Chapter 420: Riley’s Confession

Isolde, with a teasing smile, said, “If I really sold the mountain, wouldn’t my mother scold me to death? That mountain was bought by her, after all. I’m just trying to scare them, but honestly, I do plan to sell it.”

Clark, confused, looked at her. “What exactly are you doing? You say you won’t sell, but you are going to—what’s really going on here?”

Isolde smiled and said nothing, letting the mystery hang in the air.

Clark, still puzzled, turned to Oliver. “Do you know what she means?”

Oliver chuckled. “Of course I do. She’s being perfectly clear.”

“Clearly?” Clark frowned, looking between the two of them. “So, are we selling it or not?”

“She’s not selling it to just anyone, but she could sell it to the Langley family,” Oliver replied with a grin.

“But they can’t afford it,” Clark retorted.

“The Langley family isn’t just those few people. Aren’t you a part of the Langley family too?” Oliver teased.

Clark was momentarily taken aback. “Me? Sell it to me? I don’t have 10 million.”

“Sell it to you for one thousand,” Isolde said with a playful smirk. “When they come, we’ll say we’re preparing to sell the mountain at the government office. We’ll get the paperwork sorted, and the deed will be transferred to your name.”

“That can’t be right. One thousand can’t buy a mountain—it’s practically giving it away. I can’t accept that,” Clark said, shaking his head.

“It’s a family matter. Don’t worry about it,” Isolde said, her voice light. “You’re my mother’s son, and when it comes to my father’s funeral, you’ve been helping out with the arrangements. You have a right to share in what they left behind. After all, you gave me the title of Marquise—if anyone’s getting a good deal here, it’s me.”

Clark rolled his eyes. “You’re making it sound like this was always yours.”

Oliver, watching them exchange polite refusals, chuckled. “Geoffrey and Prunella would probably rest easy knowing you two get along so well.”

At that moment, Anthony entered, his footsteps echoing in the tent. “Isolde, Riley wants to offer a prayer for Geoffrey, and Lawson and the others are waiting outside.”

Isolde, unfazed, replied, “I’m not stopping them. I’m angry with them, not my father. If they want to visit my father, let them come. But if they approach my father’s coffin without a shred of shame or guilt, Anthony, make sure they know what I think of that.”

Anthony nodded, heading back outside. Moments later, his voice rang out, loud enough for everyone to hear: “Geoffrey’s body has been here for days, but they still won’t let him inside. A man who served the Eryndral Empire for years, and now he can’t even enter the church, can’t even rest in the family grave. How do you think the people will talk about you if this gets out? You’ll have to live with that shame.”

“You can’t hurt him, but you can hurt his daughter. If you don’t feel guilty standing before his coffin, then go ahead and enter.”

Oliver, who had overheard the exchange, looked at Anthony with surprise. “Anthony, you’re getting pretty good at this.”

Isolde grinned. “He’s got a way with words. He knows how to handle these situations.”

Oliver laughed. “If they still have the nerve to come in after that, they must be completely shameless.”

Before anyone could say more, the flap of the tent opened. It wasn’t the Langley family, but Riley.

Anthony followed him inside. “Lawson’s still outside. He’ll come in later.”

“Let them wait,” Isolde said coolly.

Clark looked confused. “Why?”

Isolde smirked. “Who knows? They’re just saving face. After Anthony’s words, they couldn’t possibly come in without feeling utterly shameless.”

Riley, who had been arrogant and distant earlier, now entered the tent with a completely different attitude. He bowed slightly, his tone more respectful. “Greetings, Oliver. Greetings, Isolde. Greetings, Clark.”

“Not necessary,” Isolde replied, her voice flat.

Riley quickly said, “Please forgive me. I was in the wrong yesterday. I’ll make sure to explain everything to the Langley family, please rest assured, Marquise.”

“Whether you explain or not doesn’t matter. A clear conscience needs no explanation. My father won’t be falsely accused of causing Prudence’s death just because of a few words from you,” Isolde said coldly.

“Truly, it’s all a misunderstanding. I never said that. When Vance spoke about Geoffrey in front of the Langley family, I didn’t speak up or defend him. I’ve been away handling other matters and honestly didn’t know the full story. I’m not trying to defend myself, I’m just telling the truth. Please don’t be upset,” Riley said, his voice apologetic.

Isolde’s gaze turned to him, a faint smile on her lips. “Riley, are you here to offer your prayer for my father?”

Riley sighed softly. “It seems you’ve misunderstood me.” He stepped forward, bowing three times before the coffin. “Geoffrey, rest in peace.”

After his bows, he turned to Oliver and smiled faintly. “I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you both on your wedding yet. When you return to Argentum, I’ll be sure to send a proper gift.”

Oliver’s response was icy. “We didn’t invite you to our wedding, so don’t bother with any gifts.”

Riley’s smile faltered, and he awkwardly laughed. “Of course, of course. My apologies. I must’ve overstepped. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

He glanced at Isolde, who turned her head to the side, avoiding his gaze. Oliver’s face was completely cold.

Isolde, his eyes filled with desperation. “Marquise, I was wrong. Please, forgive me this once.” He looked up at her, his expression a picture of pleading.

Isolde, who had always been somewhat lenient with eunuchs, especially given Doug’s background, had always shown some compassion. However, Riley’s actions were unforgivable. His involvement in forging the tombstone was enough to earn him a small punishment, but she had no intention of ruining him entirely, especially since he was a person close to Catherine. She preferred to avoid getting too entangled in palace matters.

Seeing him beg, Isolde raised an eyebrow. “Alright, tell me, was Ashley the one who instructed you to do this?”

Riley, no longer daring to hide the truth, immediately confessed. “Yes, it was Ashley. She visits Catherine every day, morning and night, always so attentive, and won her favor. One day, I made a mistake in front of Catherine, and she scolded me. Ashley comforted me, saying Catherine was upset over certain matters, and advised me to be more cautious. She also gave me a way to atone for my actions.”

Riley’s voice trailed off, and he seemed visibly regretful, as if he regretted ever listening to Ashley.

Isolde, sensing there was more to the story, urged, “Continue.”

Riley hesitated before speaking again, his voice quieter. “Ashley told me to act, and I did. She said it would help her cause, but… looking back, I realize now it was a mistake. I wish I hadn’t done it.”