Chapter 426

Aurora's eyes narrowed, her body stiffening as fierce intent flashed in her gaze. She quickly composed herself, adopting a nonchalant demeanor.

"So what? If she wants to watch the commotion, that's her business."

Viola choked. "What?! Aurora, I'm begging you. Please go to Jadehill Estate and apologize again! Your actions have affected not only the Warren family but also my husband's career!"

"Your husband?" Aurora sneered coldly. "You call him that so easily."

"What's wrong with how I address him? Isn't he my husband?"

Aurora's voice grew colder. "Yes, he is your husband. So, if you want to plan his future, apologize, or contribute money, that's your responsibility."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Aurora drew her sword slightly, her expression steely. "That means you should leave. Don't provoke me." Viola trembled with rage. She struggled to understand how, despite being a family member and the legitimate primary wife, Aurora dared to be so audacious and rude.

Viola had told Carissa she was willing to contribute her dowry to support the Warren family, but internally, she felt deeply frustrated.

"Aurora, my elder brother is the general of the Hell Monarch Army, and I'm a lady from the Earl of Silverstone's family. How dare you be so disrespectful to me?!"

Aurora chuckled scornfully. "What? Are you going to have your brother bring the Hell Monarch Army to deal with me? Or do you think your family can bully me, a mere wife granted by the king?"

Viola felt utterly defeated. "You're nothing but a scoundrel. I can't believe my husband ever had feelings for you. You must have seduced him on the battlefield. You're just as despicable as Carissa. You both are shameless."

Aurora laughed. "Well, that must be a disappointment for you. On the battlefield, he was the one who showed interest in me first. He was the one who said he liked me. And comparing me to Carissa? What's she even worth? She's just a shameless, once-divorced woman who remarried."

As she spoke of Carissa, her eyes remained fixed on Viola, with a pointed and unmistakable implication.

Viola's eyes brimmed with tears of anger. "I will definitely tell my husband about this tonight. Just you wait!"

"Fine, I'll be waiting!" Aurora turned and headed back into her residence, leaving Viola in the courtyard. Entering her residence, Aurora added, "A once-divorced woman who remarries lacks any shame."

Viola cried as she left, heading straight to Rebecca's quarters. She dried her tears. Her mother-in-law must be taking her medicine, and as the daughter-in-law, it was her duty to attend to her illness.

Chapter 426 (+25 Bonus)

Though Viola couldn't get Sebastian to treat Rebecca, she had used her family connections to bring another renowned doctor. However, her mother-in-law insisted on taking Snowdrop Pills, so Viola had to spend money each month to have her natal family purchase and deliver them.

Rebecca was generally satisfied with her dutiful and considerate daughter-in-law. If not for Aurora, Rebecca wouldn't have to worry about Barrett's future. With Viola's family backing him, he would surely be thriving.

However, in terms of service, Viola was nowhere near Carissa's level. Carissa would sleep in the same room when Rebecca fell ill, and immediately attend to any discomfort at night. Viola was unwilling to do so; she clung to Barrett every night, fearing he might be summoned by Aurora.

Thus, Rebecca harbored both resentment and nostalgia for Carissa. When Carissa was around, there was never a shortage of money. Seasonal clothes, silks, jewels, and three meals a day with snacks—living in luxury had seemed completely natural then.

Carissa never complained. When Charlotte sometimes grumbled, Carissa would say that since her husband was busy fighting enemies, she shouldn't add to his worries about home. A woman from a military family had this kind of awareness—war was the most important thing, so she took care of every detail in the household.

Now, even though Viola used her dowry to supplement the household, she often spoke of reducing staff and cutting costs. While meals were still provided, snacks had disappeared, and even the daily meals were far less sumptuous than before.

Moreover, due to Aurora's harsh words toward Mary, Valor Estate was filled with the stench of excrement daily. Viola's management of the household left much to be desired. The servants were lazy and neglectful, and she couldn't control them. With daily incidents of excrement being thrown, she couldn't come up with a solution.

If it were Carissa handling things…

Well, if Carissa were in charge, the Warren family would be prominently featured on the donation list instead of being the target of such disgrace!