Chapter 507

In the dim light, a figure hurriedly entered and supported Viola.

“What’s wrong?”

Through her tear-filled eyes, Viola saw her husband, Barrett’s face. She threw herself into his embrace, crying even harder. Barrett had never seen Viola so openly distressed. Seeing her sitting on the ground and wailing, he realized something serious had happened and urgently asked, “What’s going on? What happened?”

With tears in her eyes, Julia recounted the day’s events. However, when she was about to mention Thomas’s military pension, Viola suddenly shouted, “Be quiet!”

Julia, startled, immediately fell silent. She hadn’t specifically mentioned the pension, but she had mentioned Thomas’s name. Even if not the sharpest, Barrett could piece together the situation: Viola had used Thomas’s death benefits to buy a tiara for Serena, worth 36,800 silver coins.

“Enough. You’re dismissed,” Barrett said, releasing Viola. His face was dark with anger. “Tomorrow, you will go to the Golden Tower and return the ruby tiara.”

His towering figure cast a shadow over Viola. As she wiped her tears and looked up at him, she saw humiliation and rage in his face. She shot a bitter look at Julia, who felt the silent reprimand and retreated, too frightened to speak.

Barrett grabbed Viola’s hand and pulled her along. “Come on, we’re going to Mom’s room.”

Viola stumbled, nearly losing her balance. She pleaded, “Honey, please slow down.”

Barrett seethed with fury. Hadn’t he endured enough humiliation? How much longer would he be mocked? His reputation in the capital was in tatters, and if it became known that Viola had used Thomas’s pension for Serena’s dowry, the Warren family’s remaining dignity would be destroyed.

Meanwhile, Serena was still in Rebecca’s room, discussing her plans after marrying into the Marquis of Ironridge’s family. She intended to please Jessica and align with her against Leopold’s secondary wife.

“Mom, I’ll stand my ground and ensure the Marquis of Ironridge favors me,” Serena said, her gaze resolute, nestled in her mother’s arms. At first, she hadn’t wanted to become Leopold’s concubine. But after things were settled, she reflected on his tall, handsome figure, his stable court position, and the Marquis of Ironridge’s century-old family. Even being a concubine in such a prestigious family didn’t seem shameful.

Rebecca said, “But initially, heed Lady Jessica’s advice and oppose the marquis’s secondary wife. You need to prove your worth to gain her trust and favor. Until then, don’t flaunt the marquis’s favor. Always be respectful and cautious with her—”

Suddenly, the door burst open, startling mother and daughter. Seeing Barrett’s angry face and Viola’s resentment, Serena instinctively asked, “Viola, has the shop assistant left?” If so, the money was gone, and the tiara was hers.

“Mom!” Barrett glared at Rebecca, his tone brooking no argument. “Return the ruby tiara to the Golden Tower tomorrow.”

“Return it?” Serena shrieked. “No, I won’t!”

“You have no say,” Barrett said, his gaze sharp and mocking. “You’re a concubine. That tiara, with its dazzling red rubies, is far too extravagant. Do you deserve it? Even if you did, it was bought with Thomas’s death benefits. Do you want to make the whole Warren family a laughingstock?”

“What?!”

Rebecca quickly threw off her cover. With Jade’s help, she hobbled to Viola, her face cold and furious. “You used money from a deceased person for my daughter’s dowry?! What were you thinking?”

Viola froze, trembling, her lips moving but unable to speak.