Chapter 354: Time to Settle Scores

Heidi removed her hairpin, her expression bleak. “Forget it. If that’s how it is, there’s no need to force anything.”

Liana hesitated before speaking. “I heard that Lady Margaret doesn’t like her at all. Perhaps it’s because of Isolde’s arrogance. If I may, Lord Pablo doesn’t favor Lady Margaret now—why not say a few words for her in front of him? Eventually, she’ll be the one in charge of this household. She would surely be grateful to you.”

With a sharp clack, Heidi slammed the hairpin onto the dressing table. Her voice was ice-cold. “Shut up. Who told you to meddle? Whether this idea came from you or someone put it in your head, you deserve to be slapped for it.”

Liana’s face paled in panic. She quickly bowed. “Please forgive me, I spoke out of turn.”

“I never involve myself in household disputes. We don’t even know why Margaret dislikes Isolde, yet here you are making wild guesses. You’ve served me for two years—do you still not know what I detest the most? I’ll let this slide since it’s your first offense. But if it happens again, I will slap you. Now get out.”

Liana stood frozen. She had always thought Heidi was the most gentle among them—never once had she truly lost her temper, even when Liana made mistakes. And yet, today, for just a few words, she erupted like this? Tears welled up in Liana’s eyes. She swallowed her grievances and murmured, “Yes, ma’am.”

Then she turned and ran out, sobbing.

Heidi let out a long sigh. The housemaid who had been tidying the bedding walked out and said softly, “Don’t be upset. Liana is just ignorant.”

“Aisha, words can bring disaster. Isolde is not one to be trifled with. If we can avoid provoking her, we should. Talk to Liana later—she means no harm, but she’s easily swayed by others.”

“Understood, Natasha. I’ll speak to her.” Aisha hesitated, then added, “But… Isolde is far too disrespectful to you.”

“Oliver is not the legitimate heir of the Valen family. I am not Allan’s legitimate wife. Since neither of us has rightful status, it’s only natural that she doesn’t respect me. Why demand something that was never ours to begin with?”

Aisha fell silent.

Meanwhile, Isolde returned home and fell into a deep sleep, completely oblivious to the fact that skipping Heidi’s morning greetings had stirred suspicion.

The next morning, when Oliver and Isolde went to pay their respects, Heidi refused to see them. After Isolde served Allan his coffee, she excused herself and went to see Pablo instead.

Pablo was enjoying his coffee. Since there was no morning court today, he had the rare luxury of leisure. He and Margaret had long since stopped sharing a residence. After some brief pleasantries, he looked at Isolde and said, “If you don’t want to go over there, don’t. And if anyone dares to call you unfilial or disrespectful, just let me know.”

Isolde understood exactly who he was referring to. She smiled. “It’s nothing. It’s just morning greetings. I’m sure Margaret is magnanimous enough not to make things difficult for me.”

Pablo raised a brow, slightly surprised at her response. “If that’s the case, go if you want. It’ll stop those gossiping old hags from running their mouths.”

That was the real headache about big families—every move a new bride made was scrutinized. The slightest misstep, once whispered down the line, could become a scandal. Pablo despised such idle chatter and didn’t want Isolde caught in it.

“Yes, my lord,” Isolde replied.

Afterward, Oliver was exempt from visiting Margaret, so Isolde took Hattie and Hazel along instead. Margaret was polite, if distant. After exchanging the necessary courtesies, Isolde left.

She had been avoiding Heidi, but today, she decided to stop by. However, Heidi’s maid informed her that she wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t receiving visitors.

Without much thought, Isolde returned to her quarters where Oliver had already packed for their short trip. They were only taking Hattie and Hazel; the rest of the servants would remain behind.

They had originally planned to travel aimlessly, letting the road decide their destination. But then Oliver reconsidered—since they were staying for a few days, why not go to Montlins Manor?

The moment Isolde heard this, she made the decision. “Let’s go to Montlins Manor.”

The manor burst into excitement upon their arrival. The days were filled with lavish meals and drinks, hiking through the hills, and nights spent around the fire, laughing with friends. Both Oliver and Isolde reveled in the carefree joy of it all.

So much so that when the time came to leave, neither of them wanted to. But Oliver’s leave had ended. Duty called.

When they returned home, Oliver didn’t enter the estate—he merely dropped Isolde at the entrance before riding off toward Southern Watch.

As the servants led the horses away, Isolde turned to Hattie. “Go tell Cristina that she is to serve me from now on.”

Hattie exhaled sharply in relief. “Finally. I thought you were going to let her stay in the household forever.”

“I just wanted a few days of peace,” Isolde said with a smirk.

“Well, those few days of peace are over,” Hattie teased.

Isolde changed into a fresh set of clothes and had just taken a sip of water when Cristina stormed in, fuming. “Who do you think you are to order me to serve you?! You think you’re worthy?”

Isolde lifted her gaze lazily, setting her cup down with deliberate slowness. “What do you think, Cristina?”

Cristina’s eyes blazed. She was seething. “You have nothing to be smug about! Everything you have now is what I chose to throw away!”

“And yet, I won’t be thanking you for it,” Isolde said dryly, tapping her fingers against the table. “Pour me some coffee.”

Cristina’s maid, Mell, stepped forward immediately, reaching for the coffee pot.

Isolde’s gaze sharpened. “And who do you think you are? Do you have the right to serve me?”

Mell flinched. “I… I’ll pour your coffee for you.”

“Get out.”

Mell forced a smile. “Cristina isn’t used to serving people. Let me do it.”

“Then she can learn. No one is born knowing how,” Isolde said coolly, flicking a glance at Hazel, who immediately stepped forward and dragged Mell out.

Cristina’s rage flared. “You enjoy tormenting me, don’t you?”

“You serving me is only natural. What’s there to be so proud of?”

“You’re trying to drive me away?”

“Yes,” Isolde admitted, utterly indifferent.

“Then I won’t leave,” Cristina snapped. “What? All this fuss just to have me pour you coffee?”

She grabbed the pot and poured it into Isolde’s cup, seething with defiance.

Isolde idly swirled the coffee in her cup, watching Cristina through the rising steam. “Perfect. Since you’re so willing, why stop here? Go prepare my bath.”

“That’s a servant’s job!” Cristina shouted.

“Are you not a servant?”

“You—!”

Isolde rose gracefully to her feet, her smile mocking. “You are a servant. At least, in front of me, you are.”

“Isolde!” Cristina shrieked.

Before she could react, Isolde struck her across the face.

The smile vanished from Isolde’s lips, replaced by icy disdain. “Don’t mistake my politeness for kindness. If you refuse to leave, I have plenty of ways to break you. I can ruin you, torment you, and when I’m done, I’ll marry you off to the lowliest servant in the estate.”

Cristina’s face twisted in fury, but there was something else in her eyes now—fear.