Chapter 343 The Accusation

Esme sent someone to fetch Hattie and Hazel

Finched

The two arrived quickly, stepping into the room and immediately bowing to Allan. He recognized them- they had once served Oliver. Knowing they came from a family of loyal retainers, he addressed them sternly. “I will ask you a question, and you must answer truthfully. Do not conceal anything

“Yes, my lord,” they responded in unison, bowing once more,

“Did Lady Isolde order either of you to poison Cristina?” Allan asked.

The question stunned them. They looked up in shock before shaking their heads simultaneously. “Absolutely not.”

Cristina scoffed. “Deny it all you want. Someone overheard you speaking in the plum garden this morning”

Hazel blinked, confused. “And?”

“Did you or did you not say, ‘What a pity she didn’t die‘ and ‘Tomorrow, we’ll increase the dose?” Cristina demanded through gritted teeth.

Hattie and Hazel exchanged a glance before nodding. “Yes, we did say that.”

Hazel clarified, “But we were talking about poisoning rats–not people.”

“What an absurd lie!” Madilyn sneered. “Shameless, the both of you. Even now, you contínue making excuses. You must have planned this ahead of time. Allan, you are wise–you won’t fall for such nonsense, will you?”

Hattie’s voice rose in frustration. “Why would we lie? If you don’t believe us, search Ningser Pavilion! The poison is still there, right by the wall where we left it.”

Cristina’s lips curled in disdain. “Oh, please. Who would believe such a ridiculous excuse?”

Isolde, now fully composed, said, “Why wouldn’t they? Your maid overheard them, and they’ve given a perfectly reasonable explanation. Do you have any other evidence? Because if all you have are eavesdropped words taken out of context, then this accusation is nothing but a joke.”

The murmurs in the hall grew louder. Isolde had a point–without solid proof, how could a mere conversation be used as evidence?

only joke here is how you think you can talk your way out of this! The facts are right in front of us. How convenient that you

the case, then test the grain we used for the rats. Even if someone ate the entire pile, it wouldn’t be enough to kill a person! We bought only a

grain? You used arsenic! The physician

arsenic? Since when do rat poisons

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The Accusation

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Finished

asked Dr. Harriet Rojas about it. He told

for slandering me? When your

only said what I saw with my

More like you’re just covering for your mistress!” Agnes‘ face twisted in fury.

you so agitated? If you’re innocent, it’s easy to confirm. Arsenic is a controlled substance–every purchase must be recorded for inspection. If your maid truly bought arsenic, the

Ryker. “Go to the apothecary. Check the

lord.” Ryker bowed and swiftly departed.

Later, she would send someone to another apothecary to buy arsenic and

yet to complete the coffee ceremony, let’s continue

it, then nodded. “Very

“You’d still drink coffee offered by a murderer? Aren’t you

eyes turned to Allan. If this truly involved a poisoning case, it was no small matter. The Valen family

wife. Her serving coffee to her elders has nothing to do

a hand. “Let’s

was going to happen eventually, they might as well get it over with

Pablo had spoken, no one objected further.

expressions were tense. Many mimicked Heidi–accepting the cup but not drinking from it, merely offering a gift

complete, Ryker had returned,

Harriet confirmed that a maid did indeed purchase arsenic last night. I took the

he here? All he needed to do was

bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Lord Allan, Lord Pablo,

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