Chapter 129: Saved

Braden slowly stood up, glaring at Kameron. “Are you blind? Didn’t you see it was me?”

Kameron, burning with fury, threw a punch. “I’m hitting you, you scoundrel! You call yourself a friend, but you try to steal my woman? Do you have no shame? How did such a disgraceful person come out of Duke’s estate?”

Braden, caught off guard, was already furious. He knew his identity, yet Kameron had dared to strike him. Enraged, he rushed forward, grabbed Kameron, and began fighting back.

Jocelynn, badly beaten, cried uncontrollably, her sobs echoing through the room. Onlookers outside heard the commotion. Seeing the girl crying, they realized this was a rivalry between Duke’s estate’s young master and Kameron over a woman. It was perfect gossip, and since the aggressor was from Duke’s estate, no one was eager to leave. They watched intently as the two men fought.

Martha, hearing the ruckus, peeked behind the crowd. She sneered, shook her head, and slowly retreated.

From outside the window, a pair of eyes watched quietly, then slowly withdrew.

Behind him, Hattie spoke faintly, “If I hadn’t come, you’d be the one being beaten, and you wouldn’t be going to the Parliamentary Library.”

Clark, his expression complex, murmured, “Thank you.”

Hattie added, “They’ve never treated you well. If they suddenly show you favor, it’s to lull you into a false sense of security. Their goal is to harm you. Learn from this. Isolde won’t be able to save you every time.”

A cold feeling spread through Clark’s chest as he clenched his fist. “After this, if I still haven’t learned, I deserve whatever happens.”

“We should go,” Hattie said, seeing his determination.

As they left the tavern, they saw Martha walking out. Her mood seemed unaffected. When she saw Clark, she raised an eyebrow and flashed a strange smile. “Clark, drinking with a servant? Quite the oddity.”

It was as if she hadn’t been involved in the scheme to trap him. Clark glanced at her but said nothing, walking out first.

Hattie led the horse to him. “You go ahead; I’ll ride in Martha’s carriage.”

Clark hesitated, glancing at Martha.

Martha smiled. “Sure, I don’t mind taking a servant along. I’m not so petty.” She waved a hand. “You go on ahead; it’s rare you’re going to the Parliamentary Library. Rest up, be careful on the horse, don’t fall off.”

Martha ordered a carriage. As Hattie started to get in, Martha blocked her, her expression cold and disdainful. “You little wretch, why should you ride in my carriage?”

Without a word, Hattie grabbed her by the collar and dragged her into the carriage. Turning to the stunned coachman, she ordered, “Let’s go.”

The coachman hesitated, glancing at Martha, who was struggling and shouting in fury. Martha snapped, “What are you looking at? Get her in and let’s go!”

A long sword pressed against the coachman’s arm, causing him to jump in fear. He quickly turned and cracked the whip.

Martha was about to shout, but Hattie seized her throat and said coldly, “Shut up, little brat. I’m warning you. You’re not worth Isolde’s time, but your whole family is like leeches, disgusting to the core. This is a warning. If there’s a next time, I’ll scar that pretty face of yours.”

Hattie released her and scoffed. Martha’s eyes flared with rage, her glare sharp. She seemed ready to tear Hattie apart with her gaze, but after a moment, she smiled, the fury fading. She placed a hand on Hattie’s shoulder. “How much did Isolde pay you? I’ll give you ten times that. Come work for me.”

Hattie sneered, “Save your breath.”

Martha shook her head. “Such a pity. I do admire you though.”

Hattie didn’t respond. If she couldn’t see through this game, she wouldn’t have lasted so long by Isolde’s side. Martha, sensing the lack of response, grew bored. Yet, her eyes sparked with competitive fire. A mocking, proud smile crept onto her lips. “In this world, nothing can’t be bought with money.” And she just so happened to have plenty of it.

Clark and Hattie returned to Duke’s estate soon after. Clark went directly to the Pearl Tower.

After narrowly escaping, he was overwhelmed by Isolde’s worried gaze. His emotions swelled, and he nearly choked on his words, his nose stinging with tears.

“Are you alright?” Isolde asked, noticing his dazed expression. She hadn’t seen Hattie return yet, so she didn’t know the full story. Seeing him standing there, she immediately grew anxious.

Clark, holding back his emotions, shook his head. “I’m fine.”

“Thank goodness,” Isolde said, her heart finally at ease. Noticing his disoriented eyes, she wondered if he’d been drugged. She helped him sit down, then called for Hazel to bring medicine. “Get the medicine from the general.”

Hazel responded and went inside, while Esme came in with water. “Drink some water first.”

Clark took the glass and silently held it for a moment. Then, looking around at the worried faces, he couldn’t hold back. He put the cup down and hugged Isolde, his voice breaking. “How could I be so foolish? How could I think they were really kind to me? How much did I crave their smiles? How could I be so pathetic?”

Isolde felt a pang in her heart. In her past life, hadn’t she been the same? No matter how much ill will they had shown her, as soon as they smiled at her, she believed they were sincere. She was as foolish as Clark.

“It will all be okay,” Isolde whispered, soothing him with a gentle pat on his shoulder.

Esme, who had once been critical of Clark, was now softening her stance. She’d wanted to scold him for being tricked, but after hearing his words, she sighed. As the eldest son of a concubine, with his real mother gone and his stepmother cruel, no wonder he yearned for affection. He might have known tonight was a trap, but his desperation made him willing to risk it.

Hazel returned with the medicine and handed it to Isolde. Isolde let go of Clark, pouring a pill into her palm. “Take this first. You can’t afford to be muddle-headed tomorrow when you go to the Parliamentary Library.”

Clark took the pill, swallowing it with the water Isolde provided. He felt warmth spread through him, the dizziness fading. His mind cleared, and he was instantly alert.

“What kind of medicine is this? It’s incredible!” Clark exclaimed, surprised by how quickly it worked.