Chapter 3

"In your dreams! Once you married into the Zellmer family, those things became ours. You're not taking them with you!" Sayetta shrieked.

I stood up and walked up to her. "Sayetta Zellmer, do you think I'm still that same Istina Snowdon you can push around?" I told her with narrowed, steely eyes.

Sayetta shifted uncomfortably under my stare, but she still held her chin high and refused to back down.

But her voice betrayed her uncertainty. "What… what do you mean?"

I took out a small booklet from a nearby drawer and waved it in front of her.

"You see this notebook? It lists every single thing you have 'borrowed' from my dowry all these years, like that South Sea pearl hairpin you took three years ago and the gemstone-embedded silverware you gifted away last year.

"And it has also detailed your secret fling with that scholar from the west side of town behind your brother's back. Do you need me to refresh your memory?"

Sayetta's face turned as white as a sheet. "You… you're lying!" she finally blurted out.

"You know in your heart whether I'm lying or not," I said as I locked away the booklet carefully. "Get lost. And don't come here to bother me again. Or else, this booklet will show up in your brother's study."

Sayetta stared at me with quivering lips. Thereafter, she hurriedly made her way out clumsily.

My house was peaceful once again.

Zelenya crept to me and tugged at my sleeve timidly. "Mommy, will it just be us from now on?"

I gently patted her head and looked into her bright, clear eyes.

"Yes, it's just going to be the two of us from now on. But don't worry. I'll always protect you," I reassured her softly.

The next day, people from the General's Estate showed up again.

This time, they delivered several big boxes.

When I opened them, I saw all the missing jewelry had been returned.

It looked like Sayetta took my warning seriously.

However, the most valuable things were still missing, which were a few ancient paintings from the royal collection, and a set of white diamond aigrettes my mother left me.

Those were the real treasures in my dowry.

I knew for sure my ex-mother-in-law had taken them. But getting them back from her wouldn't be easy.

I needed an ally. And I immediately thought of Wallace Wolverton.

He was the most renowned attorney in the capital. He was sharp, shrewd, and if one paid him enough, there was nothing he couldn't accomplish.

Back when my father was still alive, he had once helped Wallace out when he was in a pinch.

I took out a tapestry that was hand-woven with gold and silver thread. With Zelenya in tow, we made our way to Wallace's legal chambers.

Wallace was genuinely surprised to see me. After I explained what I needed, he looked troubled.

"Madam Snowdon, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. It’s just that General Zellmer is currently in His Majesty's good graces, and he’s also the future son-in-law of the Pleinbury Marquis. If I were to oppose him, I’m afraid…”

I didn't say anything. I simply placed the rolled-up tapestry before him.

When he unfurled it, his eyes sparkled.

"Is this... really the famed Unicorn Hunt from the legendary Snowdon professional weavers?" Wallace asked in awe.

"It's my great-grandfather's masterpiece, which my father passed down to me," I replied calmly. "My late father used to say you had the talent to shape the world, but luck never favored you. So, think of this gift as a token from my father in recognition of your capabilities."

Wallace studied the tapestry in silence for a long time.

He finally sighed deeply. "Madam Snowdon, your father's great kindness is something I'll never forget. You can count on me for this.

"However, simply showing the dowry list will not be enough to make the old lady give the items up. We need more compelling evidence."

"What kind of evidence?" I asked.

"Evidence that those items are actually still at the General's place," Wallace replied.

This would be difficult. The old lady guarded those treasures as if her life depended on it. She would have hidden them so well that no one could ever hope to find them.

I was at a loss to know what to do.

By the time we left Wallace's chambers, night had already fallen.

I held Zelenya's hand as we walked home. When we passed a patisserie, Zelenya tugged at my sleeve hesitantly. "Mommy, can I have a fruit tart?"

I fumbled in my purse for some change and bought a strawberry tart for her.

She cradled it in her hands like it were some precious treasure. But instead of eating, she held it up to my mouth. "Mommy, you eat first."

Feeling very touched, I took a small bite with a smile. "Mmm! It's so sweet!"

Just then, there was a commotion at the street corner.

A luxurious carriage rolled to a stop, and a well-dressed young man stepped out, accompanied by several attendants.

I recognized him. He was the young son of the Pleinbury Marquis and Humphrey's future brother-in-law.

One of the attendants behind him was holding a brocade box in his hands.

A gust of wind swept by just then. The attendant stumbled a little and accidentally lifted the lid of the brocade box. However, it was enough to reveal what was inside.

I caught a flash of those unmistakable white egret feathers on my white diamond aigrettes.

My heart skipped a beat as I recalled Wallace's words: "We need evidence."

Well, the evidence had just conveniently presented itself.