Chapter 187

Chapter 187

Elizabeth wasn't stupid—of course she wouldn't just sit there and take it. The instant Isaac's hand came down, she was already on her feet, running toward the door.

Cornelius happened to walk in just then. Elizabeth ducked behind him without shame.

"I said something wrong and made Uncle Isaac angry. Uncle Isaac was going to hit me."

Cornelius looked at Isaac. "Uncle Isaac's temper is getting worse and worse."

Isaac's slap had missed its target. He felt he'd lost face. He glared furiously at Elizabeth hiding behind Cornelius. "Who told you to say those things?"

Elizabeth smiled. "No one told me to. Isn't it just common knowledge? If Uncle Isaac doesn't like hearing it, I just won't say it in the future."

But not saying it in the future didn't change the fact that she'd already said it now. Isaac's face turned livid with rage. He wanted nothing more than to drag this bitch out. "She disrespected her elders just now. I need to teach her a lesson. Cornelius, move aside."

Elizabeth hid behind Cornelius, poking her head out. "That wouldn't be good, would it? I'm still the Habsburg family's daughter-in-law. If Uncle Isaac swells up my face, what will people say when they see it? I can't very well say I fell. But if I say I was punished by Uncle Isaac for disrespecting my elders... won't people think Uncle Isaac abuses his juniors?"

Today she seemed to have had an epiphany. Discovering that passive-aggressive remarks could drive Isaac to his death, she used this tactic to perfection.

Isaac's complexion could no longer be described as livid—it was dark as storm clouds. "Cornelius, this woman is so brazen—are you going to do something about it or not!"

Angelina hurried over to placate him, pretending to mediate. "Uncle Isaac, please don't be angry. She just speaks without thinking—she certainly didn't mean to upset you. She's right—if she gets beaten at home and people ask about it when she goes out, it might damage your reputation."

Hearing this made Isaac even angrier. This was clearly Elizabeth threatening him. If he let it go today, word would get out and he'd lose all face. He had to make Elizabeth understand who held power in this household!

"None of you plead on her behalf. I think she's lost her mind, daring to disrespect her elders! Today I must teach her a proper lesson and show her what Habsburg family rules mean!"

Isaac strode over quickly, reaching out to grab Elizabeth's wrist.

But before he could touch her, Cornelius blocked him.

Cornelius said gently, "Uncle Isaac, why go this far? Getting so angry over such small matters."

Isaac glared at him furiously. "You call this a small matter? If I don't teach her a lesson today, she'll have no respect for me as an elder in the future!"

Cornelius glanced at Elizabeth and asked, "Do you have no respect for Uncle Isaac?"

"Of course I do." Elizabeth said immediately. "Uncle Isaac is the authority in this household, the unquestioned patriarch. No one can challenge him or disobey him. Everyone must follow Uncle Isaac's orders."

It sounded obedient but was still defiant.

Isaac's heart pounded. He felt that if he didn't vent this anger, he'd die from it. "Cornelius, move aside."

Cornelius was somewhat helpless. He hadn't expected Elizabeth to be so bold today, but he couldn't let Isaac punish her either. He could only keep Elizabeth behind him. "Uncle Isaac, if you're truly angry, let me be punished in her place. Isn't it just confinement? I'll take her there right now."

Habsburg family rules—those who disrespect their elders or commit offenses face confinement.

Cornelius took Elizabeth away.

He didn't give Isaac any chance to hold her accountable. For Isaac to press the issue now would be inappropriate—they were already confining themselves. As an elder, he couldn't very well insist on corporal punishment. So he instructed the servants: "Lock her up for one night. Don't bring Elizabeth any food or water!"

The servants trembled as they acknowledged the order.

Isaac swept out angrily.

Ethan had watched the whole show and was preparing to leave when Angelina's voice drifted from behind him. "Don't you want revenge on Elizabeth anymore?"

Ethan's steps paused slightly. He turned to look at her, mocking. "Angelina, don't treat everyone like they're idiots."

Angelina instinctively glanced around. Confirming that no one was nearby—they were alone in the living room—she asked, "What do you mean?"

Ethan didn't care whether anyone was around or not. If he wanted to say something, he'd say it. "You're using me as your weapon because I'm willing, but that doesn't mean you can use me however you please."

This man and his damned perceptiveness!

Angelina's lips curved slightly. She knew that when she smiled this way, she looked most like Daisy. "I'm doing this for you. For Daisy."

Sure enough, Ethan looked momentarily dazed, but quickly snapped out of it, his expression turning disgusted. "Imitating her only makes you uglier."

Angelina's smile gradually faded. "If Daisy were still here, she would never say that to me."

"That's because she was kind. It doesn't mean everyone will be fooled by you." Ethan moved closer, seemingly intimate but with an icy tone. "Angelina, I've actually always wondered—where were you when Daisy had her accident?"

The day before Daisy's accident, she'd been with Ethan. The next day, Daisy said Angelina had asked her out. They separated.

After that, Daisy had her accident. And before it happened, she'd received a call from Elizabeth.

Angelina's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm. "I was at home, of course. Daisy was called out by Elizabeth."

"Right." Ethan stepped back. Even though they hadn't touched, he still brushed off his collar, as if getting close to her had contaminated him with filthy bacteria. "I won't let Elizabeth go. But some things—I'll investigate."

Watching his retreating figure, Angelina bit down hard on her lip, even tasting blood. "Go ahead and investigate. You won't find anything."

She was certain. No one knew what really happened that day.

Around the corner, a figure flashed past.

In the confinement room, it was pitch black. Only a shabby sofa sat in the corner. Elizabeth found her way to it with practiced ease and sat down. The air smelled of dust, but she was long used to it.

"You can leave now."

Cornelius didn't leave. Instead, he closed the door behind him and pulled out his phone. Immediately, a small point of light appeared in the pitch-dark environment.

Elizabeth's eyes had already adjusted to the darkness. Unaccustomed to the sudden light, she instinctively closed them.

Then she suddenly heard Cornelius ask a question. "Why provoke Uncle Isaac?"

Elizabeth lowered her head and rubbed her eyes. "No reason. I just wanted to."

Cornelius leaned against the door, his deep eyes carrying a hint of mockery. "You think this will get you out of the Habsburg family? What a naive idea."

He'd seen through her!

Elizabeth's fingers curled slightly on her knees. Her expression was blank. "Those are your words, not mine."

"You'd better give up that idea. You can't handle the consequences of provoking Uncle Isaac." Cornelius was somewhat angry about her behavior. He was here today—but what if he wasn't?

Isaac's methods were notoriously ruthless.

"If you don't want your father and brother to suffer because of you, keep your mouth shut."

"That's the only trick you people have."

Nothing but threats.

Elizabeth didn't want to talk to him anymore. She hugged her knees and leaned against the sofa.

Seeing her refuse to communicate like this, Cornelius swallowed back the words that had reached his lips: "I'll get you out of here in a bit."