Chapter 549
When Carissa indicated something was wrong, Violet immediately sought confirmation. Violet approached Claire, instructing her to assign someone to watch Harvey. Violet repeatedly emphasized the need for secrecy, ensuring no one discovered their surveillance of the Hartstone Estate.
Carissa had previously assisted during the assassins' infiltration of Valor Estate, and had been summoned to the palace to explain the situation. Salvador's suspicion of Rafael necessitated extreme caution.
On the day Serena was to join the Marquis of Ironridge's family, a sudden downpour began. A small carriage entered Ironridge Estate through a side gate, battling the heavy rain. Serena, bringing little dowry, cast a resentful glance at Barrett before entering.
Inside the estate, Serena greeted Jessica respectfully and offered wine, as customary. However, she never met the Marquis of Ironridge or Margaret. The older woman sent only a simple pair of emerald bracelets and assigned Serena to Autumn Hall.
Serena's two maids were sent back to Valor Estate within half an hour of their arrival. Jessica provided replacements, but their attitude was disrespectful. Serena, as a concubine, received less consideration than usual, leaving her feeling deeply wronged. She understood the necessity of enduring Ironridge Estate's harsh realities, realizing she could no longer behave as freely as she had at Valor Estate.
That evening, she bathed, dressed elegantly, and hoped Leopold would visit. She waited until midnight, but he never came. Removing her hairpins, she crawled into bed and wept in frustration. The next day, she learned he had spent the night with Emma.
Chapter 540
Emma, Leopold's only secondary wife, had borne children and was pregnant again. Despite her condition making nightly service inappropriate, Leopold preferred her company to visiting Serena in Autumn Hall.
Following Serena's marriage, the Warren family appeared calm. Barrett noticed Capital Guards discreetly monitoring Aurora, preventing further assassination attempts. He felt a growing sense of foreboding, anticipating an impending storm.
He understood the gravity of the situation. An investigation could result in a raid on Valor Estate, or even the Warren family's execution. His responsibility as the reinforcement commander who failed to control Aurora weighed heavily. This burden, combined with daily pressures, left him exhausted.
One day after work, he found himself at Northwatch Estate's gate. He recalled his first visit, his nervousness, and his hopeful promise to Melanie: never to take a concubine. Melanie had smiled, saying, "A man should keep his promises." He'd sworn, "If I don't keep my promise, I'm willing to be struck by lightning." The then-Marquis of Northwatch's daughter had married him. Yet, he had broken his promise, failing Carissa and betraying Melanie's trust.
"Why are you here?" Frederick asked, appearing from the gate, his gaze cold.
Barrett composed himself, nodded respectfully, and left. Frederick frowned, wondering if Barrett regretted his actions. He feared the Warren family's volatile nature might disrupt Carissa's peace.
Frederick sent word to Carissa at Hell Monarch Estate about Barrett's visit, urging caution and avoidance to protect her reputation. Carissa summoned Travis, instructing him to drive Barrett away if he approached.
Travis declared, "If he dares to come, I'll break his legs."
Violet corrected, "Just drive him away! We don't need to get involved. Things here aren't like Meadow Ridge."
Travis, somewhat frustrated, replied, "I was speaking metaphorically. We're not actually going to fight."
Violet dismissed Barrett, saying, "That man has no backbone. He hides from trouble and can't make decisions. Fortunately, he didn't retreat during the Southern Frontier siege; otherwise, we'd have fallen. He's a bad omen."
Carissa, fanning herself, remarked, "At this point, he should give Viola a letter of divorce. It will show if he'll rely on Oliver or if he has the courage to be a man."