Chapter 150: Another Broken Engagement

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Isolde returned from a garden walk with Leonis to find Harlan approaching. With a playful smile, she teased, “Harlan, did you know I was enjoying sweet cakes at The Pearl Tower today?”

Harlan, without smiling, replied, “Sweet cakes can wait. Pablo is here.”

Isolde blinked in surprise. “Pablo? Didn’t he just return to Argentum?”

“Yes, he’s here. Your father is with him. Please, go meet him.” Harlan moved closer and whispered, “Pablo likely wants to discuss the engagement again. William is unsuitable—agree to nothing.”

Isolde nodded in understanding. “Of course, I wouldn’t marry him anyway.”

She quickly changed clothes and left with Noelle and Britney.

In the main hall, Pablo was earnestly apologizing to Geoffrey. As Isolde entered, Pablo remained visibly angry, his face flushed with resentment as he recalled the previous night’s events.

Isolde composed herself, straightened, and walked in briskly. She bowed gracefully, saying, “Isolde greets Pablo and congratulates you on your great victory and triumphant return.”

She wore a simple, elegant green silk gown, her hair in a modest bun, giving her a fresh and wholesome appearance. Her face was bare of makeup, yet her bright eyes shone with genuine joy.

Geoffrey watched her—what a lovely, intelligent girl she was. It pained him to consider how unfairly she had been treated, falsely accused, and now rejected by a man incapable of appreciating her. Pablo, filled with shame, felt responsible for the tragedies she had endured.

He expected a sorrowful, despondent Isolde, but to his surprise, she remained cheerful and full of life.

“Isolde, I’ve come to apologize,” Pablo said solemnly.

Isolde understood Pablo’s temperament; he didn't apologize easily, and his early morning visit clearly indicated genuine regret. She felt no anger towards him, as he was not the one who had wronged her.

Before she could respond, Geoffrey interjected, “Pablo, why apologize to a younger generation? She doesn’t need it.”

Pablo stared seriously at Geoffrey. “No, when one is wrong, one must admit it. What difference does her age make? Even the young can feel hurt.”

Isolde smiled lightly. “Pablo, I accept your apology.”

The matter seemed settled.

“Isolde, be bold,” Geoffrey reprimanded.

Isolde smiled at her father. “Father, please have the servants prepare breakfast. Let’s dine with Pablo and hear him recount the glorious details of his campaign.”

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It had been a long time since she had smiled at Geoffrey. Their meetings were usually marked by coldness and indifference, but today, her demeanor held warmth. Geoffrey, despite his usual aloofness, felt a strange warmth in his chest. He found comfort in following her request—strange indeed.

Pablo looked at Isolde, his heart filled with admiration and regret. He sighed, “Isolde, don’t worry. I arranged this engagement, and only I can annul it. Anything anyone else said doesn't count.”

Isolde smiled. “Pablo, only you can annul the engagement, but we can also break it off. If what they said doesn’t matter, or if you’re uneasy, I can ask my father to approach the Valen family tomorrow and cancel it. What do you think?”

Pablo was surprised by her gracious smile, devoid of resentment. Her words revealed she no longer wished to marry into the Valen family.

“Ah, it seems fate is not on our side.” Pablo sighed softly. “Of course, it’s best if Geoffrey cancels the engagement, but I still regret it. I had hoped we could be one big family.”

Isolde, smiling gently, said, “Perhaps that chance existed once, but honestly, and I hope you don’t take offense—I cannot marry William.”

Pablo’s face flushed with anger. He barked, “That ungrateful son of mine—he knows nothing of what he’s missed!”

“Don’t worry,” Isolde said soothingly. “I know you punished him last night. He needn't apologize. Since the engagement failed, I prefer we have no ill feelings.”

“Does he dare?” Pablo growled, eyes flashing. “Let me deal with him.”

Isolde, touched by his willingness to defend her, smiled. “I’m happy you care enough to do this. How others view me, and what they do, doesn’t matter to me.”

Pablo, moved by her words, had an idea. He slapped his thigh excitedly. “If you can’t be my daughter-in-law, would you consider being my goddaughter?”

Isolde froze. Oliver was his son. What would that make her?

She instinctively shook her head.

Pablo, taken aback, asked, “You don’t want to?”

Isolde smiled meaningfully. “Do you know the Langley family has canceled their engagement?”

Pablo froze. “The Langley family canceled? Geoffrey, where did this come from?”

“Oliver was engaged to Arthur’s sister, Cristina, but Cristina canceled it.”

“Oliver was engaged?” Pablo was surprised. He knew Arthur was his son-in-law, but he’d only seen Cristina twice, and she always seemed cold and condescending. How could she be worth…

“She made the right choice,” Pablo said. “If I were around, I never would have agreed to that engagement. But what does this have to do with wanting to adopt you as my goddaughter?” Oliver?

As Pablo spoke, he suddenly understood. A smile spread across his face as realization dawned. He wasn’t just left with William; he had Oliver.

With growing excitement, he asked, “You’re agreeing to Oliver, then?”

Isolde quickly glanced at the door, seeing Geoffrey about to enter. She whispered, “Let’s discuss this when he returns.”

“Alright, alright,” Pablo said eagerly.

Geoffrey entered and was immediately struck by Pablo’s changed demeanor. The fury had vanished, replaced by lightness and joy. He shot a curious glance at Isolde. What had she said to make Pablo so happy?

Isolde felt uneasy. She wasn’t sure if Oliver had been serious, but she would seize the opportunity. If good things were within her reach, she wouldn’t let them slip away. She had died once and returned to life; this time, she would live better, happier.

Pablo, filled with joy and regret, could only think one thing—he had another chance to right the wrongs.