Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1151

However, the report from Silverstone Estate's steward Bernard struck Zoey as strange.

The properties she had sold had quickly been taken over by someone, and the price they paid was quite high—higher than the market rate by a good 20 percent.

Zoey had managed the household for many years, overseeing property transactions several times. Typically, deals followed market trends, with a property or two occasionally sold for a bit more. But recently, every property she had sold had been at prices well above what was normal.

It left her feeling uneasy.

She even wondered if Carissa had found out she was selling her property and thought she was desperate for money, and so offered a high price.

Zoey asked the steward for the sale agreements. When she saw the buyer's name—Yves Gardner—she didn't recognize it.

"Does Hell Monarch Estate have a steward with that name?" Zoey asked Bernard.

"I've never heard of the name," Bernard replied.

"Then what's the deal with this buyer?" Zoey asked, a bit concerned. The price was much higher than usual, and she feared there might be some hidden risks in selling her property.

After a moment's thought, she remembered that all the sales had been handled with proper documentation—the contracts had proper signatures and seals, were registered, and witnessed by officials. Everything was legal and above board. What could go wrong?

"Forget it, then. Don't worry about it. Don't sell anymore for the time being, though. I don't want to draw attention from Mother," Zoey said.

She had kept the property sales a secret from Evelyn, even from Caspian and Luna. They didn't manage the household and wouldn't concern themselves with such things. If they found out, she would explain it to them then. After all, she wasn't just thinking of herself.

Still, she couldn't completely shake off the mystery surrounding the buyer. Later, when Carissa came to visit, Zoey casually asked, "Do you happen to know anyone named Yves Gardner?"

Carissa lifted her gaze and thought for a moment. "Yves Gardner? The Gardner surname is rare in the capital. Did he offend you somehow?"

Zoey shook her head. "Not exactly. I was just wondering. I sold a rather out-of-the-way shop recently, and he was the buyer. But his offer was 20 percent higher than the going rate."