Chapter 161
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 161
Harriet wasn't afforded the luxury of dwelling on her memories of meeting Cedric.
The very day after their encounter, news arrived that Lauren Marshall, who had been imprisoned in the palace, was dead.
An official from the Imperial Palace delivered the report, his face a mask of professional indifference.
"Lady Marshall, while held in solitary confinement, died of poisoning. It remains unclear whether it was suicide or homicide, but an internal investigation is currently underway to determine how the poison came into her possession. With the defendant’s death, the investigation into the case will likely be closed."
"What did you say?"
While everyone else was merely stunned, Harriet felt a surge of white-hot anger.
"No, wait a minute. It’s regrettable that Lady Marshall died, but she tried to kill Great-aunt Trisha and Aunt Roxana, didn't she? Are you saying the matter simply ends here?"
When Harriet pressed him, the official merely shrugged, his posture suggesting his hands were tied.
"Criminal liability is personal. If the individual in question dies, there is no one left to hold accountable. If you have evidence that Baron Marshall’s family aided in the crime, you could file a separate lawsuit against them, but..."
Trisha shook her head at the official, who clearly had no intention of being proactive.
"It is fine. Proceed with the legalities as you described."
"But, Grandmother...!"
Harriet looked at Trisha, feeling the sting of injustice. However, Trisha didn't seem to regret the turn of events in the slightest.
"It’s over. What good would come of tormenting her further? Lauren has already received her full punishment—she was betrayed by her own family."
Though they had spent a lifetime at odds, the bonds of animosity can be as formidable as those of love. Trisha seemed to be weathering a complex storm of emotions regarding Lauren’s end.
Amidst the tension, Roxana remained the only one who stayed perfectly composed.
"Still, I hope the investigation into how the poison entered the prison is thorough. Are there truly no leads?"
"Meals and drinks are inspected with the utmost care, so it’s unlikely the poison originated in the kitchen," the official explained. "That leaves two possibilities: someone who had access to the prison either poisoned her directly or delivered the toxin to her. The problem is that a significant number of guards and sentries passed by her cell between her last incarceration and the time of death."
"...And they will all deny it, I presume."
The official gave a bitter smile, as if to say, What else did you expect?
"No one noticed anything suspicious. It will likely... be difficult to find the culprit."
"I suppose so."
In the heavy silence of the drawing room, Harriet furrowed her brow.
"Let’s assume a guard delivered the poison, whether for suicide or murder. Who gave it to them in the first place?"
The room fell silent as everyone turned to her.
"Could she have asked an acquaintance to smuggle it in through some unknown method?"
"That is nearly impossible," the official countered. "After the first trial, she was escorted away immediately. She has had zero contact with family or acquaintances since then."
"Hmm... So someone wanted Lady Marshall dead."
Roxana nodded in agreement. "Considering Lady Marshall’s personality, I don't believe she was the type to commit suicide, either."
Then who wanted Lauren dead?
Baron Marshall and his son, who were desperate to avoid paying the astronomical compensation? Albert, who feared the distribution channel of the drug that nearly killed Trisha would be exposed? Joseph Alden, who possessed knowledge of poisons and harbored a deep resentment toward Lauren? Or someone else entirely...?
There were plenty of suspects, but uncovering the truth had now become an impossible task.
*
In a lavish room within the 'Audience Room'—a Ladies' Salon that operated discreetly without a sign—two men sat facing each other.
"You weren't followed, were you?"
"Of course not."
The young man bowed his head before Tez. Despite being a commoner, his parents' wealth had secured him a position as a guard within the Imperial Palace prison. He appeared restless, his eyes darting anxiously around the room.
Tez, seemingly oblivious to the man’s state, asked coolly, "What do you think the outcome will be?"
"The Lady Marshall case will be dismissed shortly. There was a massive stir about finding the one who delivered the poison, but no one saw a thing and everyone is keeping their mouths shut. There’s no way they’ll find the culprit."
"And the Fellon family’s reaction?"
"They haven't made much of a fuss. If they had intended to push it, it wouldn't be ending this quietly."
Tez nodded, satisfied.
"Good, good. I’ll say it again: this matter must remain a secret until the day you die. If this gets out, losing your job at the Palace will be the least of your worries."
At the warning—which was a thinly veiled threat—the man nodded frantically. He then stole a glance at Tez, his eyes pleading.
"Then, um... as you promised..."
"Ah, of course! Here."
Tez handed over a pre-prepared pouch.
The man snatched it, too desperate to even offer a polite departure. He tore the pouch open and pulled out the contents. It was Angelic.
"There is water in the back..."
Tez offered the water kindly, but the man swallowed the pills dry, gasping for air. One pill wasn't enough to still his trembling hands; he had to take three.
"Haa... haa... I... I feel like I can breathe again."
"It’s good that you’re comfortable, but aren't you overdoing it?"
"If I go too long without the medicine, I need this much just to stop the shaking."
The man, who had been fidgeting like a cornered animal moments ago, finally looked human again. He stopped pacing and finally uncrossed his arms, no longer needing to hide his tremors.
"I should never have started this..."
Perhaps the satisfaction of his craving cleared his head, as he rubbed his face with hands stained by self-loathing.
"At first, one pill cost five Dirham. Now it’s thirty. Even then, doctors won't give it to me, so I have to pay an extra ten Dirham to a back-alley dealer."
Driven by the crushing weight of his parents' expectations, he had suffered from debilitating anxiety. After taking Angelic on a peer's suggestion, he had experienced peace for the first time in his life.
Since then, Angelic had become his lifeblood. However, doctors were hesitant to prescribe the drug for 'anxiety,' a condition that was difficult to diagnose with certainty.
He had turned to the black market, spending his entire salary and taking out loans just to maintain his supply.
"My wife ran away long ago. My parents, who used to pay for the medicine, now say they’re cutting me off."
Yet, he couldn't stop. Without Angelic, his limbs would shake and his anxiety would spike until he felt like his heart would burst. But with those small white pills, he felt invincible—like he could breathe fresh air for the first time.
He had reached the point where he would willingly commit any crime, even murdering a prisoner with potent poison, just to get his hands on the drug.
"I want to quit, but I don't know how. It’s driving me mad."
"Tsk, tsk. How tragic. Do look after your health."
Tez offered a soulless consolation and dismissed him. As the man offered a hasty, embarrassed greeting and fled the room, Bella stepped out from behind the curtain where she had been eavesdropping.
"It’s done, then? Lady Marshall is dead, and the case is closed."
Tez spoke with the air of a victorious knight, and Bella flashed him her most dazzling smile.
"Thank you so much, Tez."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a lingering, sweet kiss.
When her breathing grew shallow, Bella pulled away, her face a picture of loveliness as she whispered, "What would I have done without you...?"
"It was a close call, wasn't it?"
It certainly was. When Tez had bribed the guard to kill Lauren, Bella—who had personally intercepted and opened the letter Lauren had written—couldn't help but sigh in relief.
If they had been even a moment later, she would have been at Jaden’s mercy, facing blackmail.
It was also Tez’s idea to apply poison-laced glue to the flap of the envelope. Because of that, Lauren had unwittingly ingested the poison herself. Since the container for the toxin had been recovered, no evidence remained.
It was a perfect murder.
"As a token of my gratitude, I’ll do whatever you want today."
"Really?"
"Of course. Why else would I have rented this entire place for the day?"
"Then I can't let such a precious opportunity go to waste. I intend to savor you slowly."
Tez laughed softly as he pulled down the shoulder of Bella’s gown, but his eyes widened in surprise.
Beneath the gown, she wore lingerie so provocative it looked like something from a high-end brothel.
"Ah, Bella! You certainly know how to spice things up."
Tez immediately tumbled her onto the bed.
He likely considered himself the master of this relationship, but Bella’s thoughts were elsewhere.
She enjoyed the pleasure he provided, and she had managed to have Lauren eliminated without ever getting her own hands dirty. It was a deal that benefited her in every possible way.
I’ll have to keep Tez on a short leash. He’s proved himself quite useful.
A look of pure ecstasy spread across Bella’s face as she let out a cry.