Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

After saying that, Carissa released her grip on Viola's arm. Viola stumbled back and collapsed into a chair, covering her face with her hands.

"If it's not you, then who? Who's trying to harm me? If it's not you, then who else could it be?"

Carissa found herself at a loss for words, grappling with frustration. She wasn't angry-Viola was simply too sheltered by her family and the Farrell family to think for herself.

To put it plainly, Viola was both selfish and foolish.

Sitting down, Carissa took a deep breath. Getting angry at someone like Viola was pointless. Logic might not work either, but it was worth a shot.

"Let me ask you something. What grudge do I have against you?"

Viola pulled out a handkerchief to dab at her tears, her eyes swollen and red. "Are you saying there's no grudge? You're Barrett's first wife, and we were married on the same day. You overshadowed me in terms of dowry, which made me looked down upon when I entered the Warren family." Carissa gripped the armrest of her chair, inhaling deeply before slowly exhaling. It was truly maddening.

"When have I ever compared dowries with you? If you wanted to measure yourself against me and lost, why is that my fault? Why would I be angry at you? What grudge is there between us? Why would I supposedly harm you on purpose? Can you please use your brain for a moment?"

"But you and Silas..."

manages the medicine store. Since Sebastian wasn't around, I had to get the medicine from him. On that day, I did see you two acting suspiciously, but I didn't think much of it. I just assumed you

looked utterly pathetic. Yet, she stubbornly retorted,

she slammed her hand on the table. "Give me one good reason why I'd want to harm

outburst startled Viola, and her tears stopped flowing. She stared blankly at Carissa, then instinctively blurted out, "Because

"He's someone I don't want. I couldn't care less about who he

shook her head, disbelief etched across her features. "If you don't care, then why did you go to save him?

"Because I'm the deputy

Army. I received word that

I'm not so heartless that I could stand by and watch the people in Valor Estate get slaughtered. It's as simple as

way he and Aurora treated you, how can you still return kindness

as Viola's

е

to give up on the conversation. It was futile-there was no point in wasting her

have any grievances against me, spit it all out now. That way, you won't come banging on my door to berate me later. I let you off the hook this time, but next time, I'll handle this properly and have you dealt with by the authorities." Viola gazed at Carissa's face, which was cold and almost dismissive,

long pause, Viola started to whimper, then broke into sobs. Eventually, she buried her face