Melody of Strength novel

All eyes were on Serena as she lay on the ground, her tears on the verge of spilling. Her knees and forehead throbbed with pain.

But the pain was secondary–she had come so close to falling into the Hell Monarch’s arms.

She thought that although Rafael was a martial general, he would surely. have a compassionate heart. Any man would instinctively reach out to help if a woman was about to fall.

However, just as she believed she was about to be caught, she felt as if some force had pulled her forward. She landed on the ground while. Rafael had swiftly stepped back.

The speed of his retreat was so swift it was barely perceptible, as if he had never moved at all.

Struggling in pain, Serena raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, only to meet Rafael’s cold, icy gaze. The intensity of his stare made her shiver uncontrollably.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

A maid helped her up, but Serena could barely stand, leaning heavily on the maid for support. Instinctively, she looked towards Jessica, who was standing nearby, watching with a detached expression and showing no sign of wanting to assist.

Everyone was observing her, their gazes filled with scorn or judgment.

“I recognize her. She’s a lady from the Warren family. Her name is Serena.”

“Are you sure? What is someone from the Warren family doing here?”

“I don’t know. The princess consort wouldn’t be hosting someone from the Warren family, would she?”

“Is she trying to elevate her position? It looked like she was deliberately throwing herself at Prince Rafael. Is the Warren family completely shameless?”

“Hmph, does the Warren family have any shame left? They’ve long since lost all sense of propriety and limits.”

Hearing these comments, Serena burst into tears. She had never expected Rafael wouldn’t come to her aid.

In a state of desperation, she hurried towards Viola, crying as she tried to explain, “Viola, it wasn’t intentional! Someone pushed me.”

She wanted to clarify, but Viola’s face was a mix of anger and disbelief, clearly unconvinced by her words.

Whoever pushed her was irrelevant–it was clearly premeditated. Even if Viola wasn’t aware of Serena’s plan, she had clearly seen that Serena had aimed to throw herself at Rafael.

After all, Serena hadn’t originally been standing in that direction.

Hearing the crowd disparaging the Warren family, saying the members were shameless and disgraceful, Viola felt a cold fury wash over her. She almost wished she could slap Serena across the face.

What was this little wretch doing here? If Serena hadn’t made a scene, few would have noticed her presence. Now, everyone knew that two people from the Warren family had arrived uninvited, confirming the very accusation of the family being shameless.

Viola’s face burned with humiliation as she glanced at the crowd, locking eyes with Alice, who was being supported by Opal. Alice’s gaze was filled with disappointment and coldness, which only added to Viola’s distress.

She shoved Serena aside and hissed, “Get away!”

Serena was pushed down to the ground again, and she stared at Viola in disbelief.

“Viola!” Evelyn hurried over, grasping Viola’s wrist tightly. Through gritted teeth, she said, “Aren’t you embarrassed enough?”

Viola’s chest heaved with anger as she saw everyone staring at her with astonishment. She struggled to contain her rage.

She had come to observe Carissa’s situation and to see if she was being mistreated by Helen. Instead, she had become the subject of ridicule because of Serena.

Carissa stood by the roses with a faint, mocking smile, which only deepened Viola’s humiliation.

Clutching her handkerchief tightly, Viola said, “Mom, let’s go.”

Evelyn was anxious. “We can’t leave now. The birthday feast hasn’t even started.”

“If you’re not leaving, I am.”

Viola turned on her heel, and headed for the exit. Seeing this, Serenal also stood up and rushed after her, intending to leave together.

However, they were heading towards the male guests, who moved aside as they approached, clearly trying to avoid any association with: them.

Viola’s face was ashen with anger, her hatred for Serena burning fiercely.

Now, the Warren family had become a complete joke–not because of Aurora, but because of her and Serena.

What was most humiliating was that her former mother–in–law had. witnessed the entire scene. Alice had already harbored doubts about

Viola’s husband, and now, Viola feared that the Warren family would be

seen as even more disgraceful in the older woman’s eyes.