Chapter 3: The Truth in the Laboratory
Chapter 3: The Truth in the Laboratory
The police arrived within fifteen minutes.
Officers collected the spilled drink, the broken glass, and Tessa's phone.
The ballroom's security cameras were immediately secured.
One detective replayed the recording several times.
"Can you zoom in?"
A forensic technician enlarged the image.
The lace sleeve became slightly clearer.
Not enough to identify the person.
But enough to reveal something unexpected.
The cuff carried a tiny embroidered symbol.
A silver lily.
Marianne stared.
"I've seen that."
She looked around the room.
Then her expression changed.
"My aunt."
Every head turned.
At the back of the ballroom stood Eleanor Whitmore.
She wore an elegant white lace jacket embroidered with silver lilies along both sleeves.
The detective approached her calmly.
"Mrs. Whitmore..."
"May we speak with you?"
She smiled politely.
"Of course."
"What seems to be the problem?"
When shown the video...
Her smile disappeared.
"I didn't poison anyone."
"I was only..."
She stopped herself.
The detective noticed.
"You were only what?"
She lowered her eyes.
"I wanted him to get sick."
Gasps rippled through the ballroom.
"What?"
Marianne whispered.
Eleanor began crying.
"It wasn't poison."
"It was only a strong sedative."
"I didn't want him dead."
"I just needed the wedding delayed."
Everyone stared.
"Why?"
The answer came quietly.
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"If Gideon married you..."
"My son would never become CEO."
