Chapter 388

+25 BONUS

Violet first returned home to help her family with Carissa's wedding, then assisted the Inferno Guild with wedding gifts for Carissa's trousseau. Although this happened over a month ago, if Prince Yuvan had traveled from Valken to the Spencer family residence in Ebonflow to propose marriage, he likely arrived shortly after Violet returned to the Inferno Guild, considering travel time.

The Spencer family sent people to help with gift preparations just a few days after Violet's return. Therefore, when Violet met other Spencer family members in the capital, they probably hadn't yet heard the news of Yuvan's proposal.

"How shameless is Prince Yuvan? How old is he? How dare he propose marriage to me? When was the divorce agreement sent? Perhaps he proposed first, then sent the agreement. That old scoundrel—I'll have him chopped up!" Violet exclaimed, outraged.

Avis's eyes began to fill with tears, perhaps because Yuvan's name was repeatedly mentioned. Then, her dull eyes focused, and she stared steadily at Carissa. Recognition dawned on her face.

With a sob, Avis began to cry uncontrollably, her cries piercingly sorrowful. Her weeping was so intense she seemed to choke, gasping for breath but unable to catch it. Soon, she was coughing and vomiting blood, bright red droplets staining the floor.

A horrified Carissa gently patted her aunt's back and wiped away the blood. However, the blood continued to flow until Avis lost consciousness.

Ivy and Jasmine, seemingly accustomed to such emergencies, helped Avis lie down and began administering acupuncture. They crushed pills and forced them into her mouth. The attending maids cleaned up the blood and cared for Avis with practiced efficiency.

Carissa remained frozen. Even when a maid brought water to clean her blood-stained hands, she was unresponsive.

Violet tapped her lightly. "Wash your hands. We'll see how she is after the acupuncture."

Only then did Carissa submerge her hands in warm water, her body trembling uncontrollably. She was aware of her aunt's illness but hadn't realized its severity. A chill of fear and dread—the kind that came with the thought of losing a loved one—settled in Carissa's heart. Her heart seemed to sink into darkness.

After acupuncture and another dose of medicine, Avis gradually regained consciousness. She looked even more frail, but recognized Carissa. Avis reached for her niece's hand, her eyes welling with tears again.

Carissa quickly reassured her, "Aunt Avis, I'm doing fine now. I'm married to Prince Rafael, and he treats me very well."

"Is that true?" Avis's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you sure you're not lying to me?"

"No, it's true. You can ask them," Carissa gestured to Ivy and Violet. "Ask them."

Violet looked at Avis and nodded. "It's true."

Violet felt conflicted. Yuvan, that old scoundrel, had caused Avis so much suffering, and now wanted to discard her and marry someone else. The thought was revolting. Violet wondered if her grandfather and father would refuse him—would they fiercely oppose him and chase him away? Probably not. Her grandfather and father always cared about their reputation. No matter how awful Yuvan was, he was still a prince. Openly confronting him wouldn't be proper.

But if Violet had been present, she would have berated him. Who cared if he was a prince? Violet felt this was the most disgusting thing she had ever encountered. Yuvan was in his forties, wasn't he? What on earth was that old man thinking, trying to marry her?

Meanwhile, Carissa focused on comforting Avis. Once the older woman's emotions stabilized, Carissa told her about her current situation.

Avis grasped her niece's hand, crying as she spoke, "I know about your divorce. I also know you went to the battlefield, and I worried every day. I'm so relieved that everything is well now, and that you've found a good husband. It eases my heart."

She sighed deeply, her complexion tinged with gray. "It's all my fault for arranging that marriage. Every night, I dream of your mother coming to scold me. Her spirit must hate me deeply."

As she spoke, she began to cry again.