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Chapter 1321
After Jacob’s investigation into Willowbrook Estate, he discovered that a few servants had indeed gone missing over the past few months.
He inquired at every pawnshop in the capital, but found out that none of the missing servants had been purchased there, meaning they must have come from elsewhere. He even went to the government offices to check the slave registration records, but found nothing.
Ultimately, after much discussion, it was Violet who decided she would stay at Willowbrook Estate. She told Carissa, “After all this time with Prince Hayden, trust him. If he truly is the one who would deceive me, then I have no more to say.”
However, Carissa wouldn’t let her go alone. She insisted that Violet bring Bun and Cynthia along. That way, they would be there to offer protection if anything happened. Besides, if Hayden truly felt threatened, he wouldn’t have refused their company.
After all, the more people to help, the better.
On the other hand, if he had called Violet there with ulterior motives, it would soon become clear.
Carissa saw them off personally. As they arrived, she watched Hayden greet them warmly, his face lighting up at the sight of their arrival. When he heard that Violet had brought two more guests, he clapped his hands and laughed.
“Well, it seems my place will be quite lively now. A warm welcome to you all!”
Violet grinned and responded, “If that’s the case, I shall consider this place my home.”
“That suits me just fine,” Hayden replied, immediately giving orders to the kitchen to prepare extra dishes for the day’s meal.
Carissa laughed and entered with the others, but not before giving Hayden a few more scrutinizing glances. She couldn’t help but wonder whether his cheerfulness was genuine or feigned.
In this world, it was hard to judge a person’s heart.
Carissa stayed to share the meal before heading back to the Capital Guard Headquarters.
Meanwhile, Violet asked Chaya to show the group around the estate. The flowers at Willowbrook Estate were beautifully grown. Though they could not compare to the ones at Meadow Ridge, they were still a delight to see, offering an air of refinement to the surroundings.
Chaya walked at her usual slow pace, leisurely giving them a tour of the estate and pointing out the various courtyards. There had originally only been herself, Hayden, and an older steward, Gordon, who had been considered part of the family.
“Gordon? Did you change stewards?” Violet asked.
“Yes,” Chaya replied, her steps unhurried as she continued, “the previous one returned to his hometown -he was simply too old for the job.”
She paused before continuing, “Also, most of the people who used to serve Prince Hayden have gone back to their villages. Only Sonny remains–he has no family left in his hometown, so now he stays with
Chapter 1321
His Highness in the same quarters.”
Violet exchanged a look with Cynthia and Bun. It all seemed so sudden.
“We saw them last time we were here,” Violet remarked.
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“They only just returned a couple of days ago,” Chaya said as she walked towards the pavilion, her round face showing signs of fatigue. “I’m sorry, I get tired after walking a bit. I need to rest.”
Violet and the others sat down as well. Violet eyed Chaya’s figure and said, “You really should eat less. Every time I come back, I see you stuffing food into your mouth as if you’re starving.”
“I’ve been so hungry before, I can’t help myself,” Chaya replied.
Violet understood all too well what life had been like for Chaya in Eleanor’s household. Hunger had been just one of the many ways Eleanor had tormented Chaya–there had been cruelties far worse.
However, Violet couldn’t sit still. Barely a few words had been exchanged before she stood up and began strolling outside the pavilion. The pavilion was called the Elegant Pavilion, a name that struck her as rather pretentious.
Her eyes swept across the surroundings, and she soon noticed a few figures standing by the trees in the distance. They were standing perfectly still, watching the pavilion at first. But as soon as their gazes met hers, they quickly shifted their eyes elsewhere.
Violet was taken aback. The last time she had been here with Carissa, she had also walked through the estate. But at that time, the servants had been busy with their duties and never dared to glance in their direction. However, these people were unfamiliar to her she hadn’t seen them before.
–
Of course, Violet couldn’t know all the servants in the estate. They may have been here before but just never made an appea
Turning back to the pavilion, she asked Chaya, “Are those new arrivals?”
She gestured toward the direction where she had seen the figures.
Chaya followed the direction of Violet’s finger, her expression stiffening slightly before she slowly shook her head. “They were here before.”
“Really?” Violet raised an eyebrow. “Then why are they standing over there, acting all suspicious?”
“They’re here to protect us,” Chaya said, her gaze now fixed on her knees, her hands gripping tightly onto them.
Violet’s curiosity was piqued, but she simply nodded. Without another word, she walked toward the figures.
They hadn’t expected Violet to approach them. For a moment, they looked startled. Immediately after, they composed themselves.
“Greetings, Ms. Spencer,” they greeted respectfully.
