Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Rosalind threw herself into her grandmother’s embrace, resting there for a while before finally lifting her head. Her eyes were red, but they sparkled brightly, as if everything she said came straight from her heart. Sophie and Violet exchanged glances, both sensing something a bit strange.
But they were there to encourage Rosalind to let go of Thomas, so they decided not to say anything further regarding the matter.
After leaving Trevor’s residence, the two women returned home and sent someone to inform Thomas of the outcome. Originally, Sophie intended to only relay the news. But after thinking it over, she asked Violet to go see him in person and share everything Rosalind had said. Though she might be a bit slow when it came to matters of the heart, Sophie could still see the discomfort Rosalind felt after making her rapid decision.
Her feelings for Thomas didn’t seem to stem from a fleeting infatuation. They must have had some connection in the past, right?
Yet, that didn’t seem possible. They were nearly a decade apart in age, and Thomas had joined the military at a young age he was probably only fifteen when he began serving under General Xavier in the military encampments outside the capital. While he could return home occasionally, there shouldn’t have been any interaction between him and Rosalind.
After hearing Violet’s words, Thomas simply nodded. “Alright. Thank you for your efforts, Your Grace, Violet. I also appreciate Mr. York for coming up with such a reasonable excuse.”
Violet paused for a moment and said, “Thomas, Rosalind is a good girl. She’s a really, very good girl. She wishes you peace and happiness.”
Thomas knew Violet was discerning when it came to people, and her endorsement of Rosalind meant the girl was indeed exceptional. However, he also understood that someone as admirable as Rosalind, especially at such a young age, deserved a gentle and refined suitor.
With a smile, Thomas replied, “I wish her peace and happiness as well, and hope she finds her ideal match soon.”
–
Meanwhile, Zoey returned home with Viola and laid everything bare.
“You needn’t go around doubting everything and everyone. Thomas was the one who first discovered this matter. He found Silas’ emerald pendant tucked between the corner of your bed and the wall, and I told him the rest.”
Viola stared at Zoey in disbelief. “He found the emerald pendant, and you didn’t even try to cover for me? You’re my sister-in-law! Instead, you exaggerated the truth and told him everything? What have I done to you for you to betray me like this?”
“Cover for you? What grudge do I have against Thomas?” Zoey replied coldly.
Viola felt her hands and feet turn icy. She never expected to be betrayed by her sister-in-law. In a fit of anger and tears, she exclaimed, “But you’re not even close to him! I’m your sister-in-law! We’re family! You’d harm family? Don’t you fear retribution for this?”
She grabbed Zoey’s arm. “Come with me to Mom! Is this how you treat your sister-in-law? I’ve never done anything to you! You’ve always had your way in this household, and everyone listens to you, including me. Isn’t that enough? What more do you want from me?” Zoey shook off her grip, and slapped Viola across the face. “This slap is from me on behalf of Lady Sophie.”
Before Viola could process what had happened, another slap landed on her right cheek. “This slap is from Thomas.”
“How dare you hit me?!” Viola screamed.
Ignoring her outburst, Zoey raised her hand and brought it down harshly against her own face.
“This slap is for me-it’s for all the years I let you get away with everything, for all the times I opened my heart to you, for putting family ties above right and wrong. You were the one who secrethet involved with someone, but helped you terminate your pregnancy, found someone to take care of you after, and even personally escorted you back to the Farrell family.”
Tears streamed down Zoey’s face as she delivered the self-inflicted slap, leaving clear red fingerprints on her skin.
“Madam Zoey!” Jane cried, rushing over to grab her hand. “Why hurt yourself? If you’re angry, you can take it out on me!”
Zoey shook off Jane’s hold and struck herself again, crying as she did so.
“This slap is for my foolishness back then. When the news of Thomas’ death was reported, you wanted to return to us and take his death pension was too scared to tell you to return it, worried it might reveal something that would shame our family. Well, I’m done with the pretenses today! I don’t care anymore. Go ahead and cause a scene before Mother. Let everyone know what’s happened.”
Viola was frozen in shock.
She had never seen Zoey lose control like this. Zoey had always been composed and steady, unflappable in the face of crises, able to handle even the gravest situations with ease. But now, she seemed like a madwoman.
“Do you see clearly now? This is how everyone sees you-crazy and obsessed, disregarding your status, ignoring decorum, and showing no shame. You don’t even care about your basic dignity.”
Zoey grasped Viola’s hand tightly. “Let’s go. You wanted to see Mother, right? Let’s go and drive her to her grave with anger. You can then take your own life to atone for your sins, and this household will finally have peace.”
Viola shrank back in terror, her eyes wide as she stared at Zoey. She gasped for breath, shaking her head.
No, she wasn’t like this-she wasn’t this mad!
“Zoey, I don’t want to go anymore! I won’t!”
Jane quickly helped Zoey to sit down. Tears were streaming down Zoey’s face as she reflected on her time in the Prince family. She had devoted herself to this family, caring for her in-laws and her husband’s younger siblings, even accommodating his concubines and their children. She had never treated anyone poorly.
When the concubines caused trouble in the previous years, Oliver had supported them, and Zoey suffered a lot. Later, she worked hard to help him build a reputation and secure a job to protect her own children’s future.
Everyone relied on her, but not everyone listened to her.
Over the years, the only ones who truly supported her were Caspian and Luna. Her mother-in-law wasn’t bad, but she was soft-hearted. Many rules Zoey established were easily undone by Evelyn’s kindness.
As for the troubles at home, Viola had given Zoey no small amount of grief. Now, with her position as Blake’s wife, she had stirred up trouble in the Farrell family. She had even made a scene at Hell Monarch Estate. Even though the royal residence maintained strict order, the presence of guests and numerous servants at the Farrell estate meant that loose lips were inevitable.
If such matters got out, the reputation Zoey had worked so hard to maintain for the Earl of Silverstone’s family would be lost overnight.
After taking a moment to gather herself, she turned to Viola. “Are you calm now? Can we talk rationally? Think carefully about whether you want return home or continue living with Blake. If you choose the former, our family will still welcome you back.”
Viola remained silent.
In truth, she had no way out without Thomas accepting her back.
Returning to Silverstone Estate would ensure she had food and shelter for the rest of her life, but it would also mean living in solitude. No one would marry her again. After two marriages, who would take her in? A lowly merchant, or an ordinary peasant?
As the third daughter of the Earl of
Silverston’s family, with a former husband who held the rank of a third-ranked major general, she could never settle for marrying commoner. Moreover, she was pregnant. If she returned, she would inevitably have to terminate the pregnancy.
However, with the commotion at Hell Monarch Estate, someone had already been sent to invite people from Valor Estate. She had already revealed her pregnancy, and the Jaffe family would soon know. They wouldn’t let her divorce Blake. In truth, she had no means of escaping the Jaffe family. Though it was a fallen family, it still had its remnants of status, enough to maintain some semblance of dignity.
“I’ll return to the Jaffe family,” Viola said softly, her expression a mixture of madness and cold resolve. “But Zoey, that matter has already been exposed. You must ensure it doesn’t leak further.”
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to stay with the Jaffe family.
Zoey replied coldly, “I can’t guarantee anything. I’ve done my best, Viola. You could have either tried to make a life with Blake or returned home after the assassination attempt, and let everything blow over. But tel were determined to return to the Farrell family and ruin Thomas, which has led us to this situation.”
“If this information gets out, it will harm the other ladies of our family. It would make it difficult for my nieces to marry in the future,” Viola retorted.
Zoey sneered. “Well, that can’t be helped. It’s not their fault they have such a shameless aunt.”
Viola clenched her teeth. “There’s no need for you to insult me at every turn.”
Zoey’s tone was icy. “Here’s a piece of advice for you, Viola. Things must rot before maggots infest them, and a person must first dishonor themselves before others will dishonor them.” Viola’s face stiffened, leaving her at a loss for words.
Amelia went to Hell Monarch Estate. Upon hearing that Viola had returned to Silverstone Estate, she immediately made her way there.