The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 362: Trash

Midnight had barely passed when incessant pounding on the door jolted Isolde awake. Oliver stirred beside her, his voice laced with irritation. “What the hell is going on tonight? Is no one allowed to sleep?”

After the exhausting battles earlier, they had barely managed to fall asleep before this relentless knocking shattered the silence. “Something has happened,” came Ee’s voice from outside.

Isolde threw on a robe and rushed to the door. Esme rarely disturbed her rest unless the matter was serious. If she had come personally, then things had taken a turn for the worse.

Could it be Cristina again? Had she attempted suicide? Is she dead? Isolde’s mind raced as she pulled the door open. Esme peeked in and whispered, “Get dressed. You need to come to Lamherd Chamber.”

“Did something happen to Heidi?” Isolde asked in alarm. Lamherd Chamber was Lady Heidi’s residence. Allan had no other concubines, so if something had reached him there, it had to be serious.

“It’s not Heidi. But someone was taken there. Pablo and Margaret are there too.”

“Cristina?” Isolde guessed.

“More precisely—Cristina and William,” Esme corrected.

Isolde was surprised but didn’t ask more. She quickly changed into proper clothes.

“What’s going on?” Oliver sat up groggily.

“Not sure. They only called us over. But Cristina and William are involved.”

Oliver sighed, clearly annoyed. “This again? When will it end?”

“You don’t have to go. You have morning court tomorrow. Allan will understand.”

“Father’s going?”

“Apparently.”

“Then I have to go. If he’s involved, it’s serious.” Oliver got up, dressing swiftly. He noticed Isolde only had on a simple cotton robe, so he handed her a high-collared cloak, wrapped a fur-lined scarf around her neck, and pressed a hand warmer into her palm before they stepped out.

Upon entering the courtyard, the shouting grew louder. Inside, Cristina and William were kneeling on the cold stone floor. Allan and Heidi sat in their seats of authority—Allan’s face was dark with fury, while Heidi looked both horrified and anxious. Pablo stood with a whip in his hands, his face contorted with rage, ready to strike William. Margaret, usually composed, was now sobbing as she clung to Pablo, desperately trying to stop him.

“You still dare to defend him?” Pablo roared, shoving Margaret aside. “This is the fine son you’ve raised! He has committed an unspeakable disgrace! Tonight, I will beat him to death and be done with it!”

Oliver quickly intervened, stepping between them. “Father, let’s talk first.”

Seeing Oliver, Pablo’s face flushed red, and he sighed deeply. “Oliver, you have no idea what this ungrateful son of mine has done. He has wronged you… He deserves to die!”

Isolde followed Oliver’s gaze and finally took in the full scene—Cristina’s clothes were disheveled, her chest partially exposed. She was shivering violently, her lips nearly purple from the cold. William, on the other hand, looked completely lost, his eyes flickering with pain, humiliation, and rage. When his gaze met Isolde’s, shame flashed across his face before he quickly looked away.

Isolde instantly understood. William, what kind of trash are you collecting in this life?

Oliver came to the same realization. His sharp gaze flicked over Cristina’s face, but she didn’t show the slightest hint of remorse. Instead, she lifted her chin and looked at him with a defiant smirk.

“Since you refuse to acknowledge me,” Cristina sneered, “I will drag you down with me. Now, the entire household knows that your concubine has been caught in bed with your dear younger brother. How does it feel, Oliver?”

Margaret suddenly snapped her head up and glared at Oliver, her eyes burning with resentment. “So it was you,” she hissed. Her usual dignified expression twisted into one of rage and accusation. “This is your doing.”

Oliver remained indifferent. “I know nothing of this.”

Margaret let out a chilling laugh. “Nothing? You snakes and rats are all the same. You slither your own path—why must you ruin William in the process?”

“Are you insane?” Pablo barked, fury rising again. “Why are you blaming Oliver for this? What does this have to do with him? Your son was the one who acted shamefully!”

“My son would never touch a woman like Cristina of his own will! Why would he appear in her chambers unless Oliver orchestrated it?” Margaret snapped back. “Tell me, Oliver, did you drug him? Did you set him up?”

Oliver’s voice was cold as ice. “I did not.”

“Did not?” Margaret scoffed bitterly. “Cristina was your concubine. I heard that William went to her chambers right after you left. Why are you so cruel? What has William ever done to you? Why did you have to ruin him?”

Predictably, Pablo exploded. “Have you lost your mind? Why drag Oliver into this? This is your failure as a mother!”

Margaret, undaunted, sneered. “Yes, I failed to raise him properly. But he is your son too. Do you bear no responsibility?”

Pablo gritted his teeth, lifting his whip again. “Fine! Then I will discipline him properly tonight! If I beat him to death, so be it. If he lives, let this be his lesson.”

Margaret stepped in front of William, her laughter laced with tears. “You’ve never cared about your son. You despised me, so you despised him, too. Your heart has only ever held Prunella. That’s why you welcomed her daughter into your home like a treasure! Fine! Beat him to death. And when you do, I will die right here as well! Let your conscience be clear at last!”

Bringing Prunella into this was exactly what Isolde had predicted. If Pablo continued this argument, he would be forced to drag her mother’s memory into the mess. Prunella has long since found peace—Margaret will not be allowed to use her as a weapon.

Stepping forward, Isolde bowed slightly and spoke calmly. “Father, please contain your anger. At this point, blaming anyone will not solve the issue. Instead, we should focus on handling this before word spreads. If it does, the Valen family’s reputation, built over generations, will be utterly ruined.”

Allan, who had been silent, nodded in agreement. “She’s right. The matter must be resolved first. Punishment can wait.”

With those words, Isolde had once again shifted the focus entirely onto William’s disgrace.