Warrior's Serenade

Chapter 1312

When Carissa returned to Hell Monarch Estate, she immediately heard the news-Silverstone Estate had been

seized, and the Earl of Silverstone's family had been imprisoned.

In fact, she already knew. The word had reached her while she was still in the palace.

Or perhaps, she had suspected this even earlier, when news of Oliver's desertion reached her. She had known

then that this would be the inevitable outcome.

The people sent to seize Silverstone Estate were not only carrying out the punishment for Oliver's crime, but also

hoping that he would turn himself in voluntarily. The confiscation of the estate and the stripping of titles were

routine measures in such cases.

It would be impossible for such a scandal to erupt and for the title to remain intact, allowing the family to

continue in wealth and comfort.

But what would happen next?

Even Carissa couldn't predict Salvador's next move.

Isaac had already begun making his rounds, seeking assistance, but not from the powerful or the nobility -he was

turning to the common folk.

Zoey had foreseen this, so she spent money to set up a food distribution stall outside the city, helping the poor

and offering assistance to those who were seriously ill.

Luna had once mentioned in Skye Embroidery that both Evelyn and Viola had opposed Zoey doing this, thinking

it was a waste of money for the sake of building her reputation. But now, the only way to assist the Earl of

Silverstone's family was through two conditions-a great victory at the Southern Frontier, and the people's

spontaneous support for Zoey.

Supporting Zoey was different from supporting Oliver.

So, Isaac had already ordered rumors to be spread-that Oliver had abandoned his wife, running off with his

concubine and the child she had borne him. Oliver had not only neglected his military and political duties, but he

had also betrayed the king, the court, and, worst of all, his wife and children.

Isaac wasn't just concerned with creating a reputation for Zoey as a virtuous woman-he was also building the

narrative of a woman cruelly abandoned by her husband.

They claimed that Oliver had long intended to divorce Zoey. But being stationed at the Southern Frontier, he

couldn't find the right excuse, so he delayed the decision.

Rumors from traders traveling to the Southern Frontier spoke of Oliver having a young, captivating wife at his

marshal's residence-one who possessed an enchanting beauty so powerful that those who saw her were said to

fall under her spell.

Jacob had no doubt been fanning the flames of these rumors. But he focused on how, despite being rejected by

her husband, Zoey still had a loving heart. The food distribution stall at Silverstone Estate continued without fail,

feeding the poor outside the city in all kinds of weather.

Gradually, the common people began to form a clear impression of the lady of the Earl of Silverstone's family.

She was dignified and graceful, a capable manager of her household, compassionate, and generous in charity.

However, her own life wasn't easy; her mother-in-law was demanding, and her sister-in-law, Viola, was

troublesome. Everywhere, both inside and outside the estate, there were burdens weighing on Zoey's shoulders.

It could be said that since Zoey married Oliver, she had never known a day of peace. Oliver had never shown her

affection or respect, and there were more than a dozen concubines in the household. Even though Zoey was

good at managing things, her life was not as good as those of other noble families. She had never experienced

the luxury Oliver's ncould bring, and now, she was suffering from the consequences of his actions.

Truly, it was a pitiable fate.

The weak always drew sympathy, and with Zoey's reputation for virtue, the public rallied behind her. For a time,

it seemed everyone was outraged by the injustice she had suffered.

As public opinion began to swell, Carissa saw that things were taking shape. She immediately sought out

Meredith.

That evening, Meredith returned to her husband's house for dinner and casually mentioned a few things

to her father-in-law Irvin, the Oversight Minister. Irvin paid close attention to public sentiment, and the voices of

the people were always of great importance to him.

The next day, he took it upon himself to visit and inspect the food distribution stall Zoey had established. To his

surprise, it was still running.

He found it odd-how could it continue operating when its benefactor had been imprisoned?

He immediately sent someone to inquire, learning that Zoey hired the people outside Silverstone Estate to run

the food distribution stall. They were not part of the household staff. The people she hired were originally poor

citizens who cto the stall for food.

The person in charge of the food distribution stall, Charlie, explained that Zoey trusted him and had given him

one thousand silver coins to continue the charitable work. Even though Zoey had been imprisoned, the funds

remained, and the overseer would continue to buy and provide food for as long as he could. Irvin couldn't help

but be deeply moved when he heard this.

Charlie was a man who had once known hunger and cold. He had lived a life of poverty and hardship, and he

knew that he would never cclose to earning one thousand silver coins in his lifetime. He could have taken

the money and run.

Instead, he chose to honor Zoey's compassion and continue the work she had started.

Compassion-true compassion-had the power to touch hearts and inspire others.