Chapter 423

Carissa recalled Violet's words. Viola had been intent on competing with her over the dowry, and their previous encounter had ended poorly. Carissa simply nodded and said calmly, “Mrs. Warren.”

Viola’s face was grim, and her tone sharp. “Is the princess consort so idle that she comes early in the morning to witness the commotion at the Warren family’s residence? Or did the princess consort forget the way back to her own residence, mistaking the Warren family’s residence for her own?”

Violet began to alight from the carriage, but Carissa stopped her, then looked at Viola with a faint smile.

“Sometimes,” Carissa said, “it’s necessary to pay a visit to one’s past and see how the unscrupulous people in the Warren family are faring. It’s only a gesture of goodwill.”

Viola’s face turned ashen. “Who are you calling unscrupulous? Are you here to mock us for our misfortunes? If so, get out of the carriage and see for yourself! See it up close, smell it yourself. If you like, you can even go and clean it.”

Carissa smiled. “I am no longer a part of the Warren family. Such filthy places are best left for you to clean, Mrs. Warren.”

Viola’s anger flared. “How dare you! You’re a princess consort, yet you publicly degrade us like that?! Aren’t you concerned about losing your dignity and becoming the subject of ridicule?”

Carissa took out a handkerchief and waved it. “I’m not afraid of being a laughingstock. Are you, Mrs. Warren? If you’re not, should I tell others that you were trying to compare dowries with me?”

Viola’s expression changed suddenly. How could Carissa know about that? She sneered coldly. “Ridiculous! What’s there to compare with dowries? Gold and silver are just trivial things. I have nothing to compare with the princess consort. What you have, I might not. But what I have, you may not necessarily have.”

Carissa gestured toward Valor Estate’s gates. “Indeed, what you have, our residence does not.”

As Viola’s expression grew colder, Carissa continued, “Trivial as gold and silver are, they are the most cherished things by the people of the Warren family. Mrs. Warren, you must often use your dowry to supplement the family funds, don’t you?”

Viola raised her chin. “I do so willingly. My husband loves and respects me, and I am willing to give everything for him. That is the duty of a wife.”

Carissa regarded her for a moment before saying, “I know Sebastian from Arcane Sanctum. Would you like me to recommend you so he can take a look at your brain?”

“What’s wrong with what I said? Your Grace, if my husband didn’t want you, you should consider the reasons for that.”

Carissa was so angry, it almost made her laugh. “Your husband didn’t want me? Have you forgotten that it was I who requested the edict for our divorce? Viola, let me be clear—it was I who rejected him. I threw him away like garbage. Is that clear enough?”

There was no point in arguing with a fool. Carissa let the curtain fall. “Let’s go!”

The coachman cracked his whip, and the horses started moving. Viola hurriedly stepped back, her head buzzing with anger. How dare Carissa speak about Barrett like that? How dare she?!

Inside the carriage, Alana looked puzzled. “Are the rules in the capital really this strange? Shouldn’t we retaliate when she speaks like that?”

Carissa folded and put away her handkerchief. “In the capital, verbal disputes are quite common. Most are filled with honeyed words and hidden schemes. Viola’s blatant hostility makes it reasonable for me to order a couple of slaps. However, I don’t have a servant with me, so I can’t handle it personally, nor can I let you two take action.”

Violet’s identity was special, tied to a prominent family. They couldn’t afford to offend Oliver and the Prince family because of Carissa.

As for Leah and Alana, they were there to protect Leona. It was best for them to avoid offending anyone to ensure no one would trouble them—not even a little.

“We won the argument without needing to fight. Didn’t you see how her face turned purple with anger?” Violet remarked, propping her chin on her hand. “Actually, hitting women isn’t very satisfying. After we’ve been on the battlefield, we don’t want to resort to physical violence lightly. When I slapped Ruby the other day, it felt meaningless. Viola doesn’t know martial arts either, so beating her wouldn’t be gratifying.”

Alana pondered for a moment. “But I really wanted to hit her. However, once we’re at Gracehold Estate, I won’t hit anyone.”