Chapter 54: Payday Arrives

Isolde was speechless for a long time after hearing the news. At Belleview Manor, field laborers were guaranteed at least one meat-containing meal daily, while logistics workers received meat every other day—real meat, not scraps.

After a moment, she turned to Eddie and said, “Your wages will be calculated from your start date at the manor: five hundred coins during the off-season, and one string of coins during peak farming periods. Once everything settles, I’ll settle your payment first.”

Eddie could hardly believe his ears. How could such a windfall suddenly befall him? Five hundred coins a month, a whole string during the busy season—over two years, how much money would that be? Dear heavens, he couldn’t even calculate it. That was a fortune.

His lips trembled as he stammered, “Y-you… you mean it?”

“I always keep my word. Now, go change your clothes and come back.” Isolde felt a strange mix of emotions. This was what he was rightfully owed, yet to him, it seemed like an unimaginable gift.

Eddie left, full of gratitude. Shortly after, Oliver arrived. Before he could speak, Isolde gestured for him to sit and poured him a cup of coffee. Oliver didn’t ask questions; he simply sipped his coffee in quiet companionship.

Half an hour later, dozens of field workers gathered outside the courtyard, clamoring to see Isolde. Jacqueline entered with a smug look and said, “Isolde, the field workers outside say they’re quitting and have come to collect their wages.”

Isolde glanced at her but didn’t respond. With a calm expression, she poured Oliver another cup of coffee. Seeing her composed demeanor, Oliver knew she had already made up her mind, so he chose to observe quietly.

Jacqueline, slightly annoyed at being ignored, said, “Fine, I’ll go check on the situation again.” Just as she turned to leave, Otto and Estella walked in. Otto’s gaze landed on the account books in the room, and he paused momentarily before scoffing indifferently, “So, the people around Isolde like to steal, it seems.”

What did it matter if she had the account books? The manor wasn’t hers in the end. If the laborers refused to work, wouldn’t she have to hand it back to Michelle anyway?

Isolde didn’t rise to his provocation. She remained unfazed, merely swirling her cup as if waiting for something.

Estella, growing impatient, said, “Isolde, the field workers all say they’re quitting. You should just pay them…”

Helena stepped forward angrily and retorted, “Isn’t all the money with Otto? If wages need to be settled, go find Otto! Why bother Isolde? If you want to leave, then leave. The manor won’t collapse without you.”

Estella scoffed arrogantly, “What do you know, little girl? The jujubes are about to ripen, and we need people for pest control, weeding, fertilizing, and irrigation. Without us, how will the work get done? Like it or not, this manor needs us.”

Hearing this, Isolde finally smiled and looked up at Estella. “The manor has been losing money every year. If you all leave, I’ll save on wages, which means fewer losses. Isn’t that a better outcome?”

Estella froze for a moment before quickly responding, “Sure, it lost money in past years, but this year, the jujubes are growing well, and they’ll surely fetch a good price. This year alone could recover all the losses from previous years. Isolde, don’t be short-sighted.”

Otto interjected sharply, “Why waste time talking? Just settle our wages and we’ll be gone.”

Isolde commanded, “Vincenzo, go to the accounting room and bring the money.”

Otto smirked, “Sorry, Isolde, but there’s no money left in accounting.”

“Wasn’t a thousand dollars sent here for expenses by Matilda? How could it be gone?” Isolde countered.

Otto raised an eyebrow, “That money’s long spent.”

Without pursuing the matter further, Isolde declared, “Fine, if the manor’s broke, I’ll cover your wages myself. How much is the manor in arrears?”

Estella was about to inflate the amount, but Oliver’s quiet interjection halted her. “If there’s any fraud or overcharging, Southern Watch is also an option.”

Scared, Estella quickly corrected, “Three months’ wages.”

Isolde laughed coldly. “You have the nerve to ask for so much? Farmhands get two hundred coins a month, and you claim two thousand five hundred?”

“We are the managers; naturally, we are paid more,” Estella stated boldly.

“A month’s wage for a chief manager is three taels, and for Otto, two taels. If you’re owed three months’ wages…” Isolde took a purse from Helena, counted out the appropriate money for the few managers, and tossed it on the table. “Here’s your money. Now get out.”

Estella was stunned, not expecting Isolde to actually pay. She hesitated to take the money.

Otto, quickly regaining his composure, said, “Our wages are secondary. The farmhands’ wages must be settled first. Settle everyone’s wages, and we’ll leave immediately.” Thinking they could manipulate the farmhands? They thought wrong.

Harlan appeared at the door, signaling to Isolde. With a slight smile, Isolde stood and announced, “Very well, I will go out and explain to the farmhands myself. Let’s settle this.”

Leading the way, she stepped into the courtyard, where dozens of farmhands were loudly demanding their pay. The mood was tense. As Isolde approached, the clamor grew. Otto ran out, pointing at her and shouting to the workers, “This is our new employer, Miss Langley! She’s the one to ask for your wages!”

The workers surged forward, pressing around Isolde, all clamoring for their pay. Harlan and Vincenzo guarded her, not allowing anyone too close.

From the other side, Jessica and Wade led a group of villagers, shouting praises of the new mistress. “Come meet our new boss! Work at Montlin’s Manor, get meat every day, and get paid monthly!”

“Miss Langley,” the villagers greeted her enthusiastically. Otto and Estella’s faces fell as they realized Isolde had already prepared replacements.

The farmhands, thinking they had been preemptively replaced, grew even more outraged. “We’ve worked here for years, through thick and thin, and this is how we’re treated? To be replaced so heartlessly?”

“Pay us now! We want our wages immediately!” The demands grew louder and more insistent.

Isolde climbed onto a wall, whip in hand, and cracked it sharply to silence the crowd. “If you want your pay, quiet down and listen to me,” she commanded, her voice cutting through the tumult.