``` Chapter 284 Once Doubt Takes Root
“I just remembered something I need to do. I’ll head to the office later. You all go handle your own stuff first.”
“Okay…”
Russell left in a hurry.
Justin and Kayden were about to leave, too, but noticed Howard and Wade lingering behind.
“Howard, Wade, what’s on your mind?” Justin asked.
“Nothing. Let’s go,” Wade said.
He and Howard exchanged a look.
They didn’t need to say more–they both knew what the other was thinking.
Tilda’s words earlier hadn’t only shaken Russell.
They had gotten under their skin, too.
Back when the scandal about the real Jenson daughter hit the trending search, Wade had been present.
Howard had been one of the first to rush back and learn the details.
Now that both had softened toward Tilda and no longer hated her, they could finally think calmly about what really happened back then.
Her words left a chill in their hearts.
A suspicion they couldn’t stop… a suspicion aimed at Kyla.
Is Russell heading back to Jenson Villa right now?
Meanwhile, Kyla had slipped past the cameras and the house staff, sneaking into Russell’s study.
She had been waiting for the right chance.
Until now, there had always been too many people around.
Russell worked at Jenson Group most days.
But Kyla hadn’t dared sneak into the study before.
The Jensons were completely bewitched by her.
But if anyone caught her in the act, no one would believe in her innocence again.
So she chose today.
Everyone was at the airport seeing Blair and Dominic off.
Kyla faked being sick, so she got to stay home.
Plenty of time. A perfect plan. Even the security cameras were dealt with.
Wearing gloves to avoid leaving prints, she went straight for the documents.
She remembered exactly where they were.
Last night, she had brought drinks and dessert to the study and saw them.
She yanked open the drawers, flipping through papers.
Finally–found it!
Kyla quickly snapped several photos with her phone, put everything back neatly, and slipped out of the study.
After destroying the evidence on her phone, she came out of the bathroom and let out a sigh of relief.
But suddenly…
A figure appeared in front of her.
“Ah!” Kyla gasped, almost falling.
Luckily, the man caught her. “Kyla, are you okay?”
“Dad…”
She swallowed hard. “You… you came back? Didn’t you go to the office? Did Mom and Dominic already leave?”
“Yes. But what are you doing here?”
This was the third floor, where Russell and Blair’s rooms were, along with Russell’s study.
There was a bathroom here, sure–but every bedroom had its own private one.
If Kyla really just needed the restroom, why wouldn’t she use her own?
And she was supposed to be sick in bed. Why would she wander here of all places?
“I felt a little better, so I wanted to go up on the rooftop for some fresh air and sunshine. But on my way down, I suddenly needed the restroom so I came here.”
…
Kyla steadied her voice, forcing calm.
Still, the tiny quiver betrayed her nerves.
Normally, Russell wouldn’t have thought twice.
But after hearing Tilda at the airport earlier, every little detail about Kyla seemed suspicious now.
Once doubt takes root, it only needs a little push to grow.
And then nothing can go back to the way it was.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?”
Kyla asked carefully.
She could feel his mood shifting.
“Nothing. I just came back to grab some files. I’ll head to the office soon.
“Kyla, if you’re sick, don’t wander around. Rest and drink water. That’s the fastest way to recover, okay?”
“Yes, Daddy. I understand. I’ll go rest now.”
Hearing his gentle words, Kyla finally relaxed a little.
Once she left the floor, Russell’s expression darkened again.
He rushed back into the study and checked everything carefully.
No signs of tampering.
He even checked the cameras.
Nothing showed Kyla entering the study.
On the footage, she walked straight toward the rooftop stairs.
Later, she came down again.
But the timing was off.
The gap between her bathroom trip and the rooftop footage was 15 minutes.
Russell frowned at the study’s camera.
Something about it felt wrong. But he couldn’t quite put his finger on what. ```