Chapter 395

Rosalind approached the table, her fingers wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. She set it down carefully, her gaze flickering toward Theodore.

His cold demeanor hadn’t thawed since that night—the night Nathan had nearly been caught in an "accident."

Biting her lower lip, she summoned the most pitiful expression she could muster. "Grandfather, I’ve discovered who tried to harm Nathan. It was Shane."

Theodore stiffened. He lowered the newspaper, his sharp eyes locking onto hers, dark with suspicion. "Shane? The man I assigned to you?"

He knew Shane well. The man had been responsible for vetting potential members of the Night Banquet, working alongside Harrison for years. Theodore had personally reassigned him to assist Rosalind.

She slid into the seat beside him, her voice trembling. "Yes, it was him. Grandfather, I swear I had no idea he would do something so vile."

"You had no idea?" Theodore tossed the newspaper onto the table. "He answered to you. If you didn’t order it, how would he dare?"

Rosalind squeezed out a few tears, her lashes fluttering. "You know how much I love Nathan. Even if I admitted to targeting Evelyn, I would never hurt him."

Theodore remained silent, his fingers drumming against the armrest as he weighed her words.

"Grandfather, Shane never truly followed my orders. He never sought my approval for anything. And..." She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"And what?" Theodore demanded.

She swallowed hard. "He... he tried to force himself on me. When I refused—when I told him my heart belonged only to Nathan—he grew furious. I believe that’s why he targeted him. This is all my fault."

Theodore exhaled sharply. If true, then Shane’s actions could indeed have been driven by jealousy.

Seizing the moment, Rosalind rolled up her sleeve, revealing a jagged scar. "When I confronted him, he tried to drag me away. I fought back with a knife, but he overpowered me and cut me before I escaped."

Theodore’s face darkened with rage. "That bastard!"

A flicker of triumph flashed in Rosalind’s eyes.

Shane was dead. There was no one left to contradict her story. Even if they investigated, they’d find nothing.

All she had to do was pin everything on him, and Theodore’s suspicions would vanish.

Then—

"You lied to me!"

Rosalind’s blood ran cold as Chloe Lawson stormed into the room, her face twisted in fury.

Damn it! Why is she here now?

Theodore frowned at Chloe’s outburst. "Have you forgotten your manners, girl?"

Chloe flinched but didn’t back down. "You can’t blame me, Elder Master Goldmann. Rosalind lied!"

Rosalind shot to her feet, forcing a smile as she grabbed Chloe’s wrist. "Let’s discuss this outside. Grandfather needs rest."

Chloe wrenched her arm free. "Don’t touch me, you scheming witch. Answer me—did you use me?"

Her voice rose. "You asked me where the man Mr. Goldmann arrested was being held. I told you—and then he was murdered last night. You did it, didn’t you?"