Bride behind the mask novel (Marguerite)
Chapter 591

Lisette was on a tirade, her voice laden with hostility, sharp as a knife's edge.

Powell, sitting in his wheelchair, couldn't bear it any longer. He reached out to grab her, chastising, "Cool it, Lisette!"

But Lisette, defiant as ever, shook off Powell's grip. She stopped munching on her sunflower seeds and turned her temper toward the crowd, "What's wrong with telling it like it is? A punch is a punch, no need for this poisoning nonsense! What, do you think we'd spike Manley Winston's drink or something?"

Suddenly, Yuna froze in shock!

Just moments before, she'd seen the Food Inspection Department's van pull up, and a bad feeling had twisted in her gut.

Upon hearing Lisette's mention of "spiking", she could hardly maintain her cool. She hadn't anticipated Frederick to react so promptly, managing to identify the compromised food in less than two days! Staggering back, Yuna had to grip the back of the couch to steady herself.

If they found something in Manley's milk, could they trace it back to her? Yuna's heart was racing, but then she quickly regained her composure. Every time she'd drugged Manley's milk, she'd done it after the milk was prepared. And at this hour, it wasn't even time for Manley's milk.

Besides, those hallucinogenic pills she used were always on her person. Even if they searched, they'd replace nothing!

Yuna allowed herself a moment's relief, then heard Jocelyn explaining to Lisette, "We're not accusing anyone in the house of poisoning Manley. Frederick is just concerned about food poisoning. We don't want Marguerite to be unfairly accused, that's why the inspectors are here."

Lisette was seething, itching to take Jocelyn down a peg, and today seemed the perfect opportunity.

Her voice rose to a near screech, "Jocelyn! Drop the holier-than-thou act! Sure, you're the saint of the world! When they replace nothing, I wonder whose face will be slapped - yours or Marguerite's?"

No sooner had Lisette finished her rant than a Food Inspection Department official walked out of the kitchen, holding a sleek, black, matte cup.

He swirled the half-filled cup of milk and reported in a strictly professional tone, "This milk contains traces of belladonna!"

Lisette was dumbfounded.

The 'slap' she anticipated for Marguerite or Jocelyn had landed squarely on her face!

Fuming yet speechless due to her own guilt, she stood there, chest tight with frustration.

Frederick, with a keen eye, noticed that the black matte cup was indeed Manley's milk cup.

"So, it really is belladonna."

Jocelyn sighed, squeezing Marguerite's hand secretly for comfort, "The problem's been found, so this has nothing to do with you."

Marguerite allowed herself a small smile, calm and composed, nodding in acknowledgment.

This vindication was not too late, and the feeling of being shielded by Frederick had touched her deeply.

His shoulders were broad and sturdy, and although a man of few words, he gave her a sense of reliability.

Lost in thought, Marguerite barely registered Jocelyn raising another concern, "But how did belladonna get into the house? It's a plant from the South, and it certainly doesn't belong in milk. Could it be that two foods were mixed together?"

Yuna felt her guilt weighing heavily. The primary ingredient in those hallucinogenic pills she had was extracted from belladonna!