Chapter 91: Challenging Prudence

Prudence was surprised. “The Marquis of Greystone’s daughter? How could you even suggest such a thing? She's a princess. Would she even consider Bryant?”

Matilda curled her lips. “She may be a princess, but she's arrogant and bad-tempered. No one is interested in marrying her now.”

Geoffrey's face darkened. “Watch your words. Do you not fear bringing trouble upon yourself?”

Seeing her husband's displeasure, Matilda fell silent. However, Prudence had heard her words. After a moment's reflection, she asked, “If I recall correctly, doesn't the Marquis of Greystone also have another daughter?”

Geoffrey replied, “Yes, Princess Sadie is known for her virtuous nature and medical skills. She is highly favored by the Queen Mother.”

Prudence said thoughtfully, “But even so, she is out of our league. Forget it. Let's first secure a good match for Nicole. We can consider other matters later.”

“Yes,” Matilda and Geoffrey replied in unison.

Prudence then turned her gaze to Michelle and asked, “What happened to you?”

Michelle, who had been sitting stiffly, immediately fell to her knees. Just as she was about to speak, Geoffrey dismissed the servants, then said, in front of Isolde, “She brought this upon herself. She has been cast out by the Velmont family.”

Prudence was shocked. Her face twitched, and anger flashed in her eyes. “How did this happen?”

Geoffrey recounted the events at Montlins Manor in detail. After hearing his account, Prudence’s gaze turned icy as she shot Isolde a look. “Why couldn’t this matter be handled privately? Did it really have to be blown out of proportion like that?”

Her anger was evident. In a noble household, one's honor was tied to the family's name. When one prospered, all prospered; when one fell, all suffered. With Michelle now branded a discarded woman, arranging marriages for Nicole and Martha would become difficult. Even the young men would face obstacles in securing advantageous matches.

Fury surged within Prudence, and she glared at Isolde.

Isolde smiled faintly. “Handled it privately? That was my original plan. But they involved the authorities and insisted on making a spectacle of it. What was I supposed to do?”

Prudence was seething but could find no fault in Isolde’s response. She merely turned her cold gaze to Matilda and said, “You were responsible for raising only two daughters, yet you failed with both. What use are you?” This comment implicitly included Isolde in her reprimand.

Matilda dared not speak and kept her head down, enduring the scolding.

Prudence continued, "You are all from the same family. Our fates are intertwined. If Isolde is doing well, as her mother, you'll also benefit. Wouldn't that be a good thing? Yet you insisted on siding with Michelle against her. Now that things have turned sour, what have you gained?"

Matilda resented her sister-in-law for always looking down on her. But since Prudence favored Priscilla, Matilda knew that if she talked back, Prudence would only get angrier. Thus, she kept her head lowered and remained silent.

Isolde had been watching when she suddenly saw Martha approach and reach for the pearl hairpin in her hair. Isolde swiftly brushed her hand away. “What are you doing?”

Martha, recently come of age, bore a striking resemblance to Priscilla. She had delicate features, but as the youngest, she was spoiled and domineering. She pointed at Isolde’s hairpin. “Give me that hairpin.”

Isolde replied flatly, “Why should I?”

“Because I want it,” Martha declared arrogantly.

“That’s your problem,” Isolde said coldly.

Geoffrey, knowing Isolde wasn’t someone to be provoked, fearing a scene that would upset Prudence, quickly smiled and said, “Martha, you like that hairpin? I’ll have someone get you a new one later. The one Isolde has is old. You won’t like it anyway.”

Martha huffed. “No! I want hers! I don’t care for a new one.”

Prudence turned to Isolde. “Since Martha likes it, just give it to her. It’s not worth much, and I’ll buy you another one later.”

Isolde responded without hesitation, “No need. You can buy her one instead. I like this one, and I don’t want to give it away.”

Prudence had assumed that even if Isolde was reluctant, she wouldn’t dare refuse outright. She hadn’t expected such a direct rejection. Her expression darkened immediately.

Noticing the tension, Priscilla smiled slightly. “Enough, Martha. If you want something, I’ll buy it for you later. How could you take what your cousin treasures? Isolde doesn’t have many things to begin with.”

Martha scoffed, lifting her chin. “How pathetic. Do I lack anything? If you gave it to me, I’d make sure to send you plenty in return. You’re just being stingy!”

Isolde smiled faintly. “What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is yours. You said I’m stingy, but you’re not much better off yourself. No matter how pathetic I am, at least I still have my mother’s money to spend.”

Turning to Prudence, she asked with a smile, “Isn’t that right, Grandmother? After all, my mother’s money is in your care.”

Prudence said coolly, “Yes, I am managing your mother’s money. What of it? Do you have an issue with that?”

Isolde chuckled. “Of course not. I’m not married yet, so it’s fine for you to keep it under your care. When the time comes for me to marry, you and Father won’t have to prepare wedding gifts for me. My mother’s money will be enough.”

Geoffrey’s expression changed slightly. “Isolde…”

Prudence said expressionlessly, “A young girl always talking about getting married, how shameless.”

Isolde laughed carelessly. “What’s so shameless about it? Women have to marry eventually, don’t they? Isn’t that what you’re doing for Nicole right now?”

Prudence looked at Geoffrey, her stern face growing colder. “If I didn’t mishear, Isolde is asking me for her mother’s money. Is that right? Is this her own idea, or yours? If it’s yours, you might as well just ask me directly. Do you really think I would refuse to return it to you?”

Priscilla and Vance exchanged a nervous glance. Geoffrey, fearing this misunderstanding, had tried to stop Isolde earlier. Now, hearing Prudence’s words, he hurriedly explained, “Mother, please don’t misunderstand. How could this be my idea? I never even considered it.”

Prudence said coldly, “I’m merely managing it for you. It will eventually be returned to you. But since Isolde has spoken this way, it seems she does not trust me. Well, I suppose that’s to be expected. After all, she’s not my own granddaughter. It’s only natural for you all to treat me as an outsider.”

Geoffrey, a caring son, was deeply mortified. “Mother, please don’t say that. If I ever harbor even the slightest doubt about you, may I never have peace in this life.”

He then scolded Isolde sternly, “You’ve already taken two or three estates from your mother’s assets. From now on, do not bring this up again.”

Isolde smiled faintly. “Of course, I won’t bring it up when it’s not necessary.”

She stood, gave a casual curtsy, and said, “Grandmother, enjoy your evening. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.” With that, she turned and walked away.