Chapter 279

Lily brought in a bowl of royal jelly soup that Charlotte favored, smiling as she said, “Madam Charlotte, you’re in for a treat! It’s been a while since we made this, and you’re here just as we finished a batch.”

Lily’s comment was disingenuous. They had been making royal jelly soup daily as part of Ryan’s treatment. The Klein family had sent some, the Hell Monarch Estate steward contributed several jars, and Frederick had also purchased some.

Charlotte smiled at Lily. “I’m quite the food enthusiast and couldn’t resist coming when I heard something delicious was available. I’ve been coughing lately, and I thought a bowl of royal jelly soup might cure it. I’m sure I’ll stop coughing tonight.”

Carissa asked with concern, “You’re still coughing? The last time you visited Ryan, I noticed you coughing, too.”

“With the constant gloom and arguments all day, it’s no wonder I haven’t gotten better,” Charlotte said, stirring her soup, her face showing worry and disgust. “Barrett either doesn’t come home, or when he does, Aurora argues with him and even becomes physical. He remarkably endures her insults without retaliating. She behaves like a shrew, and he just lets her.”

Charlotte suddenly looked up at Carissa. “If Aurora comes looking for you, you mustn’t see her. She’s completely lost her mind.”

Carissa shook her head. “Why would she come looking for me? That’s impossible.”

“Impossible? During their arguments, she said she would come see you.”

“Why would she want to see me?” Carissa was bewildered. “I’m no longer involved with them.”

“Who knows what she’s thinking? She must have insects crawling around in her head,” Charlotte said, coughing.

After drinking the royal jelly, she continued, “Their constant bickering has disturbed the whole household. I’ve heard her mention twice that she wants to drag Barrett to see you and clear things up.”

Chapter 270

“What needs clearing up?” Carissa asked, confused. “Everything that needed to be said was said at the time of the divorce. Anything further would just be mutual insults. It’s unnecessary.”

Charlotte sneered. “So, it turns out that when Barrett was going to divorce you, he said he wouldn’t take your dowry, but Aurora demanded he withhold part of it. Barrett refused, and Aurora said that if the dowry had been withheld from the beginning, life at Valor Estate wouldn’t be so hard now, and he wouldn’t have had to marry a second-hand woman, making him look like someone selling himself.”

Carissa was utterly shocked. “So, the plan to withhold my dowry wasn’t just Rebecca’s idea? Aurora was involved as well?”

“Rebecca’s wishes weren’t conveyed clearly by Barrett. From their arguments, Barrett misunderstood her intentions. She wanted to withhold the dowry, but Barrett thought he had convinced her not to. It’s all quite a mess,” Charlotte said, her disdain evident. “Their shouting and bickering will surely spread. Amelia can’t control the servants’ mouths. In a few days, the whole capital will probably know.”

Carissa was still processing the information. “So, does this mean Aurora wants to come and take some of my dowry from me?”

“I don’t think that’s the case. The king granted you a divorce through an edict, so they can’t keep your dowry either way. Who knows why she wants to drag Barrett to see you? With her crazy behavior, she might do anything. It’s best that you refuse to see her if she comes.”

After a pause, Charlotte added with frustration, “But given her current state, if you refuse to meet her, she’ll just make a fuss outside, which would be very troublesome.”

Carissa hadn’t expected Barrett and Aurora’s quarrel to involve her. What concern was it to her? If it wasn’t about taking her dowry, then what was it about? Were they here to demand justice? Carissa hadn’t even demanded any from them!