When Rebecca fell ill, it caused a stir in the estate for half the night. Eventually, they had to call for a royal physician to temporarily stabilize her condition.The royal physician told Barrett, "I've treated Madam Warren before, but my skills are limited. The best physician in the capital for treating heart ailments is Sebastian. His medicine, Snowdrop Pills, is the only thing that can save her life."I've managed to control her condition for now because she's been taking those pills for a year, but if her episodes become more frequent in the future, there's little more I can do."With that, the physician took his leave.Furious, Barrett's eyes were bloodshot. He had personally gone to Sebastian’s clinic to ask him to treat Rebecca, but the physician had refused to see him. Barrett knew Carissa must be the one behind this. She was employing such a despicable tactic—using his mother's health to pressure him into giving up on marrying Aurora.Kicking the door open, he stormed i
The lamp in Rebecca's room stayed lit through the night.When Barrett suggested divorcing Carissa, Jonathan immediately opposed it."If you divorce her, the court officials will criticize you in front of the king. Doing this undoubtedly means ruining your future."Benjamin chimed in, "Barrett, Dad's right. Do you know how many generals in the army were once her father's men? You relied on their support for your recent achievements. If you lose their backing, your position in the military will be unstable."Barrett's face turned cold. "But she's using Mom's health to threaten me. I can't bear it!"Rebecca had calmed down, but the discomfort from earlier made her resent Carissa intensely.Suddenly, she raised her head and said in a hoarse voice, "Divorce her! Once divorced, she can't take her dowry with her.""I have no intention of taking her dowry," Barrett replied."Why not? Since you're divorcing her, her dowry naturally belongs to our family." Rebecca touched her chest, whic
Barrett hurriedly cut in, "Mom, please listen to me. I can't keep her dowry.""You're truly foolish, my son! She's bullied us to this extent! You're being soft towards her, but she wants my life!" Rebecca yelled.Barrett remained resolute, saying, "Keeping her dowry would not be the act of a true man. I absolutely refuse. Dad, Benjamin, I'll have to trouble you to invite the family heads from both sides tomorrow."I also need the matchmaker who arranged our marriage to be present. As for inviting neighbors, we can just pick a few families to make it official.""The matchmaker who arranged your marriage was Lady Avis." Jonathan furrowed his brow. "She's Madam Sinclair's cousin and Carissa's maternal aunt.""Then, don't invite her. Invite the matchmaker who originally delivered your proposal to the Sinclair family, the one from the western district," Rebecca said.Avis, who was in poor health, was a consort to a prince in the royal family named Yuvan. Even the management of Yuvan's
Aurora pondered for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her mind.Barrett divorcing Carissa had more downsides than benefits. It wasn't that Aurora didn't value the status of being Barrett's legal wife. It was just that divorcing Carissa could hinder their future prospects.Aurora's own future was equally important.But then again, Carissa was the person in question. Aurora couldn't shake off the discomfort she felt from their first meeting. Carissa's smile seemed to enchant everyone around her, making Aurora fear that Barrett might fall for his current wife's charms again someday.If Barrett divorced Carissa, Aurora would step in as the only rightful wife. Her father hadn't initially favored this marriage because Barrett already had a wife. Though Aurora would be equal to her as a legal wife, it didn't change that she was still essentially a concubine.However, becoming Barrett's official, legal wife would give her father no reason to object. Besides, who wouldn't want to be
Barrett was stunned. "But how can I keep her dowry? As a fourth-ranking general and a man, how can I take the dowry of a discarded wife?"Aurora thought for a moment, then turned to him with a gentle gaze."Your mother will keep needing expensive medicine for a long time. Considering our recent efforts and the edict for our marriage, we won't have any other rewards."Though we're both fourth-ranking generals, our annual salaries are limited. Even if they all go towards the family fund, it may not be enough. And besides..."She found it embarrassing to say this but hurriedly continued, "Even if we continue to accumulate military achievements in the future, it won't happen overnight. Military officials always face challenges. We can't let your mother's condition worsen. So, either we return Carissa's dowry in full or bear the shame of being neglectful towards your mother."Barrett hadn't expected Aurora to say this. He couldn't quite tell if he felt disappointed or resigned.But up
Knowing Theodore had a fiery temper, Jonathan didn't dare offend him."Don't worry, sir. We've invited you today to sort out the situation between the two children. Please, be patient," Jonathan said, trying to calm the old man.Solomon, who was standing next to Theodore, added, "When Cari comes out, let's ask her what happened. We can't let the Warren family dictate everything.""No matter the issue, Cari stayed loyal to Barrett for a whole year while he was away at war. She served his parents, treated his relatives well, and managed the household. He shouldn't be treating her like this. It's too much!" Theodore snapped, fuming."Please calm down, sir. We'll talk once everyone is here," Barrett said calmly.Barrett hadn't dared invite the neighbors since Valor Estate was surrounded by the residences of other officials. Inviting them to witness the divorce could damage his future prospects.Barrett had considered inviting an official from the Household Registry Department to stam
Carissa looked at her husband with a cold smile on her stunning face. "General Yates really has my best interests at heart, hmm? She's even helping me so that I can keep half of my dowry.""No, this isn't from Aurora. She didn't write this," Barrett argued.However, the signature at the end of the letter weakened his denial.Carissa raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then, tell me, will you return my dowry in full if you divorce me today so I can take it with me?"Before reading the letter, Barrett would have agreed immediately, even against his parents' wishes. But Aurora had asked him to keep half the dowry. If he didn't follow her instructions, she would be very disappointed.Carissa laughed softly. "You're hesitating. Looks like you're not as honorable as you claim!"Her voice was gentle, but each word cut deeply. Though her smile looked warm on the surface, it carried a chill like the winter frost.Filled with shame and anger, Barrett couldn't say a word and simply watched hel
"Fifty percent!" Barrett declared.He was standing in the doorway, avoiding Carissa's gaze as he looked at everyone else in the room."We'll return fifty percent of her dowry. Lord Sinclair, if you and Mr. Sinclair disagree with this, you can take it up with the authorities and see if my actions are fair.""Fifty percent? How dare you! When Carissa married you, she brought a dowry so grand it stretched for miles! Do you know how much money, how many estates, shops, and businesses that were included? How dare you people be so greedy?!" Solomon exclaimed angrily.Clenching the crumpled letter in his hand, Barrett spoke in an icy voice, "I said, take it to court if you want. I've prepared the divorce agreement. You can review it first."He gestured for the steward to present the divorce agreement to Carissa, who reached out and took it. The steward sighed almost imperceptibly as he stepped back. Carissa had been a wonderful mistress. Why did Barrett have to divorce her?Carissa gl