Chapter 290: Infertile

On the carriage ride back, William was fuming as he confronted Agnes. “You said you were bringing me to confront Isolde, but instead, you spouted all that nonsense in front of her! What exactly were you trying to do?” He was absolutely furious. If Isolde had heard those words, she would surely be gloating and laughing at him for breaking off the engagement back then.

Agnes replied coldly, “If I hadn’t brought you to say those things in front of her, would you ever have given up?”

“Given up what? I don’t have any feelings for her. I despise her more than anyone. I wish I could tear her to pieces,” William spat angrily.

“Brother,” Agnes sighed, looking at him, “Do you think you can hide what’s in your heart from me? If you don’t like her, why did you secretly draw her portrait? You drew it, then tore it up. You like her, but hate her. You also tore out the eyes in those portraits, didn’t you? Were you trying to say she made the wrong choice?”

“You went through my things?” William gasped, his eyes darkening. “Have you lost your mind? What are you trying to do? I’m warning you, don’t you dare step into my room again.” With that, he shouted, “Stop!”

The coachman quickly pulled the carriage to a halt, and William jumped out. Agnes watched his angry retreat and shook her head. “So immature.”

When she returned to the Valen residence, Eleanor was peeking out from behind the gate. Seeing that William hadn’t returned with Agnes, she was momentarily stunned before stepping out. Agnes shot her an annoyed look. “What are you doing out here? Making a spectacle of yourself. Come inside.”

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

Esme, however, saw through the scheme. “It may seem pointless, but the fact that Margaret brought Lillian, Pablo’s aunt, along to do this speaks volumes. As the lady of the Valen household, Margaret holds significant influence within the family. With Lillian siding with her to target you, it’s clear that 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 how outsiders viewed her.

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

Isolde, however, felt there might be more to it. The missing items – the goose, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, and betrothal cakes – suggested a more malicious intent.

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

However, while Isolde had no intention of pursuing the issue, William showed up, 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 could guess that Margaret had suffered greatly.

William glared at her and said, “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. Margaret wouldn’t.

“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, on the other hand, stood quietly by, her expression cold and unmoved.

“Did she die?” Isolde asked.

Hearing this, 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 and said coldly, “Do you see now?”

Chapter 289: The Strange Siblings

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 – do you still like her?”

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

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

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

Eleanor felt wronged by Agnes’s harsh words. She had given Agnes a thousand taels of silver, yet Agnes still treated her with disdain. This family was nothing but a bunch of snobs. But since she needed their help, she swallowed her resentment and hurried inside.

Agnes refused to go to Eleanor’s room, so they spoke in a pavilion outside her courtyard. After dismissing the servants, Agnes sat down arrogantly, eyeing Eleanor’s shabby appearance. She couldn’t understand how she had ever found Eleanor tolerable. Now, seeing her cowering and dressed in garish red, Agnes sneered, “Dressed like that, no wonder William doesn’t like you. You might as well be a stage performer, but this is the Valen residence, not a theater.”

Eleanor’s heart was filled with bitterness. She would love to dress well, but where would she get the money? The dowry she had brought was long gone, spent on bribes and gifts, including to Agnes herself. The monthly allowance for a concubine in the Valen household was meager, barely enough to buy a single piece of taffeta fabric. Didn’t she want to dress beautifully every day? If she looked good, perhaps William would show more affection.

However, she did not dare to say this grievance. Instead, she murmured, “I truly don’t know how to dress properly. I’ll have to learn from you in the future, sister.”

Agnes replied coldly, “How many times have I told you? Don’t call me sister. Remember who you are. I don’t mind it when it’s just us, but if there are outsiders around, calling me sister is overstepping.”

Eleanor seethed inwardly but could only whisper, “Yes, I’ll remember.”

Agnes, having asserted her authority, finally spoke slowly. “I’ve seen the portrait you gave me yesterday. Today, I took William to the Langley residence and told Isolde right to her face that he likes her.”

Eleanor’s face turned pale, and she exclaimed, “How could you say that in front of her? She’ll be so smug! How could you do this? I asked you to talk sense into William, not to take him there to confess his feelings!”

Agnes sneered, “What do you know? Isolde’s smugness will be short-lived. Once she thinks William likes her, she’ll let her guard down, and it’ll also drive a wedge between her and Oliver. Did you think a few words of advice would be enough to change William’s mind? As long as Isolde is alive, William will never forget her. Besides, William is proud. Today, Isolde treated him with disdain and learned about his feelings. That will only make him resent her more.”

Though Eleanor found some logic in Agnes’s words, the thought of Isolde knowing that William liked her left a bitter taste in her mouth. When she had first discovered William secretly drawing Isolde’s portrait, she had been shocked. Though the portraits were torn up, with the eyes and mouths scratched out, the care and detail in the drawings were undeniable. Even defaced, she could see the effort he had put into them. If he didn’t like her, why would he secretly draw her portrait?

At that moment, Eleanor had felt an overwhelming urge to kill Isolde. Looking back, she had schemed and struggled so hard, only to end up as a concubine in the Valen family. She had lost her child and could no longer bear children. In this family, she was useless, and even the servants treated her with disdain.

To make matters worse, William, who had once been kind to her, had changed. These days, he wouldn’t even greet her, let alone visit her room. After seeing those portraits, William’s coldness made sense. He liked Isolde. He liked a woman he had once rejected and now couldn’t have. His indifference now had an explanation.

Furious and helpless, Eleanor had turned to Agnes, the bloodsucker. She had begged Agnes for help, only to have Agnes demand a thousand taels of silver for a set of jewelry. Eleanor, already strapped for cash, had gritted her teeth and handed over the money, hoping Agnes could win William back. Instead, Agnes had taken William to see Isolde and revealed his feelings. The thought of Isolde gloating and having yet another reason to mock her filled Eleanor with rage.

But now that the money was spent, she had no choice but to follow Agnes’ lead. “Mrs. Valen, what do we do next?” Eleanor asked.

Agnes said, “What’s the hurry? Just wait.”

“Wait for what?” Eleanor was truly anxious.

Agnes adjusted her hairpin, pleased with her new purchase. “The wedding.”

“The wedding?” Eleanor’s eyes flickered. “There’ll be so many people at the wedding. What can we do then?”

“The more people, the better. Don’t ask too many questions. I’ll tell you when the time comes,” Agnes said impatiently.

Eleanor didn’t dare press further, though she gave Agnes a slightly resentful look.

Agnes looked at her and said indifferently, “Enough with the pitiful act. You were the one who insisted on marrying into this family. Who can you blame now? Neither my mother nor I have looked down on you. But don’t forget, you’re worse than a hen. At least a hen can lay eggs. You… you’re just a waste of food.”

Agnes stood up and left. When Eleanor heard these words, she was filled with grief and indignation, and she wanted to cry.