Chapter 1153

Kyle chased Isaac, calling out as he caught up. Isaac waved him off, continuing to walk ahead. "Don't say anything. It's not worth mentioning."

"Isaac, this is just our guess. It might not be true," Kyle said, knowing his younger guild member well. Isaac never spoke of his discomfort but always sought solitude when troubled.

"It's fine, really. I'll just go have a drink," Isaac replied with a grin. "It's rare the autumn wind blows, and the weather's perfect. A drink is needed—preferably with some beautiful company."

Violet stepped forward and grabbed his wrist. "Come on, let's go drink then."

It was only then Violet realized Isaac wasn't the child of a concubine. Evelyn was his mother, and he had the same parents as Oliver and Viola.

"The place I'm going isn't appropriate for you," Isaac said, discouraging Violet from following.

Violet ignored him, maintaining a firm grip on his arm. "I'll settle the bill."

"I have money. You don't need to follow me," Isaac snapped, his tone sharp. "Do you think I'm that poor? Do you want to take care of my drinking and amusements? I'd rather you stop dwelling on that life-saving favor you think you owe me. Honestly, I'm so tired of women like you—you're incredibly annoying."

Violet remained unfazed, smiling cheerfully. "So, women are annoying? What about men?"

Isaac shot her a sour look. "They're all just as annoying."

"Then I'll take you riding. No men, no women. Just us and the open air," Violet said, pulling him toward the stables. "The wind is so fresh—when you ride into it, it feels like everything just blows away."

"No!"

"Yes!" Violet insisted, her tone sharp. "If you're not going to ride, then you're coming to drink. Either way, you're coming with me. I'm not in a good mood."

They continued walking, their voices fading as Violet pulled Isaac along, ultimately getting her way.

Carissa's shoulders slumped, a heaviness settling in her chest. How did it come to this? Adrian must have known the truth long ago but chose lies because they were easier to bear. Why did they have to make such a fuss? What was there even to investigate?

No one said a word. Whether the investigation was successful or not, no one had the right to judge.

Violet and Isaac were drinking at the Glimmering Tower, several wine bottles already emptied. The shopkeeper, seeing Isaac slurring his words, refused further service.

"Do you think I'm out of money, huh? Why won't you bring me more wine?" Isaac said, fuming, his face flushed. Stumbling to his feet, he pulled a thick stack of property deeds from his chest. "I've got money! Plenty of money!"

Violet, also tipsy, giggled as she bent to pick up the scattered deeds. "What are you buying all these properties for? Planning to settle down in the capital? Aren't you going back to Meadow Ridge?"

Isaac raised a hand to tilt her chin, his eyes bloodshot, reeking of alcohol. "Meadow Ridge is my home. There's no one for me here in the capital except my little martial sister. I don't have any other relatives."

He collapsed backward, hitting the floor with a dull thud. Mumbling to himself, he said, "I'm such a fool. Spent all that money on these useless properties."

"It's my fault. How could I be so blind? Everything was so obviously wrong. Their son was gravely ill, and instead of getting proper medical help, they let some stranger take him hundreds of miles into the mountains. It's all my fault. Sage Adrian knew the truth all along. It's no wonder he wouldn't let me come back to find them. He knew everything. He just made up a story that wasn't quite as cruel."

Isaac slammed his fist against the floor in frustration.

Violet held her forehead, her eyes filled with pity as she watched Isaac, usually so carefree, now caught in his tangled thoughts. She couldn't bear to watch him suffer.

Without hesitation, she grabbed his arm. "Come on, we're going to Silverstone Estate. Your dad's a scoundrel, but your mom… I'm betting she was kept in the dark. Now that we know everything, let's clear things up. If she knew, then you can tear into her. If she didn't, she must still be troubled by what happened to you. You've always been carefree, Isaac, so stop hesitating. Go ask her yourself."

Isaac tried to push himself up, but his limbs were uncooperative. He turned away, weak and unsteady, before finally managing to crawl to his feet.

"You're right," he muttered. "Let's go—I can't curse the dead, but what's stopping me from cursing the living?"