Chapter 232

I was barely back in the room when I sensed it Vicky was already here.

A servant had just set down a tray, and Vicky followed right behind her like she owned the hallway. She moved fast, straight to Camilla’s bed, fluffing pillows and trying to sit her up as if nothing had happened. As if the blood and screams from earlier were just another inconvenience.

I stepped forward and blocked her.

“Vicky,” I said calmly, “Ms. Morrigan needs rest. Let the nurses handle her for now p>

Vicky’s lips curled, cold and offended. “What’s this? You think you can tell me what to do? Am I not even allowed to care for my own daughter p>

I kept my tone steady. “I’m not trying to disrespect you. But Jeffrey asked me to manage things here, and the Hale house is already on edge. We can’t afford another problem p>

Her eyes sharpened. “Riley,” she cut in, her voice hardening. “I’ve been with the Hales for years. You’re just a new bride. Don’t think you can start ordering me around p>

I had planned to keep it polite.

But Vicky didn’t.

So I stopped pretending.

I let my gaze travel over her slowly, then met her eyes. “You’re right. You’ve been here for years. And yet, after all these years, you still don’t have a marriage license. You’re not Adam’s wife, Vicky p>

The words landed exactly where I wanted them to.

Her face tightened. I could see the nerve I’d hit. Adam had brought her into this family against Jeffrey’s will. Jeffrey had never truly accepted her, and everyone knew it. Vicky could play hostess, play mother, play the devoted woman… but on paper, she had nothing.

Even if Adam died tomorrow, she couldn’t legally call herself his widow.

And she hated that.

Vicky took a step closer, her voice low and sharp. “Riley. I suggest you watch yourself p>

Her stare was pure venom predator-calm, like she was measuring where to bite.

I didn’t flinch.

I already knew what kind of woman she was. I already knew she wasn’t innocent in my story.

So I returned her stare with the same sharpness. “I’m doing exactly what Jeffrey asked me to do,” I said. “And with everything happening lately, I’m not taking chances p>

Her nostrils flared. “What are you implying p>

I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t need to.

“First, a servant files a false report,” I said evenly. “Then, on the same day, we find poison in Silas’s food. Linda was just a maid, so why was she so involved in our movements? This family isn’t that large. The timing doesn’t make sense p>

Vicky snapped back immediately, defensive. “Strange? What’s strange about it? Are you accusing me now p>

I kept my eyes on her. “Silas died without saying a single useful word. And you’re Camilla’s foster mother. You have access, influence, and motive p>

Her jaw clenched.

I took one step closer not threatening, just undeniable. “Silas was the Hale heir. He was switched at birth. And you’ve been in a ’special position’ in this house for a long time p>

I paused, then delivered it cleanly.

“From now on, you won’t contact Camilla. And you won’t leave the Hale residence unless I approve it p>

Vicky’s expression twisted. “Riley, are you trying to lock me up p>

“No,” I said, calm as ice. “I’m asking you to cooperate p>

I tilted my head slightly. “If you’re innocent, I’ll apologize. I’ll bow to you in front of everyone. But if you’re guilty p>

I let the silence finish the sentence.

Then I added, softly, “If you’re hiding something, this won’t end well for you p>

Vicky’s voice went sharp and icy. “Riley, you dare p>

“Jeffrey gave the orders,” I replied. “And right now, the Hales are under my control. I’m doing my job p>

At that moment, Adam walked in.

He looked like someone had carved years into his face overnight. His eyes were hollow and red, his posture heavy with grief. Losing Silas and the baby had crushed something inside him.

Vicky rushed toward him like a lifeline. “Say something, honey!” she cried. “Is this what’s happening now? Lewis and his wife are taking over the Hales p>

I watched Adam carefully.

This was the moment he would either protect her… or choose the truth.

He didn’t even hesitate.

“Do what Riley says,” he said flatly.

Vicky froze.

“Adam Her voice shook. “How can you do this to me? After everything we’ve been through p>

Adam’s eyes hardened. His voice came out cold, final. “Because I want the truth too p>

Vicky swallowed, trying to keep her composure. “Are you accusing me p>

“I’m not accusing you,” Adam said, but his voice trembled when he spoke Silas’s name. “I’m saying things don’t add up. Linda called the police for no reason, and then she ended up dead in a detention center. Silas… Silas was the same p>

His throat bobbed as he forced the next words out. “And the car crash when Lewis and my late wife were involved that wasn’t an accident. Someone may have planned it p>

The moment he said it, something clicked in my head.

Lewis’s leg.

It had healed long ago, yet he still moved like a man with a permanent injury. Like he’d been protecting a secret in plain sight.

Had he known all along?

If all of this was connected my death, Lewis’s leg, Adam’s wife, Silas, Julian, the Morrigans then this wasn’t a string of bad luck.

It was a design.

A plan.

And whoever created it was still standing close enough to touch us.

Vicky’s face turned pale. “Honey… are you really blaming me for that crash?” she whispered, horrified.

Adam stared at her like he was seeing her for the first time. “If my wife hadn’t died,” he said slowly, “you would never have had the chance to replace her p>

Vicky staggered like he’d slapped her.

“How can you say that?” Her voice cracked, tears spilling freely now. “Do you know what I went through raising our daughter alone? If you hadn’t left us, she would still be alive! And now you’re accusing me? I’m just a woman what could I possibly do to cause an accident p>

Her sobs filled the room, loud and desperate. “I shouldn’t have come back p>

Then she turned.

And ran.

“Stop her!” someone shouted, but Vicky was already moving too fast.

She reached the balcony in seconds and climbed onto the railing, her body outlined against the sky like a threat and a performance at the same time.

She looked back at Adam, tears streaking her face, her voice raw.

“If you think I’m guilty,” she cried, “would it make you happy if I disappeared p>