Chapter 363: A Way to Resolve It

Pablo, hearing both Allan and Isolde’s reasoning, took a deep breath and suppressed his rage. “Cristina was part of your household. This scandal has brought shame upon Oliver, making him a laughingstock. Even if she were beaten to death, it would not be excessive. But since you want to handle this, go ahead. Deal with them first.”

Isolde sighed softly. “She may have been in Oliver’s household, but Oliver never officially accepted her. There was no concubine ceremony. Everything was orchestrated by Rosemary. It was nothing but a farce. If Rosemary had other intentions when she arranged for Cristina to be Oliver’s concubine, I believe we should consult her first. If she had a different agenda, then let her take responsibility. We need not bear this disgrace alone.”

Allan furrowed his brows. “You mean…?”

Pablo, however, understood immediately. He nodded at Isolde. “You’re right. Whether it was a joke or serious, it was Rosemary’s word that made it so. If she says it was a joke, then that’s what it was.”

“Isolde, what are you trying to do? I was Oliver’s concubine—I even paid my respects to you! You may call me shameless, but I will not let him escape unscathed!” Cristina shrieked.

Isolde smiled. “Cristina, it was not improper for you to bow to me. At that time, I was Oliver’s wife. Now, you are William’s concubine. Serving me coffee was only natural.”

“Do you think everyone is blind?!” Cristina spat.

“I recall that when Rosemary asked you if you were willing to be a concubine in the Valen family, you agreed. William is part of the Valen family. Therefore, from this moment on, you are his concubine,” Isolde stated firmly.

“Isolde, shut up! This has nothing to do with you! I will not accept her as my concubine!” William roared in fury.

Isolde replied calmly, “William, if you refuse to take her in, do you think Arthur will let this go? If she takes this to the authorities and accuses you of forcing yourself on her, no one will be able to protect you.”

William’s rage burned as he turned on Cristina, his eyes bloodshot. “Why are you doing this to me?!”

Cristina smirked coldly. “If you want someone to blame, blame Oliver. He forced me into this.”

William turned to Oliver, his voice trembling with fury. “Will you only be satisfied when I’m destroyed?!”

Isolde’s voice was calm but cutting. “So, Cristina, you really did drug the incense?”

Cristina scoffed. “Of course. He lacked the will to resist—how is that my fault?”

She rose to her feet, straightened her clothes, and continued, “I was taken by William. If he refuses to take responsibility, I will go to the authorities and accuse him of drugging and assaulting me. At worst, we all go down together—I will not let you all get away unscathed.”

Pablo was livid. “You shameless woman!”

Heidi’s face was red with fury. “You admit to drugging him, yet you still plan to accuse him? Even if you go… was the one who drugged me, people will assume that you used your influence to alter the ruling. I’d like to see how many scandals the Valen family can endure.”

Margaret said nothing, but the hatred in her eyes burned deep.

A heavy silence fell over the room. In this world, reputation was the backbone of noble families. If Cristina had any regard for her own reputation, the Valen family could have handled this quietly. But since she was willing to sacrifice everything, there seemed to be no easy way out.

Isolde turned to Pablo and whispered, “Since what’s done is done, the only solution is for William to accept her. As for Oliver’s reputation, I will speak with Rosemary. This mess was her doing—she should be the one to clean it up.”

Pablo considered for a moment before giving his orders. “Send for Rosemary.”

Ryker, standing outside, answered, “Yes, sir.”

Isolde followed him out and instructed in a low voice, “Tell Rosemary that if she refuses to come, I will personally have Cristina brought to her doorstep.”

Ryker hesitated. “Are you serious?”

“Just do as I say,” Isolde commanded.

Allan finally spoke, his patience wearing thin. “Since William and Cristina have already… then William will take her in.”

Cristina lifted her head defiantly. “I refuse to be a concubine. He forced me. I want to be his wife.”

William’s face turned red with fury. He shot up from his knees and grabbed Cristina by the throat. “You still dare to demand anything?! I should kill you myself!”

Cristina gasped, struggling against his grip, clawing at his face in desperation.

Pablo’s whip cracked through the air, lashing across William’s hand. He immediately let go, recoiling in pain. The tip of the whip grazed Cristina’s cheek, leaving a red mark.

Cristina bared her teeth in pain but refused to cry. She merely glared at William with hatred.

Oliver, meanwhile, had moved to the side and casually sat down, as if the entire affair had nothing to do with him.

Allan turned to Margaret, his patience gone. “Margaret, what do you think?”

Margaret, though filled with resentment, knew she had no other choice. “I have no objections.”

Concubine or not, Cristina would now belong to William. There would be plenty of opportunities to deal with her later. Besides, their original marriage plans had involved Martha. Martha might not have been easy to deal with, but she knew when to yield.

“Then it’s decided,” Allan declared. “Send them back to change their clothes. When Rosemary arrives, we…”

“I will tell them I slept with Oliver in his bed. Now, I’ve been caught with another man—that’s the truth, and that’s what I will say,”

“You’re actually eager to announce your own infidelity? A truly unprecedented spectacle,” Isolde remarked.

She lifted her hand. “Fine. If that’s what you want, then let’s call your family here to discuss your ‘affair.’ Let’s see how they wish to handle this scandal.”

She immediately gave the order to summon the Felton family.

Allan approved of her approach. The Feltons would never allow Cristina to openly declare that she had willingly ‘cheated.’ He himself felt deeply regretful. He never should have agreed to Cristina’s request to meet Oliver tonight. Who would have thought she would resort to drugging him and causing this disgraceful scandal?

Within fifteen minutes, the Felton family arrived.

After hearing what had happened, August and Madilyn were speechless, their faces frozen in shock as they looked at Cristina in disbelief.

Arthur’s face twisted with rage. He struck Cristina across the face so hard that she staggered. His heart ached—he had always spoiled his sister—but this time, his fury could not be contained. “You have humiliated our entire family! How could you be so foolish? This was your future!”

But as much as he was furious with Cristina, he hated Isolde and Oliver even more. If not for them forcing Cristina into a corner, would she have resorted to such desperate measures?