Chapter 115: The Rules

Geoffrey listened to the hushed whispers and tearing of fabric, thinking about Prudence’s suffering. The indignity—hearing an unfiltered insult—burned. He couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. He was, after all, her elderly, widowed father.

Seeing Prudence lying there, frail and sickly, Geoffrey wanted to say, "My dear Prudence, don't worry. I will speak to Isolde and make sure this matter is resolved."

Prudence weakly raised her head and sighed. “There’s no need to coddle her. She is, after all, your and Prunella’s flesh and blood.” She forced a bitter laugh. “Xavier was right. If she stays in the manor, she will ruin everything. A child born to kill her mother… she should be far away from me. I’ve put off seeing Bryant marry for months.”

Xavier’s words struck Geoffrey sharply. He had tried to bury them, but now, with Prudence mentioning them, the pain returned like a fresh wound. The ache in his chest was all too familiar—so intense that it kept him awake at night.

Prudence’s words, coupled with Isolde’s earlier remarks at the Pearl Tower, overwhelmed him with exhaustion. He couldn’t bring himself to confront Isolde, nor could he let Prudence be disrespected. This left him in a difficult position.

Vance, seeing Geoffrey’s expression, immediately interjected. “Whether that ungrateful girl apologizes or not, you decide. If she refuses, she should at least kneel in the courtyard all day. If you, as her father, fail to discipline her, I’ll do it myself. I won’t let her get away with it.”

Geoffrey glanced at Vance and said, “Fine. The court’s affairs are piling up. You deal with it, then.”

Vance stood up abruptly. “Good. With your approval, I’ll teach her a lesson, and it’ll save us trouble in the future.”

Geoffrey lowered his gaze, feeling more irritated. This frustration wasn’t new. He had always felt that Vance was an entitled man, living off his birthright while his parents favored him. He had no real accomplishments of his own.

As Geoffrey left, Priscilla snapped, “You’re clearly siding with that little wench.”

Prudence, disappointed with Geoffrey’s attitude, slowly shook her head. “He’s not my flesh and blood. How could he side with me?”

“Mother,” Vance said thoughtfully, sitting beside her, “Since Geoffrey doesn’t seem to be on our side, how about we figure out a way to have him officially promise to give the family’s inheritance to Braden? Let’s get it written down, so it’s binding. Then, we’ll have a guarantee.”

Prudence shook her head slowly. “This can’t be rushed. He’s still young, and even if it’s written down, it won’t make a difference. As long as he’s alive, it’s not our time to shine. We’d be better off using his connections in the court to secure a position for you and Braden.”

Vance was pleased by this suggestion. “How do we go about it?”

Prudence thought for a moment, a cold, calculating gleam in her eyes. “Perhaps we already have a good excuse.”

Priscilla, understanding her mother’s intent, smiled. “Yes, Isolde hasn’t apologized, so Geoffrey, as her father, should make things right.”

Prudence lightly patted Vance’s hand. “Tonight, throw out that medicine. Don’t take it tomorrow either.”

Vance understood and nodded eagerly. “I’ll take care of it.”

Priscilla hesitated, then asked, “Should Vance go and settle things with that wretched girl?”

Prudence’s tone remained indifferent. “Since he’s already made his decision as her father, then he must at least say something. She can’t just keep getting away with it.”

Vance sneered, “Say something? No, she needs to be taught a lesson. If she doesn’t, she won’t know who’s in charge around here.”

Priscilla warned, “Don’t underestimate her. She’s trained in martial arts.”

Vance scoffed, “So what? Does she think she can fight me?” He snorted angrily. “If she tries, I’ll make sure she learns her lesson, and I won’t stop until I’ve taught her a proper lesson.”

With that, he stormed out of the room.

Priscilla, concerned, asked, “Do you think it’ll cause trouble? I’ve heard that girl’s maids are also skilled in combat.”

Prudence smiled slightly. “Let him go. What trouble could there be?”

“Just afraid of a beating,” Priscilla muttered.

Prudence smiled faintly, her eyes glinting with cold calculation. “If she doesn’t get beaten, how can Geoffrey feel guilty enough to pass the inheritance on? Do you really think that Isolde’s misdeeds will make him compromise?”

Priscilla’s face brightened. “You’re right, Mother. You always think ahead.”

At the Pearl Tower, Harlan, feeling bored with the coffee, asked Isolde for some wine.

Isolde, who had secretly kept some for herself to gift to her mentor, smiled and asked Noelle to fetch a jar for them to drink together.

Harlan, who usually drank alone, now relished the company. After only a half-hour, he was half-drunk.

Isolde sent him on his way and planned to bathe and rest.

But just as she had sent him off, Vance stormed into the Pearl Tower, bringing two other men with him.

Isolde was surprised. Vance was always a coward, only brave within his own walls. What was he doing here, looking for trouble with her?

Leaning against the railing, Isolde raised a sardonic smile and watched him approach.

Vance entered with fury, immediately accusing, “Isolde, you ungrateful thing, how dare you humiliate your grandmother? Do you think your father won’t control you, and that no one else will dare to discipline you?”

Isolde paused, then nodded seriously. “Aside from him, who else has the right to discipline me?”

Vance was furious. He stomped over to her, pointing a finger at her nose, shouting, “Today, I’ll teach you a lesson, so you won’t disgrace the Duke’s estate anymore.”

Hattie and Hazel tensed, ready to intervene, but Esme raised her hand to stop them and moved in front of Isolde, blocking Vance. “So, you’re Vance?” she asked coolly.

Vance, recognizing her, sneered, “What, are you here to meddle too?”

Esme smiled faintly. “You’re free to discipline your niece, but don’t think the palace has no say in this. As it happens, I’m no longer a palace eunuch but a senior servant to County Princess Isolde. You just accused her of being ungrateful—could you clarify what you meant by that?”

Vance scoffed. “If you weren’t a palace eunuch, just a servant in the house, I wouldn’t bother with you.”

Esme’s smile turned into a sharp, cold expression. “You’d better retract that attitude. You may be allowed to speak here, but the Duke’s estate doesn’t tolerate disrespect. If you don’t know your place, I’ll gladly show you what respect means.”