Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1010

Carissa smiled sweetly when she saw Rafael had returned so early, her eyes crinkling with warmth.

"Have you settled all the cases?"

"Not yet, but I didn't feel like staying up tonight," Rafael replied, his gaze meeting hers.

Without realizing it, the hard edges of his face softened. A smile tugged at his eyes as he walked over and sat down next to her. Jacob glanced back and called for some drinks. "My throat's about to catch fire. Get some cold fruit juice."

Violet laughed and asked, "What kept you so busy today, Jacob? Your voice is hoarse."

"Had to go round up the shops, negotiate with some people," Jacob said, giving a respectful nod to Carissa before sitting down.

in those details, so she turned her attention to Rafael. "You said you know something about Jessica. What's going

the investigation into the treason case, it was discovered that all the money her shops made was funneled to Eleanor. She also had some shops with other ladies, including Lady Josephine and Lady Dakota. Those were

the case were sealed, but she had two private shops left. Unfortunately, they were both registered under Henry's name. After his execution, those shops were seized

that would have made her a decent profit. She even borrowed 10,000 silver coins from Lady Molly and said it was for a

Violet heard that her cousin was involved in this,

recently, the authorities cracked down on illegal lending and she got caught up in it. She was fined a large sum, and the money she had left from her divorce wasn't enough to cover it. She had to selt her properties and jewelry to pay the fine. If she hadn't, she would have faced jail time. Now, she still owes Lady Molly

gether involved in the treason case,

the fine?" Carissa asked

coins,"

much? How much

silver coins. The fine is double that," Rafael explained. "Usury is no small matter, and the king's trying to clamp down on it. She just happened to hit that moment. This case is being handled by lan's people, so there's