Chapter 515 (+25 Bonus)

Samuel returned to the manor on Hibiscus Lane and immediately rinsed his mouth, spitting out blood. He couldn't let Ruby worry. Only two servants were in the house—one in the kitchen, the other likely with Ruby.

He used the cold water in the dining room to rinse his mouth, a sharp pain throbbing in his head. His left mouth felt as if it were splitting open; he endured the pain before forcing back tears. Leona was ruthless; she had her husband beaten repeatedly. Samuel, blinded by her gentle demeanor, hadn't realized her jealousy. Her cousin, the Hell Monarch's princess consort, was just like her.

He had been beaten, and his grandmother and father would surely know. This gave him an excuse to leave angrily. If asked to return, he wouldn't go so easily.

"Bill, bring me that handkerchief" he called, then remembered Bill hadn't come from Gracehold Estate. Bill's bond papers were with his mother, who had forbidden him from coming. Years of luxury had made his current situation seem unbearably shabby and pitiful. He recalled his early days as a top scholar, marrying a duchess, and becoming her consort. Although just starting his career, everyone said his future was limitless. Yet, that grandeur only made his current situation seem more desolate.

After rinsing his mouth and wiping his face, he headed towards Moonlit Hall.

Chapter 515 (+25 Bonus)

Upon entering, he saw a bag on the table. Ruby's back was to him; she was neatly dressed with hairpins in her hair, wearing the apricot-yellow embroidered pleated dress he'd brought her home in.

"Ruby!" Samuel called, embracing her from behind and kissing her cheek. "Whose bag is this?"

Celeste slowly pushed him away. Her face, no longer gentle and charming, seemed frozen with frost. "I'm not Ruby. My name is Celeste."

Samuel's arm felt empty. He stared blankly. "But to me, Celeste and Ruby are the same."

Celeste stood, her eyes as cold as ice. "Whatever."

Samuel's heart sank. "Ruby, what's wrong?"

Celeste picked up the bag and said flatly, "I waited for you to return to say goodbye. From now on, we'll go our separate ways."

Samuel was shocked; his expression froze. "What are you saying?"

Celeste looked at him. Her once tender eyes were now like shards of ice. "I'm saying that our relationship ends here."

"W-Why?" he stammered, his lips trembling. He desperately grabbed Celeste's arm. "Did someone from Gracehold Estate come? Did someone from the duchess's side come? Did they bully you? Did they force you to leave me?"

He clumsily tried to hold her close. "Don't worry about what they say or do. I won't leave you. I absolutely won't abandon you!"

Celeste rolled her eyes, clearly fed up. "I'm the one who doesn't want you. Look at yourself now. You've lost your official position and your title as heir. You'll never inherit the title again. All you have is the fame of a top scholar, which is worthless now. The entire capital knows about your reputation for favoring your concubine over your wife. You're so desperate to find a mentor, but even they wouldn't want you because of your tarnished character."

Samuel was devastated. He couldn't believe how cold and unfamiliar she had become. His heart felt as if it were being torn apart.

"But who did I do all that for? It was all for you."

"So what? Am I supposed to feel grateful?" Celeste shot him a disdainful look. "I could say today's departure is due to pressure from your family, the duchess, or even the Hell Monarch's princess consort, but I can't be bothered. You were born into privilege, with an inheritance to look forward to. Yet, you spend every day railing against the very power you enjoy. It's hypocritical. If you were just an ordinary person, would you dare speak so recklessly? You're just someone who enjoys the benefits and then complains about them. I despise people like you. Don't come looking for me again!"

Celeste strode out. Samuel ran after her. "You said you loved me!"

Celeste didn't glance back. "I lied, you worthless fool!"

The harsh words from the woman he loved shattered Samuel. He felt the world spinning, darkness closing in. Then, he collapsed to the ground.