Chapter 196

Reginald's face drained of color, his entire frame shaking with barely contained fury. "Evelyn, explain this to me right now!" His voice cracked like thunder through the grand hall.

Even knowing her true identity as Harrison Kingsley's daughter, the old man couldn't break the habit of calling her by her former name.

"This can't be happening!" Leonard Blackwood's hands clenched into fists, his carefully maintained family reputation crumbling before his eyes. The security at Cliffside Manor was impenetrable - no unauthorized person could possibly enter or leave without detection. "Everyone here tonight is family or close associates. Who would dare commit such a despicable act under my roof? There must be another explanation—perhaps Sebastian had an allergic reaction or—"

"Believe what you want," Evelyn cut in sharply, her chin lifted defiantly. "Kingsley Medical Center runs the most efficient toxicology labs in the state. The truth will be in Sebastian's bloodwork." Her icy gaze swept across the assembled guests. "And since you're so certain no outsider could have done this, does that mean we're looking at a family affair?"

Leonard's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, unable to form a coherent response.

Behind the Blackwood patriarch, Victoria Sterling shrank back, her gauzy dress clinging to her sweat-drenched skin. "It wasn't me," she whispered to herself, nails digging into her palms. "Cassandra did everything. I'm innocent."

Cassandra Blackwood's pulse hammered so violently she feared everyone could hear it. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. She'd drugged Sebastian while Victoria was supposed to deal with Evelyn. Why was only one half of their plan working?

Her venomous glare found Victoria. "You treacherous snake," she seethed silently. "You backed out and left me holding the bag."

"Ms. Carter-Kingsley, these accusations are outrageous!" Penelope Whitmore interjected, desperate to divert attention. "What possible motive would we have to harm you or Mr. Kingsley?"

"Silence!" Reginald roared, making several guests jump. "You will speak when spoken to!"

Penelope's face burned with humiliation, her hatred for the old man growing deeper by the second.

"You may not have wanted to hurt Sebastian," Evelyn said coolly, "but you were willing to use him as collateral damage. This was always about getting to me." Her steady voice carried through the tense silence.

Nathan Blackwood's gaze darkened as he studied Penelope and Cassandra with new suspicion. From the moment Sebastian and Harrison arrived unannounced, something had felt off. Then Penelope had revealed Evelyn's true identity at dinner, followed by the scandalous rumors about Evelyn and Sebastian sharing a room...

The pieces clicked together with terrifying clarity.

"After my performance," Evelyn continued, her voice thick with emotion, "a maid told me Sebastian was ill and resting upstairs. I went to check on him—that's when they made their move." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "To protect me, Sebastian cut his own hand with broken glass to stay conscious. They never imagined we were siblings—that their sick plan would backfire so spectacularly."

Harrison Kingsley's expression turned glacial. "Leonard, you will provide answers tonight, or I swear to God—"

"Chairman Kingsley, I assure you there's been some mistake—"

"Don't insult me!" Harrison snapped. "My children were attacked in your home. My son lies unconscious. I don't care if it was your family or the damn gardener—this happened under your roof. The responsibility falls on you!"

Leonard's face purpled with rage. "You're being unreasonable!"

"Unreasonable?" Harrison's laugh held no humor. "Your concern is touching while my son fights whatever poison runs through his veins."

Evelyn's heart swelled seeing her father defend them so fiercely. Despite his flaws, Harrison Kingsley would move heaven and earth for his family.

Victoria's dress clung to her trembling legs, while Cassandra edged backward, calculating her escape.

"Going somewhere, Ms. Blackwood?"

Cassandra nearly screamed as Julian Montgomery materialized beside her, his charming features set in uncharacteristic severity. All eyes turned to see him cradling a sleeping girl with utmost care.

Cassandra's blood ran cold.

The child in Julian's arms was Eleanor Blackwood.