Chapter 260

Lady frowned, unsure why her grandson had suddenly cut in. Still, since his question wasn’t out of line, she held her tongue and simply turned her gaze to Alice.
By all accounts, this should have been the simplest question in the world. Yet Alice couldn’t get the words out; a fine sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead.
“I
“Answer.”
Just one word from Harrison—calm, even-toned, yet it landed on Alice like a mountain, crushing the breath from her.
“I Alice’s face went deathly pale.
No one at Rosewood Manor knew what went on at school. Lady didn’t know, nor did the house staff. All they’d ever heard was Alice muttering about how she’d outshone Anastasia, and that’s why Anastasia had it in for her.
But seeing Alice’s reaction now, how could anyone not sense something was off?
“I know!” A voice rang out suddenly.
It was Fiona.
Fiona was usually quiet and timid, never one to draw attention. The moment everyone turned to look at her, she practically shrank on the spot, especially under Lady’s piercing gaze.
But thinking of how Alice had been slandering the lady of the house, outrage surged in Fiona’s chest. She mustered every ounce of courage and blurted out, rapid-fire-
“I know. I’ve been to Kingsbridge University. The students there all say Alice has been telling everyone she’s the daughter of some secret aristocratic family, that she’s Mr. Harrison Lancaster’s girlfriend! She even told people the lady-Mrs. Lancaster-was just the mistress, from a nobody family who shamelessly stole her man!”
“And she always shows off, getting dropped off at school in the family’s private car with the bodyguards and telling everyone it’s hers!”
The room fell into stunned silence.
“What?!”
Alice’s face drained of color. She looked as if she might collapse, then suddenly lurched to her feet, flustered. “You’re lying! That’s not true-”
“It is true!” Fiona shouted, cutting her off. “You spread those rumors, saying awful things about Mrs. Lancaster. That’s why the headmaster thought you were Mr. Lancaster’s girlfriend and gave you her spot!”
“No! I didn’t! I
“The second question.” Harrison’s voice cut through, cold and detached. “Did you know that spot belonged to Ana?”
Alice’s voice trembled. “I
“She definitely knew!” Fiona interjected, voice brimming with indignation. “Everyone knows Mrs. Lancaster’s spot was chosen by the university’s online poll —she won first place! Alice, you didn’t even come close!”
“You took part in the poll yourself. Are you saying you didn’t know who came first? Are you saying you didn’t know whose spot you stole?”
“And even if you didn’t know, you must have known Mr. Harrison Lancaster would be attending! All your classmates were talking about how your ‘boyfriend’ would be there, that you’d be hosting him personally. If it wasn’t you, how would those rumors have started? Clearly, you did it on purpose!”
Cold sweat slid down Alice’s back. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ~net
“The third question,” Harrison continued, his tone dropping to an icy chill that seemed to freeze the very air. “Ana’s injury-how did it happen?”
Under Harrison’s gaze, Alice’s knees nearly buckled.
For once, the usually timid Fiona was quick as a whip-
“It had to be Alice! Otherwise, why would Mrs. Lancaster’s heel snap out of nowhere? If Mr. Harrison Lancaster hadn’t reacted in time, she could’ve fallen off the stage!”
Fiona’s voice shook with angry accusation. “Alice, you’re vile!”
Anastasia sat there, completely dumbfounded.
Wait, what? She hadn’t even done anything yet!
Forget Harrison-who would have thought Fiona would end up fighting her battles
for her?