Chapter 140: The Return of a Life

Faith collapsed, crying, “Nicole is going to die!”

The door creaked open, and Isolde, still in her nightclothes, rushed out. She grabbed Faith’s arm, asking, “What happened?” Seeing Isolde, Faith’s anger erupted. “You killed Nicole! You said you wouldn’t make things worse, but she hanged herself! She’s about to die, and now Prudence says not to call the doctor. Nicole is going to die because of you!”

Isolde’s heart sank. She immediately ordered, “Hattie, go fetch a doctor. Noelle, notify Geoffrey.” She hurried to her room, grabbed medicine, and rushed out, followed by Hazel and Esme, awakened by the commotion. Faith ran after them.

Isolde found Vance in the Wyngor Chamber corridor, a picture of sorrow and helplessness. Entering the room, she saw Prudence, stern-faced, and Priscilla, sobbing uncontrollably beside Nicole. Priscilla stormed toward Isolde. “You wretched girl! How dare you come here? I’ll kill you! You’ve killed her!”

Isolde’s gaze darkened. She kicked Priscilla in the stomach. Priscilla crashed to the ground, crying out in pain. Prudence sprang up, enraged, glaring at Isolde. “How dare you?! You strike your elders? What’s next? Will you hit me too?”

Isolde pushed Prudence aside; Hattie caught her, preventing a fall. Their coordinated movements ensured Prudence couldn’t blame Isolde for any mishap.

Isolde swiftly went to Nicole’s bedside. Nicole lay under a thin blanket, her face showing dark purple bruises from strangulation. Isolde pulled back the blanket to reveal black and purple rope marks on her neck. Nicole’s breath was faint. Isolde took out her last Consumption Pill—a vital medicine to stimulate blood flow and restore energy—her final hope to keep Nicole alive until the doctor arrived.

“Hattie, bring some water,” Isolde commanded. The pill needed to be dissolved and force-fed to Nicole.

Priscilla seethed, “What are you giving her?”

Isolde dissolved the pill, gently lifted Nicole’s head, and administered the liquid. As Priscilla rushed to stop her, Isolde expertly kicked a low table toward her, forcing Priscilla to jump back. Hattie helped Nicole lie down, taking the empty bowl from Isolde and giving Priscilla a cold, piercing glance. Startled by Hattie’s murderous look, Priscilla stepped back, trembling. “What do you want?”

“The Pearl Tower is nothing more than a den of thieves,” Hattie hissed. “You’re her mother, aren’t you? Prudence told you not to call for a doctor, and you obeyed her? What kind of mother are you? You should die for your incompetence. Maybe if you suffocated yourself with your own spit, you’d save everyone the trouble.”

Priscilla, enraged, was speechless.

Isolde fanned Nicole, muttering curses. “Look at you. You’d rather die than face your problems? I was abandoned at the estate, left to suffer alone, but I survived. Whoever wronged you, you could’ve fought back. Suicide is no answer.”

Isolde’s words were harsh, but she felt guilty. She knew she was partly responsible; the situation had spiraled out of control. She’d expected Nicole to be stronger, never imagining her fragility.

Hazel soon arrived with the doctor, accompanied by Anthony. Isolde had almost forgotten him. Hazel explained, “It’s late, and the doctor wasn’t at the clinic. I didn’t know where he lived. Fortunately, I ran into Collin and Anthony, who knew the doctor’s whereabouts. Anthony carried him here on his back.”

The elderly doctor skillfully used acupuncture, swiftly inserting needles along Nicole’s neck. Nicole stirred, coughing weakly before slowly opening her eyes.

Priscilla rushed to her side, slapping Nicole. “You foolish girl! You scared your mother to death! How could you be so rebellious? After everything, you still tried to die!” She slapped and then hugged Nicole, crying uncontrollably.

Isolde, about to retaliate, hesitated, seeing Priscilla’s deep grief.

Nicole’s eyes were filled with pain and resentment. She stared at Isolde, her gaze shifting from sorrow to pure hatred.

The doctor sighed, “She’s alive.”

Prudence, unexpectedly relieved yet frustrated, felt a simmering anger.

Geoffrey, having waited outside, left upon hearing Nicole was fine. Hattie saw the doctor off; Anthony also left. Prudence thanked Anthony.

Anthony glared. “Your wine isn’t worth my time. You’re a malicious old woman. I still haven’t forgotten the debt from before. If you cross me again, I’ll throw shit at you.” He stormed out, ignoring Isolde.

Prudence, furious, realized Isolde had trapped her. Isolde coldly told Hazel, “Clear the room. Only those who need to be here stay. I have some words for her.”

Hazel nodded, bowing exaggeratedly to Prudence. “Prudence, please leave. It’s late; you should rest.”

Prudence’s anger flashed, but she suppressed it. She went to Nicole. “Rest now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”