Chapter 94: Avoid the Confrontation

Just then, Priscilla and the old maid returned. Before Priscilla could speak, she saw the cremation urn. Her face paled with shock. She muttered, “Has Matilda lost her mind? This is Madam Langley’s residence, and she actually put a cremation urn here?”

“Did you deal with those two servants?” Prudence demanded angrily.

Before Priscilla could answer, the old maid stepped forward, indignant. “How could we? Miss Isolde Langley claimed the maids were sent by Mr. Becker, and they seem to have some fighting skills. She wouldn’t let us take them away. She even insulted Ms. Sullivan, calling her a shameless freeloader and implying you’re living off her mother’s money!”

The maid exaggerated Isolde’s words, inflaming the situation. Prudence’s eyes rolled back in fury; she nearly fainted. Priscilla and Nicole rushed to support her, Nicole rubbing her chest to soothe her. “Grandmother, please don’t be angry. Isolde just doesn’t know any better.”

“She doesn’t know any better?” Prudence took a deep breath and said coldly, “Then I’ll make sure she learns.”

Matilda and Michelle exchanged a pleased glance. Prudence was never lenient, and they were certain Isolde was in for a difficult time.

Prudence glanced at Matilda and ordered, “Why are you just standing there? Throw that urn out!”

Matilda was displeased; such a task should be for a servant, not her. Geoffrey treasured Prunella’s urn and handled it with care; he wouldn’t let others touch it. If she threw it out, she’d surely be dismissed.

Just then, Priscilla suggested, “Mother, perhaps we should wait until Geoffrey returns and ask if this was his decision. Isolde wouldn’t dare act so boldly.”

Prudence glanced at her and said, “Fine.” Both she and Priscilla knew this couldn’t have been Geoffrey’s decision. Complaining to Geoffrey wasn’t ideal; managing the household was the matriarch’s duty. But by asking Geoffrey who did it, she could subtly lodge her complaint.

When Geoffrey returned, Prudence summoned him to Blesertin. The moment he saw Prunella’s urn on the table, his expression darkened. Without greeting anyone, he rushed forward, carefully holding it. He wiped it with his sleeve before turning and demanding furiously, “Who put this here?”

Prudence sat composed yet commanding. Hearing his question, she replied coolly, “I assumed it was your arrangement, so I didn’t dare touch it.”

Geoffrey was taken aback. “How could I have arranged that?” He immediately thought of Isolde, his eyes filling with fury. “Was it that unruly girl?”

Prudence exhaled slowly before speaking in a measured tone. “You agreed when I sent her away. But you brought her back without consulting me. Have you forgotten what Mr. Tanner said? If she returned, she’d bring turmoil to this household. Look what’s happened: her engagement was broken off, Michelle’s marriage ended in disgrace, and now she dares to move her mother’s urn as she pleases. What kind of upper-class lady behaves this way?”

Having received prior instructions, Matilda stepped forward. “That’s right, Geoffrey. Earlier, she even had her servants assault Martha. Look at her; her face is swollen!”

Geoffrey turned to Martha and saw clear finger marks on her face. The young lady had obviously cried; her eyes were puffy and red, making her appear pitiable.

“Uncle Geoffrey,” Martha sniffled, her voice trembling. “I don’t know what I did to upset Isolde so much. She hates me for no reason. When my mother tried to reason with her, she said our whole family is freeloading off Aunt Prunella’s money and that we should act like servants!”

Geoffrey’s anger deepened. He assured Prudence and Martha, “Mother, I’ll find her and have her apologize.”

Prudence replied calmly, “There’s no need for an apology. You heard what she said today; it was beyond disrespectful. If we can avoid seeing her, we should.” The implication was clear: she wanted Geoffrey to send Isolde away.

Geoffrey hesitated. “I… I’ll go and reprimand her.”

Prudence’s eyes darkened with disappointment. “Go ahead. She’s your daughter. Handle her as you see fit.”

Without responding, Geoffrey left, clutching Prunella’s urn. Matilda seethed with jealousy. He treats a dead woman and her urn as if they were the most precious things in the world.

Instead of going to Isolde, Geoffrey returned Prunella’s urn to its place. He carefully wiped it until not a speck of dust remained, then reluctantly placed it back. He stood in silence before leaving.

As he left the room, his expression hardened. He turned to Harlan and said coldly, “To the Pearl Tower!”

From a distance, Noelle spotted Geoffrey approaching angrily. She hurried forward. “Mr. Langley.”

“Summon Miss Langley!” Geoffrey barked.

Noelle bowed. “Mr. Langley, Miss Langley has gone to church.”

“What is she doing in church?” Geoffrey’s face tensed.

Noelle replied, “Miss Langley said tomorrow is Mrs. Langley’s birthday, so she went to pray for her.”

Geoffrey froze, remembering that the next day was Prunella’s birthday. For all these years, he had never forgotten her birth and death anniversaries. But with recent events, he had somehow let it slip his mind.

Without another word, he turned. Every year, on Prunella’s birthday and death anniversary, he visited her grave with her favorite flowers. But this year, he hadn’t made any preparations yet. If he didn’t act quickly, it would be too late. He had already forgotten his purpose for coming to the Pearl Tower. All he could think about was his late wife.

Following behind, Harlan smiled slightly and gave Noelle a thumbs-up. Noelle stuck out her tongue playfully before hurrying back inside to shut the door.

“Miss Langley, Mr. Langley has left,” Noelle said.

Isolde remained calmly seated. Moments ago, she had secretly watched Geoffrey leave through the window. He had arrived in a rage. Isolde wasn’t afraid of a direct confrontation, but that would only benefit Prudence. Naturally, she had chosen to avoid it.

“Miss Langley, why did you place Mrs. Langley’s urn in Blesertin Hall?” Hazel asked, confused.

Isolde narrowed her eyes and said in a low voice, “I wanted them all to see clearly that the woman in that urn has supported them for years and is worthy of their reverence.”

“Aren’t you afraid Madam Langley might really throw it out?” Noelle asked.

Isolde replied, “Would she dare? If she did, Hattie was ready to catch it. I sent her to wait on the rooftop of Blesertin Hall, just in case. No one will disrespect my mother while I’m here. But if they actually had the audacity to toss it out, then they can prepare for an all-out war with me.”

Noelle smiled. “No wonder I didn’t see Hattie earlier. So she was on standby.”