Chapter 1146

Viola’s eyes flickered nervously; she refused to sit. “It was a drunken mistake. I mistook him for Thomas, but he was sober. He knew exactly who I was. While I erred, his fault was far greater,” she said coldly.

“That’s not what he told me!” Riley retorted, fighting back tears. Her voice trembled. “He said you were drunk, but not uncontrollably so. He said you knew who he was, and even called his name.”

“He’s lying!” Viola’s face reddened. She glanced at Carissa, then shouted, “He’s lying! Did he dare say I called Silas’ name, not Thomas’?”

Though Carissa lacked experience in such matters, the conversation lingered with her. Viola claimed to remember calling Thomas' name, suggesting she wasn't so drunk as to confuse him with Silas.

Riley was speechless. Bianca, however, let out a cold laugh. “Weren’t you supposedly too drunk to remember anything? How do you remember whose name you called? If you were somehow sober enough to remember, you knew he wasn't General Farrell!” she spat.

“That’s nonsense!” Viola spun, ready to leave. Jane blocked her path. Viola struck Jane. “How dare you stop me?”

Jane remained unmoved. “Madam Viola, you should explain yourself before leaving.”

Viola’s face flushed crimson. “What’s to explain? I was wronged! Silas took advantage of me! I’ve suffered! Why does everyone attack me? They should be pursuing him!”

Riley, regaining her composure, said calmly, “I will deal with him. Just answer honestly—did you go to the Arcane Sanctum to see him that day? I’ve investigated. Before you went, you were having trouble with Barrett and wanted a divorce. That’s why you sought Silas.”

Viola’s face burned with anger and shame.

“I went to buy Snowdrop Pills!” she retorted. “What nonsense are you imagining?”

“Silas isn’t a physician; he handles procurement. Why would you go to him for Snowdrop Pills? You share a shameful past. When you see him, you should avoid him, not eagerly approach him. You claim it wasn’t intentional, but who would believe that?” Riley said.

Viola opened her mouth, but Riley continued. “Don’t claim no one knows your shameful past. Just because others are unaware doesn’t make it acceptable to approach Silas. You know, and you should have been more careful. If you truly needed Snowdrop Pills, you should have sent someone from your household, not gone yourself. Were you trying to use your past relationship to manipulate him?”

Viola was speechless, her expression shifting rapidly. Riley’s direct questioning caught her off guard. Her prepared excuses were for Zoey; since Zoey hadn’t pressed her, she hadn’t considered this line of questioning. She could only lift her chin and change the subject.

“Is it wrong to be devoted to one’s parents? My mother is seriously ill, and I wanted Snowdrop Pills for her. I couldn’t buy them over the counter, and I simply asked Silas.

“What past relationship? Everything you’ve said is your imagination. I’ve told you the incident wasn’t what you imagine. It was a drunken lapse in judgment, before he was married.

“It has nothing to do with you, so I don’t understand why you keep bringing it up. If your mother were sick, wouldn’t you do everything to find a cure? Aren’t you devoted to your parents?”

Riley hesitated. “Of course, I would do anything for my mother.”

A triumphant glint flashed in Viola’s eyes. “There. I was helping my mother. It has nothing to do with that past incident or your claims. You barged in and made accusations without understanding.”

Carissa shook her head. Viola’s clever deflection had confused Riley.

Bianca, however, spoke coldly. “I didn’t want to expose this, but your attitude leaves me no choice. Are you saying it was just one drunken mistake? How do you explain the child?”