Chapter 288 Fall Out

Pablo stood up and kicked the servant, shouting angrily, “Speak! What really happened today? If you dare lie even once more, I’ll kill you before Mrs. Sharp even lifts a finger!”

After saying this, he shot a fierce glare at Margaret, who sat with her hands clasped on her knees, her expression calm but her face pale. Lillian, still unaware of the situation’s gravity, sternly urged the servant, “Just tell the truth! Describe how arrogant and overbearing the Langley family was today!”

The servant trembled like a leaf, too terrified to hide anything. He recounted everything that had happened at the Langley residence, revealing that there had been no demands for additional betrothal money or shops. It was all a fabrication by Lillian and Margaret to frame Patricia. The young servant remembered everything clearly, even mimicking the conversations vividly. Pablo’s face darkened as he listened.

Seeing the situation turning against her, Lillian quickly defended herself, “I didn’t know anything about this! It was Margaret who instructed me to do this. She said we needed to put them in their place so that, even though Isolde is a noblewoman, she wouldn’t act too arrogantly after marrying into your family.”

Caroline, who had earlier supported Margaret, stood up and excused herself, not wanting to be involved in such a dirty affair. Pablo stood up and addressed the relatives present, “I have family matters to attend to. Please leave now, but do come back on the wedding day for the celebration.”

Everyone knew Pablo was about to explode in anger. They glanced at Margaret, who still maintained a dignified posture, the picture of a stern matriarch. They couldn’t understand how someone of her stature could let such a trivial matter escalate. How could the betrothal gifts be so lacking in propriety? And to fabricate such a web of lies—it was truly shameful! Ashley, having enjoyed the drama, also stood up and left.

After everyone had gone, Natasha stood up, leaning on her cane, and said, “I only came to seek justice. Today is still the day for delivering the betrothal gifts. Whatever is missing must be sent to the Langley residence without fail.” She was a tactful old lady and knew better than to interfere in the Valen family’s internal affairs.

“Mrs. Sharp, the missing betrothal gifts will be delivered in full,” Pablo said, bowing. “I apologize for this mess.”

Natasha, having achieved her goal, calmed down. She glanced at Margaret and said, “A foolish wife brings misfortune to the family. Pablo, I know what kind of person you are. Today’s matter isn’t directed at you, but at her. If it were anything else, I might have let it slide. At my age, what is there to fuss over? But Isolde is different. She is Prunella’s daughter, my precious treasure. I would risk my life to ensure she suffers no injustice. Do you understand?”

Her words struck a deep chord in Pablo, filling him with both sorrow and pain. His voice choked with emotion as he replied, “I understand.”

“Let’s go,” Natasha said, nodding to Patricia.

Natasha had arrived with an imposing presence and left with the same dignity. As she walked away, she faintly heard the sound of a slap, accompanied by low, furious growls. She looked up at the darkening sky, hoping there was still time to prepare the betrothal cakes.

Outside, she softly instructed Patricia, “Take some people and see if any bakery can rush the order for us. We’ll pay triple the price.”

“Yes,” Patricia replied, her heart heavy. Isolde had been bullied and looked down upon since she was a child. How could anyone still try to harm her now that she was a noblewoman? Once the doors of the Valen residence closed, everything inside became irrelevant to them.

As soon as Natasha turned away, Pablo slapped Margaret. Margaret’s mind went blank for a moment. Her face felt numb before the pain set in, and her ears rang so loudly she couldn’t hear his furious shouts. She slowly stood up, her eyes dry but filled with anger and resentment. “It’s all because of Prunella, isn’t it? You’ve never forgotten her.”

Pablo’s eyes were filled with disgust. “I once told you that because you served my mother and saw her off, I would never divorce you. But it seems you are utterly unfit to be the lady of this house. From today onward, you will have no say in any matters concerning the Valen family.”

“It’s her! It’s because of her!” Margaret suddenly broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. “All these years, even though she married a useless man and was killed by him, you still haven’t forgotten her. You went to great lengths to bring her daughter into this family because you couldn’t have her. You’re unwilling to let go. Ask yourself: is it Oliver who wants to marry her, or is it you? Since you couldn’t marry her mother, you’re now fixated on her, aren’t you?”

Pablo’s eyes flashed with rage, and he raised his hand to strike her again. But Margaret pulled out a hairpin and pressed it against her chest, gritting her teeth. “Go ahead, hit me! If you do, I’ll die right here in front of you. Twenty years of marriage, and it still can’t compare to the moment you first saw her. You married me, but in your heart, Prunella was always your true wife. You never took a concubine, not for my sake, but out of loyalty to her. I see it now. I’ve been a fool for twenty years, waiting for you, and this is how you treat me? Pablo Valen, you hypocrite! Hit me! Go ahead, so I can finally give up and die, letting you have your way!”

Pablo slowly lowered his hand but then grabbed her throat, pushing her back into the chair. His eyes burned with fury as he shouted, “Don’t you dare drag Prunella into this! What right do you have to blame her? I loved her before I met you, and I never hid that from you. After marrying you, I treated you with sincerity—no concubines, no affairs. I promised to try to forget Prunella and live a good life with you, but you never believed me. Every time I went to the Langley residence, you thought I was meeting her in secret. Every time I sat quietly reading, you thought I was missing her. How many lies did you spread about Prunella and me to my mother? Because of you, my mother harassed Prunella at every banquet. Don’t think I don’t know it was your doing! I’ve had enough of your paranoia. If it weren’t for the fact that you bore me children and cared for my mother, I would have divorced you long ago. And now you dare mention Prunella in front of me? Let me tell you this—you will never compare to her. If you want to die, go ahead. I despise a venomous woman like you. Your death would bring peace to this household, free from your poison.”

With that, Pablo released her neck and walked away coldly, not even glancing back at her.

Chapter 289 The Strange Siblings