Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Sophie stepped forward, her whip cracking through the air with sharp, resounding snaps. The ten or so guards, despite not being lined up, all received lashes from the whip.
Sophie stood in front of the boxes, glaring coldly at the guards. “I dare anyone to try and move these!” “Sophie, how dare you strike my people? How bold of you!” Eleanor was livid.
“Aunt Eleanor, you flatter me. I may not be bold, but I have nothing to hide. I had no choice but to strike them, as it was a last resort. Please forgive me.”
Jessica screamed as she rushed out, “Are you all dead? Can’t you handle one woman? Someone, get some help!”
Helen was terrified. She stood up and hid behind Sophie.
Sophie’s voice was icy, “I advise you not to make such a fuss. Harmony Palace is surrounded by the estates of various influential families. If word gets out, they might say you’re bullying your niece-in-law. Jessica roared, “Sophie, who’s bullying whom here? You’re the ones who came to provoke us.
Sophie responded calmly, “Everyone saw that I came to Harmony Palace with my mother-in-law and a few servants, without a single guard. You’re the ones escalating things by calling for the household soldiers and causing a scene.”
Eleanor’s eyes narrowed. The little schemer had more cunning than brute force.
Sophie flicked her whip lightly, yet it crackled sharply through the air, whipping up a gust of wind that struck those nearby. The household soldiers involuntarily took a step back, their faces reflecting their unease.
These people had heard of Sophie’s exploits on the Southern Frontier battlefield. They knew she had led the charge as the vanguard, maneuvering through a storm arnet arrows with her elite troops to breach the city gates. Her martial prowess and courage were unmatched, and none of the household soldiers here could stand against her.
Having intimidated the household soldiers, Sophie raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“It’s quite strange. I’ve merely brought the account books from The Gilded Tower for verification, and you’re both seizing the books and calling for a fight. Is there something fishy going on here? Could it be that it’s not Eric who embezzled The Gilded Tower’s funds, but Jessica who misappropriated my mother-in -law’s profits?”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Jessica retorted sharply, but her inner turmoil was evident.
“Let’s hope I’m talking nonsense. Since you refuse to review the books, my mother-in-law and I will head to Ironridge Estate.”
Holding her whip, Sophie blocked the way of the household soldiers and calmly instructed her own people, “Take the account books outside. We’re going to Ironridge Estate.”
The household soldiers were unwilling to act against her, and stood by. The servants from Rafael’s household were skilled and nimble; under Sophie’s protection, they began moving the boxes with ease. Sophie turned, deliberately ignoring Eleanor’s dark expression, and beckoned Helen, “Mother, let’s go. Harmony Palace is not a place for reasoned discussions. We’ll find another place to resolve this.” Helen hurried forward, her steps quick and small. Sophie took her hand with one hand and held the whip with the other, leading the older woman out with the servants in tow.
“Stop!” Eleanor’s voice cut sharply through the air.
Sophie turned, raising an eyebrow with a smile.
fight us? If they win, they’ll be “Aunt Eleanor, do you plan to have your five hundred household soldiers charged with assaulting the royal family. If they lose, well… That would be quite a disgrace, wouldn’t it?”
Seeing Sophie’s smile, Eleanor felt a deep-seated revulsion. Sophie’s resemblance to Melanie was too striking.
Both mother and daughter were insufferable.
Sophie maintained her pleasant smile. “We’re here to settle accounts openly and honestly. I’m not sure. why you’re making such a fuss, Aunt Eleanor. Is there really something shady happening? Mother, after we sort things out at Ironridge Estate, you’ll need to host a gathering so everyone can discuss this matter properly.”
Jessica retorted angrily, “What nonsense are you spouting? What could be shady? Haven’t I sent the account books for Aunt Helen to review all this time?”
“It’s quite a coincidence,” Sophie said, her tone growing stern. “The account books you sent to my mother-in-law are completely different from those I found at The Gilded Tower. The books you provided show losses, while the ones from The Gilded Tower show profits. Do you think there’s something shady going on?
Jessica was exasperated. “Why are you talking so loudly? This is the grand princess’ residence, not your natal home or your current home!”
Sophie’s eyes grew cold. “So what if it’s the grand princess’ residence? Does that mean the people here don’t adhere to reason? If that’s the case, there’s no need for further discussion. We’re leaving.” Eleanor smashed her cup on the floor, her voice icy, “You want to compare and settle the accounts, right? So be it!”
Jessica turned, and spoke in an urgent tone, “Mom!”
How were they going to settle the accounts? Could they even do that?
Eleanor’s gaze was as sharp as a blade. “Bring the accountants here. Have all the shop accountants. come over. I want to see how Eric has been deceiving us,
Sophie smiled sweetly. “You’re wise, Aunt Eleanor. If Eric is found guilty of embezzlement, he will certainly be handed over to the Supreme Court.”
Eleanor’s eyes were frosty with anger. Once Eric reached the Supreme Court, he would likely confess everything. Shifting the blame to him wouldn’t work.
Eric was a household servant from Ironridge Estate. He was initially assigned somewhere else as a steward, but was later recalled by the family’s matriarch due to his mistakes.
Jessica, recognizing his sharp skills while managing her business, saw potential in him and promoted him to oversee operations at The Gilded Tower.
Ultimately, Eric was an Ironridge Estate servant under the Winchester family’s employment.
If Sophie made this issue public there, it would harm both Eleanor and Jessica’s reputations. The recent scandal about the miniature chastity belt sculpture given to Melanie had already tarnished Eleanor’s name. She had hoped to lie low for a year or two, and let the matter fade from people’s memories before making any further moves.
So, even when they came to claim the Mystic Pearls and three thousand silver coins, Eleanor gave them up to avoid escalating the situation.
Now, however, it wasn’t just a matter of losing money. If the issue blew up, it would become a scandal of embezzlement and fraud against an honored concubine.
Even though Jessica was a princess and wouldn’t face imprisonment, she would certainly be subject to public condemnation and abuse.
The Marquis of Ironridge’s family was already looking for a chance to have Leopold divorce Jessica- becoming a thief would be the perfect excuse for them.
However, it was clear that the money couldn’t be returned to them. Since the shop was nearly at its end, it was reasonable to let Sophie and Helen have it, considering that was always part of the plan.
Although the business had been profitable, its reputation was so poor that it could only make quick money -it was unsustainable in the long run.
With her mind made up, Eleanor moved swiftly to settle accounts. She had already reviewed the figures and knew the approximate amount of the accumulated profits over the years.
The accountants worked furiously, claiming they could sort out the accounts within four hours. During this time, they deliberately didn’t bring any refreshments and stopped the underfloor heating, allowing the cofet to seep in and freeze the room.
Eleanor and Jessica held onto hot water bottles to warm themselves, but Sophie and Helen had nothing.
Sophie’s inner force protected her, so she was unaffected by the cold, but Helen shivered uncontrollably. Helen asked Eleanor several times to bring in a charcoal brazier, and though Eleanor instructed it repeatedly, no one came with it.
No matter how dumb Helen was, she could tell Eleanor was doing it on purpose.
So, she moved closer to Sophie for warmth. Sophie took off her cloak and wrapped the older woman in it. Protected by her inner force, Sophie wasn’t too cold. Also, she was younger and could endure it better than Helen, who was more delicate.
Feeling secure in her daughter-in-law’s embrace, Helen fell asleep while leaning against Sophie.
Four hours passed-no more, no less. Outside, night had long fallen. The cold was even harsher.
The accountant with the long beard came in to make a report.
“Grand Princess Eleanor, the accounts have been thoroughly reviewed. There are no discrepancies with the numbers compared to the ones Lady Sophie has shown us.”
“That’s outrageous!” Eleanor smashed another cup, which crashed loudly.