Chapter 130: Bad Luck for the Legitimate Son

+8 Pearls

Isolde replied calmly, “This is the medicine Oliver gave me. It counteracts the poison and clears the mind.”

Clark looked at her, saying, “This Oliver seems very kind to you.”

Isolde smiled. “Yes, he is.”

Indeed, Oliver had always been kind to her. From their first reckless act to saving lives at Wolf Mountain, their bond was forged through life-or-death experiences. She wondered what had happened to him. Doug had gone to Zloimond, and she had no way of knowing. It left her feeling sad.

At that moment, Hattie returned. Entering the room, she sneered, “They’ve harmed themselves and others. Serves that bastard right.”

Isolde asked, “What happened?”

Hattie sat down and said angrily, “Those bastards, that brother and sister, tried to ruin Clark’s reputation. They brought in a brothel girl to drug and accompany him, planning to catch them in the act. I thought I could just beat them up and rescue him, but that little bastard went to the bathroom alone. I knocked him out, dragged him back to the room, and swapped him for Clark. Then I beat that woman up. Now, that little bastard is beaten to a pulp, and a crowd has gathered. His reputation is ruined, and within three days, all of Argentum will know.”

The group listened, feeling a great sense of satisfaction.

Isolde looked at Clark and said, “Clark, your grandmother will certainly investigate this. When she asks, tell her you were drunk and don’t remember anything. I’ll take responsibility for this.”

Clark shook his head. “No, Isolde, I’m not afraid. At most, I’ll move out.”

“Don’t be foolish,” Isolde replied, shaking her head. “You’ve just started your position, and now there’s a scandal at home. This will definitely affect your reputation. You’re a scholar, and they care deeply about propriety.”

Esme added, “Yes, Clark, listen to the County Princess. You really shouldn’t get involved in this. Prudence has always had it in for the County Princess. One more issue or one less makes no difference.”

Clark’s eyes welled up with tears, and he looked at Isolde, his emotions overflowing. He didn’t know what to say.

Isolde gently spoke, “Clark, siblings should look out for each other. Don’t say anything more. Go rest now.”

Clark reluctantly nodded. “Alright, I’ll go back. But I want to say one thing—if you ever need me, I’ll risk everything for you.”

Isolde smiled warmly. “I will definitely need your help in the future.”

Clark sighed deeply. “Then I’ll go now.”

“Go rest, and if Grandmother asks, just say you know nothing.”

Hattie looked surprised for a moment. Isolde subtly pulled Hattie aside and said to Clark, “Go on, quickly.”

Clark nodded. “I’m going now.”

The group watched as Clark left, his figure radiating loneliness and sadness.

Fame sighed quietly, turning to Hattie. “How is it not a matter of saving his life? If his reputation is ruined, how will he survive? Scholars are especially petty about such things.”

Hattie blinked in confusion. “Why do scholars think like this? If someone harms you, shouldn’t you seek revenge? Why would anyone think of dying first? I don’t get it.”

Isolde said softly, “I wanted to tell him what Prudence said, but I couldn’t bring myself to. Forget it, we’ll talk later. If I tell him now, it would be good for him to understand who’s truly in his corner, and not to fall for wolves disguised as family. Sometimes, it’s better to be harsh and speak the truth.”

Hattie said, “Actually, when I saw him staring out the window at that scene, I felt really sorry for him. He knows that if I hadn’t come, he would’ve been the one beaten and humiliated.”

Hattie then suddenly spat, “Martha, that little bitch, is truly shameless. I rode back with her, and she acted like nothing happened, smiling innocently at Clark, even asking if I wanted to go with her.”

“Even if you went, she wouldn’t use you. She just wants to cut off the County Princess’s support,” Esme said coldly.

“Such shameless people exist?” Hazel’s temper flared again.

“Indeed,” Hattie said.

Esme was stunned. “What kind of family are these people?”

“Not human,” Hattie and Hazel said simultaneously.

Isolde raised her hands in exasperation, unable to speak.

“By the way, what’s going on at the tavern?” Isolde suddenly remembered.

Hattie shrugged. “I don’t know. Kameron was ruthless. The tavern probably reported to the authorities since they were afraid it would turn deadly.”

“Report to the authorities? That would make things worse,” Isolde mused. “Since Clark’s involved, it’s better if they don’t report it.”

“Should I go check?” Hazel asked.

“No rush,” Isolde said. “Even if they report it, it will take until tomorrow to clear things up. We can’t rush to the scene or the authorities right now. Besides, if they report it, Prudence won’t sit idly by. We’ll just wait and see.”

Esme smiled approvingly. “The County Princess is much calmer now.”

Isolde glanced at the corner where her basket of embroidered eggs sat. “Can’t I be calm? All those sharp corners eventually round off like eggs.”

Esme chuckled, clearly pleased with herself.

Indeed, the tavern had reported to the authorities.

Kameron, furious and unable to drag Braden away, had the tavern worry that someone might die. They reported to the authorities and waited. By the time the authorities arrived, the two men had already parted ways, but Braden was badly beaten—his head swollen, eyes swollen shut, lips split, and nose crooked.

Kameron, who had followed Braden, had eaten well at his expense, but Braden’s venomous personality had made him treat his sycophants poorly. Without any advantages, no one wanted to associate with him. But the resentment had built up over time. When Kameron saw Braden hurting his woman instead of using her to frame Clark, he snapped. Braden fought back at first, but when Kameron pinned him down and started landing punches, Braden could do nothing but take the blows. This is how he ended up with such severe injuries.

The two men, along with Jocelynn, were taken to the authorities. Since Braden was seriously injured, the authorities called a doctor to treat him and also sent word to the Duke’s estate.

When Priscilla learned that her son had been severely beaten and was in the authorities’ custody, she immediately pointed the finger at Clark. “It must be him. He went with Braden tonight, and now Braden is in trouble. Where is he?”

Prudence, pale-faced, said, “Don’t you think you should go find Clark and bring him to the authorities? Are you really happy only when your son’s life is at risk?”

Priscilla cried, “Mother, look, he hasn’t even started his official duties yet, and now Braden is in trouble. The illegitimate son can’t get ahead. If he does, my legitimate son will suffer. If this is the case, I might as well take my child back to my family.”