Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

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 tantrum. Barrett endured her blows stoically, his face impassive. He was weary of this life, and was utterly exhausted.

Viola was stunned as she held the banknotes in a daze, momentarily forgetting her tears.

After striking Barrett for a while, Serena turned to snatch the banknotes from Viola, who quickly hid them behind her and stepped back.

"What are you trying to do?"

"That was a gift you bought for me! You insisted on buying it," Serena's voice was hoarse and filled with bitterness.

"I regret it," Viola said blankly.

the ruby tiara, or something else? She wasn't

not the life

like a rotting, festering cesspool into which she had

this marriage. It had been arranged by Natalie, who had come as a matchmaker. Her mother had explained the reasons behind it, and it wasn't that she couldn't refuse, but rejecting it would have been detrimental to her eldest brother's

by her side who understood her, someone who would make her feel the way she had felt with

had thought Barrett would be like Thomas,

Farrell family. Everyone in the Farrell family was so easy to get along with. Alice treated her like a beloved

the Warren

people. The air was

filled with the sounds of

sw content

Holding the banknotes, she turned and walked

leaned back on the chaise,

aggrieved. Even if Barrett had come to comfort

Yvonne came to report, "Mr. Warren has gone to Madam Aurora." Viola buried her face in her

done wrong? Why was

had stayed in

yet Barrett didn't stay with her but went to Aurora instead.

an ear-she looked like a monster Barrett would rather

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