With the situation settled positively, Carissa finally had the time to deal with the troublemakers stirring up trouble.


    Thomas had merely invited those troublemakers to be present when he came to propose. He hadn''t resorted to any underhanded tactics, nor would Carissa. Everything was done properly and by the book.


    She instructed Max to bring everyone back, then had them punished with the charges of spreading rumors and causing chaos. Either they would pay fines or face corporal punishment-everyone on Jacob''s list was held ountable.


    As for the Quinton family, they had also mobilized their people to deflect attention with the intent to harm Rosalind. So, Carissa handed over the evidence she had gathered to Meredith, who in turn passed it to Irvin, her father-inw and the Oversight Minister. Before the court recess, he submitted an officialint about the Quinton family.


    Though Malcolm imed to know nothing about the matter, Salvador still imposed a fine of six months'' sry, withholding even the end-of-year rewards.


    When Derek delivered the rewards to Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa personally received him and invited him for coffee.


    Ryan had already been brought back from the academy, and Carissa led him out to greet Derek.


    Ryan had grown quite a bit this year. He resembled his father more and more. After attending the academy, he had be much moreposed, polite, and well-mannered.


    Derek looked at him with great satisfaction. "Wonderful. Not only do you look good, but you''re learning well, too."


    "Mr. Derek, please have some coffee," Ryan said politely, taking the te of pastries from Lulu and serving it himself. "These are the spiced fruit cakes I like the most. Please have more. Lily says they''re good for warming the stomach."


    "How wonderful!" Derek smiled, his eyes narrowing into slits. He ate a piece of cake and took a sip of coffee, then gently asked Ryan, "Are you going to your uncle''s ce this year, or staying at Hell Monarch Estate for the New Year?" Ryan answered brightly, "I had nned to go to the pce with Aunt Carissa, but she said it''s better to go to my uncle''s. My grandparents have been missing me."


    Derek smiled. "Lord Ryan, you''re truly a devoted child."


    Derek''s smile had a touch of sadness and tenderness. After chatting with Ryan for a while, Carissa sent him off.


    "Are you hoping to keep him away from Prince Connor, Your Grace?" Derek asked.


    Carissa nodded. "You''re right, Mr. Walker. Prince Connor has been reprimanded because of Ryan. The pce banquet is lively and festive, so it''s best to avoid anything that would ruin the atmosphere."


    "The queen is under house arrest," Derek said softly. "She won''t be attending the pce banquet this year. They''re telling everyone it''s because she caught a cold."


    Carissa asked, "Is the house arrest because of the Gracewood Women''s Academy matter? Did the queen dowager order it?"


    "The queen dowager didn''t issue any formal orders," Derek replied. "She simply invited the king for a meal. After the king had dined, he sent word to Everspring Pce, telling the queen to remain indoors until after the New Year."


    Carissa understood. Victoria rarely


    punished the consorts. She and the king seemed to share an unspoken understanding-many things didn''t need to be said aloud. If the king was called to dine with his mother, he wouldprehend her intentions without her needing to say a word.


    Victoria rarely summoned Salvador to her table. More often than not, it was Salvador who would visit her, demonstrating his devotion to his mom.


    There was one question Carissa needed an answer to, so she dismissed the others and spoke privately with Derek.


    "Mr. Walker, could you tell me was the trouble at Gracewood Women''s Academy the king''s decision, or the queen''s?"


    She knew she had phrased it wrong.


    From what Kevin had said, Salvador didn''t seem to have much regard for Gracewood Women''s Academy. But she wanted to know who was behind such a vicious act-whether it was Salvador or Kylie, as there was a difference.


    If it had been Salvador''s will, with his immense power on the throne, nothing could endure without his consent.


    But if it was Kylie''s doing, Carissa believed the academy could survive, even if it faced some turmoil for a while. Derek thought for a moment, carefully choosing his words.


    "The women''s academy was the queen dowager''s idea. His Majesty has always been dutiful, and he


    would never wish to destroy it. Oset


    course, His Majesty also likes


    keep a firm grip on many things and people, which is the only way he can feel assured."


    At those words, Carissa understood.


    Salvador had likely intended to create obstacles for the women''s academy, keeping it lukewarm and under strict control, from its student body to its curriculum. But this incident''s aim was different-it was to destroy the academy and ruin Rosalind.


    That meant it was Kylie''s doing.