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The soldiers didn’t go into the inner courtyard, as it was off-limits to men. Travis knew this rule well, so they restricted their rampage to the front courtyard and the main hall.
Noah watched the scene with a pale face. He knew very well why Rafael was so enraged tonight-because his son, Samuel, had pushed Leona earlier today, causing her to suffer complications with her pregnancy.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to punish his son, but Samuel had already lost two teeth as a result of the beating he received from Alana. With blood filling her grandson’s mouth, Dorothy’s heart ached too much to mete out further punishment.
Moreover, no one from Hartstone Estate had come to reprimand them directly, so they had held on to a sliver of hope that the situation would pass. However, Helen had come late at night specifically to stir up this matter, scolding them to provoke a confrontation, which then gave Rafael and Sophie an excuse to step in.
Noah knew that they were in the wrong from the start. So, no matter what Rafael did tonight, they could only endure it. If word got out, the narrative would turn into the Earl of Gracehold’s household attacking Helen-a crime of insubordination.
If the matter was pursued further, it would reflect poorly on Samuel, who, after losing his position, showed no remorse. He had mistreated Leona, his legitimate wife, while favoring a concubine, which led to Leona’s pregnancy complications and her need to rest in bed for a month.
None of these accusations were something the Earl of Gracehold’s family could bear. In comparison, the Hell Monarch’s fury, though overwhelming, was something they could endure. At least this way, the matter wouldn’t be brought before the king.
Meanwhile, Samuel stood with defiant pride. In his mind, he had already composed several articles denouncing the Hell Monarch. He was convinced that once these articles spread, many scholars would rise to condemn Rafael for using his military power to oppress others.
Many scholars at the National Academy had once idolized Samuel. As long as he led the charge, articles condemning the Hell Monarch would spring up everywhere like wildfire.
So, he wasn’t afraid. In fact, he actually hoped Rafael would cause even more destruction and behave even more outrageously. The more tyrannical the prince appeared, the more monstrous his image would become in Samuel’s writings.
Ruby was nestled in Samuel’s arms, his blood dripping onto her head, making them seem like a pair of tragic lovers rejected by the world.
In truth, the sight unfolding before them all even startled Helen. She had maintained an outward appearance of calm, but it was all an act. The hand she kept hidden under her dress was trembling slightly. It was her first time witnessing her son’s true fury.
The entire front courtyard was in shambles. Everything that could be smashed by hand had been destroyed. In the hall, chairs, tables, partition screens, and the antiques on the shelves all lay on the ground-some shattered, others cracked.
Dorothy burst into loud sobs, wailing that Rafael had gone too far and that she would report this to the authorities. But Abigail held onto her tightly not just supporting her but gripping her firmly to prevent her from trying to dash toward the pillar again.
Though Dorothy wanted to put up a fight, it was clear that Rafael wasn’t intimidated. His face remained expressionless, with not the slightest hint of remorse or hesitation.
Sophie sat beside him, her gaze even more chilling.
Unable to hold back his anger, Harvey finally stood up and shouted, “Enough! Everyone, stop this at once!”
But no one listened to him. Instead, his outburst only made Rafael’s expression even colder.
Harvey suddenly felt a chill around his neck and instinctively recoiled. He knew how pitiful he must look, but all he could do was simmer with anger. He didn’t dare use his status as Rafael’s uncle to pressure him.
Heather clutched her sleeve tightly, remaining silent as the sounds of smashing from outside continued. She had no idea what was being destroyed, but each crash only heightened her anxiety.
She was furious at Sophie.
How could she be so thoughtless? All this destruction meant a complete fallout with the Earl of Gracehold’s family. How would Leona ever have peaceful days in the household after this? “Enough. Everyone, stop,” Sophie finally said.
The sound of smashing quickly came to a halt, and Travis led the household soldiers to stand in formation just outside the courtyard.
Some of the servants rushed outside, only to find the courtyard in total disarray, no different from the chaos in the main hall.
His face ashen and lifeless, Noah stepped forward and bowed. “Has your anger been fully vented, Your Highness?”
Rafael remained silent, his expression cold.
It was Sophie who spoke up instead, “Earl of Gracehold, do you harbor any resentment in your heart?”
Noah gritted his teeth. “I wouldn’t dare.”
“You wouldn’t dare?” Sophie’s face was devoid of any warmth. “It’s best if you don’t. Because next time, I promise you, the estate will be leveled to the ground.”
Noah had witnessed the grandeur of her wedding and knew that behind Sophie stood not only the Hell Monarch’s household, but also a number of martial artists. In fact, there were even two martial artists affiliated with her currently stationed here in his own household.
Forget leveling the estate-if Sophie wanted, she could kill everyone in Gracehold Estate without leaving a trace.
Tonight, Noah had brought utter shame upon his ancestors. If word of tonight’s events spread, he wouldn’t be able to show his face to anyone.
He didn’t know how to respond to Sophie, but Samuel shouted angrily, “Those who oppress others will inevitably face retribution!”
Sophie turned her gaze toward him, and only then did her lips curl into a cold smile. “Oh, you’re one of the top scholars of the national examination, right? Are you planning to gather the scholars in the capital tomorrow to write articles condemning the Hell Monarch and his household? And then use your title as the king’s student to blow up tonight’s events?”
Samuel froze. How had she guessed?
He lifted his chin and wiped the blood from his mouth. “Are you afraid now? It’s too late. Unless you cut off my hands, I will write and denounce you.”
Sophie replied, “Why would I cut off your hands? Someone like you, who’s good at writing articles, shouldn’t go to waste. Just make sure you write well. Make sure to reference all the classics, and talk about loyalty, respect, righteousness, and integrity—if any of your actions can still be considered those things.
“Oh, and that woman in your arms, that’s your concubine, Madam Ruby, right? Make sure to write about her role today. Let the world know how she caused the duchess to suffer complications and forced her to be bedridden for a month.”
Samuel’s face turned beet red. “Are you meddling in my household affairs now, Your Grace? What does the duchess needing bed rest have to do with Ruby? I’m the one who pushed her.”
Sophie turned to Harvey and
Heather. “Did d you hear that? He admitted to pushing Leona, causing her to be bedridden for a month. The reason? Ruby came to provoke her. She felt down the steps on her own, yet Samuel, unable to distinguish right from wrong, blamed everything on Leona. So, who will you protect your son-in-law or your daughter?”
Harvey and Heather’s faces shifted with a mix of emotions, their gazes filled with disappointment as they looked at Samuel.
“How could you do that? How could you treat her like that? She’s your rightful wife!” Heather demanded angrily.
Samuel responded, “Mother, I acted out of anger. Ruby didn’t fall down the stairs on her own-Leona ordered someone to push her. She’s so jealous that she can’t stand any other women with me-” “She fell on her own. I saw it with my own eyes,” interrupted Alana.
Samuel’s expression darkened. “Who do you think you are? How dare you interrupt when your betters are speaking?”
He despised Alana, especially after she had struck him earlier that day.
Alana coldly retorted, “Don’t you dare pull rank with me. Neither I nor Leah are your servants. We are here to protect Lady Leona. You harmed her, and I let you off easy by only punching you twice.
“You men who claim to read the classics, preaching righteousness and virtue, are nothing but scoundrels and hypocrites. You don’t even measure up to us warriors. One of the top scholars of the national examination? More like garbage!”
Dorothy finally regained her breath. Sitting in her chair, she pointed at Alana and shouted, “Outrageous! Since you’re not part of our household, leave at once!”
Violet could no longer hold back.
She snapped, “Old hag, either go ahead and run into that pillar or shut up! I’ve never seen a grandmother as muddle-headed as you-favoring a concubine over your grandson’s rightful wife. Tomorrow, I’ll go out with drums and announce to the entire city just how you mistreated the duchess and elevated a whore from a brothel!”
Dorothy had never endured such insults. She was so furious that she pointed a finger at Violet but couldn’t utter a word.