Chapter 107

Isabella lay curled in Alexander's embrace, her fingers tangled in his crisp white shirt. Her eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings against flushed cheeks. Alexander studied her peaceful expression, the memory of their unexpected kiss sending electric currents through his veins.

But he was no inexperienced boy. With practiced ease, he schooled his features into neutrality.

When his gaze shifted to Gabrielle, it turned razor-sharp. "Leaving so soon, Miss Moreau? The night's just getting interesting."

"I...I need the ladies' room," Gabrielle stammered, beads of sweat forming at her temples.

"That can wait." Alexander tightened his hold on Isabella, striding toward Evelyn and Nathaniel.

As he passed Gabrielle, her eyes widened at the constellation of red marks visible above his collar.

Her blood ran cold.

If Alexander hadn't been drugged...then who had left those telltale marks?

A soft whimper escaped Isabella's lips as she stirred restlessly.

Gabrielle's stomach dropped. That naive little fool had gotten to him first!

"Isabella!" Evelyn and Nathaniel exclaimed simultaneously.

"What happened to my daughter?" Harrison demanded, his face draining of color at seeing Isabella cradled in Alexander's arms.

"Relax, Mr. Lockwood. She's in excellent hands," Alexander assured them, adjusting his grip.

"Excellent hands?" Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "If you've taken advantage—"

"Really now," Alexander chuckled awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. "You make me sound like some predator."

Evelyn's sharp eyes caught the marks on his neck. Her expression darkened, but she held her tongue.

"Explain yourself!" Reginald commanded.

Alexander's voice turned glacial. "Isabella was drugged. I found her unconscious in the garden. Administered activated charcoal and kept her hydrated. She'll recover after proper rest."

The revelation sent shockwaves through the room.

Eleanor and Seraphina turned ghostly pale.

"Drugged? Again?" Harrison swayed dangerously.

"Steady him!" Reginald barked as he and Lawrence rushed to support the trembling man.

"Mr. Lockwood!" Evelyn moved to assist, her concern evident.

Dominic sneered, jealousy twisting his features at her attention to another man.

"The pattern's clear now." Evelyn's piercing gaze swept between Gabrielle and Seraphina.

"Only Nathaniel and Alexander were with Christian earlier. Yet another victim—Isabella—who was absent all evening, shows identical symptoms. Obviously, the tainted drink meant for Christian was accidentally consumed by Isabella instead."

Nathaniel and Alexander exchanged impressed glances.

Her razor-sharp deduction had unraveled the mystery in moments.

"So who was the real target? Surely not Nathaniel—no Abernathy would sabotage their own event." With calculated precision, Evelyn redirected all suspicion toward Alexander.

Alexander's lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes frosting over.

Such underhanded tactics disgusted him. That someone dared attempt this at Harrison's celebration was unforgivable.

"First, detain the maid in question," Nathaniel ordered, his voice like shattering ice. "No one leaves until we uncover the truth."

Evelyn blinked in surprise at his decisive action.

Their eyes met—a silent understanding passing between them.

"Nathaniel! Are we prisoners now? Suspects?" Eleanor protested shrilly, sensing the noose tightening.

"Merely ensuring full cooperation to expose the culprit," Nathaniel countered, his commanding presence dwarfing even Reginald's. "Unless you've something to hide?"

"Quite right!" Harrison regained his composure, fury replacing distress. "This outrage demands answers! We owe justice to Isabella and Christian!"

Gabrielle's teeth chattered uncontrollably. Eleanor found herself speechless.

At that moment, Preston entered with two security guards dragging the terrified maid.

With a sharp gesture, he sent her sprawling at their feet.

"Good work," Nathaniel acknowledged. "The surveillance footage?"

"Already reviewed, sir. We intercepted her attempting to flee through the service exit—quite the damning choice."

Evelyn's eyebrows rose. When had he orchestrated this swift response?

"Running only confirms guilt," Alexander observed icily. "Innocent people don't bolt."

"Interrogation will reveal everything," Nathaniel stated, his tone promising consequences. "I want the mastermind."

"I swear, I know nothing!" the maid cried. "My child fell ill—I was rushing home!"

"You served the drinks," Alexander pointed out.

"And directed me to attend Christian," Evelyn added coolly.

Preston produced a phone displaying security footage. "No one else handled the beverages, sir."

"Then prove I poisoned them!" the maid challenged desperately.

Evelyn tilted her head. "Curious. We never mentioned poison. How did you know?"

The maid flushed scarlet under the sudden weight of suspicious stares.

"I...I overheard earlier."

"Remarkable hearing," Preston mocked, handing Nathaniel the phone. "But footage shows her discarding evidence."

Nathaniel examined the screen as Evelyn leaned in. Their foreheads accidentally brushed—both freezing at the unexpected contact.

The video clearly showed the maid disposing of a small vial near the garden bins.

"She missed the hidden camera in the hedges," Preston explained smugly. "Amateur mistake."

"No! That was just my migraine medication!" the maid wailed.

"Evidence retrieval?" Nathaniel inquired calmly.

Preston produced sealed plastic bags containing the vials. "Residue remains for testing."

"To the lab immediately. If this isn't prescription medication, arrest her for attempted poisoning."

Seeing escape impossible, the maid collapsed at Nathaniel's feet.

"Mercy, sir! I was coerced!" Her trembling finger pointed at Gabrielle. "She made me do it!"