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    After retuming from Grand Princess Eleanor''s birthday banquet, Reba fell ill. She developed a high fever in the middle of the night, and kept mumbling incoherently.


    Amelia urgently summoned a doctor, and Benjamin was sent to fetch Barrett, who was staying at an inn. At first, Barrett thought it was a trick, but upon returning and seeing his mother shivering uncontrobly and mumbling nonsensical words, he realized her condition was indeed serious.


    It was a rare sight, but Aurora also came over to help. She hadn''t seen Barrett for several days. Her pride had prevented her from seeking him out, believing that this was still his home and he would eventually return.


    Barrett didn''t look at her, but urgently asked, "Why did she suddenly fall ill? Why is it so severe?"


    Serena burst into tears. "What else could it be? It''s all because of Carissa! She also attended Grand Princess Eleanor''s birthday banquet. She took advantage of her uing marriage to the Hell Monarch, and had the audacity to berate both Grand Princess Eleanor and Lady Jessica..."


    At these words, Barrett and Aurora stared at Serena in shock.


    Barrett''s voice trembled. "What? She''s marrying the Hell Monarch?"


    Amelia hurriedly interjected, "Serena, don''t speak nonsense! It''s clear that Grand Princess Eleanor was trying to use the fact that Mother was harsh toward Carissa to cover up her own issues. That''s why she made Mother so angry that she got sick."


    Barrett was overwhelmed with mixed emotions-pain, bitterness, and boundless regret.


    He smiled bitterly and tried to say something, but found himself unable to produce a single word.


    On the bed, Reba mumbled the same phrase over and over. "Barrett, I was wrong... I was truly wrong..." "Wrong about what? Do you regret letting Barrett marry me and abandoning Carissa?" Aurora asked coldly. Sitting by the bed and wiping her tears, Serena said indignantly, "Who does Carissa think she is anyway? She''s a divorced woman, but she gets to marry into the royal family!


    "Of all the people the Hell Monarch chose to marry, why not pick someone from our family? Why pick someone we discarded? Isn''t that an insult to us? The person we didn''t want is now being cherished by others. Is it wrong for Mom to be angry?"Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Hearing Serena''s continued outburst, Amelia felt her anger re up. Her normally timid demeanor was reced by an unexpected burst of temper. "Be quiet! Mother''s illness is not due to that. Don''t speak recklessly and disturb the peace of our home!"


    When Serena was reprimanded by Amelia, she wanted to retort but was struck by the unprecedented coldness in Amelia''s eyes. Fearful, she swallowed her words and began to cry quietly.


    Amelia was truly fed up. As she was in charge of the household now, she had to manage everything. With her husband''sckluster achievements, it was a struggle. Barrett had finally made a name for himself and earned a hundred gold coins, and there was hope he might bring some sess to the family. They were depending on him now.


    Yet, he had been wandering aimlessly for days. Now that he had returned, he was still fixated on Carissa. Carissa owed nothing to the Warren family, and didn''t deserve to be vilified daily!


    What was more, bringing up Carissa now would only lead to more discord between Barrett and his wife. Aurora may not be achieving much, but her ability to cause trouble was truly remarkable.


    The Ministry of Defense and the Civil Department had yet to assign Barrett any official position. If the couple''s discord became public knowledge, who would the officials question if not him?


    It was bad enough that Reba was feverishly muttering nonsense, but now, Serena was also adding to the chaos.


    It was truly exasperating!


    As expected, Aurora sneered and red at Barrett, one side of her face twisted with rage. "Your former wife is marrying into the royal family now. Are you having regrets? It was truly a wrong decision, wasn''t it? You shouldn''t have married me, and I shouldn''t have married into this family, where everyone despises me.


    The bitterness in Barrett''s heart surged to his lips, and he was unable to contain his anger. "What are you saying? Who despises you?"


    Having not seen him for days, Aurora was overwhelmed by his impatient tone. Her pent-up grievances and emotions erupted.


    "Don''t you despise me? Do you dare say you don''t? You think those Westhaven soldiers messed around with me when they kidnapped me, don''t you? You think I''m not pure, right?!" she screeched.