Chapter 116

Ivy's eyelids fluttered. She hissed, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Thea remained calm. "Didn't you say I did this? Then I'll admit it. And I'll be honest: what I gave Madelyn will cause a miscarriage and render her infertile. I won't say what it is. If you think you can prove it, send me to prison."

Simone cared only about her unborn grandson. She disliked Madelyn, so she felt only pity, not anger. Thea's threat was meaningless to her. However, Thea's words weren't directed at Simone.

Jake panicked. "What? A side effect? Get a doctor! We need to counteract the poison."

Madelyn, feigning unconsciousness, felt a jolt. She knew how she'd miscarried; Thea couldn't have drugged her.

Jake frantically summoned specialists. "Check her! Future complications are unacceptable!"

Doctors, both traditional and modern, examined Madelyn and conferred, finally exchanging silent glances. "The examination report doesn't identify the drug," one said. "Further investigation is needed—"

"Trash!" Jake raged. "Useless!" He ordered the butler, "Thoroughly investigate everything in Thea's room that day."

Madelyn panicked. Her clumsy methods would be exposed. Weakly, she grabbed Jake. "Stop. I'm satisfied just seeing you. Don't mobilize everyone because of me."

Jake's heart ached. "Thea never lies. If she's sure, it's true. Madelyn, I'm sorry I didn't protect you. I won't let anything else happen."

Madelyn, anxious, shook her head. "No need. It'll be too much trouble."

Jake was resolute. He ordered a search of Thea's room. Madelyn, pale and clenching her fists, prayed Thea had used something easily traceable. If only I'd taken the medicine from Thea's room myself, she thought.

Jake, mistaking her distress for illness, held her hand. "Madelyn, no one will bully you again. I'll ask my mother to let you stay, even without legal status, you'll live without worry." Madelyn managed a weak laugh.

The investigation was swift: only water was found in Thea's room, no medicine. Madelyn, fine until entering Thea's room, had dined with everyone earlier.

Thea feigned surprise. "Impossible! Miss Terell made it clear I caused the miscarriage. Now you find nothing?" Simone frowned, sensing something amiss. "Thea, do you know what you're saying?"

Thea nodded calmly. "Yes. You said I did it. Isn't it good I admit it? Why not investigate who sold me the medicine? Arrest the seller."

Ivy, trembling, pointed at Thea. "Are you proud? Is this impressive?"

Thea remained calm. "So what? You all insisted it was me. Is it wrong to admit it? And this needs thorough investigation. The Hendrix family's reputation is at stake. Such a clumsy method the news would be disastrous."

Simone, speechless, urged the butler, "Investigate! Everyone involved must pay!" Thea felt her strength fading, bracing herself against dizziness. They'll soon know the truth, she thought. Madelyn shouldn't have resorted to such methods.

Half an hour later, the butler returned. "Mrs. Hendrix, it's been investigated."

Simone, gesturing to Thea, said, "Tell her! Let's see if she'll still deny it."

The butler's expression was strange. "The person initially unwilling to talk, revealed everything upon hearing we were from the Hendrix family. He said Miss Terell bought the medicine."

Simone was confused. "What nonsense?"

The butler trembled. "It's true! He offered surveillance footage as proof."

Thea breathed a sigh of relief; her palms were sweaty.

Emmalie, who had been silent, stood. Thea saw viciousness in her eyes.

Emmalie, looking at Thea with disappointment, said, "Thea, I didn't expect this from you. I could have kept quiet, but my conscience won't let me. That day, Thea pretended to be Madelyn to buy the medicine."

Ivy gasped, grabbing Emmalie's arm. "Tell me privately! Why announce it publicly?"