Chapter 47 The Real Culprit

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48 Pearts

Ryker fell to his knees, his entire body trembling as he spoke This Montlins Manor–when Michelle was married, she asked Mrs. Langley for it, claiming that the Velmont family had fallen on hard times and needed the estate to sustain them. But Isolde later demanded it back. In desperation, Michelle came to m and together, we conspired with the manor’s staff to frame Isolde for assault. The plan was to have her locked away for a few years:

Eleanor. Eleanor had no idea. She wasn’t in on the plot. She didn’t think to be wary and was pushed into the water by Michelle. But in her shock and panic, she thought it was Isolde who did it. Randy tried to save her, but in the chaos, he startled Isolde’s dog, which delayed the rescue. It nearly cost both their lives”

Geoffrey let out a low, bitter laugh. “Brilliant,” he said coldly. “A truly magnificent scheme.”

His gaze snapped to Milton, his voice sharp as a blade.

“You knew nothing of this?”

Milton scoffed. “If I had, do you think Eleanor would have lost her child?

“I didn’t know either. Matilda added, her voice laced with forced indignation.

Oliver cast a glance at Isolde, his expression unreadable, before speaking.

“Since there’s no longer a need to take this case to the Southern Watch, let’s have all witnesses give their testimony again.”

And just 1

like that, under the weight of Ryker’s confession, every witness began to change their story.

The noble ladies now claimed they hadn’t actually seen or heard much–only a scream, most likely the moment Eleanor was pushed into the water by Michelle.

The maids and servants who had accompanied them split their statements–Eleanor’s people claimed they saw Michelle push her, while Michelle’s people conveniently “didn’t see anything.”

As for Isolde, it was now unanimously agreed that she had jumped into the water to save Eleanor but, being unable to swim, had accidentally dragged Michelle under in her panic.

The swiftness of these changes was no coincidence. The mere mention of the Southern Watch was enough to make them all fall in line. And with Ryker’s confession, the case was sealed. Milton and Matilda may have appeared uninvolved, but Geoffrey saw the truth as clear as day.

Milton had meddled in his family’s affairs–time and time again, never hesitating to resort to underhanded

means.

Turning, Geoffrey fixed Michelle with an icy stare. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

twisted into something ugly and bitter. A chilling smile tugged

why was her dowry left only to her? I am also a daughter of the Duke’s

realizing her family had escaped blame, seized the chance to prove

forumed stribine Michelle hord seener the fire not anda hur multinle rimar

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Sat, 8

47 The

Deads

this is

twitched as her battered face grew taut with suppressed rage. Her fists

sides.

had been watching her carefully, but she

was far more calculating

she bore the full brunt of

she would hold leverage over

lowered her gaze, smiling faintly. Trying to me Milton to rise again! How unfortunate.

seeing the murderous gleam in Michelle’s eyes, remembered how his child had been lost because

him by the sleeve. “Let’s go,” she

tangled web of schemes that had

all been orchestrated from the start–once the child was lost, they had feared Margaret would

or not, she had to accept Eleanor

other

one.

but he shook her off with a scornful glare. “You know exactly what

barely catching herself. Her eyes darted desperately to

support.

did nothing. Instead, he turned to Isolde, his face slipping back into the familiar mask of sincerity. “Isolde,” he

was laced with remorse, thick with guilt–so much so

lowered herself into a formal curtsy, her voice distant, indifferent. “You

is that? Disrespect toward me is defiance against

did not even lift her gaze. “You should leave. Take your daughter with you and ensure she receives

igniting. “I’ll

47 The

hands

+ Pearls

Isolde’s head snapped up. “Try touching me,” she said, her voice like a

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