The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 284: Speak Carefully

Finished

Once someone began speaking, others naturally joined in, their words dripping with sarcasm and venom. Patricia seethed with anger as she listened to their remarks. But Natasha remained calm. She walked over to Margaret and looked at her. Given their difference in seniority, Margaret stood to greet her. “Mrs. Langley, I truly apologize!”

The moment Margaret stood, Natasha thrust her cane between Margaret’s feet, forcing her to step aside. Natasha then bumped her hip against Margaret, pushing her out of the way before sitting down in her place. Margaret had been sitting in the main seat, so when Natasha took her place, she was now at the center of the room. Her sharp gaze swept across the room, taking in all the gossiping faces.

Everyone was shocked by how brazenly Natasha had taken the host’s seat. But Margaret remained composed. “Mrs. Langley, you are of higher seniority and hold the title of First Rank Lady. Please, take your seat.” With that, she found a side seat for herself and sat down gracefully, maintaining her dignified demeanor. The onlookers praised Margaret for her magnanimity and poise.

Natasha waited until the chatter died down before addressing Margaret, who sat with a serene expression. “Let’s go through the betrothal gifts you sent today. What’s missing?”

Margaret smiled gently. “Mrs. Langley, is there something you’re dissatisfied with? Please let us know, and the Valen family will do our best to accommodate.”

“No!” Natasha refused outright. “I dare not trouble you. I’m here today to return these betrothal gifts.”

“How can that be?” Margaret was taken aback. “There’s no such thing as returning betrothal gifts unless the engagement is called off. Are you saying…”

Lillian interjected sharply, “Call off the engagement? This is a marriage decreed by the King!”

Natasha’s eyes turned cold. “Just because the King decreed it doesn’t mean I can’t call it off. If it’s not a good match, even if God himself decreed it, I would still call it off. With the way your family has behaved, I’ve never seen anything like it. Sending roosters for the betrothal ceremony? No betrothal cakes among the gifts? What’s the meaning of this? Explain it to me. What kind of logic is this?”

Margaret apologized, “Mrs. Langley, I already explained to Patricia earlier that this was just an oversight due to the rush. The betrothal cakes were accidentally left out. As for the betrothal ceremony, we sent wild geese…”

Natasha cut her off sharply. “Are you blind, or am I? Were those wild geese or roosters just now? Didn’t you see clearly? Countless eyes witnessed your family sending roosters. Did you think that because the Langley family currently has no hostess to oversee things, you could bully and humiliate us like this? Whether you sent wild geese or roosters can easily be verified once Pablo returns. As for the betrothal gifts, I can’t accept such oversights. The betrothal cakes should have been sent first. You have married off a daughter before; surely your family has hosted many weddings. Don’t you know the basics? If you are too foolish to…”

…Are you treating my granddaughter with such disrespect, or are you disrespecting the King? If you don’t give me a proper explanation today, my granddaughter will not marry into your family!”

Natasha’s relentless questioning left Margaret visibly shaken.

The final statement about calling off the wedding, though it aligned with Margaret’s secret wishes, was something she dared not entertain. If the wedding were canceled over the betrothal gifts, especially since it was a royal decree, how could that be allowed?

From the moment Natasha had entered, Margaret knew things had escalated. But she had thought that with her numbers and her preemptive storytelling, the Sharp family wouldn’t have the upper hand. Besides, would Natasha really go so far as to call off the wedding? Wouldn’t that humiliate her own granddaughter? Isolde’s reputation was already tarnished. If this escalated further, even if the wedding proceeded, the shame would be unbearable. Any family that valued their reputation and dignity wouldn’t act this way.

Natasha, coming from a merchant background, was simply too crude in her methods. Margaret had deliberately caused this trouble, but if it reached Pablo or even the King, she would be in deep trouble. Therefore, she planned to make peace.

But before she could speak, Lillian burst into laughter. “I’ve never seen a family like this. Just because the betrothal gifts weren’t perfect, you bring armed guards to make a scene. Who would dare marry your granddaughter? Isn’t it normal for families to negotiate until everything is settled? The Langley and Sharp families are bullying us too much. First, you throw out the gift bearers, then you storm into our home to make a scene. You have no shame, but we, the Hanson family, still have our dignity. At your age, you don’t even understand basic decency. How embarrassing!”

This was no longer a discussion; it was a personal attack. Natasha’s face darkened, and she slammed her cane on the ground. Immediately, soldiers entered and marched straight toward Lillian.

Lillian, unafraid, shouted angrily, “What? Do you dare lay a hand on me? Do you believe I…”

Before she could finish, her words turned into a scream as a soldier grabbed her and dragged her out, throwing her onto the threshold. Lillian’s scream turned into a howl of pain. “Ah! My back! How dare you Sharp family attack me?”

The room, which had been buzzing with criticism, fell silent at Natasha’s actions. After being stunned for a moment, they all stood up to bid farewell.

Natasha barked an order, “Close the gates! No one leaves until this matter is resolved. Maverick, go get Pablo here. Tell him I’m here to see him!”

Finally, Margaret looked up at Natasha, forcing a smile. “Mrs. Sharp, is this really necessary? Making a scene like this isn’t becoming.”

“Who cares about being becoming? If you wanted things to look good, why didn’t you do things properly?” Natasha’s gaze was icy. “For the betrothal ceremony, you sent two roosters. For the betrothal gifts, you left out the betrothal cakes, the lotus seeds, and the lily bulbs. My daughters-in-law tried to reason with you, but you were arrogant and insulting, and then you twisted the story to claim they threw you out. Is this how you maintain your dignity? I’ve lived a long life and have never been humiliated like this. If I let this slide, how will my granddaughter survive in your household with a mother-in-law as petty and unpredictable as you?”

“You can’t twist the facts…” Lillian spoke up in defense. “It was the Langley family that threw us out first. It’s true that the betrothal gifts were incomplete, but wasn’t there room for discussion?”

Natasha’s sharp gaze turned to Margaret. “You tell me. Did the Langley family throw you out today, or did you leave on your own? Be careful what you say. If you lie even once, I’ll take this matter straight to the King.”