Chapter 1014

Violet pointed a trembling finger at Molly, her eyes burning with fiery rage. “Molly,” she hissed, her voice low and dangerous, “I’m warning you—if you continue helping Jessica spread rumors about Skye Embroidery, I’ll tear your tongue out.”

With a dramatic flourish, Violet stormed from the room, ignoring Yuvan completely. As the guards outside assembled, Yuvan raised a hand, signaling them to stand back. Violet let out a cold snort and swept past them without a backward glance.

Yuvan watched her retreating figure, her red dress a flash of fire. She moved with purpose, confident and unafraid—this was the Spencer woman he had truly wanted to marry.

“Your Highness, she hit me!” Molly cried, covering her face. Her cheek was red and swollen, tears streaming down her face. “How could you just let her go?”

Yuvan withdrew his gaze from Violet and looked at Molly. The warmth and tenderness he’d once felt had vanished, replaced by sharp coldness. His brow furrowed. How could two women from the same family be so different?

“Your Highness!” Molly, sensing his displeasure, pressed closer, attempting to recapture his former gentleness. “My face hurts so much. You should take revenge for me!”

Yuvan’s expression remained hard. “She said you’ve been helping Jessica spread rumors about Skye Embroidery. What’s going on?”

Molly hadn’t told Yuvan about lending Jessica money for usury, unsure of his approval. The Spencer family strictly forbade such actions. Seeing his cold expression, dread filled her heart.

“I… I just heard Jessica was divorced and wanted to go to Skye Embroidery, but Carissa refused her. I couldn’t stand by, so I spoke up for her,” she stammered.

Yuvan’s lips curled into a cynical smile. “I had no idea my wife was so bold, openly defying the Hell Monarch’s princess consort.”

Molly wiped her tears, her large, innocent eyes wide with confusion. “I was just thinking… Jessica is your niece, Your Highness. I couldn’t bear to see her cast out, so I helped her a little.”

“Then why didn’t you go directly to Ironridge Estate to stand up for her? You pity her for being cast out, yet you didn’t bring her back to live here?” Yuvan’s voice was cold and harsh.

Molly hesitated, then whispered, “Her mother was involved in treason and is confined at the Heritage Bureau. I… I didn’t dare bring her back.”

Yuvan grabbed her chin. “You know her mother’s involved in treason, and yet you still associate with her? Do you want to get me killed?”

Molly, frightened by the ferocity in his eyes, trembled. “Your Highness, what are you doing? If I’ve done something wrong, just tell me. You’re scaring me!”

Yuvan’s face remained devoid of sympathy. “Haven’t I told you before? In the capital, don’t associate with people carelessly. You’re supposed to focus on building a good relationship with your cousin. How can you not handle something so small? What use are you to me?”

“Build a relationship with her?” Molly’s tears flowed anew, resentment twisting her features. “I’m a princess consort! Why should I flatter her? She’s just staying at Hell Monarch Estate. Even the Hell Monarch’s princess consort should respect me as her aunt! What is Violet to me?”

Yuvan’s expression darkened. “And yet I don’t see Carissa respecting you as her aunt, do I?”

He released her chin, then touched the red mark on her face, his voice softening slightly. “Tomorrow, you will go to Hell Monarch Estate to apologize to Violet and invite her to Edgeview Estate as a guest. Fail to do this, and I’ll divorce you.”

Molly could hardly believe her ears. “Your Highness… You want to divorce me? Why?” her voice cracked.

“Because you’re stupid!” Yuvan jabbed a finger at her forehead. His voice was icy. “You’ve been married to me for so long, and you still don’t understand what I want! You haven’t helped me with a single thing. Why did I even marry you?”

Molly staggered back, breathless, her chest tightening with pain. Tears streamed down her face. “How was I supposed to know what you wanted if you never told me?”

Yuvan’s expression didn’t soften. “I’ve already said it. If you handle this properly, I won’t hold your secret dealings with Jessica against you.”

He turned and left. Plum stepped forward. “Your Grace, are you all right?”

Molly grabbed Plum’s hand desperately, her tears flowing freely. “Why does he treat me like this? One moment he’s kind, the next he wants to swallow me whole. What have I done wrong? What does he want from me? He never tells me!”

Plum shook her head. “I don’t know, Your Grace, but His Highness has ordered you to apologize to Ms. Spencer. You should do as he says.”