Chapter 330: A Clean Break

Margaret fixed a cold gaze on her and spoke icily, “I’ve warned you countless times to stay out of your family’s affairs. Why do you never listen? What are you trying to pull this time?”

Agnes leaned in, explaining earnestly, “Mother, I’m not scheming anything! You know William has always liked Isolde. The marriage negotiations kept stalling, yet she’s already moved into the household. If she bears a son first, wouldn’t that put William at a disadvantage? I couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. My idea was simple—find him another concubine, have her bear the eldest son, and secure his position. But you know William’s stubbornness—he won’t listen to reason. So, I arranged for Susan, a woman who resembles Isolde, to enter the house. With a little help from some medicine, they’d end up in bed, and once the deed was done, he’d have no choice but to accept her. If fate is kind, Susan could conceive quickly, securing William’s future. Isn’t that perfect? I did this for William, for you! But then Martha appeared out of nowhere—who could’ve predicted this?”

Margaret’s anger eased slightly. If not for Martha’s interference, she wouldn’t have been this frustrated. And, deep down, she had to admit Agnes was right.

Although Oliver wasn’t Pablo’s biological son, he had grown up in the household, holding the title of son in name. Even Allan regarded him as a grandson, and Pablo clearly favored him. If Isolde were to bear a son, and Pablo, in a moment of joy, made a rash decision, who knew what chaos that might bring?

As for Eleanor, Margaret could easily guess what was running through her mind. If Susan truly resembled Isolde and won William’s favor, whispering good words about Agnes to him, that would surely be more effective than her waiting anxiously from a distance. This kind of scheming was common even in the imperial palace. The only issue was Agnes’s lack of caution, allowing Martha to disrupt everything.

After a moment of contemplation, Margaret turned to William. “Stand up first.”

Hearing his mother’s softened tone, William knew she was likely to agree. He rose to his feet, but an inexplicable bitterness lingered in his heart. Even if his mother consented, he wasn’t entirely willing.

“I still need to look into Martha,” Margaret continued. “If she’s not of bad character, I can allow her to enter the household. At this point, refusing would be pointless. If she spreads rumors, your reputation will be utterly ruined.”

William insisted, “She won’t speak. She swore never to tell anyone.”

Margaret let out a cold laugh. “And you believe her?” She waved a hand dismissively. “Enough, leave us. I need to speak with Agnes.”

Feeling both frustrated and resigned, William saw no point in further discussion. The decision was made, and he had no desire to involve himself any further.

Once he was gone, Margaret turned sharply to Agnes. “Who exactly is this Susan?”

“Mother, she’s from Vermelle Hall, but she has never served a client. You can rest assured—she’s untouched.”

Margaret’s expression darkened. “You’ve lost your mind! I don’t care if your intentions were good, but do you realize what you’ve done? You arranged for William to take a woman from Vermelle Hall as his concubine? If word gets out, what happens to his reputation? To your father’s?”

Her lips trembled with fury, and she raised her hand as if to strike Agnes. But upon seeing her daughter’s innocent expression, she clenched her fist and let it drop with a sigh. “You’re always making a mess of things.”

Agnes, ever quick-witted, immediately admitted fault. “Mother, I was wrong. Please don’t be angry.”

Margaret’s tone remained frosty. “From now on, stay out of household matters. I won’t have you ruining my plans.”

“Yes, yes, I understand.” Agnes then asked hesitantly, “So what now? Are we truly letting Martha enter the household?”

“What choice do we have?” Margaret shot her a glare. “If she had drugged him, it would be a different matter. But she was merely dragged into this mess. We owe her some form of justice.”

Eleanor, who had been silent, suddenly wailed, “Then let’s just claim she was the one who used the drug! What can she do about it? We can’t actually let her marry in, can we? Her family is nothing but a disgrace. How could she ever be worthy of William?”

Margaret scoffed. “Unworthy? Her brother serves at the King’s side—he has the King’s ear. Whether William pursues a military or civil career, having such a connection would be invaluable.”

As she spoke, the irritation in her heart gradually faded. Indeed, despite all the matchmakers she had consulted, no suitable marriage arrangement had been secured. People had clearly hesitated due to William and Eleanor’s past entanglements.

If Martha entered the household and conducted herself properly, obeying orders, then perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad arrangement after all. And as for her family—after their recent scandal, they were in no position to make demands.

Eleanor collapsed onto the floor, sobbing bitterly. “What about me? Martha will be above me—I’ll have to serve her! Have you ever considered how I feel?”

Margaret’s face remained cold. “Consider you? You fought tooth and nail to enter this household. You knew from the beginning you were only a concubine. Your duty is to act as one. Serve Martha well, and if she’s kind, your days will be comfortable enough.”

Eleanor’s hatred burned deep. When her father was in power, Margaret had never treated her this way. But now that her family had fallen, and she had failed to bear children, she was cast aside like trash.

“You want me to serve Martha? I’d rather die!” Eleanor’s voice was filled with venom.

Margaret’s expression didn’t waver. “Then leave.”

Eleanor’s head snapped up in shock. “What did you say: Leave? You’re throwing me out?”

Despair gave way to fury as she staggered to her feet, laughing bitterly. “Fine! I see your true colors now. You want to cast me aside? Go ahead! But I’ll make sure the whole world knows what goes on in this household. You won’t save face if I don’t!”

With that, she spun around and stormed off.

Agnes gritted her teeth. “Mother, Eleanor is getting out of control. Let me teach her a lesson.”

“Stand down,” Margaret said darkly. “For now, leave her be. She knows the Valen family is her only lifeline. What can she possibly do?”

Agnes hesitated. “So we’re really letting Martha in? It’s not like we have to. We could intimidate her into silence. As for Ashley, I doubt she’d stand up for Martha. She’s the King’s consort now—she knows better than to cross you. After all, she once fought to make you her godmother.”

Margaret let out a cold laugh. “Do you really think Ashley still sees me as an ally? After that dispute in the palace, she knew I wouldn’t help her anymore. She didn’t lift a finger when your father reprimanded me.”

Her brows furrowed suddenly. “Why was Martha even with Ashley? And how did Ashley’s fall into the water lead to Martha’s misfortune instead? Something doesn’t add up.”

A chill crept into her voice. “Could Ashley have known about our plan all along?”

Turning sharply to Agnes, she demanded, “Did you tell anyone about it?”

“No one. Only Eleanor, Susan, and I knew. Even the maids weren’t informed,” Agnes replied.