Chapter 832

Amelia, accompanied by her maid, arrived at Arcane Sanctum and inquired about the price of Evergreen Pills. They were expensive—five silver coins each, and she needed eight. The frigid weather caused her to sweat, and she struggled to contain her tears, unable to decide.

The shop assistants recognized her and her predicament. Paul stepped forward. "Madam Amelia, these pills are for women weakened and anemic after childbirth. If you need to replenish energy and blood, you can brew a much cheaper medicine yourself. Besides, one pill is usually sufficient; there's no need to buy eight. It's not as if eight women are giving birth simultaneously."

Wiping away her tears, Amelia asked, "One is enough? Really?"

"Absolutely. If you're concerned, buy two. The pill doesn't guarantee easy childbirth; it's for those severely depleted. For prolonged, tiring labor, one pill can provide the strength to continue."

Amelia paid for two Evergreen Pills and two Snowdrop Pills. Paul, after weighing the items and making calculations, returned some copper coins. "Just a heads-up," he said, "the price of Snowdrop Pills will increase next month. Some herbs are becoming scarce, driving up the cost. Sebastian used to treat your mother-in-law; with daily Snowdrop Pills, she improved significantly. A few more treatments, and she would have recovered. But now…" He shook his head sadly.

Amelia forced a smile, fighting back tears. "It is what it is. We can't afford Sebastian anymore. We can't rely on the same prescription indefinitely; we need to adjust it according to her condition. When we can afford Snowdrop Pills, we will buy them; if not, we can't do anything."

Paul fell silent, handing her the medicine and advising her on dosage. "Space the doses at least four hours apart—don't take two at once. If fatigue is due to prolonged labor, one pill suffices. But for complications like difficult labor or heavy bleeding, it won't help. The second pill can be taken two weeks postpartum."

"Thank you so much!" Amelia said, leaving the shop with her maid.

At home, Amelia gave Rebecca the Snowdrop Pills, then sent someone to give Viola the Evergreen Pills. Afraid of Viola's unpredictable temper, she sent detailed instructions.

Rebecca had seen a physician, who prescribed remedies to stabilize her condition. The Snowdrop Pills were key, but Amelia administered them early due to Rebecca's poor health.

Seeing Amelia's distressed expression, Rebecca snapped, "What's wrong with you? You look like you're mourning! I'm still alive!"

Amelia, frustrated but restrained, said softly, "Mother, Barrett put me in charge, but there's no money left. I pawned my jewelry to buy medicine, and there's nothing left for household expenses or staff allowances. What do we do?"

"You pawned your jewelry? How is there no money?" Rebecca asked, displeasure evident.

Amelia, gathering her courage, replied, "The money went to medicine, including two expensive Evergreen Pills for Viola—five silver coins each. The remaining money is barely enough for food and lamps. I wondered if you or Viola might consider pawning jewelry for emergencies?"

Rebecca, speechless with disbelief and anger, exclaimed, "You want me to pawn my jewelry? Are you rebelling? Do you think you can run this household by asking your mother-in-law to pawn her jewelry?"

Amelia knelt, begging, "Mother, please calm down. Times are tough, but the men will be paid soon. This is temporary. The jewelry that can be pawned…"

Slap!

A powerful blow landed on Amelia's face, stunning her. Rebecca, regaining strength from the Snowdrop Pills, delivered a furious slap fueled by humiliation.

"You can't manage this household? Then get out! I'll write you a divorce letter and throw you out!"