Chapter 177 The Eve of the Explosion

Everything Isolde entrusted to Collin was handled flawlessly. Vincenzo, on the night Isolde left Argentum, was already taken away by Hattie. Neither knew what was happening in Argentum. Following Collin’s instructions, Garrett sent his men southward in pursuit. His soldiers were trained for swift movement, and if Braden had truly gone south, they would surely catch up with him.

Miraculously, Prudence seemed to recover after Braden’s death. While fully healed would be an exaggeration, she could stand and walk a few steps in the courtyard. With Blesertin burned to the ground, she temporarily moved into Caraston Chamber but had a new sign made that read “Blesertin” and placed it in front of her new home, replacing the Caraston Chamber sign. In essence, she was still living in Blesertin. The estate and shops had all been sold, and the money was securely in her hands.

One day, she called Geoffrey to meet her. “This Duke’s estate… I can’t stay here any longer. Everything here is a painful reminder, a stab to the heart. I’ll return to Caelmont for a while. After I leave, someone must manage this place. Let Matilda handle it. It’s all in the past. She did give you a son and a daughter, after all,” Prudence said, her face full of sorrow.

Geoffrey stared at her, dumbfounded. “You’re leaving?”

Prudence’s tears flowed again. “If I don’t die, I might as well leave. With Braden gone, my heart is half-dead too. The Langley family was always destined to lose one. Now that it’s him, I’ll accept it. But how can I stay here when he died trying to protect me? I know you’re dutiful. After I leave, don’t take Nicole and Martha with you. Let them stay here and let you handle their marriages. Once everything is settled, write to me and arrange for their parents to come and take them back.”

Geoffrey, knowing how much she loved Braden, understood her grief. He nodded solemnly. “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll take care of the girls’ marriages.”

Prudence gave a brief nod, her voice softening. “As for Clark, if he can still return to the Parliamentary Library, see what you can do. But Vance’s son is dead, so forget about the adoption. Just inform the family. He still calls you ‘uncle,’ doesn’t he?”

Geoffrey replied quietly, “Yes.”

Prudence’s tone turned mournful again. “Braden never married, so don’t make a big deal of his funeral. Find a quiet spot and bury him there. The two servants who died with him should be buried alongside him to keep him company.”

Geoffrey looked at her, surprised. “You won’t wait to bury Braden first?”

Prudence wiped her tears, shaking her head. “No, I can’t wait. How could I, the mother, bury my son? I have a frail body. I have it because Braden died to save me. Though I have no desire to live, I cannot let it be in vain.”

Geoffrey felt a pang of sorrow deep in his chest. “Also, Isolde… her fate is uncertain. But I doubt she’ll survive. Don’t blame yourself. This is her destiny. The day she dies, she’ll take Braden with her. You say it’s not her fault, but I don’t believe you. When she dies, I will be at peace. How do you explain that?”

Geoffrey felt as though something had closed in on his chest, making it difficult to breathe. Was she really dead? She had just disappeared, and it seemed impossible for her to survive. She was dead. And yet… why did it hurt so much?

He slowly stood and walked out. Once again, the wind was fierce, howling through the courtyard, whipping the leaves into a wild dance. He felt utterly lost, as though his heart had disappeared entirely, leaving him hollow.

Walking to the Pearl Tower, he paused for a moment outside, then entered slowly. Britney, holding a lantern, rushed out. Seeing him, she bowed, quickly hiding the disappointment in her eyes. “Geoffrey.”

“What are you doing here?” Geoffrey asked, but before Britney could respond, he walked right past her and into the house. The yard, the room, the tables, chairs—all of it was unchanged. This was where he and Prunella’s daughter had lived, the only link between them in this world. She had been wild, arrogant, rude, with a sharp glare that could pierce anyone. And now, she was dead.

Geoffrey sank into a chair, a pain rising in his chest, slow and unrelenting. He shouldn’t care about her life or death. The girl who had been abandoned to the estate from birth was nothing but a demon who consumed her mother’s life. But the pain hit him nonetheless, as if a wave had suddenly struck him. Braden was dead. Prudence was leaving. All the turmoil was coming to an end. And she was dead too. Am I truly so heartless? Am I truly a cold man? No, not to anyone. Not to anyone except Isolde.

“I am my mother’s treasure, brought back with her life. I will live well.” He could almost hear her defiant declaration ringing in his ears. It was true; her death couldn’t bring Prunella back. It was true—her death left him with no reason or strength to keep going.

Garrett’s men had searched for three or four days but found no trace of Isolde. Instead, they discovered the carriage at the bottom of the river. The carriage was empty. The court had sent their own people to search along the route—alive or dead, they demanded to see proof. The people of Carival Town claimed that if Isolde had fallen from Wamond Vale, her body would be lost forever. There was a great whirlpool at the base, which led straight to the river of the underworld. Surely, the County Princess of Cromwell and her servants had been swept away by it. Though this theory was far-fetched, after so many days of searching with no results, most people believed. Isolde’s chances of survival were zero.

Meanwhile, Garrett’s three sons had finally arrived in Argentum. They had been traveling with him but had delayed their arrival by going to Brewler Camp. Kolton Sharp, who was much like Garrett, was hot-headed. When he heard about Isolde’s disappearance, he immediately wanted to confront Geoffrey. But Garrett talked him down.

Kolton looked at his father in confusion. “You’ve always been quick-tempered. Why are you holding back now?”

Garrett’s eyes burned with anger. It was clear he was barely holding himself together. “Your mother has plans. Don’t rush into things. If we disrupt her strategy, we might set her back years. With your sister’s death, she’s never been able to truly let go. If she can handle this herself, maybe she’ll finally find peace.”

The three sons knew how much Garrett cared for Natasha, and hearing that she already had a plan put them at ease. When Natasha decided to act, she left no room for negotiation. As for Geoffrey, from now on, they would not acknowledge him. If they didn’t kill him, it would be for Prunella’s sake.

Natasha had brought Marley and Ryker to the Sharp family. Through Ryker, Natasha learned more about Isolde’s time at the Duke’s estate. Sadie came daily to administer acupuncture to Marley and Prudence. Though Prudence had fallen ill several times, each time, she forced herself to get back on her feet. Thankfully, after several sessions of acupuncture, her condition slowly improved. Prudence’s endurance was something even Collin couldn’t help but admire.