Chapter 9

Barrett breathed a sigh of relief, but his tone remained cold as he continued. “I obtained this edict through my military merits. If His Majesty were to revoke it, it would surely disappoint the soldiers.

His Majesty summoned me today and then refused to see me. It’s probably because you complained of mistreatment. I won’t argue with you, but I’ve done my utmost for you.

I hope you can behave yourself and stop causing trouble. After Aurora and I are married, I will ensure you have your own children. You’ll have a decent life in your later years.”

Carissa lowered her gaze and calmly instructed, “Lulu, see the guest out.”

Lulu stepped forward. “General, please leave.”

Barrett left without another word.

Before Carissa could speak, Lulu began crying.

Carissa went over to comfort her. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s so unfair, my lady! Don’t you feel that way?” Lulu said through her tears.

Carissa smiled. “Of course, I do. But crying won’t solve the problem. It’s better to think about the future and how we can live better. There are no weaklings in the Sinclair family, right?”

After wiping her tears with her handkerchief, Lulu pursed her lips tightly and asked, “Why does everyone bully you, my lady? You’ve been so kind to the people here at Valor Estate.”

“Because I’m insignificant in their eyes now,” Carissa replied with a smile.

In truth, she had always been insignificant. What mattered was the dowry she brought. Lulu shed even more tears at that. In her heart, Carissa was the most important person.

“Alright, stop crying. Let’s focus on what needs to be done. Life goes on.” Carissa wiped Lulu’s cheek. “Off you go!”

“My lady,” Lulu struggled to dry her tears. “What about the people who came with you when you got married? Will you take them all with you when you leave?”

“Their service contracts are with me. If I leave, Aurora won’t treat them well. Naturally, they’ll come with me.”

When Carissa married, her mother had sent two personal attendants, along with four male servants and four maids.

This past year, Rebecca had been gravely ill, so Carissa managed Valor Estate. Therefore, the people who came with Carissa when she married held important positions on the estate. This was, firstly, because Valor Estate was short-handed. With Jonathan and Barrett's low salaries and lack of additional income, they couldn't afford to hire many people. Secondly, it was also because Carissa wanted to spare herself effort by using her own people. That way, she wouldn’t have to assert her authority too much. This allowed her to conserve her energy to care for Rebecca, who was in poor health.

The dowry Carissa brought also provided significant financial support. The medicine for Rebecca’s illness was expensive, and the estate was struggling to maintain itself. Thankfully, because of her dowry, Carissa only had to use the profits from the shops, rental income from properties, and some income from the lands and estates.

The next day, Carissa went to care for Rebecca as usual. However, she was only doing so because Sebastian was there to treat the older woman.

When Rebecca saw Carissa, she felt relieved, thinking her daughter-in-law had come to her senses.

“Aurora will be coming soon. The two of you will be sister-wives soon, so you should get along with her,” said the older woman.

Carissa didn’t respond and waited for Sebastian to arrive.

When he finished prescribing the medicine, Carissa said, “Sebastian, I’ll see you out.”

“Good. I also have something to say to you.”

Sebastian instructed his servant to gather his equipment and medicine. He didn’t speak to Rebecca before leaving with Carissa.

Walking along the corridor, Sebastian said, “Silly girl, these people are not worth your kindness. You don’t need to call for me again. I won’t come.”

“I understand. I won’t call for you again. I’ve decided to get a divorce,” Carissa replied.

Sebastian smiled. “Good girl. That’s the decisive decision a daughter of the Sinclair family should make. I don’t need their money. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have treated her.”

A single glance at Rebecca was enough for Sebastian, experienced in judging people, to know that she was a greedy old woman.