Chapter 446: Heidi and Agnes’ Grudge
William, consumed by humiliation, threw caution to the wind and launched a swift, desperate attack on Oliver with a dagger, channeling every ounce of his strength into the strike. But the dagger was effortlessly caught between Oliver’s two fingers. It wasn’t even caught by Oliver’s iron grip. Had it been, William might have felt a sliver of dignity, but the fact that he, in what he believed to be a final, full-force attack, had his weapon caught with just two fingers left him frozen in place, staring in disbelief.
“Unfilial son!” Pablo stormed forward and slapped William across the face with such force that William nearly spat blood. “He’s your sworn brother, and you use your weapon not against an enemy, but against your own family? What good are you if you live?”
One slap wasn’t enough to quell his fury. Pablo continued, delivering several more slaps, each blow harder than the last, until William was knocked to the ground, barely conscious.
Margaret, unable to remain composed any longer, rushed to protect her son, her voice rising in fury. “Are you trying to kill your own son?”
“Let him die, then! What use is he alive? A mother’s indulgence ruins a son—this is your fault, you spoiled him!” Pablo’s rage boiled over, and seeing Margaret protect him only made him lash out further, kicking William again.
“Stop!” Margaret cried, her voice heavy with grief. “If you want to kill him, kill me first.” She looked at Pablo with deep sorrow in her eyes. “We’ve lost everything in this house—we’re not even worth as much as outsiders.”
Her eyes finally locked onto Oliver and Isolde with a look of barely concealed hatred. The calm façade she had carefully crafted shattered, and a fire of fury burned within her.
Oliver said nothing, his silence a response to her hatred that seemed all too familiar. But Isolde spoke up, her voice cool and steady. “If you think of us as outsiders, then we shouldn’t interfere with your family matters. We’ll take our leave.”
Without waiting for a response, she pulled Oliver by the hand and walked away. Behind them, Pablo’s angry shouts echoed, but neither of them turned back.
Oliver’s face remained impassive, but his voice softened as he said, “Isolde, if you feel like it’s unbearable to stay here, we can move out.”
Isolde shook her head, her eyes warm. “Am I supposed to run from barking dogs? There are people in this house I respect and care for. I would never leave those who matter to me just because of those who don’t.”
Oliver squeezed her hand gently, his gaze softening. “I’m sorry for making you go through this.”
Isolde smiled warmly. “As long as I’m with you, there’s no grievance.”
Hand in hand, they walked forward, and the cold wind seemed a little less biting.
Her expression hardened, and she turned to Oliver. “You go ahead. I’ll go see what’s happening.”
Oliver nodded. “Okay, take care.”
Women’s matters, he knew, were not for him to meddle in.
Isolde made her way to Heidi’s room, where she found Agnes berating Heidi fiercely. “You know what you said and what you did, don’t you? You’re an outsider—you think I’ll treat you like a grandmother? Dream on.”
Heidi sat there, head lowered, silent, enduring Agnes’ harsh words without a response.