Chapter 1075
The next day, Carissa awoke as if nothing had happened. Picking up her riding crop, she calmly left the house, her demeanor undisturbed. Meanwhile, Barrett was nursing severe injuries and had taken a leave of absence. Upon learning the full story, Salvador was furious.
“If he’d truly been loyal, he wouldn’t have treated Carissa that way in the first place! And now, injuring himself over a criminal? Neglecting his duties? Disregarding his family's reputation? He’s neither loyal nor devoted. What use is he? A disgrace!”
Derek observed the situation, understanding the king's reluctance to abandon Barrett despite repeated offenses. Respect for the late General Matthias Warren was one reason; using Barrett to control the Mystic Army was another. Finally, his immediate removal would disrupt the generals at Victory Pass. But with the Westhaven forces retreating, Derek suspected the king’s patience was waning.
As expected, when court convened, officials gathered outside with complaints. Derek deliberately waited for the Oversight Minister, Irvin, and casually mentioned Salvador’s anger over Barrett’s latest misconduct. Ever righteous, Irvin pressed for details. Derek remained discreet, but Irvin, resourceful, quickly uncovered the truth: Barrett, distraught over Aurora’s punishment, had deliberately injured himself.
This was a disgrace Irvin could not tolerate. At the Oversight Department, he immediately launched a scathing attack on Barrett.
“How shameful!” Irvin bellowed. “As a son, he dishonors his family. As an official, he neglects his duties and squanders His Majesty’s trust. If he’s so intent on dying for that criminal, why doesn’t he just do it and be done with it? At least he’d stop embarrassing the court!”
He immediately began writing a formal complaint to Salvador. Irvin’s actions sparked a cascade of condemnation. Many officials, fearing Barrett's behavior might embolden the Westhaven forces, joined the chorus. For three days, reports condemning Barrett flooded the court. Irvin's formal complaint garnered immediate support. It wasn't that Barrett's value was unseen, but his self-destructive actions regarding Aurora—what kind of rumors would that spread in Westhaven?
After three days of relentless complaints, Barrett’s position crumbled. Salvador issued an edict removing him from his post and ordering reflection on his actions. Barrett’s removal triggered a series of promotions. Kevin ascended to his position, and Galen took over Kevin’s previous post. Though subordinate to Kevin, Galen seemed content.
When the edict reached Grace Mansion, Viola sat in stunned silence. Minutes stretched into hours, but she remained speechless, her lips trembling, unable to articulate her feelings. Barrett’s self-inflicted injury had profoundly shaken her, though not in the way one might expect. Of the three men she’d known, she’d respected Barrett the least. Yet, long ago, she’d been genuinely drawn to him. Now, witnessing his self-harm for Aurora, she understood with chilling clarity: this man was beyond saving, beyond any consideration in her life.
But what could she do? Her marriage to Barrett was her second. Divorce offered little hope of remarriage, let alone a good match. As she’d once said of Serena, what remained? To become someone's concubine? Impossible! She was the Earl of Silverston's third daughter. How could she stoop so low? Yet, to remain married to a man who'd lost everything, a man reduced to nothing? The thought was unbearable.
Torn between pride and future, she finally entered Barrett’s room to deliver the news, hoping for a flicker of regret. But upon hearing of his dismissal, he showed no anger or upset, only a sigh of relief.
“If you want to leave,” he said calmly, “then leave. Take whatever valuables are left. They’re yours.”
Viola’s composure shattered. “You’re that eager for me to go?”
Chapter to follow…