Chapter 341: Report to the Authorities

Agnes quietly pulled Madilyn aside and whispered, “Mother, what is going on?”

Madilyn shot her a sharp look. “You dare ask me? With a sister-in-law as useless as you, is it any wonder Cristina suffered? She was poisoned, and you knew nothing about it? Instead of asking me, you should have checked on her yourself!”

Agnes’s expression stiffened. “How did you find out?”

“She sent word home,” Madilyn snapped. “She says Isolde poisoned her! If we don’t stand up for her now, how can she continue living in the Valen household? She’ll be tormented to death!”

“She claims Isolde did it?” Agnes’s eyes flashed with interest.

“Yes. And she says she has solid proof! She swears Isolde tried to kill her and will continue to do so unless we stop her.” Madilyn was seething with rage.

Agnes wasn’t sure what so-called proof Cristina had, but as long as she herself wasn’t under suspicion, she had no reason to intervene.

“Rest assured, Mother,” Agnes said smoothly. “If that wretched woman Isolde really did this, I’ll be the first to make her pay.”

Madilyn nodded approvingly. “You better remember your words. If you take Isolde’s side, I won’t forgive you.”

“Don’t worry. I know who my real family is.”

As they spoke, Cristina entered, supported by two maids. Her face was pale, her lips slightly tinged with blue, and she looked utterly miserable.

Margaret immediately ordered a chair to be brought over for her. “Are you feeling any better?”

Cristina lifted her head, her eyes burning with fury as they locked onto Isolde. “No! I was nearly killed! How could I possibly be well?”

Her outburst sent ripples of unease through the gathering. From her tone, it was clear she felt truly wronged.

“Tell everyone how Isolde tried to kill you,” Madilyn urged.

“Don’t spout nonsense! When have I ever harmed her?” Isolde retorted.

“Oh, so you dare to do it but not admit it?” Cristina sneered. “I used to think you were just a crude and unruly woman, but I never imagined you were so vicious. What did I ever do to you? If you refused to let me be a concubine, you could have simply said so! Why resort to poisoning me? If not for my luck, I would already be dead!”

Allan’s voice turned heavy. “What exactly happened? Last night, Heidi told me you attempted suicide twice. Now you’re claiming you were poisoned? Speak clearly.”

“Allan would have no choice but to grant me the concubine title.”

Gasps filled the room. The crowd erupted in murmurs—who would go so far just for a title?

Agnes, on the other hand, nearly choked on her own breath. Was Cristina insane? How could she openly admit to such a scheme? Even if she had truly died, why drag her into this?

Agnes lowered her head, avoiding her father’s piercing gaze.

“You all think I was wrong, don’t you?” Cristina laughed bitterly, her voice laced with resentment. “But has anyone considered my suffering? I am a daughter of the Felton family—I was once Oliver’s fiancée! After the engagement was broken, we should have had nothing to do with each other. But what happened? Rosemary framed me, accusing me of having an affair with Jonathan. Because of her power and status, she humiliated me, forcing me to become Oliver’s concubine. I had no choice but to accept my fate! Was I wronged? Absolutely! Look at me—do I look like someone who deserves to be a concubine? Shouldn’t it be Oliver who is lucky to have me? I once pleaded with him to recognize my status, but he scorned me! He said if I didn’t want to stay, he would send me back to my family! I had no other option, so I went along with Agnes’s plan.”

Her voice cracked, her words dripping with self-pity. Though her tale was tragic, there was something unsettling about it. She was blaming Oliver—yet Oliver had done nothing wrong. It was Rosemary who had orchestrated her downfall. How was it Oliver’s fault?

No one spoke, waiting for her to continue.

“After I created the scene last night, Isolde came to see me. She told me to die if I wanted, but she would never give me the concubine title just because I threatened suicide. She even said I had wronged Oliver by breaking off the engagement. I hated her, but I never insulted her. I accepted my fate. But I never imagined that after she left, she would order someone to poison my medicine! Shortly after drinking it, I felt intense pain in my stomach. When the physician arrived, he confirmed I had been poisoned with arsenic! I lost consciousness, and Agnes, unaware of the truth, thought I had attempted suicide again and went to inform Allan. But in reality, everyone simply assumed I was being dramatic, never realizing that someone had truly tried to murder me!”

Cristina’s voice was choked with sobs, her fury and anguish evident. She did not sound like she was lying.

Isolde, however, remained unfazed. “And what does this have to do with me?”

“You still won’t admit it?” Cristina glared at her. “Fine! I’m giving you a chance. If you confess now, apologize, and let me have my concubine title, I will let this matter rest. But if you force me to reveal the evidence, I will have no choice but to report this to the authorities!”

Isolde’s lips curled into a smirk. “Then report it.”

Agnes quickly interjected, “Cristina, there’s no need for this! If she really did it, she was just being reckless—there’s no need to escalate things to the authorities.”

“What more is there to say?” Madilyn snapped. “If she refuses to admit it, then reporting it is the only option. If we don’t push back, she’ll think we are easy to bully!”

His sharp gaze fell upon Isolde. Thus far, she had only given weak protests, her denials sounding unconvincing. She had come from the Langley estate, where she had already caused significant turmoil. Was it possible she truly harbored such a ruthless nature?

“Isolde, answer me truthfully. Did you do it?” Allan demanded.

Isolde opened her mouth to deny it, but before she could speak, Heidi smiled slightly and turned to Allan. “Lord Allan, please allow me to speak privately with Lady Isolde for a moment.”

Allan frowned. “Why does this need to be discussed in private?”

“No need for concern,” Heidi said smoothly. “I just wish to advise her. None of us want this matter to spiral out of control.”

Allan hesitated, then waved a hand dismissively. “Go.”

Cristina immediately said, “If you’re going to talk, I want to be there as well.” She did not trust Heidi, nor did she know whose side she was on. If Heidi took Isolde’s bribe and turned a blind eye, that would be unacceptable.

Heidi glanced at her, then nodded. “Very well. You may come too.”