Chapter 73: Report to Authorities

Raine perked up. “No, Miss Langley, you’ve misunderstood. Her Grace called me here to discuss a marriage proposal for my grandson with a maid from your estate.”

Isolde said, “I see. Then we aren’t in-laws. Raine, who do you have your eyes on?” As Isolde spoke, she pointed at the maids beside Matilda, then, intentionally or not, at Matilda before lowering her hand.

Matilda’s face flushed. “What do you mean? Don’t play dumb. This is your father’s idea.”

“It doesn’t matter. Please go back to your room,” Isolde said, approaching Matilda. “Don’t offend me. Otherwise, I’ll make things difficult for you.”

Matilda, shocked, stared coldly at Isolde, recalling her methods. However, remembering Geoffrey’s mention of this marriage, she knew that if Isolde disobeyed, Geoffrey wouldn’t let her off. Therefore, Matilda glared at Isolde for a long time before leaving.

Isolde smiled and said to Lad, “Hurry and help your grandmother back. She isn’t feeling well; this estate doesn’t agree with her.”

Lad looked at Isolde in a daze. “But they said they want me to see my future wife.” He turned to his grandmother. “Forget it. Since Grandmother is not feeling well, let’s go home first.”

Helena pretended to help support Raine. “Raine, be careful.”

Raine glanced at Helena. Although she didn’t understand the situation, she sensed internal strife and wished to remain uninvolved.

Lad bent and said in a muffled voice, “If you’re too ill to walk, let me carry you, Grandmother.”

Helena burst into laughter. Lad’s grandmother was merely pretending, but Lad couldn’t tell. Lad was stunned for a moment. He turned and saw Helena covering her mouth and laughing. He asked, “What are you laughing at?”

“I’m laughing at how strong you are,” Helena said.

Raine hit Lad on the head. “Get up. I’m fine.”

“You’re fine? Didn’t you just say you weren’t feeling well?” Lad stood up, looking at Raine in confusion.

Isolde looked at Raine. “Raine, in the future, if Father asks you to come, just make excuses.”

Raine smiled bitterly. “If it weren’t for Lad, I wouldn’t have come. Miss Langley, you know how troubled I am over his marriage.”

When Isolde visited her bakery, Raine always talked about looking forward to Lad’s marriage.

“Lad is a good person. He doesn’t have to worry about marrying,” Isolde said.

“Marrying is easy, but it’s not so easy to meet someone suitable,” Raine sighed softly, curtseying to Isolde. “Alright, I’m leaving. In the future, you can drop by my shop for a free meal.”

Isolde walked Raine out. “What, you think I can’t afford to pay?”

“You can, but it’s my treat.” Raine glanced at her grandson and sighed. “He’s such a blockhead.” She paused, looking at Isolde, then at the room full of maids.

Isolde understood Raine’s thoughts. “Alright, I won’t freeload. I’ll look around for someone suitable later.”

Raine was overjoyed, curtseying repeatedly. “Thanks, Miss Langley. In the future, Lad will do whatever you say.”

After sending Raine off, Isolde turned and saw Geoffrey standing in the corridor. Since Harlan’s conversation with Isolde, she hadn’t seen her father. Even regarding Isolde’s marriage to the Wood family, Geoffrey only sent a message.

Geoffrey’s expression was indifferent. “It’s useless no matter what you do. Marriage is a big matter. You must obey your parents. You can’t decide on your own.”

Isolde smiled faintly. “You should really say this in front of my mother’s grave.”

Geoffrey’s face darkened. “I’m doing this for your own good.”

“I’m sure Grandfather said the same thing to my mother.”

Isolde brushed past him.

“Regardless of whether you agree or not, or what tricks you get up to, you must marry Lad,” Geoffrey said coldly.

Isolde replied coldly, “Then I can guarantee the one who marries isn’t me. But seriously, you should find a son-in-law for Michelle first.”

Isolde strode away. A cold light flashed across Geoffrey’s eyes. No matter how hard he tried, Isolde wouldn’t change. Now, Isolde had finally dealt with Michelle.

Doug had indeed been to Marquis Velmont’s estate. Kendrick understood Doug’s meaning: whether Kendrick’s daughter-in-law stayed depended on his family’s decision and his daughter-in-law’s actions.

Although Kendrick wasn’t very capable, he still understood the underlying meaning—that Michelle couldn’t be divorced because of what happened in Montlins Manor with Isolde.

Therefore, Michelle was treated as before for the first few days. Believing the crisis had passed, she focused on treating her face. Unfortunately, the wound was too deep, and her hasty recovery using too much medicine caused it to rot.

Michelle’s husband, Greg Galloway, hated her and avoided her, spending his days in his concubines’ rooms. Even when he saw Michelle, he hid far away.

Michelle had always been calm and deliberate. She believed that even though Isolde had taken Montlins Manor, she couldn’t take her shop. Little did Michelle expect that when she visited her shop, veiled, the shopkeeper and staff had changed.

Michelle didn’t know Collin, but she knew Vincenzo. “Madam, why are you here?” Vincenzo recognized Michelle, even veiled; her greedy and shrewd eyes were unmistakable.

Michelle flew into a rage. “What are you doing here?”

Vincenzo said indifferently, “Of course we’re here to look after the shop. How strange for you to ask.”

“Who allowed you here?” Michelle pushed the account book aside and snatched the key. She had always run this profitable silk shop, unaware the staff had been changed and her previous staff hadn't sought her out.

“The shopkeeper. We were told to come,” Vincenzo glanced at the account book. “Madam, don’t cause trouble here.”

Michelle, suppressing her resentment for days, saw her shop taken and herself bullied by a servant. Her anger exploded. Disregarding her identity, she pointed at Vincenzo and scolded, “I’m the shopkeeper here. Get lost immediately.”

Vincenzo sneered. Just as he was about to speak, Collin picked up the account book and walked to Michelle. “I don’t care who you are. The contract of this shop says Isolde Langley is the shopkeeper. If you are her, you’re the shopkeeper. If you’re not, you’re the one who should leave. If you make a scene again, I’ll report to the authorities immediately.”

“How dare you?” Michelle, never treated this way, suppressed her anger and raised her hand to hit Collin. “Who do you think you are? How dare you speak to me like this?”

Collin didn’t dodge the slap. Then, he said to the staff, “Tell the authorities that her ladyship came to our shop to steal, vandalize, and even hurt the staff.” As Collin spoke, he threw the items he had picked up onto the ground.