Chapter 108: Bottom Line

After being scolded, Priscilla did not dare to make a sound. However, she was unconvinced. What about Braden? Braden had studied as long as Clark; they had the same teacher. Moreover, the teacher was originally hired to teach Braden, and Clark was merely his studying partner.

Prudence said gently to Clark, “Go back first. I’ll bring you to the shop tomorrow.”

“Yes, Grandmother!” Clark left.

Priscilla, seeing him go, said unhappily, “Prudence, why don’t you let him mention it to Doug? This is for Braden’s future.”

Prudence said sternly, “Look at you. Do you think you look like a lady from an aristocratic family? Even if your maternal family is in decline, they are not as petty and muddle-headed as you. I just told Clark to reject it, and you immediately recommended Braden. What will Clark think of it? Can it be more obvious that you’re being partial?”

Priscilla pursed her lips. “So, what if I’m being partial? Braden is my biological son and the legitimate heir. Of course, he’s not someone a concubine’s son like Clark can compare to. It doesn’t make sense that the concubine’s son is doing better than the legitimate one. Prudence, you’ve been there before. Don’t you feel bad?”

Prudence was furious. “You have to endure it no matter what. Your son Braden is good for nothing! Back then, I doted on Braden all the time. That’s why he had such a weak and useless personality. He didn’t achieve anything. Would you have your current glory if I hadn’t helped you take Prunella’s money? If I hadn’t endured it back then and treated Clark, Geoffrey’s godson, better, would Geoffrey care about our mother-son relationship? Do you think I’m a big deal, no one dares to mess with? Do you think Geoffrey wouldn’t rebel against me? It’s just that I’m fairly fair in handling things. He doesn’t have to go against me. It’s also to fulfill his reputation of being filial.”

Priscilla mumbled, “Braden isn’t completely useless. If we make proper arrangements, he’ll have a promising future.”

“We can’t rush it. Later, ask Geoffrey to arrange for him to intern in the Inspector High Court of Parliament.”

Priscilla didn’t want to. “The Inspector High Court of Parliament is a place that offends people. Geoffrey has offended many influential people over the years, right?”

“Offend people?” Prudence sneered. “If he offends someone, so what? How many people have to play up to Geoffrey? Whether an official in Argentum or a local official, who is clean? If Geoffrey wants to give the slightest hint, many people would come to him with money and beg him. But he is stubborn.”

“Yeah, indeed.” Priscilla curled her lips. “Now, he has obtained a hereditary title. Unfortunately, it’s only a title after all. If he doesn’t know how to use his real power, it’s useless.”

“I’m warning you. It’s fine to say these words in front of me. Go back to your room and shut your mouth. Don’t let any unpleasant words reach Geoffrey’s ears. He has always been a filial and obedient son. After he married Prunella, he occasionally talked back to me because of her. After Prunella died, we had Isolde sent away. Only then did our life return to how it was. However, a few years later, that returned, and Geoffrey rebelled against me again. Before you get what you want, it’s best to keep yourself in line.”

Chapter 108: Bottom Line

Priscilla said, “I understand.”

After Clark left Blesertin, he went to the Pearl Tower. Isolde ordered someone to make coffee. Out of habit, Clark wanted to do it himself, but Isolde pulled him down. “Clark, this is not your job.”

Clark was stunned for a moment before sitting down awkwardly. “It’s nothing. I’m good at making coffee anyway.”

Isolde smiled faintly and called Noelle in to make coffee for them. Noelle was good at making coffee. She washed the coffee beans, ground them, and brewed them. After some time, a cup of coffee was ready for Clark. Isolde said, “Drink it and see if you or Noelle is better at making coffee.”

Clark took a sip and smelled the coffee fragrance, which lingered in his mouth and was better than what he had made himself. He could not help but praise, “You have someone good at making coffee here!”

Isolde said, “You’re saying this because you’ve never drunk the coffee made by Hattie or Hazel, nor have you drunk the coffee made by Grandmother’s maids.”

Clark looked at her with an embarrassed expression. Isolde had cut to the chase. He had always comforted himself that Prudence and Priscilla let him make coffee because he was good at it. But he had always been deceiving himself. They only wanted to remind him and make him remember his identity this way.

“Did you ask Grandmother?” Isolde asked.

Clark nodded silently. “I did.”

“What did she say?” Isolde asked, even though she already knew the answer.

Clark was a little embarrassed. “She… said I could make my own decisions, but I feel I’m not cut out for working in officialdom.”

Isolde said indifferently, “It seems you’re going to give up.”

Clark said nothing in response, feeling bitter and helpless.

Isolde sighed softly. “There are too many things that we can’t control. If we give up on the few things we can control because of cowardice, we can only live like this for the rest of our lives.”

Clark looked at her. “Isolde, you are brave. I admire you.”

Isolde smiled bitterly. “Let’s have coffee!”

She could not force him. Life was his. How he lived it was up to him. As an outsider, or even his family, Isolde could only offer some advice.

“Grandmother said she wanted to take me to the shop,” Clark said after some silence.

“Sounds good,” Isolde said.

Chapter 108: Bottom Line

Clark looked at her. “Do you want to go?”

Isolde replied, “I’m not going.”

“That’s Prunella’s shop. Don’t you want to take a look?” Clark asked.

Prunella was his godmother, and Geoffrey was his godfather. However, when he was with Priscilla and his birth father, Vance, he would think of his godparents. So, sometimes, he was confused. However, he understood he only took one woman as his mother. When he was little, the woman doted on him, who he thought was his mother.

Isolde smiled faintly. “There’s no need to look. It’s mine after all. I have to take it back.”

Clark shook his head gently, thinking it was impossible. He feared she would be delusional and end up in vain, so he reminded her, “Isolde, it’s difficult to take something from Grandmother. Why don’t you manage what you have now? It’s better than fighting for it and ruining your reputation.”

Isolde said, “I don’t take from others, but I won’t give in to anything that belongs to me. It is a form of defense. Also, it’s the bottom line. If I take a step back, others will take a step closer. There has never been peace in the face of benefits.”

Clark looked at her sparkling eyes and was stunned for a moment.

“But if that’s the case, how can we get it back?” Clark felt Isolde had no real power, although she was the County Princess. In the Eryndral Empire, it was all about benevolence and filial piety. She could not mess with her grandmother time and time again. Otherwise, she would be at a disadvantage in the end.

“I have my ways. Don’t worry, Clark.” Isolde looked at him. “If you give up on entering the Parliamentary Library, manage the shop well.”