Melody of Strength novel

Chapter 507 Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

In the dim light, a figure hurriedly entered and supported Viola.

“What’s wrong?”

Through her tear–filled eyes, Viola saw her husband, Barrett’s face.

She threw herself into his embrace, crying even harder and more pitifully.

Barrett had never seen Viola so openly distressed, sitting on the ground and wailing. He thought something serious must have happened, and urgently asked, “What’s going on? What happened?”

With tears in her eyes, Julia recounted the events of the day. However, when she was about to mention Thomas’s military pension, Viola suddenly shouted, “Be quiet!”

Julia was startled, and immediately fell silent.

Julia hadn’t mentioned the pension specifically, but she had mentioned Thomas’s name. Even if he were not the sharpest, Barrett could piece together the situation. Viola had used Thomas’s death benefits to buy a tiara for Serena, which was worth 36,800 silver coins.

“Enough. You’re dismissed,” Barrett said.

Then, he released Viola, his face dark with anger. “Tomorrow, you will go to the Golden Tower and return the ruby tiara.”

His towering figure cast a shadow over Viola. As she wiped her tears and looked up at him, she saw his face filled with humiliation and rage.

She shot a bitter look at Julia, who felt the silent reprimand. The maid retreated to the side, too frightened to say another word.

Barrett grabbed Viola’s hand and dragged her along. “Come on, we’re going to Mom’s room.”

Viola stumbled a few steps as he pulled her, nearly losing her balance. She pleaded, “Honey, please slow down.”

Barrett seethed with fury.

Hadn’t he already endured enough humiliation? How much longer would he be mocked?

His reputation in the capital was in tatters, and if it became known that Viola had used Thomas’s pension to buy a tiara for his sister’s dowry, any remaining dignity of the Warren family would be completely destroyed.

Meanwhile, Serena was still in Rebecca’s room, talking about how she would manage things after marrying into the Marquis of Ironridge’s family. She would try to please Jessica and align with her against Leopold’s secondary wife.

“Mom, I’ll stand my ground and make sure that the Marquis of Ironridge favors me.” Serena nestled into her mother’s arms, her gaze resolute.

At first, she didn’t want to become Leopold’s concubine. But after things were settled, she reflected on Leopold’s tall and handsome figure, his stable position in the court, and the Marquis of Ironridge’s

family’s status as a century–old family. Even being a concubine in such a prestigious family didn’t seem shameful.

Rebecca said, “But in the beginning, you must heed Lady Jessica’s advice and oppose the marquis’s secondary wife. You need to become useful so that she will trust and favor you. Until then, you must not flaunt the marquis‘ favor towards you. You must always be respectful and cautious with her-”

Suddenly, the door flung open with a loud bang, startling both mother and daughter.

Seeing Barrett’s face contorted with anger and Viola’s expression filled with resentment, Serena instinctively asked, “Viola, has the shop assistant left?”

If the shop assistant had left, it meant the money had been taken, and the ruby tiara was truly hers.

“Mom!” Barrett glared at Rebecca, his tone brooking no argument. “Return the ruby tiara to the Golden Tower tomorrow.”

“Return it?” Serena shrieked. “No, I won’t return it!”

“You have no say in the matter.” Barrett’s gaze was sharp and mocking. “You’re a concubine. That tiara is covered in dazzling red rubies, and it’s too extravagant for you. Do you really think you deserve it? Even if you did, it was bought with Thomas’s death benefits. Do you want to make the whole Warren family a Taughingstock?”

“What?!”

Rebecca hurriedly threw off the cover. With Jade’s help, Rebecca hobbled over to Viola. Her face was now cold and furious.

“You actually used the money from a deceased person to buy something for my daughter’s dowry?! What were you thinking?”

Viola was utterly dumbfounded and froze in place. She trembled all over, her lips moving but unable to utter a single word.