Chapter 131: Reporting to the Authorities

Prudence, visibly upset, said, “Enough. Be quiet.” She stood and ordered, “Send for Geoffrey.”

Geoffrey, unaware of the night's events, had been irritated earlier during dinner. He retreated to the study and read to calm down, a method Prunella had taught him to manage his temper. Normally, Geoffrey, a martial artist, would have exercised or walked to relieve stress. But since Prunella's passing, he followed her advice.

When the maid arrived, he had regained his composure. “Geoffrey, Prudence requests your presence,” the maid said.

Thinking Prudence would gently address the dinner incident, he replied, “Has she not rested yet? I’ll go immediately.”

“Something has happened. Prudence wishes to discuss it with you,” the maid replied.

“Something happened? What is it?” Geoffrey paused, his first thought going to Isolde. “Is Isolde causing trouble again?”

“I’m not sure. Just go to her first,” the maid replied.

That was why the maid kept her response vague. Geoffrey immediately donned his robe and went to Blesertin with Harlan. The house was brightly lit upon their arrival.

Vance, previously quiet, no longer dared maintain his haughty demeanor, especially with his son in the authorities’ hands. “Geoffrey, you must help Braden,” Vance urgently grasped Geoffrey’s arm, begging.

Geoffrey bowed to Prudence. “Greetings, Mother.”

Prudence nodded, her expression stern. “Geoffrey, you must go to the authorities. Braden is in trouble and injured.”

“Braden’s with the authorities? Injured? Was it a fight?” Geoffrey asked, startled but relieved it wasn’t Isolde.

“We don’t know the full details yet. You must go to the authorities,” Prudence said.

Geoffrey agreed. “Alright, I’ll go immediately.”

As he left, he heard Priscilla mutter, “It’s clear now, isn’t it? That the illegitimate son can never outshine the legitimate one?”

Prudence’s expression darkened, and her earlier irritation resurfaced. He sensed this involved Clark. As Geoffrey left, Prudence hardened her expression. “Get Martha here to clarify things.”

“Mother, what’s to clarify? We should question that illegitimate son directly. It’s clear he’s been scheming, and it’s all tied to the Pearl Tower,” Priscilla snapped angrily.

Prudence, furious, retorted, “How do you propose to question him? Make him kneel and apologize for not being clever enough to frame someone? Humiliate him further? Before your return from Caclmount, you weren’t this reckless. What happened to you? You’ve become a fool.”

Priscilla winced at Prudence’s sharp reprimand, then sulked, saying, “I thought we had everything under control. But now, that little tramp does as she pleases. She’s even become County Princess, while Nicole and Martha remain simply Vance’s daughters. How could I stand by?”

“If you have so many complaints, then pack your things and leave!” Prudence’s patience snapped. She had never spoken such words before.

Vance’s palm struck Priscilla’s face, his voice laced with fury. “You fool! Apologize to Mother at once!”

Priscilla’s heart shattered. The injustice was unbearable. Tears flowed as she sobbed.

Prudence, exasperated, waved at Vance. “Take her away.”

Priscilla fell to her knees, wailing, “I won’t cause trouble anymore! Mother, I was wrong!”

Prudence eyed her sniveling daughter-in-law, anger simmering beneath the surface. Yet, she swallowed it down. Vance couldn't divorce her—that would only invite ridicule.

“Isolde may be a County Princess, but she was raised in a manor, nothing but a wild girl. How could she compare to your daughters? And yet, you’re already fretting over who will have the brighter future? No one knows what fate holds. If you play your cards right, your daughters could marry into noble houses, and then you’d have the last laugh. Why waste your energy seething with jealousy? Now get up.” Prudence’s voice was steady, laced with heavy meaning.

“Yes, I understand.” Priscilla sniffled, wiping her tears before rising.

Just then, Martha was summoned. She entered in a flowing white nightgown, her hair cascading down her back, her face looking pure and obedient. She yawned. “Grandmother, what’s wrong?”

Priscilla glared. “You dare ask what’s wrong? Do you even know what happened to Clark? Weren’t you at the tavern with him? How is it that you’re here sleeping soundly while he’s in trouble?”

Martha nodded nonchalantly. “Yes, I went with him. But my job was just to take him there. It wouldn’t be proper for me to linger, so I came home early.”

Priscilla jabbed a finger at her forehead. “You wicked girl! How could you just leave your brother alone? Do you have any idea what’s happened to him?”

Martha blinked, confused. “Something happened? What could possibly happen? Clark had friends with him, didn’t he?”

Prudence watched her granddaughter carefully. Clever as a fox, she likely knew exactly what had transpired but was too afraid to admit it.

“Both of you, leave,” Prudence instructed Vance and Priscilla. “I’ll speak with her.”

Priscilla dared not disobey. Besides, she still had a score to settle with Vance for the slap. Grabbing his arm, she stormed out. Once they were gone, Prudence turned to Martha. “Shut the door.”

Martha obeyed, then stood before her grandmother, hands clasped, a trace of unease flickering across her face.

“Don’t bother playing the innocent act,” Prudence said dryly. “Do you think I can’t see through you? Now, speak. What really happened tonight?”

Martha giggled, then trotted to Prudence, clinging to her arm with a playful pout. “Grandmother, you really are the sharpest. I knew I couldn’t fool you. But if I had told the truth just now, Mother would’ve skinned me alive! You know how biased she is.”

“She dotes on Clark too much,” Prudence said, shaking her head. It was no wonder the children didn’t listen to Priscilla. “Now tell me what really happened? Speak freely. I won’t hold it against you.”

Martha met her grandmother’s gaze. “Grandmother, aren’t you angry about what happened tonight? I thought you wouldn’t allow us to deal with Clark. You’ve always liked him, haven’t you?”