Chapter 432
Barrett felt no joy at Viola's heartfelt declaration; he realized he'd never truly understood her. Initially, he'd assumed the Farrell family's allowance of her return to the estate, without the obligation of widowhood, was due to her gentle nature. Now, he was perplexed.
The steward and his accompanying guards did not return. The person who had been attacked refused any settlement, demanding severe punishment for his assailants. The steward eventually confessed, admitting he’d given the order, an act that spared Viola. The Royal Citadel detained them all. While the criminal aspect was dealt with, the injured man could still claim compensation for medical expenses.
Viola, eager to resolve the matter quickly and prevent further complications, sent the injured man a thousand silver coins.
Learning of this, Rebecca reprimanded her: “Is it true his limbs were broken? Why haven’t you sent someone to check? It could be a scam. Why would he throw dung at our gate? Broken limbs can be treated; they weren’t severed. Even with broken bones, treatment wouldn’t cost more than a hundred silver coins. You gave him a thousand—a profitable scam! This will only encourage more extortionists!”
Viola replied, “Mother, please don’t be angry. No one will extort us again. That person was definitely sent by Carissa. Once Aurora apologizes, this matter will be resolved.”
Rebecca’s brows knitted in shock and anger. “What? Carissa sent the person who threw dung every day?”
Once Viola recounted seeing Carissa at the estate gate that day, Rebecca’s fury erupted. “She… she’s a princess consort! Why can’t she leave us alone? It’s as if she wants everyone in our house wiped out!”
Seeing her mother-in-law denounce Carissa with such fury, Viola felt relief and satisfaction. “With such a wicked heart, she will surely face retribution,” she declared.
However, an underlying worry remained. Since taking over household management, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law frequently expressed dissatisfaction. Though her husband never voiced concerns, his contemplative silences left her feeling cold and distant.
The household servants, including the steward, never spoke against Carissa. Even when Viola tried to guide the conversation, they seemed oblivious, consistently praising Carissa as a good and kind mistress. Charlotte, the old lady from the second branch of the family, was even more direct, praising how well the household had functioned under Carissa. Even Viola’s eldest sister-in-law, Amella, echoed those sentiments.
Chapter 432
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Before marrying into the Warren family, Viola expected everyone to despise Carissa. Given Carissa’s narrow-minded and jealous nature, Viola thought she would be harsh toward the servants, who would then speak ill of her. Yet, only her critical mother-in-law and youngest sister-in-law harbored such intense hatred towards Carissa.
Viola’s anxiety stemmed from a feeling that she seemed to understand everything yet grasp nothing fully. She vowed to surpass Carissa and be more accommodating. She especially wanted to prove that even as a remarried woman, she could manage the Warren household exceptionally well.
She also intended to mend her relationship with Aurora. Since Aurora was a rightful wife, granted this marriage by the king, Viola believed that sufficient leniency would earn Aurora’s eternal gratitude—after all, Aurora had once been rejected by Carissa.
But Viola miscalculated. Aurora showed no appreciation, only infuriating cold indifference. Their disagreements often escalated. Despite Viola’s attempts at resolution, Aurora seemed determined to argue about everything, unwilling to settle unless right and wrong were established—to Aurora, everything she did was right, while everything Viola did was wrong. That distortion of right and wrong was maddening.
Life after marrying into the Warren family was a mess, completely different from Viola’s expectations. Aside from her husband’s relatively good treatment, nothing else was going as she’d hoped.