Chapter 357: Have You No Shame?

Arthur was alarmed when he received word from the Valen family—his sister was in trouble again. Without hesitation, he rushed over. However, the messenger wasn’t from Cristina’s quarters, leaving him unclear about the situation. So, he headed straight for Cristina’s room first.

When he arrived, he found Cristina weeping as if her soul had been torn apart. Her eyes were red and swollen, her face puffy with a distinct handprint stamped across her cheek. Seeing him, Cristina threw herself into his arms, sobbing, “Arthur, if you don’t stand up for me this time, I’d rather die!”

Arthur’s face darkened as his gaze landed on the angry red mark across her face. His voice was sharp with rage. “What happened? Tell me everything!”

Cristina choked on her sobs before finally wailing, “That Isolde has gone too far! She ordered me to serve in her quarters and deliberately made things difficult for me. When I refused, she slapped me!”

“She laid hands on you?” Arthur’s fury ignited instantly. He had always doted on Cristina—he wouldn’t even raise his voice at her, let alone allow someone else to treat her like a servant. But striking her? That was crossing the line. “Why didn’t you go to Allan or Pablo for help?”

Cristina’s eyes burned with hatred. “Pablo isn’t in the estate. I did go to Allan, but that wretched Isolde put on an act in front of him, showering him with flattery and honeyed words. Allan actually believed her! Even Heidi spoke up for her! I refused to back down and argued with her, and that mad dog Isolde attacked me! Right in front of Allan and Heidi! They stood by and watched while I was beaten! Arthur, I can’t live like this anymore. Isolde is out to destroy me! She said that as long as I remain in the Valen family, she has countless ways to make me suffer!”

“Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!” Arthur trembled with rage. “I am a man of honor, yet I’ve been blinded! How could Allan be so easily fooled? How could he fail to see right from wrong? This is beyond unacceptable!”

Cristina sobbed bitterly. “Maybe he’s blind to it, but you, Arthur, you cannot afford to be! That Isolde hit me, and now she’s sent for you—I know she’ll stop at nothing to slander me! The Valen family is bullying me! You have no idea how Margaret humiliated Mother the other day. She even said you wouldn’t dare divorce Agnes! Arthur, if you don’t prove yourself today, you’ll be trampled on for the rest of your life! I’ve lived in the Valen family for years, and I’ve never been treated this way until now. And why? Because you refused to stand your ground the other day!”

Arthur clenched his jaw. He had already heard from his mother about Margaret’s behavior, and it had enraged him. His mother had accused him of being weak, and though he had his reservations, he couldn’t deny the truth in her words. That night, he hadn’t even spoken to Agnes, leaving her to reflect on her actions. But perhaps that silence had only made the Valens believe he was spineless—enough to mistreat even his sister.

“Come,” Arthur declared, gripping Cristina’s hand. “We’re going to see Allan!”

As they reached the doorway, Hattie blocked their path. “Arthur, Lady Isolde says that if you’ve arrived, you should head to Ningser Pavilion.”

Arthur flicked his sleeve and scoffed, his anger barely contained. “Perfect! I was looking for her anyway!”

Hattie’s tone remained indifferent. “Do you even know where Ningser Pavilion is?”

“Lead the way,” Arthur snapped.

Hattie let out a dry laugh. “What authority.”

“A mere servant from Ningser Pavilion dares to act so insolent—one can only imagine how vile her mistress must be.”

“Come along, then,” Hattie said coldly. “I’ll take you to see just how ‘vile’ my mistress is.”

As they walked, Arthur whispered to Cristina, “Stay silent once we get there. Let me handle it.”

“Of course,” Cristina nodded. Over the years, no matter what trouble she found herself in, her brother had always taken care of it. As long as Arthur was involved, there was no problem that couldn’t be solved.

When they arrived at Ningser Pavilion, they found Isolde and Heidi seated in a side hall. The room was freezing; there was no heated wall, no brazier, just a chilling emptiness.

Arthur stepped inside and immediately saw Heidi. His instinct was to bow in greeting, but Cristina’s words echoed in his mind—Heidi had sided with Isolde against her. His hands clenched at his sides, and he swallowed back the gesture of respect.

Isolde remained seated, gazing at him with a faint smirk. “Arthur, please, have a seat.”

“No need.” Arthur waved her off, his eyes sharp with accusation. “I came here today for one reason. Tell me, what crime did Cristina commit that warranted you striking her?”

“So, you’ve come to demand justice?” Isolde’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “But have you forgotten? I was the one who summoned you here.”

“And what of it? It makes no difference. I ask you plainly—did you strike Cristina? If you did, then I will see to it that you answer for it!”

“There is a difference,” Isolde said suddenly, rising to her feet, her voice turning icy. “Since I called for you, it means I have grievances to air as well. You should hear my case before you condemn me.”

“You dare to claim grievances after assaulting someone? How absurd!” Arthur sneered.

“Absurd?” Isolde laughed coldly. “What’s even more absurd is that you, a high-ranking official, a supposed paragon of justice, are here to shield your sister before even hearing the facts. Your sister disrespected her elders, defied the lady of the house, and yet before I even open my mouth, you rush in to defend her. Tell me, Arthur, who is truly being absurd here?”

“You made things difficult for her first—how could she respect you? And as for defying her elders…” Arthur’s gaze flickered toward Heidi. “If an elder stands upright and fair, why would anyone defy them?”

Isolde chuckled. “So, by your reasoning, the lady of the house is wrong, the elders are wrong, and only Cristina is blameless?”

“You deliberately tormented me!” Cristina interjected angrily.

“Tormented?” Isolde scoffed. “I merely asked you to serve me. Is that torment? If I truly wished to be cruel, I…”

Cristina’s voice dripped with disdain. “You wanted to, didn’t you? You held back only to maintain a virtuous facade in front of Oliver. Answer me, Isolde—did you, or did you not, tell me that as long as I remained in the Valen family, you would make my life a living hell?”

“I did.” Isolde admitted without hesitation.

“Then I haven’t wronged you!” Arthur’s fury erupted. “She is Cristina, and you are the lady of the house. Why must you go out of your way to torment her? Can’t you simply coexist in peace?”

“Coexist?” Isolde’s voice was as sharp as a blade. “Does ‘coexisting’ include a concubine serving the mistress? Cristina knelt in the Valen family’s main hall, claiming she was willing to be Johnathan’s concubine. If Rosemary had allowed it, would she not be required to perform a concubine’s duties, including serving the lady of the house? Since she willingly chose this path, why is it wrong for me to expect her to uphold her role? Arthur, explain that to me!”

“You have no shortage of servants—”

“Whether I need more servants is none of your concern. Answer me plainly—is it or is it not her duty to serve me?”

“Well…” Arthur faltered. “She was not raised as a servant. Besides, she and Oliver had an engagement before…”

“Enough!” Isolde snapped, her patience snapping like a bowstring. “You, a dignified official, dare to spout such shameless nonsense? I was only able to marry Oliver because she graciously stepped aside? Are you not embarrassed to say that aloud? She broke off the engagement! Did you ever apologize to Oliver? Did your family ever make amends? No! You ignored it, thinking Oliver was easy to bully, allowing your spoiled sister to wreak havoc as she pleased. And when she had no other choice but to become his concubine, you expect her to be treated as an equal? Arthur—have you no shame?”