Chapter 879

Someone had bailed Damian out of jail. Nathaniel arrived at the police station, neatly suited and energetic. "I'm here to bail Mr. Damian out. Incidentally, I also wish to report someone."

"Who do you want to report?" The officer frowned, weary of the Tanner family's seemingly endless cycle of accusations.

"Ms. Arianna, Tanner Corporation's vice president, for threatening Damian into giving false testimony."

The officers exchanged surprised glances.

Damian saw Nathaniel and smiled. Lily, emerging from her interrogation room, was shocked. However, reflection brought clarity. Nathaniel's employment at Tanner Corporation explained his presence; yet, a sudden insight illuminated the situation. Previously disparate pieces clicked into place.

"Ms. Christian, I'm sorry," Damian said, approaching Lily and bowing his head before the assembled officers. "I apologize for accusing you."

Dumbfounded, Lily wondered at Nathaniel's machinations. She instinctively stepped back. "What do you want?"

"I sincerely apologize. I didn't intend to frame you; Arianna threatened me. She forced my hand. I had no choice."

Lily looked at Damian, then at the calmly observant Nathaniel. His gaze briefly touched hers.

"You mean Arianna ordered you to frame me? Why? I hardly know her." Lily wasn't defending Arianna; something felt wrong, far more complex than Damian's simple explanation. His sudden apology after framing her seemed contrived. She doubted Arianna had directly blackmailed him.

"Arianna wanted control of Tanner Corporation, so she proposed a major project. She was the one who wanted to add harmful ingredients to the perfume; I didn't know at the time. She colluded with a fake perfumer to deceive me. After the incident, she threatened my mother's safety, forcing me to accuse you. She claimed she'd place all charges on you, freeing me. But she lied; she didn't care about me."

"So, you've had a change of heart?"

Damian glanced nervously at Nathaniel, scratching his head. "Y-yes."

Nathaniel joined Damian. Looking at Lily, he stated, "Arianna orchestrated the entire incident; you're a victim. She craved the top position, so she tampered with the perfumes, triggering the controversy. She sent Damian to prison, believing he threatened her plans, then intended to become a savior, smoothly seizing the presidency. Furthermore, she continues to persecute and threaten her uncle's family. She also colluded with Noah from the Perfumers' Society to frame you, eliminating competition and boosting Tanner Corporation's image." Nathaniel painted Arianna as villainous, though Lily remained skeptical of his narrative.