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After Serena had been cast out and returned to Valor Estate, her relationship with Viola had completely fallen apart. They now hated each other with a burning passion. And now, with Viola having made such a monumental mistake, Serena was determined to make sure everyone knew it.
When Zoey arrived at Valor Estate with Jane, Serena stormed out ahead of everyone.
She pointed her finger accusingly at Zoey as she shouted, “What kind of disgraceful woman did the Prince household breed? How dare she aet like she’s above my brother? She’s worse than a courtesan! At least they’re paid for their services-this one’s just giving it away without a second thought!”
Having been sent back home in disgrace, Serena no longer cared about her dignity. She was ready to say whatever would hurt the most and strike the deepest. However, Zoey was unshaken.
Vas
She sat down gracefully, casting a cool glance at Serena. “I wonder what methods you used to get into the Marquis of Ironridge’s family a a concubine, Lady Serena. Whether services are paid for or freely given, they don’t compare to your skill in attaching yourself like a leech and not letting go.” Content b?longs to
Though Zoey called it a skill, it was more of a lowly act-but she would never say that aloud.
Instead, she lightly added, “I almost forgot… you’re no longer a concubine, so I don’t need to address you as ‘Lady Serena’.”
Serena’s face contorted in fury. She stammered for a moment before finally managing to spit out, “How dare you compare me to her? At least I never betrayed my husband!”
Zoey coolly reminded her, “Trying to seduce someone else’s husband isn’t much better. Do you really want to compare who’s more disgraceful?”
Blake snapped at Serena to leave, then instructed Tara to dismiss all the servants, allowing only his father and older brother to remain in the room.
Lately, Blake had been drinking more than usual. His complexion appeared sallow and haggard. His hair was a mess, like wild grass growing unchecked. His beard, likely only shaved a few days ago, had already grown out in a thin, patchy circle around his pale, cracked lips. To any onlooker, he resembled a wild, mangy dog.
His clothes were wrinkled, and the lingering smell of alcohol on him was unmistakable.
Zoey couldn’t help but think back to the day when Blake had married Viola. Though he wasn’t exactly brimming with youthful vigor, he had been a handsome and gallant young man. Yet now, he was reduced to such a pitiable state.
He resembled a flower that had withered too soon-its once vibrant bloom now faded, its countenance heavy with ruin.
He remained silent, and it was Jonathan who spoke first.
“Mrs. Prince, word has spread far and wide that Viola had already committed a grave mistake when she was part of the Farrell family. The rumors are rampant, and it’s become impossible to maintain any peace. Though our family may not be what it once was, we cannot tolerate a woman who brings disgrace upon her marriage,” he said.
Zoey had expected this. She hadn’t come here to plead with Blake to not divorce Viola.
Instead, she asked only one question, “I won’t press on other matters, but may I ask if it’s possible to delay the divorce until next year?”
“You’re quite the strategist, Mrs. Prince,” Jonathan replied, his voice carrying the rare weight of paternal authority. “If we delay the divorce until next year, our family’s reputation will be ruined beyond repair. Besides, hasn’t she already been asking for a divorce? Why not fulfill her wish?
“They’ve been at odds since their marriage, without a moment of peace. Even when she finally conceived, the child was lost. Clearly, they were never meant to be together. Why force it any longer?”
Jonathan was once a reckless man who feared nothing, but had become more calculating with age. When it came to matters of family honor and moral standing, he was uncompromising.
His son was already ruined. If they kept such a wife in their family, what kind of future would they have?
Taking charge of the situation, he declared, “Though we’re casting her out, we won’t touch her dowry. Whatever she brought with her, she can take back. Not a penny less.”
It did sound reasonable, didn’t it?
If Zoey hadn’t been representing the Earl of Silverstone’s family, she might have asked why they had insisted on withholding half of Sophie’s dowry when they cast her out in the past. But of course, she didn’t ask that. Instead, Zoey directed her next words to Blake, who had been silent all this time, with Jonathan speaking on his behalf.
“If we can’t delay it until next year, perhaps we could wait just a few more months? What if we aim for the end of the year? Whatever compensation you seek, please let us know and we’ll consider it. There’s no need to rush into a decision,” she said.
Blake slowly lifted his head, his eyes lifeless. Actually, I already knew. When the child couldn’t be saved, the physician said it was due to a previous miscarriage that had damaged her body. I’ve inquired, and she never carried a child white she was at the Farrell household.”
“You knew?” Jonathan gasped. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner? You fool.”
Zoey was equally stunned, staring at Blake in disbelief. He knew, but never asked Viola about it. Zoey should have taken the opportunity to press him-did he not want to divorce Viola? But for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to ask. Blake continued, his expression numb as he spoke slowly, “Instead of asking me, why not ask Viola directly if she still wishes to remain with the Jaffe family?
“Kindly convey this to her-I intend to return to the barracks. His Majesty has not stripped me of my eligibility to serve in the military. He has only demoted my rank and title. So, may return though I must start again as a common soldier. Ask her if she’s willing to stay with me. If she is, I won’t divorce her and we can continue as we were.”
Zoey knew that Viola had caused a scene over wanting a divorce; it had been quite a spectacle. But after everything that had happened, Viola was likely to reconsider. If Blake promised not to divorce her, then perhaps they could resolve things by asking Riley for help.
But given Viola’s temper, Zoey couldn’t guarantee it would work out. All she could say was that she would ask and return tomorrow.
This was Zoey’s first time seeing Viola after everything that had happened recently.
Viola lay in bed, her face hidden beneath a thin blanket. Her posture sent a clear message she didn’t want to see anyone. From beneath the blanket, she trembled slightly as a servant brought over a chair, setting it next to the bed for Zoey to sit. “Now that we’ve reached this point, what do you plan to do?” asked Zoey, getting straight to the point.
Her voice was firm as she explained, “Avoiding the situation won’t help. It must be dealt with. Mother wants me to go to Mrs. Lewis and ask her to clarify things on your behalf. I don’t know if she’ll agree.
“As for Blake, I went to Valor Estate today. He said he’d known about your situation for some time but never mentioned it. He said if you agree to stay married, everything can be forgotten and you’ll live together as before. But there’s one condition-he insists on returning to the army.”
The blanket shifted, revealing Viola’s swollen, pitiful face. Her eyes, red from crying, were still puffy. They were barely open and filled with a tremor of disbelief.
“He can’t have known. How could he possibly know? What does he want in exchange for not divorcing me?” she asked.
“I told you-he said he’s going to return to the army,” Zoey replied.
“He wants me to live as the wife of a lowly soldier?” Viola’s eyes filled with tears again. “I might as well return to my family. Mom said she would take care of me. No matter what, I’m still the third daughter of the Earl of Silverstone’s family. My dowry will be enough for me to live on for the rest of my life. Why should I endure such hardship, struggling through days mired in poverty?”
She lay there on the bed, her neck still bearing faint red marks, tears trickling from the corners of her eyes as her breath came thick and heavy through her nose.
“I know you all look down on me, but I’ve thought it through again and again-where have I erred? Is it wrong to make plans for myself and to consider my own future? In your eyes, that makes me selfish, but who among us is not?
“Is it such a crime to want a better life and refuse to suffer in silence? I was born into an earl’s household and blessed with better fortune than most. With such fortune and the strength of my family behind me, why should I abase myself?”
She took a breath, her voice trembling as she continued, “And I know what you think, even if you don’t say it out loud. You think I’m always comparing myself to Sophie and Kayla, but who doesn’t compare themselves to others? Who doesn’t have a little vanity? I’m a woman who was once divorced and remarried, just like Sophie. Why can’t I compare myself to her?
“Besides, it’s not like I didn’t want a peaceful life after marrying Blake. Not only did he have Freya, he also couldn’t let go of Sophie. He didn’t have a shred of affection left for me. Isn’t it strange, Zoey? Even after finding out about me and Silas, he doesn’t care and is still fine with staying married to me.
“What does that mean? It means I don’t matter to him at all. Perhaps I matter even less to him than that cursed Freya! What have I done so terriblywrong for him to treat me like this? And for all of you to treat me like this?”
After she finished speaking, Viola buried her face in the blanket and began to sob uncontrollably.
Zoey remained calm as she listened quietly.
People always tried to justify their actions, to make sense of what they’d done, or else life would be unbearable.
She let the crying go on until the sounds faded, then asked, “Answer me one thing. Were you going to buy Snowdrop Pills for Mother, or were you planning to meet Mr. Lewis? Tell me the truth. If you lie, I’ll find out.” The sobbing stopped abruptly. Viola threw the blanket off, staring at Zoey in shock.
Her lips trembled with anger. “How could you think that of me? Has someone said something?”