Aurora couldn''t bring herself to meet Carissa''s gaze, as cold and sharp as a de. Every word Carissa spoke was unpleasant to hear, yet not a single one was untrue.


    Aurora had been desperate to achieve something. After the battle at Victory Pass, she believed she had. seeded, and that she had done so with exceptional merit. No longer just the daughter of an old soldier, she was now a general in her own right.


    She looked down on everyone and felt superior, but deep down, she knew she was still insignificant. Otherwise, with her aplishments, she wouldn''t have been relegated to the position of Barrett''s secondary wife.


    Most people wouldn''t have epted such a fate.


    Aurora''s eptance was driven by two reasons-her deep affection for Barrett, as well as the realization that, without her achievements, she would never be able to reach the heights of the Warren family. She dismissed the trivialities of domestic struggles, iming she wanted women to excel on the battlefield, contributing to the kingdom through war and conquest. She said these things to Barrett, who believed them and looked at her with admiration.


    Needing Barrett to see her as different, she achieved this by sleeping with him before returning to the capital, securing her ce in the Warren family.


    Though Carissa had been Barrett''s primary wife back then, Aurora hadn''t considered her a threat. Carissa was just a highborndy, obedient to propriety, governed by rules, and overly demure. Boring, really.


    But Carissa''s substantial dowry and her management of the household finances meant that Aurora could focus on her career. With a solid position, even as a secondary wife, she could overshadow Carissa, the so-called primary wife.


    Who would have guessed that Carissa was not a mere docile cat but a patient and calcting tiger? As Aurora''s thoughts drifted, Frederick returned with the promissory note and a stamp pad. He handed them to her and coldly said, "Put your fingerprint here."


    The promissory note for fifty silver coins was a humiliation to Aurora. She red at Carissa, but the moment their eyes met, an inexplicable shiver ran through her. She didn''t dare dy, hastily pressing her fingerprint onto the document before stumbling away.


    Frederick put the promissory note away and looked at the young woman leaning against the corridor wall. The coldness in her eyes had vanished, leaving only heartbreak.


    Frederick tried tofort her, "Mydy, don''t be upset. Indifference is the strongest armor-no one can hurt you."


    Carissa shook her head, her eyes lowered as she spoke softly, "Frederick, I''m fine. I was just thinking about how lively the house used to be when everyone was still here." Frederick''s mood grew somber. The past was irretrievable.


    Northwatch Estate was now a shell of its former self. The title remained, but the people were few.


    Carissa didn''t let herself dwell on the past for long. She quickly lifted her head and left.


    She returned to Amethyst Hall to be with Ryan, knowing that such amotion would have reached him. After all, Aurora''s cries had echoed through the corridors as she was dragged away.


    Carissa expected Ryan to be frightened, but upon entering Amethyst Hall, she found him in the small study, writing diligently. His face was calm, and the desk was covered with sheets of paper. Lulu and Joy stood nearby, attending to him.


    At the sound of his aunt''s footsteps, Ryan looked up and greeted her cheerfully, "Aunt Carissa."This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    His voice was still somewhat hoarse, and he could only manage short sentences before bing strained. However, he was putting in great effort, and Carissa believed he would soon speak as fluently as anyone else.


    "What are you writing?" Carissa asked with a smile, walking over to him. She gently ruffled his hair and leaned in to inspect his work. "Your writing looks better than before."


    Ryan was not just practicing writing, but also working on his wrist strength. His hand tendons had been. injured, and writing was the best exercise for recovery. Rafael had always insisted on this kind of practice for that reason.


    Ryan set down his quill and ced his hands on his neck. His expression was earnest, his eyes resolute.


    "Aunt Carissa, in the future... I''ll protect you!"


    Carissa was momentarily stunned, then a smile spread across her face as she continued to ruffle his hair. She hadn''t cried in front of the memorial ques of her parents, but Ryan''s words brought a lump to her throat.


    Though Ryan might not fully understand the situation, he could tell there was discord and had a strong desire to protect his aunt.