Chapter 198

"Nathan! What is the meaning of this? Are you imprisoning us? Do you take us for criminals?"

Penelope's voice trembled with barely concealed panic. If this continued, their scheme would unravel. She couldn't allow it.

"Aunt Penelope, you are not suspects," Nathan replied, his dark gaze sharper than Leonard's ever was. "I merely require your cooperation in rooting out the filth hiding within these walls."

His tone left no room for argument. "If you've done nothing wrong, there should be no reason for objection."

"Exactly!" Reginald Blackwood's voice boomed with fury. "Such disgraceful behavior will not be tolerated! We will uncover the truth and give Evelyn and Mr. Kingsley the justice they deserve!"

Cassandra's teeth chattered audibly. Penelope clenched her fists, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Mr. Blackwood!"

Oliver Sinclair arrived, flanked by two imposing bodyguards dragging a trembling maid between them.

With a rough shove, they forced her to the floor. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed before the gathered crowd.

"Good timing, sir," Oliver said, handing over a tablet. "I secured the surveillance footage and sealed all exits. Caught this one trying to crawl out through the garden's service gate—like a rat fleeing a sinking ship."

Evelyn's breath hitched.

When had Nathan noticed something amiss? His speed was terrifying.

"Tsk. This is practically a confession," Julian Montgomery muttered, his sharp eyes boring into the maid. "Who in their right mind would resort to such desperate measures unless they were guilty?"

"Oh, we'll interrogate her thoroughly," Nathan said, his voice like ice. "But I'm more interested in the puppet master pulling her strings."

"Mr. Blackwood, please!" The maid sobbed, her face streaked with tears. "My family had an emergency! The doors were locked—I had no choice but to use the garden! I swear, I know nothing!"

"You served the drinks earlier," Julian pointed out.

"And you were the one who suggested I check on Sebastian," Evelyn added coolly.

Oliver tapped the tablet screen. "The footage confirms no one interacted with her between the pantry and the hall. Meaning—"

"—she was the only one who could've tampered with the drinks," Nathan finished.

The maid's face paled. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

"Wait." Evelyn tilted her head, feigning innocence. "How did you know the drinks were spiked? We never mentioned that detail."

A deadly silence fell.

"I—I overheard it when I arrived!" the maid stammered.

"Overheard?" Oliver scoffed. "From where? The next county?"

Nathan swiped through the footage, then paused. Evelyn leaned in—only for their foreheads to bump.

A spark. A breathless second.

Nathan's lashes lowered, his gaze searing. Evelyn quickly looked away, her pulse erratic.

On the screen, the maid crouched by a trash bin in the garden, glancing furtively before discarding two small vials.

"Clever," Oliver mused. "She avoided all indoor cameras but missed the one hidden by the ivy."

"No! Those were just painkillers!" the maid wailed. "Not drugs!"

"Oliver," Nathan said, ignoring her. "The evidence?"

"Here."

Oliver produced a sealed bag containing the retrieved vials. Nathan held them up, his jaw tight.

"Residue remains. Have it tested immediately. If it's not painkillers?" His voice dropped. "Hand her to the authorities. Ensure she faces full consequences."

Realizing the game was up, the maid lunged forward, grabbing Nathan's pant leg.

"Please, sir! It wasn't my idea!" She whirled, finger shaking as she pointed at Cassandra. "She made me do it! It was all Ms. Blackwood's plan!"