Chapter 599
Zoey closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. All of this was giving her a headache, leaving her overwhelmed and frustrated.
Jane continued to urge her, “Madam Zoey, if you tell Mr. Farrell about this, the Earl of Silverstone’s family will lose all dignity if he makes a scene. You absolutely can’t do that! And if the earl finds out that you instigated it, he’ll be furious!”
Thinking of her husband in the Southern Frontier only added to Zoey’s headache. Back in the capital, Oliver used to listen to her, taking in her advice to some extent. Some things could be discussed without things going awry.
However, the disagreements and arguments between them had always been numerous. She had to patiently analyze each issue with him and convince him bit by bit.
It was just like teaching a child.
Yet even when Oliver did comply, resentment lingered in his heart. His capacity to accept a wife with a broader vision than his own simply wasn’t there, and that was a fundamental dilemma in Zoey’s life. Everyone had their share of disappointments. No one lived entirely free of burdens.
Kayla was now living a good life, but how had she endured the previous years? Who knew the pain she had endured?
Carissa now basked in Prince Rafael’s love, drawing envy from others. But who could truly understand the anguish of losing her entire family?
Fate dealt everyone their share of suffering. It was up to them to manage it and carve out a smooth path for their lives and futures.
Unlike Viola, who rushed toward anything good, only to turn her back the moment something felt off. Such fickleness was not just a betrayal of womanly virtue–it showed a complete disregard for even the most basic principles.
“Jane, I am the Earl of Silverstone’s wife. I must think of our family’s future,” Zoey said slowly after a long silence. “I won’t oppose Viola’s divorce, but if she clings to Thomas and hopes to return and bask in his riches, she doesn’t deserve that. It would weigh on my conscience. I know exactly what kind of man Thomas is. Even if he finds out, he wouldn’t make a fuss or shout it from the rooftops. This also concerns the reputation of the Farrell family. If I tell him, I would only bear the resentment of my mother–in–law, my husband, and Viola.”
She rubbed her forehead, then continued, “If I ignore everything, I won’t offend anyone. But if she goes back to Thomas, the reputation of the Earl of Silverstone’s family will be ruined. The single women in our family will have a hard time finding suitable matches, and my daughter will suffer the most. And if the Farrell family catches wind of this… Well, I don’t need to spell out the consequences, do I?”
Jane felt a pang of sympathy for her mistress. Ultimately, Zoey was the one who would bear the burden, so she suggested, “Why not discuss it with Madam Evelyn? She might offer some insight into the situation.”
“Mother won’t agree to tell Thomas about this.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 599
“That would still be Madam Evelyn’s decision, so you wouldn’t have to shoulder the blame later.”
Zoey sighed deeply, feeling as if new wrinkles were forming on her brow. “Jane, do you think I’m afraid of the blame? All I want is to have a clear conscience. I shouldn’t have helped her then. Back then, I considered the fact that she and Thomas were ultimately still a married couple at heart. She cried and begged me, swearing she would never do it again. I was just too softhearted.”
“But that’s not your fault! It was Madam Evelyn who insisted you help her,” Jane said, unable to watch her mistress wallow in self–reproach. She knew the circumstances clearly, and had personally prepared the medicine.
“Few people know about this. But if anyone picks up on something, it won’t take long for the truth to come out. After all, when the physician prescribed the treatment, it matched the time she spent at Silverstone Estate to recuperate.”
Thomas was unaware of Viola’s return home to recuperate. But once Viola really divorced Barrett, the Farrell family would certainly bring it up. Thomas might wonder what illness would require Viola to stay at her family home for more than a month.
The Farrell family hadn’t suspected anything back then, but once they reflected on it–especially with Viola’s turbulent marriage to Barrett and if she really divorced him–doubts would definitely arise.
“Summon Viola back home tomorrow,” Zoey said firmly.
Zoey would use this situation as leverage. Viola could divorce Barrett, but she couldn’t go back to Thomas.
That was the line that couldn’t be crossed.
