Here is the carefully revised and culturally adapted translation, following your instructions and ensuring publishing-quality English that accurately reflects the intent and details of the original Chinese:

Although she had been lying in the hospital bed the entire time, Celeste had already informed her that Hogan was looking into the matter for her.

Hogan glanced at Celeste and nodded. “Your sudden contractions were caused by the cake you ate from that shop.”

“That man injected some herbal medicine into your slice of cake. The herbs aren’t harmful to most people, but for someone who’s pregnant, they can easily cause contractions and, in more serious cases, might even lead to a miscarriage.”

“I’ve just questioned him. He claims Celeste was the one who gave him the herbal extract and instructed him to inject it into your cake.”

Hearing this, Amara instinctively looked at Celeste.

Celeste’s eyes flew wide open and she shot up from her chair.

“What did you say? You’re accusing me of telling him to drug Amara’s cake? I never did that! Why would you say such a thing?”

She was so panicked that her voice was trembling.

The owner of the dessert shop cast a glance at Celeste and said, “It was you. You gave me the herbal medicine ahead of time and told me to keep watch at the entrance. You said that when the woman in the photo came in to buy a cake, I should inject the medicine into her slice.”

“You even gave me a photo of this woman right here.”

As he finished speaking, the shop owner pointed at Amara.

Celeste was stunned. “That’s ridiculous! How could I possibly do such a thing? Sure, I asked Amara to meet up today, but she was the one who chose the place…..”

She turned to Amara and said, “You were the one who suggested meeting at that dessert shop, right? I didn’t pick the spot-I’d never even been there before.” Amara frowned slightly.

It was true—she had been the one to choose today’s meeting place.

And ever since the three of them had entered the dessert shop, they’d been together the entire time No one had left or slipped away, so there was no way Celeste could have handed off any herbs tothe shop owner without her and Hogan noticing.

So what on earth was going on?

Could Celeste have had some kind of foresight, knowing in advance that Amara would pick that shop and giving the herbal concoction to the owner ahead of time?

Amara was a rational person-she didn’t believe in anything supernatural, and the thought was gone almost as soon as it flickered through her mind.

Seeing that Amara stayed silent-clearly sensing that something didn’t add up-Celeste cried out, “He’s slandering me! Why would never harm Amara? I wouldn’t dare. This wasn wasn’t you have my doing to believe me!”

Celeste grabbed onto Hogan’s hand, her eyes brimming with tears.

She had always been so headstrong and quick-tempered.

If this had happened in the past, she probably would have made a huge scene in the hospital.

But since her trip overseas, she’d been knocked down a peg-she wasn’t as hot- headed or bold as she used to be. Now, she was truly and visibly shaken.

Hogan said quietly, “Celeste, I need you to be honest with me. Did you do this?”

“I just asked the doctor-Amara’s baby is fine, and after a few hours of rest she’ll be able to leave the hospital. There won’t be any lasting effects, Whoever did this, no serious harm was done. If we find out who’s responsible, the punishment can be lenient.”

“So, tell me the truth-was it you?”

“If it was, and if Finnian tries to go after you, I’ll do what I can to protect you.”