Chapter 14
Rebecca paused. "Borrow?"
Rebecca herself had called it a loan, repayable to Carissa once things improved. Her daughter-in-law's phrasing left the older woman speechless.
Still, Rebecca inwardly criticized Carissa's lack of understanding. The girl had no family left; what else would she spend her money on but the Warren family?
Barrett shook his head. “I’ll figure something out on my own. I won’t need to borrow from you.”
He turned and left the room. All eyes turned to Carissa, who curtsied politely and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
“Carissa, stay!” Rebecca’s face darkened with anger. She was no longer coughing or weak, especially since taking Sebastian’s medicine yesterday.
Carissa looked at her mother-in-law. “Is there something else you need?”
Rebecca spoke with great seriousness. “I know you went to the palace and appealed to the king. That wasn’t wise.”
“After Aurora joins our household, her future merits will reflect well on our family, benefiting you too. Accumulated merits might even earn you a title—another blessing.”
“You’re right,” Carissa conceded.
Seeing Carissa’s compliance, Rebecca continued smugly, “Ten thousand silver coins isn’t much for you, and the jewelry will probably amount to two or three thousand more. You won’t mind providing the money, right?”
Carissa nodded. “Alright.”
Rebecca relaxed. Carissa’s earlier attitude was just a trivial tantrum. The older woman smiled. “Carissa, you’re sensible. Rest assured, if anyone dares to bully you, I’ll be the first to defend you.”
Charlotte was beside herself.
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Chapter 14
Why was Carissa so naive? How could she think it right to use her dowry to help her husband take another wife? This family was clearly going too far.
Carissa turned to Charlotte. “So, the engagement gifts amount to about thirteen thousand silver coins. How much will the wedding party cost?”
“The party and other expenses will add up to several thousand coins. Are you also going to cover that?” Charlotte replied impatiently. If Carissa wanted to remain foolish, Charlotte didn’t care.
“Sure,” Carissa answered with a smile. “When the time comes, I’ll have Barrett write me a promissory note. Once that’s done, I’ll deliver the money.”
Everyone in the room, except Charlotte’s family, scowled.
“That’s absurd! Since when does a husband need to write a promissory note to get money from his wife?!” Rebecca exclaimed, fuming.
Carissa was taken aback. “If we don’t have a promissory note, how can it be considered a loan? Mother, didn’t you just mention that the money would be a loan? Writing a promissory note for a loan is perfectly reasonable. Not writing one would be absurd, wouldn’t it?”
Carissa stood calmly and confidently. “Speaking of which…there’s no reason for a husband to use his wife’s dowry to fund a concubine’s engagement gifts either. If such a thing were to spread, it would tarnish my husband’s reputation and make our household a laughingstock. Don’t you agree, Mother?”
Rebecca’s face darkened. “I just praised you for being sensible…”
“Thinking of the family’s reputation is also sensible, right?”
Smiling, Carissa patted the older woman gently on the back. “Mother, don’t be angry. You just took your medicine yesterday. It only lasts for five days, and Sebastian won’t be coming to treat you anymore.”
“What did you say?” Rebecca grabbed Carissa’s hand. “How could you be so cruel? Why did you stop him from coming to treat me?!”
Serena angrily pushed her sister-in-law aside. “Carissa, you stopped the physician from treating Mom? Are you trying to kill her?!”
As Carissa casually flicked her sleeves, Serena felt an intense surge of force that made her stagger back a few steps. The shocked girl grabbed the back of a chair to steady herself. How could Carissa be so strong?
Chapter 14
Carissa spoke coolly, “Be careful with your words. Sebastian himself said yesterday that he wouldn’t come again. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him yourself whether it was his own choice or if I stopped him from coming.”
Carissa turned and left.