The Swordswoman's Revenge Story after Rebirth

e Swordswoman’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 51 Taking

Back the Manor

+6 Pearls

Harlan returned early in the morning, bringing two people with him.

The first was an older man, possibly in his late fifties or early sixties, with graying hair, sun-darkened skin, and a

calm, steady demeanor.

The second was a thin, frail-looking woman in her fifties, her back slightly hunched. Her hair was entirely white

at the temples, and a red birthmark sat squarely in the center of her forehead. Her eyes were small but sharp,

lined with countless wrinkles that spoke of hardship and shrewdness.

A formidable woman, no doubt.

“Isolde Both of them stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

Harlan had already spoken to them on the way back, so they knew who she was-Prunella’s daughter. Their eyes

held traces of emotion, a mix of nostalgia and disbelief.

Isolde rose to her feet and returned their greeting with a graceful curtsy. “You were both trusted by my mother. It

is an honor to meet you.

By addressing them first, and as a junior, she was showing them the highest level of

respect.

Jessica Gonzalez, the woman, remained composed, though her tone carried a trace of melancholy. “You've grown

so much,” she murmured. “The last t| saw her, the late Mrs. Langley was five months pregnant with you. She

had swollen terribly-her whole body, even her face and lips were turning blue... Ah...”

Isolde froze. This was the first tshe had ever heard anyone mention what her mother had gone through

during her pregnancy.

“She was swollen that badly at five months? And her lips and face were blue?” Isolde’s voice was calm, but her

fingers tightened against the fabric of her sleeve. “Are you certain?”

“How could | forget?” Jessica replied without hesitation.

In her previous life, Isolde had carried a child before, Swelling usually occurred later, around seven or eight

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months-not five. And blue lips and face? That wasn’t normal.

She had studied pregnancy carefully, obsessively questioning doctors during her own. That symptom was a sign

of severe anemia, of the body being completely drained of blood and oxygen. But her mother had been a

Duchess, wealthy beyond measure. There was no shortage of the finest tonics and medical care. Amber had

once mentioned that even Prunella herself had suspected something, going as far as bringing a physician to live

within the estate to monitor the pregnancy.

With such careful attention, how could her mother have still ended up in such a dire state?

Isolde quietly locked that thought away, making a note to investigate further. For now, she turned back to Jessica

and the old man, Wade McGee.

“Please, sit,” she said, motioning for them to take their places.

She then gestured to Jacqueline. “Bring coffee. And scakes.” Wade appeared hesitant, sitting stiffly, his

hands clasped in his lap as if unsure if he was truly welcome.

Jessica, however, was far more at ease. She took one bite of the cakes, then another, commenting betweent

tham much haras Whan tha Man mummimet mean

Chapter 51 Taking Back the Manor

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thick across the hills, I'd make entire trays of these. “The field hands would take them along when they went to

tend the orchards and fight of pests. But if they were too sweet, they'd get thirsty, and a thirsty worker is a

useless worker. This? No good, no good”

Jacqueline, who had prepared the food, scowled. “If it's so bad, why are you eating so much of it?” she

muttered.

Jessica cast her a sidelong glance. “Because Isolde offered them to me,” she said pointedly. “And if she told me

to take them home, I'd take every last one.”

Jacqueline rolled her eyes and stepped aside, muttering under her breath. Cheap and greedy.”

Jessica heard but pretended not to, stuffing another cake into her mouth before looking at Isolde. “Holde,” she

said, wiping her hands, may | take swith me??

“You may.” Isolde replied smoothly, though her gaze flickered to Helena briefly in silent command.

Jessica beamed. “Thank you, Isolde.”

But before she could leave, Isolde spoke again. “There’s no rush to go,” she said. Her gaze swept over both of

them. “I asked Harlan to bring you back because | want to know-would the two of you be willing to return to

Montlins Manor? To help me?”

Both Jessica and Wade hesitated.

Jessica put down the cake slowly, watching Isolde carefully. “You're offering us work?” she asked, cautious.

For the first tin years, she felt the slightest glimmer of hope. If she stayed here, the children wouldn't go

hungry.

But Montlins Manor didn’t belong to Isolde. It belonged to Matilda and Michelle. “Isolde, Jessica continued, her

voice turning sharp with suspicion, “whose decision is this? Yours? Or Matilda's?”

Isolde met her gaze directly. “Mine.”

Jessica let out a dry laugh, taking a sip of water. “This manor isn’t under your control, though.” She leaned back

slightly, a trace of defiance in her posture. “Do you even know why Wade and | left? We were caught stealing-

thrown in prison for a year. After that, we were exiled.”

“Did you actually steal?” Isolde asked.

Jessica didn’t hesitate. “We did.” She exhaled sharply. “But we already paid the price. If Matilda and Michelle

want to punish us further, then let them cand find me.”

“What exactly did you steal?” Isolde asked, her voice dangerously calm.

Jessica's expression darkened. “After Mrs. Langley died, they ordered all of her belongings to be burned,” she

said. “Wade and | took what we could before they destroyed everything.”

Isolde’s gaze sharpened. “Burning a deceased person's belongings-isn’t that a common practice?” she asked.

ris

Jessica shot to her feet. “Not everything is burned,” she snapped. “People keep mementos. But they wanted. to

erase her entirely.”

A chill crept down Isolde’s spine. Jessica took a deep breath, then bowed stiffly. “I've seen you now. That's

enough for me. | won't waste any more of your time.

Chapter 51 Faking Back the Manor

She reached for Wade, pulling him to his feet. “Con. We're leaving”

Wade hesitated. Isolde really does look like Mrs. Langley, he murmured.

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“She’s not her, Jessica said shortly. “We've seen her. That's enoug

“Are you truly unwilling to stay?” Isolde asked.

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Wade scratched his head, looking conflicted. “It’s not that we don’t want to,” he said sheepishly. “It’s that

Matilda won't allow it. And even if she does, Estella, Randy, and the others will never let us live in peace. They'll

make things difficult for us every day.”

Isolde’s voice was quiet but firm. They won't be able to.”

She turned to Helena. “Summon them.”

Helena bowed and left the room.

Moments later, Estella entered first, followed by Randy-who had to be helped in. Behind them cOtto and

several other estate managers.

Otto

stepped forward, dropping a thick ledger onto the table. “Isolde,” he said, his voice laced with feigned

politeness. “I assyou'd like to see the accounts? Here they are. Montlins Manor has been running at a loss

for years. If you don’t believe me, feel free to inspect the records yourself.”

Jessica's face turned red with fury. “You're lying!” she snapped. “Montlins Manor has never been. unprofitable!

The jujube harvest alone should be enough to make a fortune every year! And the fruit merchants-prices have

only been rising! How can you claim losses? Unless you've been stealing!”

The room fell into tense silence. The estate managers exchanged wary glances. Then, Estella let out a mocking

laugh.

“Well, well,” she sneered. “If it isn’t the thieves themselves. What, did you crawl back to beg for scraps? Montlins

Manor doesn’t welcthe likes of you. Leave before we throw you down the mountain.”

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Sat, 8 Mar

The Swordswoman'’s Revenge Story after Rebirth