Barrett went out and bought a gold hairpin, and placed it in a box. Upon returning to the estate, he inquired about Serena and learned that she was in their mother's room. He went straight there.As expected, Serena was holding the jewelry box when he arrived. Seeing him, she immediately stood up, her expression wary. "Aren't you on duty tonight? Why are you back so soon?""This is for you." Barrett handed her the box and said coolly, "I bought it with my allowance."Serena looked at him with suspicion. "You bought a hairpin for me? Why?"She clutched her jewelry box tighter. For the past few days, she had been told to return the ruby tiara. Now, she was suddenly being given a hairpin?"It's to add to your dowry, and also because you've been taking such good care of our mom these past few days. Just accept it," Barrett said with a sigh, then turned to look at Rebecca on the bed. "Mom, how are you feeling today?"Rebecca was surprised by her son's actions. She replied, "Your sis
When Barrett returned to Valor Estate, the maid had managed to pull the two women apart. However, both Serena and Viola were in a terrible state—hair disheveled, clothes torn, and their faces marked with scratches and handprints. They looked like they had been in a street brawl.Rebecca sat on a chair, gasping for breath and glaring fiercely at Viola. "Serena is about to debut into society! How can she face anyone with her face so marred?"Viola was sitting on the floor, crying inconsolably. Her sobs filled with deep frustration and helplessness.Barrett strode in and helped Viola to her feet, then handed her a stack of banknotes. "The ruby tiara has been returned. Take this money back with you.""Are you out of your mind, Barrett?" Rebecca snapped, rising angrily. "Returning the jewelry we bought—what's left of our family's dignity?""Bring it back! I won't return it!" Serena had just caught her breath, and she rushed at him. She pounded his chest and displayed an unseemly tant
Barrett's eyes were cold as he said softly, "I truly wish you could tell me that you didn't do those things in Fawnrun City."Aurora smirked coldly. "Is it because of what happened in Fawnrun City that you despise me? No, you despise me because I was captured on the mountain outside Simonton City, because I was disfigured. You think I'm no longer pure, but I can assure you, I am."Barrett shook his head. "No, it's not the events on the mountain outside Simonton City that trouble me. I only feel pity for you in that regard. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken a beating on your behalf. What I can't accept are the things you did in Fawnrun City.""Stop deceiving yourself, alright?" Aurora continued to smirk. "Do you really think that what I did in Fawnrun City was wrong?""Don't you think you were in the wrong?" Barrett took a deep breath. "Even now, you still don't see your mistakes?"Aurora didn't wear a veil, and the light revealed the full extent of her emotions. Her eyes burned wit
Barrett said, "Even if they were Westhaven people, they were still civilians. We had an agreement not to harm civilians. It was a promise from the rulers to the people, and it benefited the citizens of both kingdoms. Did you never consider that the people of Victory Pass might also be at risk of slaughter?"Aurora snorted, her eyes filled with disdain. "As a former military general, you should know better, Barrett. You're not cut out for the battlefield. You're too soft and lack the resolve needed. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have achieved anything. Even in front of General Sullivan, you needed me to strongly advocate for sending troops to burn the supply depot in Fawnrun City. Without me, you wouldn't have even achieved that."You gained merit because I earned it first. I signed the treaty, and you, as the commanding general of the reinforcements, reaped the benefits of my accomplishments. Now, you have the audacity to blame me for achieving success? Don't you find yourself d
Barrett lifted the curtain and stepped outside the room with Aurora. They moved so silently that their footsteps were almost inaudible, and the surroundings were eerily quiet.After waiting for a moment, he opened the door and quickly hid behind it. Once he was certain there was no immediate danger, he cautiously peered outside.The sight that met his eyes was chilling.The lanterns in the corridor cast light on the stairs, where three bodies lay sprawled. These were the maids who had served Aurora. They had been killed with a single sword thrust to the throat, unable to even utter a cry.Blood trickled down the stone steps, staining them a deep crimson.Barrett's mind instantly flashed to the Duke of Northwatch's family's massacre.He gasped. "My parents…!"He was about to rush out when Aurora grabbed his arm.Aurora's face was ashen, her lips trembling slightly. "I think… I think they're after me."Barrett quickly understood. It was possible that spies from Westhaven were se
Before Viola could react, she saw the black-clad figures burst in, their swords dripping with blood. It was obvious they had killed people on their way here.Viola screamed and rushed to the door, banging on it with urgency. "Aurora, open the door! Open the door!"Yvonne and Julia shielded Viola, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. "Stay away..."The black-clad figures swung their swords, slicing through the air with deadly precision. Yvonne and Julia felt a cold sensation across their throats, and then blood splattered and gushed out.Their throats were cut, and they couldn't even utter a sound before collapsing.Viola was paralyzed with fear and sank to the ground. She covered her ears and cried, "Help! Help!"One of the black-clad figures advanced towards Viola with his sword raised. Just then, Barrett delivered a powerful kick, sending the assailant flying. He immediately took up a defensive stance beside Viola."Get inside and hide!" Barrett was facing imminent danger, a
The two of them fought desperately but were quickly overwhelmed, blood splattering everywhere.The assassins showed no desire to linger in battle. One dealt with Gregory and his sons, while the remaining three pressed their attack on Aurora, targeting her chest with their blades. In a panic, Aurora threw down her sword and pulled Barrett in front of her, using him as a shield."No!" Rebecca and Viola both screamed in shock at the sight.Never in Barrett's wildest dreams would he imagine that Aurora would do such a thing. He was injured, and Aurora held him tightly. As a result, he couldn't swing his sword in defense. He could only watch helplessly as the three assassins advanced, their swords poised to plunge into his heart.Everyone's blood ran cold, but no one could do anything. Rebecca couldn't even bear to watch, terrified of seeing her son die at the hands of the assassins.In the nick of time, a red spear flew through the air, expertly knocking aside the three swords. The
"You're insane!" Gregory was furious. "They're all bound! If we don't get the authorities to interrogate them to find out who sent them, we can't eliminate future threats!"Aurora looked up, her gaze locking with Carissa's in midair. Her eyes were a mix of complexity and malice as she gritted her teeth."You're a discarded woman the Warren family cast out. What right do you have to come back here?"Carissa observed Aurora's bloodied face, and her frown deepened. "Did you think they were Westhaven spies? What an idiot."Aurora's expression shifted slightly, her eyes filled with even more venom. Yes, she was worried that they could be Westhaven spies. If they were tortured by the Royal Citadel and the local authorities, they might reveal information about Fawnrun City. Right now, she was still hoping for the best since the king had yet to punish her.But if the matter was discovered through interrogation by the local authorities…Aurora couldn't afford to gamble on it.Carissa cou