Bride behind the mask novel (Marguerite)
Chapter 596

The crowd was utterly shocked, but Yuna was especially gobsmacked, frozen in place.

The truth seemed crystal clear, yet the sudden appearance of the little maid threw the whole matter into even deeper confusion.

Puffing her cheeks in fear, the maid was trembling so much it was visible.

Clutching the hem of her dress tightly in her hands, she was totally unnerved by the formidable presence of Frederick.

After mumbling inaudibly for what felt like an eternity, she finally offered an explanation, "Mr... Mr. Winston, I'm from a small border town down South.

That plant is a local delicacy there, and I've been eating them my whole life. A few days ago, my parents came to visit me in Stonebridge City, and they brought me some. I... I used that milk pot to make broth, and perhaps the substance from that plant lingered on it.

Please, Mr. Winston, have mercy, I swear I didn't know that was the pot used for the little master and miss' milk. I had no idea..."

As the truth took a wild detour, to be honest, it wasn't entirely the maid's fault.

Ever since the substance was detected by the oversight department's staff, she had been in a state of panic.

She truly thought she had caused an accident unintentionally, hoping to cover it up, but after seeing how severe Frederick and Robert were, she feared it would eventually lead back to her. Moreover, the plant was right there in her room. If found out later, her fate would certainly be worse than if she came forward voluntarily. That's why she chose this moment to step up. But Robert wasn't buying it. Putting himself in their shoes, if it were his own child affected by food poisoning or drugging, he knew any mother would be frantic and bewildered. Yet Yuna's reaction was completely different.

She was so tense, so guilty!

That's why Robert was convinced that Yuna was involved in this!

He strode forward, pressing the maid with a demanding tone, "If all three kids drank from the same pot of milk, why is it that Teresa and Hayes are fine, but Manley is ill?"

The maid was just as perplexed, perhaps Robert's aura wasn't as intimidating as Frederick's, which gave her the courage to look up and meet Robert's gaze cautiously, "It's very strange to me too. I used only a tiny bit of it, and they were thoroughly cooked, nowhere near strong enough to cause hallucinations. Thus, I honestly can't understand why Mr. Manley had such visions."

"So what does that tell us?" Robert turned to Frederick, answering his own question, "It suggests... that this matter, isn't really much related to this servant."

Frederick remained silent, but his mind was actively considering the feasibility of the situation.

Meanwhile, Yuna had finally snapped back to reality, secretly rejoicing in her heart.

Fortune favors the bold after all! The heavens were still looking out for her!

Since her fate wasn't sealed, and now that a scapegoat had emerged, she had to seize the opportunity.

She couldn't let them investigate further, otherwise, it would definitely lead back to her.

Quick to react, she immediately said, "Manley has always been frail, taking various tonics since childhood. Perhaps... Perhaps some residual medicine in Manley's system reacted with the plant, causing such severe symptoms."

The little maid pondered, then nodded with newfound courage, "I've heard my parents mention that indeed there is such a saying. One shouldn't take any medications after eating that plant...

Mr. Winston, Ms. Yuna, I am willing to accept punishment for the trouble I've caused! But I assure you, it was not intentional. Please, Mr. Winston, show some leniency, I beg of you..."