Chapter 418
Both Violet and Carissa were seething with anger.
How could Samuel be so heartless? He used Nora's money to marry the woman he adored. Yet, that woman had the audacity to slap Nora for a single remark.
Carissa's voice was sharp with rage as she asked, "Has he ever hit you?"
Leona shook her head. "No, he hasn't."
Carissa continued, "Even if he hasn't hit you now, who's to say what will happen in the future? That courtesan was already so bold in front of me today. It's likely she will provoke you further. Though she's a courtesan from a prestigious brothel, she has plenty of tricks up her sleeve."
She placed a comforting hand on Leona's shoulder. "How many people did you bring with you? Do you have enough to protect yourself?"
Leona replied, "I brought four maids and one old servant."
Carissa considered her options. She would consult with Travis about sending a letter to his guild to see if his senior guild members could come as guards. Carissa was unsure if Travis' master would agree, as she had previously disapproved of female apprentices going out to seek a livelihood.
It would only be for a few months, just until the baby was born and until the Lunar Blessing Ceremony, which was on the 100th day of the baby's birth. Carissa hoped the Lunar Guild's leader would consent. She decided not to mention this to Leona yet. Once arrangements were confirmed, she would send the reinforcements directly.
As they left Gracehold Estate and settled into the carriage, Rowan spoke up.
"Lady Carissa, the situation with Lady Leona is quite dire. Her emotional distress is severe, and has likely caused her to cry daily. If this continues, no amount of miscarriage prevention medicine will be effective. It's uncertain if the baby can be saved, and there's a real risk that she might suffer lasting health issues.
"Also, she seems to have had a cough for a while. Coughing in the first three months is particularly harmful to the baby's health. Her lungs and heart channels are severely congested. She really needs to be more relaxed."
Rowan's words deepened Carissa's concern. It was easy to say "relax", but much more difficult to achieve.
Leona had never been a strong child. Whenever faced with difficulties, she would simply cry. Despite her status as a duchess, her temperament was shaped by the weakness of her parents, leaving her timid and easily frightened.
Her situation was made worse by
her deep love for Samuel. Before marrying into the Langley family, she
had been full of hope and ONE
for her future. Yet, she soon
discovered that Samuel had taken a new concubine and favored her
above all else, leaving Leona
neglected and heartbroken.
"In my opinion, it wasn't enough just to beat that old harpy. Samuel should be the one to be punished," Violet said coldly.
Carissa responded calmly, "If you strike someone he cares about, do you think he won't come demanding retribution?"
Violet cracked her knuckles. "Good. If he comes, we'll give him what he deserves."
Rowan hesitated before saying,
"Actually, if you do that, Lady
Leona's situation might worsen. Mr. Langley might become even more resentful toward her, and if he turns cold and harsh, it will only cause more distress for her. If she is distressed any further..."
Carissa knew all too well that such distress could endanger the baby.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.
Violet retorted, "Regardless, he's treating Lady Leona poorly now. Why not teach him a lesson to make him behave?"
Carissa pondered for a moment, then said, "If you hit him, it will be seen as an assault on a government official, and as a scholar, he will be humiliated from being beaten by a woman. This will only lead him to take out his anger on Leona. I have another idea."
"What is it?" Violet asked eagerly, keen on dealing with the scoundrel.
Carissa replied, "We need to enlist Meredith's help. Let's go to her residence, Pristine Palace."
Meredith was married to Levi, the
son of the Oversight Minister, Irvin, who was notorious for his intolerance of corruption and misdeeds. It didn't matter if the cases were related to the previous era or within the inner court. As long as he found any incriminating evidence, he would report and pursue it with relentless vigor.
Wasn't Samuel's future limitless? Let his private affairs become public, and Irvin could use this opportunity to make a case out of it.
After all, the Oversight Department has been quite idle lately, right?