Chapter 17

Madam Galvez's face was as dark as a thundercloud. Just as tensions escalated, Joanna, Grace's daughter, entered.

"Wow, everyone's here? Grandma, what's the gossip?"

Madam Galvez's expression softened into an almost rare smile at the sight of Joanna. "Joanna, how's your piano practice going? Your competitions are coming up soon, right?"

Joanna smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Grandma, I can definitely handle this."

Grace grinned with pride. "That's right. Joanna's such a hard worker! Her teacher says she's got real talent!"

While they chatted, Isabel felt like a ghost, silently slipping out of the main hall. She went to the kitchen, where Hannah worked diligently preparing lunch.

"Come on, chop this up for me," a maid ordered Hannah. "And don't forget to wash the peppers after peeling the garlic."

Hannah worked as if she were one of the maids—even more obedient. Isabel couldn't bear it. She grabbed Hannah's hand, pulling her away from the counter.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Isabel asked, shocked.

Hannah shrugged, as if it were unremarkable. "Well, I'm helping with lunch." She'd grown accustomed to it, remembering similar tasks in the manor, where Madam Galvez insisted no one remain idle.

Isabel snatched the garlic from Hannah's hands. "Stop it."

Hannah tried to calm her. "Don't worry, it's fine. I'm used to it."

Isabel retorted, "Mom, it's not fair! Why do Emily and Grace wear diamonds and sit at the table while you're stuck here doing chores? You don't owe them anything!"

Hannah's face fell, tears welling. "I come from nothing, Isabel. I'm just a country girl," she sighed. "When your dad was ousted, it was partly because of me. He may not have been the sharpest, but he's the kindest man. He insisted on marrying me, and that made Madam Galvez hate him even more. She never liked him, but after that, everything went downhill. She never accepted him, and when he got hurt and couldn't work anymore, they just kicked us out."

Isabel listened, piecing everything together. A lump formed in her throat as the weight of her family's untold history—of sacrifice, bitterness, and betrayal—hit her. It was far more complex than she'd ever imagined.

"Don't worry, Mom. No one's blaming you," Isabel comforted her, patting Hannah's back. "You've got me now. Nobody's going to push us around again."

Hannah hugged Isabel tightly.

By lunchtime, Isabel was about to leave quietly when Madam Galvez called out, "Isabel, come sit and eat. It's your first time here, after all."

Isabel looked at Hannah, who gave a subtle nod. "Fine," Isabel thought, taking Hannah's hand and sitting down.

Emily snapped, "You don't know? Hannah can't sit at the table. She's not allowed."

Isabel frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Hannah lowered her head. "It's okay, Isabel. Just sit down. I'll stand."

Hannah had always known her place. Unlike Emily and Grace, who enjoyed privileges she could only dream of, she was an outsider, relegated to the edges of their world. In the past, she would have been with the maids, a shadow in their lives. Always lower, always separate.

Grace sneered, "Isabel, Hannah's nothing but a lowly woman; she doesn't deserve to sit here. You're the blood of the Galvez family—that's why you get a seat. What's your problem? Can't you just be grateful?"

Isabel slammed her knife and fork down. The crash made everyone flinch; dishes toppled, spilling food.

"I didn't realize we were still stuck in the Dark Ages!" Isabel's voice was sharp. "Fine, if you want to play it that way, I'm out. Let's go, Mom." She gave them a disgusted look before leaving.

Grace immediately tattled to Madam Galvez, "Did you see that? This girl's got some guts! She scared the life out of me!"

"Stop right there!" Madam Galvez's voice cracked, sharp and commanding.

Isabel turned, her eyes frosty. "What now? You got something to say?"

Madam Galvez's words dripped with contempt. "You come from the Clyde family, one of the most prestigious families in Ardenfall, and you act like this? No manners, no respect for your elders. This is what the Clydes taught you!"

Isabel's lip curled. "The Clydes' business is none of your concern. I wasn't raised by you, and I've never eaten your food. You don't get to lecture me on respect."

Madam Galvez blushed with fury. In her family, everyone bowed to her. But this girl dared to talk back!

Hannah froze, her blood draining. She knew what happened to those who defied Madam Galvez.

Hannah begged, her voice shaky, "Madam, Isabel just got back. She's still young and doesn't know better. Please don't make a big deal out of this."

"Yeah, she's young, but you, as her mother, should know better. If I don't punish her, I'll punish you instead. Hannah, kneel here for two hours before you leave," Madam Galvez commanded.

Hannah started to kneel, but Isabel grabbed her arm, pulling her upright. "Don't kneel, Mom. You haven't done a thing wrong, and neither have I. Why should we bow to them?"

William sneered, "You think you're some sort of high-and-mighty princess? Acting all high and mighty in the Galvez family, with no respect for your elders? You've got some nerve!"

Isabel's eyes flashed. "Respect? Do you even have the right to talk down to me like that?"

William faltered under her gaze.

Madam Galvez's voice cracked, her cane thudding. "Hannah, are you really going to let your daughter disrespect her elders like this?"

Hannah's eyes darted nervously to Isabel.

Isabel tightened her grip on Hannah's hand. "Don't be afraid, Mom. I've got this."

A sense of calm washed over Hannah. Looking into her daughter's eyes, she saw fierce determination.

Hannah, her voice suddenly firm, turned to Madam Galvez. "I trust my daughter."

Madam Galvez's face turned purple with rage. "Oh, so now you think you can stand against me, huh? You think you can get away with this? Fine! Someone, stop them!"