Chapter 93: I’ll Remember This

Prudence declared sternly, “Insolent servants show no respect for their masters. If they were mine, I’d tie them up, beat them, and sell them.”

Priscilla, furious at seeing her daughter struck, immediately led a group of older maids from Caelmont to the Pearl Tower. Isolde waited in the courtyard, lounging lazily in an armchair with Leonis nestled in her arms. The wolf lay drowsily in her lap, and Isolde reclined just as indolently.

When Priscilla arrived, Isolde didn't bother to greet her, merely lifting her gaze and saying flatly, “Oh? Aunt Priscilla is here.”

Priscilla frowned. “Isolde, you may have grown up in the countryside, but you’ve been granted the title of County Princess. How can you behave so improperly? Others will say you have no manners, that we didn’t educate you well.”

Isolde chuckled. “I really do have no manners, Aunt Priscilla. Don’t you know that? I’m not like Martha, raised by you to be refined and well-mannered. Whenever she sees me, she’s either snatching something or picking a fight.”

Priscilla’s expression darkened, but she ignored the sarcasm. “Martha is young. Yes, she’s spoiled, but you’re older. You shouldn’t have hit her.”

Isolde waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, don’t blame me. I had no idea she was coming. How could I have hit her? She’s unruly; I can tolerate that. But if she lies and frames me, I won’t tolerate it. That deserves family discipline.”

Priscilla, unprepared for Isolde’s resistance, subtly signaled to an older maid. The maid stepped forward. “Miss Isolde Langley, you don’t decide on family discipline; that’s for Madam Langley. But your servants dared to strike Miss Martha Langley! That is outrageous! Madam Langley ordered that whoever laid hands on Miss Martha be tied up, beaten, and sold.”

Michelle, born days before Nicole, should have been the eldest among the younger generation. However, Prudence and Priscilla decided birth order could be considered separately, even within that generation. Consequently, Priscilla’s household never regarded Michelle as the heiress or showed much respect to Geoffrey’s daughters. Geoffrey had disagreed with Prudence's decision, but ultimately accepted it, having always obeyed his mother, whose explanation allowed no argument.

Hearing the maid, Isolde understood her words held favor with Prudence, but she didn't care. She shrugged. “Do whatever you want with them. But I want to remind you, they aren’t Langley family servants; they were sent by Mr. Becker.”

The maid smirked. “Is that so? It doesn’t matter who sent them. Once they enter the Duke’s estate, they are Langley servants. Madam Langley is mistress of this house; she has the right to deal with them. Do you really think Mr. Becker would bother with some servants? There’s no need to drag in names, Miss Isolde Langley. Mrs. Langley and I weren’t born yesterday. You can’t bluff us.”

Isolde spread her hands and turned away. “Suit yourselves.”

The maid swept a cold gaze over the Pearl Tower. “Whoever hit Miss Martha Langley, step forward now. Spare yourselves unnecessary suffering.”

Haley strode forward, clenched her fist, and slammed it into a nearby tree. “It was me!”

The maid scowled. “Who do you think you’re trying to—”

Before she finished, the thick tree trunk snapped in half, crashing to the ground. The maid stood frozen, staring blankly at Haley. Hattie stepped forward, playing with a small stone. She walked to the maid and said, “And me.” With a flick of her wrist, the stone crumbled to dust, scattered by a gust of wind, making the maid cough violently.

The maid snapped, “How dare you two attack your master?”

Hattie and Hazel replied in unison, “Our master is the County Princess. As for the rest, they’re nothing but air!”

“You… The Duke’s estate pays your wages!” The maid trembled with rage.

Isolde, leaning against the doorway, drawled, “Don’t talk nonsense. They take their wages from Mr. Becker and eat the food I pay for.”

Priscilla said coolly, “Isolde, this isn’t how you flaunt authority. Don’t you care about your reputation?”

Isolde laughed mockingly. “I’ve already thrown shame away. Why would I care about my reputation? Haven’t you already disgraced the Langley family enough? A whole household living off my mother’s money, yet you still lecture me? If you have even a shred of dignity, pack up and get back to Caelmont immediately.”

Seeing Priscilla’s show of force on Prudence’s behalf, Isolde saw no reason to play nice. Keeping the peace was a waste of time.

The maid was speechless for a long moment before sputtering, “You… you’re completely out of control! How outrageous!”

Even Priscilla, who prided herself on composure, couldn’t maintain her poise. Her eyes darkened with anger as she glared at Isolde. “I’ll remember this.”

Isolde, shedding her teasing tone, said sternly, “Good. I was worried you’d forget. And while you’re at it, remember this too: My mother’s money is more than enough to feed a few freeloaders. But I won’t tolerate those who bite the hand that feeds them and plot against the owner of this house.”

Priscilla’s lips trembled, her face paling. As a noblewoman, she had never been so directly insulted. She had no words to refute it. With a cold sneer, she said, “We’re leaving!”

The maid, unwilling to back down, muttered bitterly, “Duke Langley indulges you too much. Just wait until Madam Langley puts you in your place. How can a Duke’s daughter be so arrogant and rude?”

Isolde released Leonis, who darted toward the maid. The woman shrieked and fled, yelping all the way. Mitilda and Michelle escorted Prudence back to Blesertin, while Vance, Clark, and Braden settled in.

Blesertin, once Isolde’s residence, had been thoroughly cleaned by Mitilda, with fresh flowers and new necessities prepared. But upon entering, they saw Prunella’s cremation urn prominently displayed on the ebony table. The flowers Mitilda had placed elsewhere were moved beside it, with Prunella’s necklace lying next to it.

Prudence, who had been holding back her temper, snapped. “Someone, get this urn out of here!”