The p left Serena stunned and disoriented. She covered her face, staring nkly for a moment before finally bursting into tears.


    "You!


    hit me? You hit me for that shameless woman?! I''m telling Mom about this!"


    With that, she ran off, still covering her face.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Barrett pounded his fist against the study door, his face a mask of anguish.


    Carissa was unchaste? Quite the opposite.


    She was pure, as he had never touched her.


    It wasughable that now, having realized his own feelings, Barrett found that he had never truly possessed Carissa. If he had consummated their marriage before going off to war, then when he married Aurora, Carissa would never have so easily asked for a divorce.


    After a while, Reba summoned her son.


    Before he could say a word, Reba spoke up, "I think it''s good that Serena is so determined. I support her wholeheartedly. As long as Grand Princess Eleanor is willing to rmend her to Lady Helen, and she can marry into the Hell Monarch''s household, it will be the best match. I will support her fully."


    Serena had stopped crying, and now looked at Barrett with a challenging re.


    Barrett shook his head. "It''s impossible. The Hell Monarch won''t be interested in her."


    Reba, clearly having considered this carefully, responded, "Don''t be so quick to diminish others to make yourself feel better. If the Hell Monarch can be interested in a discarded woman, why wouldn''t he be interested in the legitimate daughter of the Warren family?


    "I raised your sister personally. Despite her sometimes spoiled demeanor at home, the public sees her as graceful and dignified. Moreover, if she wins Lady Helen''s favor, the Hell Monarch will have to heed his mother''s advice if he wants to remain a good son."


    Seeing the near obsession in his mother''s and sister''s expressions, Barrett chose to remain silent.


    Whether or not Serena could enter the Hell Monarch''s household was neither a good nor bad matter. At most, if she was deceived by Jessica and learned her lesson, Serena might be more astute and not foolishly seek to marry royalty.


    Already overwhelmed with his own troubles, Barrett had no desire to deal with their issues.


    On the first day of December, Helen, apanied by Kiera, moved into Hell Monarch Estate.


    The quiet estate became lively as she brought along everyone from her pce, filling the once tranquil residence with activity. The atmosphere grew quite vibrant and somewhat noisy.


    The first thing Helen did after settling in was to send out numerous invitations. She invited variousdies from both inside and outside the pce, along with their children, toe for a tea party and enjoy the beautiful sight of snow falling. She also extended invitations to all the concubines of thete king.


    Now, those concubines had either be noble or honored concubines.


    Helen had always enjoyed unting herself in front of them, and now that she was living with her son, she was determined to show off once again.


    What was so great about living in the inner pce? Living with her son was a true blessing. Although her status as an honored concubine couldn''t match that of noble concubines like Dakota and Josephine, Helen considered herself fortunate and wanted to make sure everyone saw just how content she was


    now.


    As for the nobledies and officials'' families, Helen intended to maintain good rtions with them. Her departure from the pce was not just to avoid being confined to the inner pce, but also to live a full and happy life.


    Her happiness involved showing off, which she did in various ways.


    She also saw this as an opportunity to put Carissa in her ce. The best way to do that was to invite all the families of officials of fourth rank and above, while intentionally leaving Carissa out


    Helen knew her future daughter-inw was not to be underestimated. Simply keeping her confined by propriety would not be sufficient. Helen wanted Carissa to face a significant setback and be the subject of mockery, so that she would think twice before acting out of line in the future.


    Helen even made a point to exin to Rafael why Carissa was not invited. It was because their wedding was approaching, so the future princess consort of the Hell Monarch shouldn''t attend as a guest at this


    time.


    Rafael agreed, secretly pleased. He understood his mother''s nature all too well. The so-called tea party to enjoy the snowfall was merely a chance for her to unt her expensive jewelry and beautiful attire. He imagined that such an event would surely make Carissa feel stifled and ufortable.