Chapter 421: The Rogue Family

Riley let out a wry smile. “You’ve figured it out, haven’t you? Ashley told me that Catherine was upset because she raised some objections at Mystic Palace that the King didn’t accept, specifically about your hereditary title. I later asked people close to Catherine, and it turns out there was some truth to Ashley’s words. Ashley said Catherine hates you. If you can’t inherit your title, she believes it would make Catherine happy. So, following her instructions, I left the palace and went to find Arthur. Arthur introduced me to Darwin, who gave me the plan. He said I should tell Catherine that a stone tablet at Vruburn Church contained something related to the Wallace family. Catherine sent me to Zrork City to assist Vance.”

Isolde paused, her mind racing. “Who made the connection to Vance? Did you and Vance conspire before you went to Zrork City?”

“I didn’t conspire with him. I arrived in Zrork City first, and only after that did Vance come.”

“Then did you ask Vance who instructed him to cause trouble in Zrork City?” Oliver asked, narrowing his eyes.

“I didn’t ask, but we all know it’s for Ashley’s sake,” Riley replied.

Isolde exchanged a glance with Oliver—this was a significant clue. If Riley hadn’t been in contact with Vance directly, it meant Darwin must have been the one to approach Vance. Vance’s recent boldness suggested he had someone powerful backing him up.

“Darwin—was that the deputy commander of the imperial soldiers, Darwin Fuentes?” Isolde asked.

“Yes, that’s him.”

“Arthur introduced you to him?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, you can go now,” Isolde said, dismissing Riley.

Riley bowed deeply. “Thank you. I’ll take my leave now. But what about the authorities?”

“Handle the stone tablet issue with Catherine yourself. As for the authorities, I’ll talk to Hassan,” Isolde said calmly.

Riley smiled with relief. “Thank you so much. I’ll take my leave.”

Once Riley left, the Langley family was still standing outside the tent, showing no sign of entering. Isolde turned to Oliver.

“Do you know what kind of man Darwin is?”

“I’ve crossed paths with him a few times. He’s sharp, skilled, and highly respected by the King. But he’s low-key and avoids the spotlight. Otherwise, with his abilities, he wouldn’t still be a deputy commander.”

“A smart and low-key person, yet working for Ashley?” Isolde’s suspicion grew. If Riley hadn’t been in contact with Vance, then it must have been Darwin who approached him. Vance’s current arrogance clearly showed that someone with real power was backing him up—someone like Darwin. But why would Darwin work for Ashley? That didn’t add up.

Chapter 421: The Rogue Family

Lawson, once full of authority, now appeared deflated and weary. He placed a flower near the memorial and closed his eyes in silent prayer.

Gage stepped forward to console him, but Lawson coldly replied, “You don’t have the right to comfort me.”

Gage backed away, muttering.

“Geoffrey, I failed you. In this harsh winter, I’ve let you lie here for days without even letting you into the church. It was wrong of me. Please, don’t hold this against me. I was misled by those deceitful words.” He paused, then stood and turned to Isolde, speaking earnestly. “Isolde, I apologize for everything. I hope you’ll show mercy and not sell the ancestral land. As for the charges you’ve brought against us, we accept them and will comply with the authorities’ decision. But we ask one thing—please don’t sell the ancestral grave. If you must sell, give us one or two months to raise the ten million. We’ll personally deliver it to you in Argentum.”

Isolde regarded him coolly. “First of all, I’m selling the land, not the ancestral grave. Secondly, you’re too late. I’ve already sold it. If you want to buy it back, you’ll have to negotiate with the new owner.”

Lawson’s face turned pale. “Sold? To whom? Skylar? Or Riley?”

“Neither. I sold it to Clark,” Isolde replied flatly.

Lawson visibly relaxed, his expression softening. He looked at Clark with a pleading gaze. “Clark, you’re a Langley family descendant, so selling it to you is acceptable. However, this land can only be used for burial purposes and not for anything else.”

Clark replied, “Lawson, my father couldn’t be buried in the ancestral grave or even enter the Langley family church. You didn’t recognize him as a Langley descendant. If he’s not one of you, then neither am I.”

Lawson had hoped Clark would be more reasonable, but the situation was still tense. He sighed softly. “I admit I was wrong. I trusted Vance’s words. Please, have mercy on us. We will make things right. Geoffrey and Prunella will have their memorials in the church. As for the ancestral grave, we’ll find a better spot so they can rest together. How about that?”

“There’s no need,” Clark said coldly. “We’ve decided to bury them in Argentum.”

Lawson hesitated. “But how can you leave the ancestral grave empty? There’s no place to bury them in another land.”

“When the homeland doesn’t accept them, we must find another resting place,” Isolde said, signaling for the priests to prepare for the evening journey back to Argentum.

Lawson was stunned. He thought they were just trying to leverage the situation to secure a better plot in the ancestral grave, and once they agreed, everything would be fine. But now, they were actually preparing to leave for Argentum. It wasn’t just idle talk.

“Are you really going to do this? We’ve made concessions, and you still want to leave?” Lawson’s voice rose in frustration.

Isolde raised her hand, dismissing him. “Please, go. This place isn’t suitable for further disputes.”

Gage, now angered, said, “You really don’t know when to quit, do you? We’ve admitted our mistakes, but you still won’t relent. We wronged your father, yes, but he did give you the hereditary title. What about the Langley family’s sons? What about us? He lived comfortably in Argentum all these years, yet he never…

Isolde, hearing this, felt a surge of anger. But before she could speak, Oliver stepped forward, pointing at Gage’s chest with fury.

“You ungrateful fool. You have no right to complain about Geoffrey not helping you. Who do you think you are? Do you think anyone would want to help a bunch of lazy parasites like you? The Langley family’s future wasn’t built on your backs! Geoffrey couldn’t even rely on his own family to help him in the court. And now you’re accusing him of neglect? Have you ever helped him? Have you ever done anything for him? And how do you treat him now that he’s gone? Go back and look at yourselves in the mirror and ask if you’re any different from bandits! If we weren’t at this point, would you even be here offering prayers?”

The room fell silent as everyone took in Oliver’s scathing words.