?<strong>Chapter 1228:</strong>


    A few momentster, Carmelita stepped into the room.


    “What’s going on?” she asked, her voiceposed, though her gaze flickered for a split second when she noticed Belinda and Lucas seated on the sofa. She quickly masked her emotions.


    Nigel turned his attention to Lucas. “Lucas, she’s here. Say what you need to say.”


    Lucas’ piercing gaze locked onto Carmelita. “I’ll give you a chance. Tell the truth yourself.”


    Carmelita frowned slightly, feigning confusion. “Tell the truth? About what?” She let out a nervous chuckle. “Lucas, I don’t understand what you mean.”


    Lucas scoffed. “Looks like I need to make it clearer for you.” His voice dropped a degree colder. “The Alvarado family’s banquetst night. The maid. The drink spiked with hallucinogens.”


    Carmelita stiffened. Her fingers twitched ever so slightly, though she clenched them into fists to suppress her reaction.


    Panic churned in her chest. How much did Lucas actually know? Was he confronting her based on irrefutable proof, or was he simply fishing for a confession?


    No matter what, she couldn’t admit anything.


    Carmelita’s brows furrowed in feigned bewilderment. “I have no idea what you’re talking about! The banquet? A maid? What does any of this have to do with me?”


    Before Lucas could respond, Devin’s voice rang out, sharp with realization. “Lucas, are you saying that Verena’s erratic behavior and convulsionsst night…”


    “Are you saying that Verena’s erratic behavior and convulsionsst night were caused by hallucinogens? And that the drugged drink was originally intended for Dr. Wright? And… you’re implying Carmelita is responsible for all of this?” His quick deduction made Carmelita’s heart race.


    “What?” Nigel’s face darkened instantly.


    Brielle, on the other hand, gasped, shaking her head in denial. “No! That’s impossible! Lucas, Carmelita would never do such a thing! There must be some kind of misunderstanding!” she eximed.


    Carmelitatched onto Brielle’s words, shaking her head fervently. “Lucas, I swear, I had nothing to do with this matter!”


    Lucas, clearly out of patience, tossed a stack of documents onto the table. “Then exin this.”


    The damning evidencey before them—the maid’s signed confession and the surveince footage. Carmelita’s face turned ghostly pale.


    She had taken every precaution. She had bribed staff to delete the café’s security footage. She had changed disguises in a public restroom before leaving. And yet… she had still been exposed.


    Belinda was also seeing the evidence for the first time now. She thought at least Carmelita was smart enough to change outfits. Too bad… it wasn’t enough to cover her tracks.


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