Chapter 107: The Shameless Priscilla

Cristina didn't know if Jonathan had heard her. Her face flushed crimson. She lowered her head, embarrassed, glancing at Jonathan only from the corner of her eye. Instead, she looked at Rosemary.

“Marquis, Lady Rosemary!” Isolde also stepped forward and bowed.

Jonathan smiled upon seeing Isolde. “It’s you!”

Rosemary merely nodded, ignoring Isolde. She asked Collin, “Where’s my silk?”

Collin retrieved the scarlet silk from the shelf and handed it to the servant behind Rosemary. “It’s here, my lady. If you like it, you can come often.”

“Is this shop yours?” Rosemary asked Isolde.

Isolde replied, “Yes!”

“It’s not bad,” Rosemary said. Noticing Cristina’s seemingly jealous gaze, she added indifferently, “But you, as a maid, are ill-mannered.”

Cristina raised her head in shock and protested, “I’m not her maid. I’m Baron Felton’s sister.”

Rosemary was stunned. “Aren’t you a maid? You do look like one!”

Cristina, humiliated and burning with anger, gritted her teeth but remained silent.

Jonathan and Rosemary took the silk and left, oblivious to Cristina’s lingering, infatuated gaze until they disappeared.

Isolde burst out laughing. “Go after them!”

Cristina said coldly, “Just you wait. I won’t let you off.” With that, she turned and left with her maid.

Clark watched her go, frowning. “How can a woman from Argentum speak so impudently?”

“She’s Baron Felton’s sister!” Isolde laughed.

Clark looked at Isolde seriously. “It’s better to avoid interacting with such a person and try not to offend her. Otherwise, her words will destroy your reputation.”

“I won’t interact with her in the future,” Isolde said.

Collin added, “She’s not a regular customer. We won’t serve her even if she comes again.”

Isolde said, “Don’t. She comes with money. How can we not earn it?” She understood Collin’s business philosophy: he would conduct any legitimate transaction. He likely voiced his concern due to her possible reservations.

Collin smiled. “Lady Isolde, you’re indeed a person meant for great things. You’re broad-minded.”

Even Clark viewed Isolde in a new light. Ordinary women would hold a grudge for days after such an encounter.

When they returned to the Duke’s estate, Isolde again urged Clark to consider her proposal.

Clark outwardly agreed, but Isolde discerned his reluctance from his expression. He had always feared Prudence; perhaps he wouldn't dare to ask. However, Isolde had underestimated Clark this time.

That night, after showering, Clark went to pay his respects to Prudence as usual. Priscilla was chatting with Prudence in Blesertin. Seeing Clark, she smiled and said, “Clark, you’re so sweet. You come to say goodnight to your grandmother every night!”

Clark smiled and greeted Priscilla before serving them coffee. It was a maid's job, but in Blesertin, Clark waited on Prudence and Priscilla. It wasn't obligatory, but Priscilla and Prudence had mentioned several times that the servants' coffee was far inferior to his.

Prudence took a sip of coffee, a faint smile gracing her lips. Her eyes softened as she asked, “Where did you go today?”

Clark told her truthfully, “Isolde asked me to accompany her to Paletein Manor.”

Priscilla’s face darkened. “Why did you go to Paletein Manor? Don’t interact with her so often.”

Prudence looked at Priscilla disapprovingly. “They’re cousins. Why can’t they interact with each other?” Ignoring Priscilla’s hurt expression, she said to Clark, “She’s your cousin. She’s been living alone in the manor since she was young. As her family, you should care more about her.”

Clark replied, “Yes, I know.”

Prudence nodded. “Did you see Doug in Paletein Manor?”

“Grandmother, I saw him. I also saw Anthony,” Clark replied.

Prudence smiled. “The young man who came to propose to Isolde?”

“Yes, he’s still determined to marry Isolde,” Clark said.

Prudence nodded. “He’s indeed someone with ulterior motives, but he’s just a young merchant heir. He’s not worthy of Isolde.”

“Yes, I’ve asked Isolde to reject him. However, he didn’t give up and said he wouldn’t leave Argentum until Isolde agreed to marry him.”

Prudence smiled and shook her head. “This kid is stubborn.”

Priscilla disliked this conversation, so she asked, “When you were in Paletein Manor, did Doug make things hard for you?”

Clark shook his head, pausing a moment before looking at Prudence. “Mr. Becker said he could recommend me to be the chief librarian in the Parliamentary Library.”

Priscilla’s eyes widened in shock. “The Parliamentary Library?”

Seeing Priscilla’s impatience, Prudence said indifferently, “You can just sit and drink your coffee.”

Priscilla was consumed by indescribable jealousy. He could enter the Parliamentary Library? How could a concubine’s son like him work in the Parliamentary Library? Clark’s words felt like a knife, dripping blood with every syllable.

Prudence looked kindly at Clark. “What do you think? Tell me.”

Clark hesitated before his eyes hardened. “Grandmother, I…”

Prudence smiled. “I know you have bigger ambitions. Although working in the Parliamentary Library is decent, being a chief librarian isn’t a powerful position. It might be a big deal in a small place. However, in Argentum, how many high-ranking officials are above you? How many people are suppressing you? You have always been weak and quiet, not cut out for bureaucracy. In my opinion, you should reject it. Later, I will give you a shop to manage, and you’ll get married. It’s better to live peacefully than being walked all over in the bureaucracy.”

The light in Clark’s eyes dimmed. For a moment, he thought his grandmother would support him.

“Yes, I understand!” Clark lowered his head.

Prudence smiled. “However, this is my humble opinion. You should decide on your own. I can only give you some advice. In the end, you have to make the decision yourself.”

Clark said softly, “Grandmother’s opinion is the best opinion.”

Prudence scolded playfully, “I’m just an old lady who hasn’t seen much of the world. How can I give you the best opinion? Why don’t you ask your father?”

Clark shook his head. “No need. I’ll go to Paletein Manor tomorrow and reject it.”

Only then did Priscilla’s expression soften. She said, “There’s no need to reject the offer. Your brother is smarter and smoother than you. Or, you can ask Doug if your brother can take…”

“Shut up!” Prudence scolded sternly. “Do you think anyone can enter the Parliamentary Library? How many years has Braden studied? How dare you let him into the Parliamentary Library? Aren’t you afraid he will make himself the laughingstock of others?”