Chapter 165: Go Ask Pablo Yourself

Geoffrey rarely entered Isolde’s chambers. When he did, it was always brief and to the point. The longest he had spent there was when she was injured, and she had expressed a desire to return to Windermoun, missing the peaceful days she had spent there. That was when she had cried. But since then, he had never seen her shed a tear for herself. The only time he had seen her cry was when she looked at Prunella’s portrait in his room, but that was not about her own sorrow.

Geoffrey suddenly realized that this daughter of his was incredibly stubborn. He knew so little about her.

“Is something wrong?” Isolde’s voice broke through his thoughts as she noticed him sitting there, staring into space.

Geoffrey straightened his posture. “Your grandmother is very ill. Do you know?”

Isolde’s tone was nonchalant. “I’ve heard.”

“You haven’t gone to see her?”

Isolde’s gaze was distant. “She doesn’t want to see me. If I go, I’d only make her angry, and that would do her no good.”

Her indifference stung Geoffrey. His voice rose slightly. “There may have been many unpleasant things between you two in the past, but she’s gravely ill now. You should put that aside. As her granddaughter, it’s your duty to serve her while she’s bedridden. Not doing so would be unfilial.”

“I accept the charge of being unfilial,” Isolde replied lazily, without a care.

Geoffrey was taken aback, his frustration boiling over. He knew that speaking to her in this way was pointless, so he decided to get straight to the point. “The doctor said she doesn’t have much longer. Braden is still in prison, and it’s unlikely he’ll be able to come to see her. You should ask Pablo. He has influence with the High Magistracy of Argentum. If he can arrange for Braden to come back for a day or two, it would fulfill your grandmother’s last wish.”

Isolde rejected him outright, without hesitation. “I won’t ask. You know Pablo; you go to him yourself.”

Geoffrey’s face grew darker, his patience thinning. He slammed his hand on the table. “If I could ask, I wouldn’t have come to you.”

Isolde raised an eyebrow. “So you admit it’s something shameful. You care about your face, but I don’t.”

Geoffrey found it exhausting to speak with her; no matter what he said, it always resulted in a retort.

“Pablo values you. You saved his life. The day you called off the engagement, Pablo told everyone you should marry Oliver. Clearly, he cares about you more than anyone else.”

Isolde froze. “He said that… in front of everyone? Who was there?”

She hadn’t paid much attention to the details of the engagement annulment. It had all seemed like a formality to her.

Geoffrey nodded. “On the day the engagement was annulled, Pablo invited many guests—officials and nobles. He publicly declared that once Oliver returned, he would finalize the engagement between you two. Pablo clearly holds you in high regard. All I’m asking is that you do him this one favor—go ask…”

Isolde looked at him coldly. “Prudence has always been in good health. Suddenly, she’s this sick. Have you considered why?”

Geoffrey sighed deeply. “It’s probably because of your brother’s engagement. That day, when Jonathan and his wife came to propose, she fainted.”

Isolde’s eyes narrowed. “It’s a good thing she fainted, yet she still fainted. Isn’t that strange?”

Geoffrey frowned, realizing she was accusing Prudence of being petty. He could feel his temper rising. “I know what you’re implying—you think your grandmother is narrow-minded and can’t tolerate… Everyone is selfish, Isolde. In the past, I often clashed with her because of your mother. Looking back, I know I was wrong in many ways. Maybe that’s why she feels I’m not as good as a biological son. She wasn’t like this before.”

Isolde’s expression softened as she listened, and then it became clear to her—Geoffrey wasn’t just frustrated by Prudence’s illness; he was breaking down himself.

She answered coolly, “I won’t ask Pablo. You all figure it out yourselves.”

Geoffrey was incensed. “You stubborn girl, why are you so difficult?”

“I am who I am,” Isolde said, rising from her seat. “I have matters to attend to. Geoffrey, please.”

Geoffrey, thinking their relationship had improved, was taken aback by her coldness. She wouldn’t even call him father. He could no longer hold back his anger. “Isolde, how did your mother end up with such a cold, selfish daughter like you? You’re nothing like her. You’ve brought her nothing but shame. If she were alive, she would have been dutiful.”

Isolde remained silent, her expression as frozen as ever.

Geoffrey glared at her, his frustration mounting. Realizing that continuing would be pointless, he stormed out, his anger burning.

As soon as Geoffrey left, Esme entered, frowning. “What’s wrong with Geoffrey again?”

Isolde glanced at her coolly. “He’s hopelessly confused.”

“Do you think he’ll go to Pablo himself?” Esme asked.

“To fulfill his filial duty, of course he will,” Isolde answered with a hint of cynicism.

Esme’s frown deepened. “Foolish.”

As Esme had predicted, Geoffrey did indeed go to Pablo. And to make matters worse, he did so under Isolde’s name.

When Pablo learned that Prudence was critically ill, he immediately understood the situation surrounding Braden. Geoffrey, of course, was careful not to reveal everything. He only said that the issue with Jocelyn had been a misunderstanding, and that the fight with Kameron was a lapse in judgment.

Pablo listened, then paused before responding. “Alright, go back and tell Isolde not to worry. I’ll visit the High Magistracy of Argentum myself.”

Geoffrey was overjoyed, rising to bow deeply. “Thank you, Pablo.”

Pablo waved him off. “No need for thanks. This is nothing. You’re a loyal man. After all that’s happened, just settle things and make amends. The High Magistracy of Argentum won’t be too harsh if no one objects.”

Geoffrey awkwardly cleared his throat. “Well… I just thought the kid could use some discipline. But I didn’t expect it to make my mother so sick.”

Pablo’s expression turned serious. “I understand. I agree with your approach. But for now, let Prudence rest easy. I’ll go to the High Magistracy of Argentum immediately.”

“Alright, I’ll await good news from you,” Geoffrey said, bowing again.

True to his word, Pablo wasted no time. As soon as Geoffrey left, Pablo made his way to the High Magistracy of Argentum. However, when Tyler heard the details of the case, his anger flared. “So Braden really is such a degenerate? Trying to harm his own brother? That’s unforgivable.”

“Yes, he’s been charged with indecency and fighting. It’s only because Clark didn’t pursue it further,” Tyler added in a low voice.

“Does Geoffrey know?” Pablo immediately asked.

Tyler hesitated before replying, “If he wants to know, he can find out. But… the Duke’s family, well, it’s complicated. Geoffrey isn’t malicious, but he’s been used by others.”

Pablo thought for a moment before responding. “This time, Isolde asked me, and she has saved my life. Plus, I owe her for the engagement annulment. Tyler, you’ll need to be flexible. Let him go back for a few days, and I’ll take full responsibility if anything goes wrong.”

Tyler sighed. “If a respected elder guarantees it, it’s possible to let him return for a few days. But we’ll need you to write a guarantee letter.”

“Write it,” Pablo said, nodding.