower. Apart from the initial investment, she has also contributed additional funds over the years to support the business. Every expenditure is documented. Jessica, you must have contributed the remaining 30%, correct?”
Jessica felt something was off about the question, but couldn’t pinpoint the issue. So, she could only nod in agreement.
“Of course. Whenever there was a need for additional funds, I contributed my 30%,”