Chapter 425

Carissa looked at Leona's swollen, red eyes, which Leona was trying to hide behind a fan. With a sigh, Carissa said, "So, you knew I was here, but still didn't want to see me?"

Leona replied in a nasal tone, "Cari, my eyes are in no condition to be seen."

Carissa glanced at her. "You're right. They're swollen badly."

"Cari…" Leona's voice choked up. "Because of that incident, he insults me every day. How can he be so cruel?"

Carissa frowned. "If he insults you, why don't you insult him back?"

Leona's tears fell. "I don't know how."

Carissa was at a loss. She turned to Alana. "Alana, do you know how to insult someone?"

"Oh, I'm very good at it," Alana replied.

"Good. From now on, if Mr. Langley comes and insults the Duchess, you insult him back. Remember one principle: if he insults you, insult him back. If he gets physical, you get physical."

"Got it," Alana said.

Leona wiped her tears away and looked curiously at Alana and Carissa. "Cari, who are these two?" she asked. "They are senior guild members from a guild in Meadow Ridge. They know some martial arts and medicine, so they can oversee your meals and help you deal with anyone you can't handle."

"Thank you, Cari." Leona's tears flowed freely.

"Enough! Stop crying!" Carissa said, her temper flaring. "Crying all the time isn't good for the baby. You're a Duchess married into an Earl's household—which is already a step down. Why are you still being treated so poorly? What kind of Duchess is so helpless? I hope you can learn something from Jessica. Although she made her husband's family dislike her, at least she hasn't suffered as you have."

After a moment, Carissa reconsidered comparing Leona to someone as heartless as Jessica. She added, "Can't you try to be a bit more resolute? You're a Duchess and the wife of the family's heir! No one in this household should be able to truly bully you. Don't be so weak."

"I just can't stand my husband's attitude. Why does he keep taking out his anger on me for that woman's sake?" Leona said, her voice trembling.

Carissa patted her head lightly. "Just pretend he's dead, alright? For your own sake and for the baby's, dry your tears. If you keep crying, I won't come to see you again."

Leona dried her tears and nodded. "I understand."

Carissa knew Leona understood, but was aware she might not be able to follow through. Otherwise, Carissa wouldn't have needed to send people to help. After comforting Leona a while longer, Carissa bid farewell and returned to her residence.

Chapter 425 (Bonus)

At Valor Estate, the man who had thrown the excrement was caught. Once subdued, he was severely beaten.

Viola was still seething from her encounter with Carissa. When she returned home, she discovered the servants kicking a commoner. Upon inquiry, she learned he was the one who had thrown the excrement. She immediately ordered one of his arms broken, then had him thrown out.

As she watched the man scream in agony, still shouting accusations against the Warren family, she was enraged. She stormed directly to Aurora's room.

Aurora was practicing martial arts in the garden, her face covered by a light veil. When she saw Viola storm in with a menacing entourage, Aurora drew her sword, pointed it at Viola, and demanded icily, "Get out!"

Viola, seething with frustration, clenched her fists and yelled, "If you're so capable, then why don't you just kill everyone who insults you? The daily dung thrown at our doorstep has turned our family's residence into a laughingstock—no, not just a laughingstock, but the subject of everyone's scorn! This mess is all your doing!"

Aurora sheathed her sword and retorted coldly, "And how isn't this related to you? If you hadn't caused trouble that day, would I be so angry now?"

"In the first place, you were in the wrong! Even now, when things are difficult in the residence, you have money but refuse to contribute. I've kept clear accounts of the expenses I've covered. Despite the large dowry you received from my husband, you haven't contributed a single coin! You have no regard for the family, but you expect to be well cared for, with your every whim attended to, and all your maids and servants kept. How is that fair? I'm supporting the household, but I'm also expected to support you. How is that reasonable?"

"It's because you're foolish!" Aurora huffed. "Try removing the people from my rooms, and see if I don't turn the estate upside down!"

"You're simply going too far!" Viola's face reddened with rage. "Do you know, even Carissa came today to watch the commotion at our residence!"