Chapter 75: Divorced

Michelle's anger vanished, replaced by a rising fear. Her mind cleared. The Galloway family had never truly abandoned their plan to divorce her; they simply lacked a suitable pretext. Then Casey appeared.

Casey was rescued from the lake, pale, disheveled, and pitiable. Greg rushed to embrace her. Michelle slowly regained her composure, raising her head arrogantly. "What do you want?"

Even divorced, she would not cry. She had lost her composure and fallen into a trap, so she must remain calm.

Kendrick looked at Michelle and said sternly, "Pack your things and return to the Duke's estate. The divorce papers will be sent to your father."

Though Michelle expected this, she looked at Greg. "Do you agree?" she asked.

Greg, harboring a deep-seated resentment towards Michelle, blurted out, "When I married you, I thought you were gentle and kind. But since then, how much trouble have you caused? I have many concubines, but none became pregnant; those who did miscarried inexplicably. Michelle, do you dare say you had nothing to do with that?"

Michelle sneered. "They're not lucky enough to bear your child. What does that have to do with me?"

"That's right, they're all unlucky," Greg gritted his teeth. "My family has fallen from grace. We often rely on you to maintain our dignity. Because of this, no matter how much I hate you, I have endured you. The reputation of a large family like mine is paramount. But after the incident at Montlin Manor, I can no longer tolerate it. You would even hurt your own sister. I don't know if you'll scheme against my parents as well. Reputation is not as important as our lives. We can't keep you here. You must return to the Duke's estate."

Michelle knew Greg would say this, but her heart still ached fiercely. "That's right. Now that your family has allied with Mr. Becker, you naturally don't need me anymore. How ungrateful you all are," she smiled bitterly.

Despite her hatred for the Galloways, Michelle maintained her composure, curtseying to her in-laws. "Since I'm not wanted, I'll leave. After today, we'll be strangers. Take care!"

With that, Michelle turned and summoned the maid to pack her belongings, without looking back. Her heart shattered for a moment, but more than that, it filled with a cold ruthlessness honed from anger. She knew who was responsible for this. She would return.

She was divorced only because she no longer possessed a manor or shop. When she returned to the Duke's estate, she would reclaim what she had lost and gain even more, forcing the Galloway family to beg for her return.

The next morning, the divorce papers arrived at the Duke's estate. They declared Michelle evil and vicious, instructing the estate to send someone to collect her.

Chapter 75: Divorced (Continued)

Geoffrey was so angry he almost vomited blood. "Did Isolde go out yesterday?" he asked Harlan almost immediately.

Harlan replied, "She did, but she didn't say where she went."

"Where else could she go?" Geoffrey fumed. "Of course, she went to find Doug and ask him to pressure Kendrick. Otherwise, how could Michelle be divorced? Kendrick didn't even negotiate and directly sent the paperwork. He's humiliating me. No, Isolde and Doug are humiliating me."

Harlan remained silent; in his rage, Geoffrey wouldn't listen. The more Geoffrey thought about it, the angrier he became. He turned and walked towards the Pearl Tower.

News of Michelle's divorce had spread throughout the estate. Isolde naturally knew as well. Helena seemed very excited, but Isolde merely laughed it off.

When Geoffrey arrived, furious, Isolde showed no surprise.

"Are you happy that Michelle was divorced?" Geoffrey questioned, his expression dark, as soon as he entered.

Isolde said bluntly, "Yes, I'm very happy."

Geoffrey's lips trembled with rage. "I really shouldn't have let you return."

"Yes, you shouldn't have!" Isolde looked at him, devoid of affection. "From the day I was born, you abandoned me at Belleview Manor. If I had never returned, I wouldn't have resented you. I was happy there; I never had to see you, never had to know how cruel and heartless you truly are. From the moment I returned, I tried to please you, yet you never reciprocated. Even after enduring countless hardships, I foolishly hoped you could be moved, that invoking my mother's name could stir even a shred of guilt. My delusion, my one-sided wishful thinking, ended the day you punished me. I will no longer try to please you. Mother and I owe you nothing. If you are estranged from me, then you have severed ties with my mother as well. If you refuse to acknowledge me, then you refuse to acknowledge her. So, when I take back everything that rightfully belonged to her, I will leave the Langley family—taking Mother with me!"

Geoffrey barked, "How dare you!" Isolde's words crossed a line.

He pointed at Isolde, his finger almost touching her face. Anger burned in his eyes. "You killed your mother. If it weren't for you, she would still be alive and well. How could she have a vicious child like you? She sacrificed her life to give birth to you. Why don't you feel guilty? That's your sin. You should pay for your mother's life. You should go to hell!"

Harlan arrived and, hearing Geoffrey's words, rushed to stand between them, saying anxiously, "Your Grace, don't spout nonsense." Those words were too grave. If Isolde couldn't bear it and committed suicide, it would be a huge mistake.

Anyone else might have been devastated by Geoffrey's words, but not Isolde. She had been a mother. For her child, she was willing to pay any price. As long as her child could live well, she wouldn't care about her dignity.

Therefore, when Harlan spoke, she retorted coldly, "Why should I die? My life was exchanged for my mother's. It is the most precious gift to her. Not only will I not seek death, but I will also live well to comfort my mother's soul in heaven."

"You're not sad about your mother's death at all," Geoffrey said angrily.

"Alright, stop," Harlan said, fearing things would escalate. He quickly led the maids to pull Isolde back to her room. Helena and Noelle hurried forward to help. Isolde, having said her piece, left. She felt the Pearl Tower, or perhaps the estate itself, was depressing. She went to the stables, took a horse, and rode out. When she returned, Helena informed her that Bryant had already gone to fetch Michelle.