Her Graceful War Song

Eleanor smiled slowly, thinking it was time to extract some money from this money

tree.

Inside Evergreen Palace, Helen sneezed repeatedly. As she was preparing for a nap at noon, she was informed that Eleanor and Jessica had arrived.

Gillian furrowed her brow. When the two of them came together, it was usually for a specific reason.

A few years ago, Jessica and Dakota opened a makeup shop and made some money. Helen, who hated being outdone by others, heard about their success and thought about starting a shop herself. However, she didn't plan to team up with Jessica. She actually wanted to partner with her maternal nephew.

However, Jessica approached Helen with a proposition. She claimed she had a unique formula that produced makeup as good as the ones used in the palace. She asked Helen for three thousand silver coins to start the business, suggesting they could open a makeup shop together.

Helen was skeptical of Jessica, so Eleanor intervened. Eleanor made sarcastic comments, suggesting that Helen was worried about being tricked out of her money and didn't trust them. Helen was already intimidated by Eleanor and Jessica's presence. So after seeing Eleanor's grim face, Helen ended up handing over the

money.

Over the years, the makeup shop had never made a profit and had instead consistently suffered losses. Periodically, Helen was asked for more funds to keep the business afloat. Despite her private complaints, she felt compelled to comply to avoid being accused of poverty or stinginess.

In these years, Jessica had extracted nearly ten thousand silver coins from her for the makeup shop that had never even turned a profit.

Gillian, who had served Helen for many years and followed her into the palace, was naturally concerned about the expenditure. She suggested, "It seems they are here again to ask for more money. Lady Helen, the makeup shop isn't making any money. Perhaps it would be best to close it down to avoid further requests for funds. You've already spent so much on it."

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Even if that amount of silver were thrown into the water, it would at least make a splash.

Helen also felt that the makeup shop had indeed been a failure, but she was reluctant to close it. She felt it would be embarrassing. The makeup shop owned by Jessica and Dakota continued to make a profit, while the shop owned by Helen and Jessica was perpetually in the red. She refused to believe it would remain unprofitable indefinitely.

It was a matter of pride.

Determined not to be defeated, Helen invited Eleanor and Jessica in. As she listened to their reasons, she couldn't help but complain, "Why is it that your shop with Dakota makes a profit every year, while our shop, which is larger than your other shop, suffers losses every year? What happened to the unique formula you promised?"

Jessica was well-prepared with her explanation, a story she had repeated countless times. It went something like this-a business needed time to establish itself and gain a reputation, so initial losses were inevitable. Once the reputation was built, the money would start flowing in.

Helen was not easily swayed by such reassurances. Her primary concern was not to make a large profit, but to surpass Dakota.

Eleanor merely lifted her gaze, and said calmly, "What's the matter? Are you unable to come up with the money? If you really can't manage, you might as well sell your share to Dakota. She has been saying she wants it."

Upon hearing this, Helen ignored Gillian's frantic head shaking and signals. She instructed someone to fetch the money.

Three thousand silver coins were quickly produced, and Eleanor and Jessica left, visibly satisfied.

Once they had gone, Gillian said with a pained expression, "Lady Helen, this can't go on! The makeup shop is a bottomless pit that no matter how much you pour in, it won't be filled. It might be better to sell it." Helen was distressed over the loss of money. Sitting in her chair with a dark expression, she said, "How is it that Dakota's shop is making money while mine is not? Mine is two stories high, much larger than hers, with a greater variety and better quality. It will make money eventually."

"I'm afraid that the makeup shop might actually be profitable, but they're hiding the true figures from you. You wouldn't know if they kept reporting losses," Gillian replied.

"How could I not know? Aren't there ledgers? The ledgers are sent to me. Besides, weren't you the one who reviewed them for me?" Helen retorted.

"Ledgers can be falsified." Gillian sighed. "Lady Helen, next time they come asking for money, don't give them any more. Just consider the previous money a loss."

Helen grumbled inwardly. She had never wanted to give the money in the first place. However, when Eleanor's gaze swept over her, she felt an inexplicable fear. Besides, she also wanted to avoid looking bad in front of them.

Helen suddenly thought of Carissa.

If Carissa were in her place, would she have given them the money?Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.