Bound By Heartstrings

Doubtful Suspect

The sky gradually darkened. A heavy rain seemed to be approaching, turning the morning sky gloomy. The poison was seeping into Emily's blood, her life hanging on the brink of death. The toxin spread deep into her body, numbing her internal organs and skin. Even though she endured constant injections piercing her skin, she felt nothing.

With only a few hours left, Victoria anxiously looked into Emily's innocent, unconscious eyes, unable to sit still. Agitated, she stood up abruptly to investigate herself.

“Surely, he knew yesterday was our family’s grand event and plotted to harm us. Someone, quickly call Oliver here.”

Every precaution was taken to the highest level. Victoria carefully picked up a shard of the jade vase, still tainted with poison, and brought it close to the burning lamp, observing that it didn’t shine like real jade.

“It’s a fake. It’s been swapped.”

“Miss... what happened? I am very sorry for not being aware of the situation here.”

“Where were you?”

Clueless, Oliver also approached from behind his mistress to see clearly. As soon as he saw, he rushed over, scolding Emily lying on the lady’s luxurious bed.

“Oh, this girl, still sleeping at this hour? Do you want to die?”

“Hey, hey... put on your glasses first.” Victoria frowned, reminding him.

“Emily... what happened to you?” Oliver gasped in shock, his hands fumbling awkwardly.

“She was poisoned right after starting her job. While we were at the grand hall for the event, she collapsed during a normal conversation.”

Victoria handed the shard of the poisoned vase to Oliver. Curious, he bent down to examine it closely.

“This... looks like an imitation that’s almost identical to the real thing. Without expertise in precious stones, one couldn’t tell the difference.”

What’s more important is, in this mansion, who could have switched it so quickly within a day or two? Especially when Emily was the only servant...

“But Oliver... the biggest question is, who could have gotten in here?”

As the manager of the Pureblood Mansion, Oliver was in charge of the family’s daily operations and information. It wasn’t his fault that he couldn’t observe everything while everyone was gathered in the main hall for the celebration, especially since the lady didn’t want guards working in her hall. Before Emily arrived, there had been an incident in Countess Evelyn’s palace involving Clara. So...

“Clara!” the name of the maid who had once served the lady closely. With a shared thought, Oliver and Victoria both suddenly shouted her name.

“!!!” Thompson was startled.

“Have you two found the culprit?”

Lady Victoria thought again, doubting her own suspicions. Clara had always been obedient and loyal. Could she really have harmed her? After seeing Clara crying quietly in a corner, and after a long night, Emily had replaced her as the attendant.

“Oliver, why did Clara leave the mansion? Why was I not informed?” Victoria began to get angry about the issue with her servant that she was unaware of.

“The other night, while everyone was asleep, Clara sneaked into Countess Evelyn’s palace. She intended to steal a valuable item but was caught by the countess and expelled from the mansion before dawn...” Oliver’s explanation seemed insincere, his eyes darting around like those of a liar.

“Oliver, is what you’re saying true? I trust Clara more than your words.” Victoria sensed something odd in Oliver’s hesitant explanation and seriously mocked him.

“Miss... if you don’t believe me, you can meet Countess Evelyn.” Oliver, frightened, used Countess Evelyn as his shield.

Victoria forgot that those she considered close were the ones plotting behind her back. The only ones with access to her room were a close maid and a steward. Silently, she turned toward the bedridden Emily, staring intently in contemplation...

“Perhaps this time, I’m all alone in this...” Victoria muttered to herself, but loud enough for the physician Thompson and Oliver to hear.

Looking out the window, the rain poured heavily, obscuring the view. The sky turned black, swallowing the light, much like how the Pureblood Mansion was falling into the hands of villains.

“Maybe I need to bring Clara back...” Victoria decided resolutely.