Melody of Strength 16
Barrett wandered around outside, trying to borrow money from his acquaintances. However, all he managed to secure was a thousand silver coins. It was far from the over ten thousand silver coins needed for the betrothal gifts and wedding party.
The truth was, he could easily borrow twenty or thirty thousand from prestigious families, since he had just returned victorious. After all, he was now a rising star at court, and everyone was eager to curry favor with him.
But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Borrowing money was an awkward and sensitive thing to do. As much as possible, he wanted to preserve his dignity.
After much deliberation, he thought it might be less humiliating to borrow from Carissa than from others.
On his way back home, he saw Bryan riding towards him.
Without waiting for his brother to speak, Bryan said, “Barrett, hurry back home. Your wife is about to drive Mom to her death!”
Hearing Carissa was causing trouble again, Barrett sighed irritably. “What has she done now?”
“She told Sebastian not to treat Mom anymore, Bryan explained.
“There are many physicians in the capital. If Sebastian won’t come, we’ll find another physician. If that fails, I’ll ask for the royal physicians‘ help,” Barrett replied, thinking it wasn’t a big deal.
To Barrett, Carissa’s actions had revealed her true character. She had actually interfered with his mother’s health. It seemed like she was good at coming up with despicable and cunning methods to hurt others.
Carissa was really unlike Aurora, who had always been straightforward and wouldn’t resort to underhanded tactics.
After hearing his older brother’s words, Bryan urgently added, “That won’t work. Mom fell ill shortly after you left for the expedition. At that time, Carissa did invite some royal physicians.
“Several of them came, but they couldn’t alleviate Mom’s condition. Instead, it worsened. Later, she managed to get Sebastian, who prescribed expensive pills that saved Mom’s life and gradually improved her condition.”
Barrett’s eyes flashed with anger. “She’s trying to force my hand by threatening Mom’s life.”
Bryan nodded. “Exactly. She went to the palace to plead with His Majesty. When he didn’t agree to rescind the marriage edict, she resorted to this method to pressure you into abandoning your marriage with General Yates. That woman is evil.”
Barrett immediately spurred his horse back home, heading straight for Grace Mansion,Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
As a general, Barrett naturally had formidable combat skills. The gates of Grace Mansion couldn’t stop him.
He kicked open the doors and stormed in to find his wife enjoying a bowl of watercress soup. Lulu had made it fresh with the watercress she picked to calm Carissa’s nerves.
Barrett swept away the porcelain bowl in front of his wife with one hand, causing it to crash loudly onto the floor.
“Carissa!” Barrett gritted his teeth. “Will you ever stop? How far are you going to take this? How long will you keep this up?!”
Carissa calmly looked at the broken bowl and spilled soup on the floor, feeling like she had wasted Lulu’s effort.
“Lulu, clean up the broken pieces and the soup. I need to speak with the general. You don’t have to stay.”
Fetching a broom, Lulu did as Carissa asked before leaving.
Carissa looked up at her furious husband. “Is this about Sebastian?”
“You still have the nerve to ask?!” Barrett spat harshly.
Carissa smiled, highlighting her stunning, captivating beauty.
“Why wouldn’t I? You should be asking yourselves why Sebastian refuses to treat your mother. Maybe you should be looking at your own conduct.”
Barrett coldly retorted, “Stop pretending. It was you who stopped Sebastian from treating Mother. You’re using this as a means to blackmail me into not marrying Aurora. You’re despicable.
“Carissa, let me tell you, even if I don’t marry Aurora, I won’t treat you any better. You disgust.
- me.
“If I had known you were so manipulative and wicked, I would never have married you. I regret it deeply. I must have been blind.”
“Then, why don’t you divorce me?” Carissa asked, looking up at him.
Barrett was caught off guard by her sudden question. “What?”
Carissa stood up, her beautiful face filled with mockery. “Since I disgust you so much, why don’t you divorce me? If you love Aurora so deeply and want to be with her, then I’m just useless to you. Since you dislike me, why don’t you divorce me?”
“I…” Barrett hesitated.
Divorce her?
He would never do that.
Carissa took another step closer to him, her expression still mocking.
“Is it because you don’t have a reason to divorce me? I can give you plenty. I’m jealous, disobedient, useless, and wicked. I speak out of turn and argue with my elders. Any one of these reasons is enough for you to divorce me.”