When Carissa indicated that something was wrong, Violet naturally sought confirmation.


    Violet approached ire, asking her to assign someone to keep an eye on Harvey. Violet also instructed ire repeatedly to avoid leaving any traces, and to ensure that no one discovered she was monitoring the people in Hartstone Estate. When assassins had infiltrated Valor Estate, Carissa had stepped in to help and had been summoned to the pce to exin the situation. Salvador had grown suspicious of Rafael, so everything must be done carefully. On the day Serena was to enter the Marquis of Ironridge''s family, a sudden downpour arrived unexpectedly.


    Through the heavy rain, a small carriage entered through the side gate of Ironridge Estate. Serena had brought no noteworthy dowry, and cast a resentful nce at Barrett before stepping into the carriage.


    Once inside the estate, Serena greeted Jessica respectfully and served her a ss of wine, as was customary. However, Serena didn''t even get to see the Marquis of Ironridge.


    She didn''t meet Margaret, either. The older woman merely sent her a pair of ordinary emerald bracelets as a token gift, and assigned her to Autumn Hall.


    Originally, Serena had brought two maids with her. But within half an hour of arriving, the maids were sent back to Valor Estate. Jessica arranged for a few others to attend to Serena, but their attitude was far from respectful.


    Serena was a concubine, but she received even less consideration than a typical concubine would, leaving her feeling deeply wronged. Yet, she understood that this was Ironridge Estate, and she had to endure. She could no longer behave as she had at Valor Estate, where she had been able to express her anger freely.


    That evening, she bathed and dressed up elegantly, hoping Leopold woulde to her room. After all, it was her first night in the household, and it was expected of him to make an appearance. She waited until midnight, but he still didn''te.


    She took off her hairpins, crawled into bed, and finally cried out of frustration.


    The next day, she learned that Leopold had spent the night in Emma''s quarters.


    Emma was Leopold''s only secondary wife. She had borne children, and was now pregnant again. Given her condition, it was inappropriate for her to serve Leopold at night, yet he preferred to stay with Emma rather than visit Serena in Autumn Hall. After Serena''s marriage, the Warren family seemed to have settled into a calm state.


    Barrett noticed the presence of the Capital Guards outside the estate and understood the reason they were tasked with discreetly monitoring Aurora while also preventing any further assassination attempts.


    He felt a growing sense of foreboding, as if a storm was about to break.


    He knew the situation was serious. If it was investigated, Valor Estate might be raided or the Warren family might even face execution.


    It wasn''t just Aurora''s problem. As themanding officer who had led the reinforcements, he bore an unforgivable responsibility for not controlling Aurora.


    The mental burden, coupled with the trivialities of daily life, left him feeling utterly exhausted.


    After work ended one day, he found himself standing at Northwatch Estate''s gate.


    He couldn''t help but recall his first visit to the Sinir family. He had been nervous, yet hopeful. He remembered making a powerful promise in front of Mnie-to never take a concubine in his lifetime. At that time, Mnie slowly smiled in satisfaction and said, "A man should keep his promises."


    He had sworn, "If I don''t keep my promise, I''m willing to be struck by lightning."


    And so, the noble daughter of the then Marquis of Northwatch had married him.


    Yet, in the end, he had failed to keep his promise. He had let Carissa down, and betrayed Mnie''s trust.


    "Why are you here?" Frederick emerged from the gate and stood on the steps, looking at him coldly.


    Barrett pulled himself together, and strode off after giving Frederick a respectful nod.


    Frederick frowned.


    Had Barrett regretted his actions? He had seen how mad the people in the Warren family could be. He hoped Barrett and his family wouldn''t drag that madness to ruin Carissa''s peace and happiness.


    Frederick sent someone to Hell


    Monarch Estate to inform Carissa of


    Barrett''s visit to Northwatch Estate


    He also advised her to be cautious and avoid any association with Barrett to prevent damaging her own reputation.


    Upon hearing the report, Carissa called for Travis. If Barrett was spotted near the Hell Monarch Estate, Travis was to drive him away.


    Travis said, "If he dares toe, I''ll break his legs."


    Violet said, "Just drive him away! We don''t need to get involved with him. Things in this capital aren''t like in Meadow Ridge, where you just have a fight if you don''t like someone."


    "Come on, I was just speaking metaphorically. We''re not actually going to fight," Travis replied, somewhat frustrated.


    Violet said, "That man has no backbone. He hides whenever trouble arises, and can''t make a clear decision. Fortunately, during the Southern Frontier siege, he didn''t retreat and hide. Otherwise, he would have been the cause of our


    downfall. He''s just a bad Lomen."


    Carissa was fanning herself, and suddenly remarked, "At this point, he should actually give Vi a letter of divorce. It will show whether he


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    ns to rely on Oliver to get through this, or if he truly has the courage to be a man."