Chapter 38: Forcing Her to Break

Isolde pondered for a moment before speaking, her tone slow and deliberate. "How touching. After all these years, you still remember my mother, remember how she once favored you. Even more so, that you chose to stay, despite the manor losing money year after year. I am truly moved. Very well. I’ll listen to you—I won’t sell the estate."

Michelle’s expression stiffened. “You won’t sell it?”

Isolde met her gaze with a serene smile. “That’s right. I won’t sell it.”

Michelle narrowed her eyes. Is she really this obedient? Just a few words from the estate workers, and she changed her mind!

“Isolde, I know you’re just saying that to pacify them,” Michelle said, unwilling to believe her. “You still want to sell the estate, don’t you?”

Isolde shook her head, her expression earnest. “No, I mean it. If the estate loses money, so be it. Like you said, selling my mother’s property would be unfilial. I always listen to you, don’t I?”

Michelle’s face darkened. “When I wanted you to listen, you refused. Now that I need you to cause a scene, you suddenly decide to behave?” Her eyes flicked toward the door, where Harlan still sat on a stone slab, his sword resting on his knee, his expression utterly unmoved.

Slowly, Michelle rose. “Good. As long as you agree, then I won’t disturb you any further. You should rest.”

Isolde gave a half-hearted gesture of courtesy, but she remained seated, her attitude distant and indifferent. Michelle cast her a cold glare before swiftly leaving. Outside, Eleanor hurried to meet her. “She didn’t lose her temper—what do we do?”

Michelle’s expression was grim. “We’ll regroup and plan again.” She hesitated for a moment before adding, “Actually, it doesn’t matter whether she gets angry or not. The estate is filled with our people. Whatever happens here, we control the narrative. As for Harlan, he’s already seen that we nearly had a dispute—if anything happens later, he’ll just assume it was inevitable.”

Eleanor bit her lip nervously. “So we’re still going ahead with the plan?”

A ruthless glint flashed through Michelle’s eyes. “At this point, there’s no turning back. If you don’t want to be a concubine, this is the only way.”

“Of course I don’t want to be a concubine,” Eleanor said anxiously. “This must succeed. We cannot fail.”

“Don’t worry,” Michelle said, inhaling deeply. Everything was arranged. Yet, when she recalled Isolde’s unexpected compliance, an uneasy feeling stirred in her chest. It felt like I’ve walked straight into her trap. But she quickly dismissed the thought. How could Isolde set a trap? This estate belonged to them. The servants, the overseers—everyone here was under their control. Isolde only had two maids. Harlan remained neutral. What could she possibly do? Reassured, Michelle steadied herself.

Even in the evening, Montlins Manor was stiflingly hot. The occasional breeze was a welcome relief. Michelle stood outside, surveying the vast land before her—acres upon acres of jujube trees stretching into the distance. Ever since her marriage, Montlins Manor had been hers. The Velmont family was an empty shell; without the estate and shops, she could not maintain her facade of wealth. Her fingers clenched into fists, her lips tightening as she muttered to herself, “Isolde, I will never let you marry into the Valen family. I will never let you surpass me. I am the eldest daughter of the Duke’s estate. I always have been. And you? You’re nothing more than a wild child dragged back from the countryside.”

After Michelle and Eleanor left, Isolde finally called for Harlan. “I have a favor to ask,” she said, her tone sincere.

Harlan lifted his gaze, his sharp eyes appraising her. “You want to see the account books?”

Isolde shook her head. “No need. I already know whether Montlins Manor is making a profit or not.”

Harlan’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “You do?”

Isolde’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “Montlins Manor was given to Michelle as part of her dowry. If it were truly losing money, where would she be getting the money to maintain her lifestyle?”

Harlan’s expression deepened with intrigue. “It seems you’ve known everything all along. You were just pretending to be ignorant.”

Isolde’s smile didn’t waver. “If I hadn’t played dumb, would I have lasted two years at the Duke’s estate? More likely, I would have been sent away within two months.”

Harlan chuckled. “Fair enough. So, what is it you need from me?”

“I want to find the two overseers who left Montlins Manor after my mother died,” Isolde said.

Harlan frowned slightly. “Why?”

“To run the estate.”

Harlan studied her closely. “Do you truly believe you can take the estate back?”

“Why not?” Isolde said with a naive smile. “Mrs. Langley brought me here for the handover, didn’t she? And she brought you to be a witness.”

Harlan stared at her. He couldn’t tell whether she was genuinely foolish or playing a deeper game.

“Why those two in particular?” he asked.

Isolde’s smile widened, revealing sharp edges. “Because they didn’t betray my mother.” She had known about Montlins Manor’s affairs in her past life. When Matilda first took control, anyone who had been loyal to Prunella was immediately removed. Later, after the estate was included in Michelle’s dowry, she brought in her own people to secure her hold over it. In her past life, Isolde had known that Michelle’s actions were part of her ongoing battle with Prudence—a vicious war over Prunella’s inheritance.

Even now, the battle raged on. But this time, Isolde was no longer a bystander. She was a player.

In her past life, she hadn’t cared about wealth. The only things that mattered to her had been Pablo and her husband, William.

Harlan looked at her—this seemingly innocent girl—with a strange sense of unease. Was she truly naive, or did she see everything? And if she saw everything, was she really so confident that she could win against Matilda? The world of politics and power was treacherous—far more than even the most skilled warriors could navigate.

“You don’t want my help?” Isolde asked lightly.

Harlan composed himself. “I never said that. I’ll ask the workers if they know where those two have gone.”

“Much appreciated,” Isolde said. “In fact, why not do it now?”

Harlan sighed. “No rush. If you were as clever as you seem, you’d know that this is the worst possible moment to send me away.”

Isolde flipped the cup she had earlier overturned. “No, Harlan. Until Milton arrives, I won’t be in any danger.”

Harlan chuckled softly, a rare warmth in his usually sharp gaze. “Ah. So you’ve already made your plans.” Then, after a brief pause, he added, “By the way, what about your bodyguard, Vincenzo? Why didn’t you bring him along?”

Isolde smiled. “This estate isn’t exactly full of wild beasts. Why would I need an army?”

Harlan’s smirk deepened. “Understood.” With that, he gave her a lingering glance before turning to leave, sword in hand.

After Harlan left, Isolde dipped her finger in water and traced a single character onto the wooden table. Helena leaned in to look. The water hadn’t yet dried, and the faint imprint of the word “kill” glistened in the dim light. Just as Helena was absorbing the meaning, Jacqueline stepped inside. Helena immediately wiped the water away and snapped, “What are you doing here? If Isolde didn’t call for you, wait outside.”

Jacqueline scoffed. “Acting all high and mighty, aren’t you?” With a huff, she turned and walked out, her posture filled with resentment.