Chapter 289: The Strange Siblings

Isolde only learned of the incident after returning from the manor. She hadn't expected Margaret to play such a trick at this critical moment. Furthermore, what was the point of merely humiliating her?

Esme, however, saw through the scheme. “It may seem pointless,” she explained, “but Margaret bringing Lillian, Pablo's aunt, along speaks volumes. As the lady of the Valen household, Margaret holds significant influence. With Lillian siding with her to target you, it's clear Margaret dislikes you, and the other women in the family will likely follow suit and exclude you.”

Isolde hadn't considered this. Like Oliver, she didn't care much about outsiders' opinions.

“You may not care,” Esme countered, “but she does. She’s spent years building her status. You’re entering the family as a princess, no longer the abandoned orphan from the Langley estate. If she doesn’t assert dominance now, how can she maintain her position?”

Isolde, however, sensed a more sinister motive. The missing items—the goose, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, and betrothal cakes—suggested a more malicious intent.

Regardless, since she wasn't suffering the consequences, Isolde chose not to dwell on it. The deep-seated animosity between them made this incident seem trivial by comparison. She didn't want her wedding ruined or her mood spoiled, so she let the matter rest.

However, William arrived, accompanied by his sister, Agnes. Isolde didn't know how Margaret had been punished, but seeing the siblings arrive at the Langley residence with such ferocity, she guessed Margaret had suffered greatly.

William glared at her. “You drove my mother to attempt suicide. Are you happy now?”

Isolde shook her head. “Impossible.” Margaret would never attempt suicide. She wasn’t the type to harm herself over minor setbacks. Only someone weak, like Nicole, would do such a thing.

“You don’t believe me? Should I take you to see for yourself? To see how vicious you are?” William’s face was filled with rage, a stark contrast to his usual aloof and indifferent demeanor.

Agnes stood quietly, her expression cold and unmoved.

“Did she die?” Isolde asked.

Agnes suddenly raised her hand to strike Isolde. “You venomous woman! How could you be so cruel? She’s your future mother-in-law!”

Isolde caught her wrist and pushed her back, sneering. “How delusional are you to think you can lay a hand on me?”

Agnes knew she was no match for Isolde. She turned to William, saying coldly, “Do you see now? I brought you here to see her true nature. Such a vicious and crude woman—will you like her?”

William glared at her. “What nonsense are you spouting? Regret what?”

Agnes replied icily, “I brought you here to see her true nature. Such a vicious and crude woman…”

William trembled with anger, pointing at Agnes and shouting, “What are you talking about? When have I ever liked her?”

Isolde stepped back, exchanging a puzzled glance with Hattie and Hazel. What was going on? Weren't they here to confront her? Why were the siblings arguing with each other?

Isolde said, “If you two want to fight, take it back to the Valen residence. You’re not welcome here.”

She turned to leave.

Agnes stopped her. “Wait!”

Isolde turned back. “What now?”

Agnes walked up to her, a smirk on her lips. “Feeling smug, aren’t you? I’m here to warn you—your triumph won’t last long. Just wait and see.”

Isolde looked down at her with disdain. “Fine, I’ll wait.”

Agnes smiled, but as she turned away, her eyes gleamed with malice.

William, on the other hand, seemed at a loss. Seeing Agnes leave, he shot Isolde a fierce glare before following his sister.

Isolde was utterly confused by the siblings’ intentions. Agnes had come to warn her, but what about William? Was he here to tell her that his mother had attempted suicide?

“Did Agnes just say that William likes you? Is that true?” Hattie asked curiously.

“Bullshit!” Isolde turned around.

“Such crude language!” Esme, who had just stepped out onto the corridor, chided upon hearing Isolde’s words.

Isolde chuckled. “Right, I’ll watch my mouth.”

“Every word and action must be mindful. You’ve only been to Zloimond once and fought in one battle, yet you’ve picked up all the crude habits of a soldier. You’re a princess now, and once you marry into the Valen family, your every word and action will reflect on your husband’s dignity,” Esme lectured.

“Got it, got it. I’ll be more careful,” Isolde said with a smile as she walked forward. She noticed Martha standing at the door of the side room, staring blankly in the direction where William had left.

When Martha saw Isolde approaching, she snapped out of her daze and hooked her arm around Isolde’s, asking sweetly, “Sister Isolde, was that the Valen family’s heir just now?”

Isolde pulled her arm away, maintaining some distance. “So what if he was?”

“Nothing. I’ve seen him before, but I didn’t expect him to be so handsome up close,” Martha said, her eyes filled with a flattering smile. “Next time you go to the Valen residence, can you take me with you?”

“No,” Isolde replied curtly, not wanting to engage with her. Ever since the second branch of the family had fallen from grace, Martha had been clinging to her.

Hattie chuckled. “You want to go to the Valen residence? Sure, when Isolde gets married, the bride’s family needs someone to escort her. But it’s usually best if the escort is a married sister. Since you’ve been surpassed by your younger sister, it wouldn’t be appropriate for you to go.”

Martha, however, seemed deep in thought. No one paid her any attention as they returned to the main room.

Isolde had just sat down when Ryker arrived to report on Prudence’s condition.

“She’s deliberately starving herself. She hasn’t eaten for two days. If this continues, it might delay your wedding,” Ryker said with concern.

Isolde replied, “Go tell her that as long as she lives, her grandson will live in prison. If she dies, I’ll make sure her grandson dies too.”

“That should work!” Ryker said with a smile. “Her grandson is her most prized possession.”

With that, Ryker left.

Esme snorted. “That old hag!”

Ever since Oliver had spoken to her, Prudence had lost the will to live. She had clung to life, hoping to see Isolde and the Langley family fall into ruin. But instead of witnessing their downfall, she saw the people she despised thriving day by day, with Isolde now set to marry into the Valen family. She thought that by dying, she could disrupt the wedding. Since she was bedridden, the only way she could end her life was by refusing to eat.

When Ryker relayed Isolde’s message to her, Prudence’s eyes burned with rage, but she was powerless. She could only pound the bed with her one functional hand and curse hoarsely, “You, Isolde, will die a horrible death! You’ll never have children…”

Disgusted by her foul language, Ryker ordered someone to gag her. Muffled, she continued to curse incoherently, nearly bursting with anger.