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Viola had been intent on competing with her over the dowry, and their previous encounter had ended poorly.
So, Sophie simply nodded and said calmly, “Mrs. Jaffe.”
Viola’s face was grim, and her tone was sharp, “Is the princess consort so idle that she comes early in the morning to witness the commotion at the Jaffe family’s residence? Or did the princess consort forget the way back to her own residence, mistaking the Jaffe family’s residence for her own?”
Violet immediately started to get out of the carriage, but Sophie stopped her and then looked at Viola with a faint smile.
“Sometimes,” Sophie said, “it’s necessary to pay a visit to one’s past and see how the unscrupulous people in the Jaffe family are faring. It’s only a gesture of goodwill.”
Viola’s face turned ashen. “Who are you calling unscrupulous? Are you here to mock us for our misfortunes? If so, get out of the carriage and see for yourself! See it up close, smell it yourself. If you like, you can even go and clean it.”
Sophie smiled. “I am no longer a part of the Jaffe family. Such filthy places are best left for you to clean, Mrs. Jaffe.”
Viola’s anger flared. “How dare you! You’re a princess consort, yet you publicly degrade us like that?! Aren’t you concerned about losing your dignity and becoming the subject of ridicule?”
Sophie took out a handkerchief, and waved it. “I’m not afraid of being a laughingstock. Are you, Mrs. Jaffe? If you’re not, should I tell others that you were trying to compare dowries with me?” Viola’s expression changed suddenly. How could Sophie know about that?
Then, she sneered coldly. “Ridiculous! What’s there to compare with dowries? Gold and silver are just trivial things. I have nothing to compare with the princess consort. What you have, I might not. But what I have, you may not necessarily have.”
Sophie gestured toward Valor Estate’s gates. “Indeed, what you have, our residence does not.”
As Viola’s expression grew colder, Sophie continued, “Trivial as gold and silver are, they are the most cherished things by the people of the Jaffe family. Mrs. Jaffe, you must often use your dowry to supplement the family funds, don’t you?”
Viola raised her chin. “I do so willingly. My husband loves and respects me, and I am willing to give everything for him. That is the duty of a wife.”
Sophie regarded her for a moment before saying, “I know Sebastian from Arcane Sanctum. Would you like me to recommend you so he can take a look at your brain?”
“What’s wrong with what I said? Your Grace, if my husband didn’t want you, you should consider the reasons for that.”
Sophie was so angry, it almost made her laugh. “Your husband didn’t want me? Have you forgotten that it was I who requested the edict for our divorce? Viola, let me be clear it it was I who rejected him. Your beloved husband was discarded by me. I threw him away like garbage. Is that clear enough?”
There was no point in arguing with a fool.
Sophie let the curtain fall. “Let’s go!”
The coachman cracked his whip, and the horses started moving. Viola hurriedly stepped back, her head buzzing with anger.
How dare Sophie speak about Blake like that? How dare she?!
Inside the carriage, Alana looked puzzled. “Are the rules in the capital really this strange? Shouldn’t we retaliate when she speaks like that?”
Sophie folded and put away her
Yet handkerchief in the capital, verbal disputes are quite common. Most are filled with honeyed words and hidden schemes. Viola’s blatant hostility makes it reasonable for me to order a couple of slaps. However, I don’t have a servant with me, so I can’t handle it personally, nor can I let you two take action.”
Violet’s identity was special, tied to a prominent family. They couldn’t afford to offend Oliver and the Prince family because of Sophie.
As for Leah and Alana, they were there to protect Leona. It was best for them to avoid offending anyone to ensure no one would trouble them—not even a little.
“We won the argument without needing to fight. Didn’t you see how her face turned purple with anger?” Violet remarked.
She propped her chin on her hand.
“Actually, hitting women isn’t very satisfying. After we’ve been on the battlefield, we don’t want to resort to physical violence lightly. When I slapped Ruby the other day, it felt meaningless. Viola doesn’t know martial arts either, so beating her wouldn’t be gratifying.”
Alana pondered for a moment. “But I really wanted to hit her.”
She added, “However, once we’re at Gracehold Estate, I won’t hit anyone.”
Sophie sighed in relief. She had been worried that if she mentioned wanting to hit Viola, Leah and Alana might start a fight if they encountered something displeasing at Gracehold Estate. She believed the two young women would understand the limits.
Sophie found Viola’s behavior quite baffling. To be honest, she hadn’t wronged Viola much. So why the intense hatred?
However, after a bit of thought, she realized it was probably because Rebecca had spoken ill of her in front of Viola. It seemed that Rebecca harbored a deep resentment toward her marriage into the royal family.
Yet, Viola had once been a wife in the Farrell family. With such an open-minded and far-sighted man like her late husband, Thomas, why had she learned nothing from him?
Upon arriving at Gracehold Estate, Abigail hurried to welcome them into the sitting room. She felt a bit anxious, especially since Samuel had caused a scene at Hell Monarch Estate a few days ago. She was worried someone from Rafael’s household might come to seek retribution.
After waiting for a few days without anyone coming to pay them a visit, she was suddenly alarmed when informed that the Hell Monarch’s princess consort had arrived. Her heart jumped to her throat.
Her concern was that while her son’s career seemed bright, there were rumors that the Oversight Department was preparing to bring charges against him. If the people from Rafael’s household also came to demand justice, the Oversight Department might use this as an opportunity to flood the court with accusations against Samuel.
The Oversight Department was known for acting quickly on such matters. But this time, despite several days of deliberation, they hadn’t yet submitted their formal complaint. The delay had made Abigail increasingly anxious.
Abigail felt uneasy, and began with an apology, “A few days ago, my son acted thoughtlessly and caused a disturbance at the royal residence. I am here to apologize on his behalf. Please don’t take his behavior to heart.”
This time, Sophie’s attitude was less forgiving than before.
“Your son is well-educated and comes from a noble family. He even achieved the honor of being one of the top scholars through the national examination. However, his youth and success have led him to be arrogant and dismissive of others, which will surely lead to trouble and ruin his future.”
Abigail’s expression stiffened. “Yes, Your Grace. Your words are very true.”
“Honest advice is often unpleasant to hear,” Sophie said, recognizing that Abigail might not appreciate her words. “I will not say much more, but the fact that your son dared to make a scene at Hell Monarch Estate shows that he never held the duchess in high regard. Now that she is pregnant with your family’s heir, I hope you will pay her more attention and care.”
“Of course,” Abigail hurriedly replied.
“Today, I have brought two people who know a bit about medicine. They will be responsible for Leona’s diet and herbal remedies from now on. Once Leona safely gives birth will take them away. They will not receive a monthly stipend from your household-I will cover their expenses myself. This is my small gesture of goodwill towards my cousin. I trust you will not refuse.”
Abigail understood that Sophie was genuinely concerned for Leona’s wellbeing. If the people Sophie sent were knowledgeable about medicine, they could help avoid some of the dirty tricks that might be used behind closed doors.
Now that her son had achieved success, there were many things she, as his mother, could not say. Samuel’arrogance had grown, and there was no telling him otherwise. Having people sent by Sophie to look after Leona was indeed a good thing.
“In that case, you shouldn’t have to cover their monthly stipend, Your Grace. Since they are serving Leona, it is only right that our family bear the expense,” Abigail said.
Sophie shook her head. “There is no need for that. They’re not servants, but were specifically hired by me. Naturally, I will provide their salaries.”
The statement was meant to inform Abigail not to treat them as mere servants. By not receiving a stipend from the Earl of Gracehold’s family, Leah and Alana wouldn’t be subject to their household’s arrangements.
Abigail understood the underlying message and said, “Then, we shall proceed as you have instructed, Your Grace. I am most grateful.”
After some more discussion, Sophie still didn’t see Leona, so she asked, “Why hasn’t Leona come out yet?”