Chapter 5: Framing Her Again
“What?”
Lydia looked up, startled. “What do you mean?”
The maid glanced at Meryl. “I saw Ms. Stone go into the kitchen and put something in your drink. It looked like a drug.”
Several faces turned pale as the maid’s words sank in. Everyone in the Stone family remembered the kidnapping incident three years ago. Lydia had been taken after drinking a spiked beverage.
Hearing that it might be happening again made Lydia’s face go white, and her hand shook, causing her wine glass to shatter on the floor. The crash of the glass drew attention from the crowd, who now looked over curiously.
Lydia, with red-rimmed eyes, turned to Bianca. “Mom… I’m so scared…”
Bianca, realizing what Lydia feared, quickly comforted her. “Don’t be afraid. It’s all in the past.” Then, she turned her gaze towards Meryl, her expression hardened. “Still up to your old tricks?”
Though Bianca didn’t directly accuse Meryl in front of everyone, Meryl knew exactly what she meant. It seemed Lydia was trying to use this situation to frame her again.
Meryl, who had been holding back laughter at the absurdity, spoke up. “It wasn’t me.” She glanced at the drink in the decanter. Lydia had a special preference for white wine, which had been prepared just for her. It was clear Lydia had anticipated this. “I did go to the kitchen, but I was just looking for something to eat, not to mess with her drink.”
The maid persisted, “But I saw you add something to it. I swear I’m not lying!” The maid’s certainty was almost theatrical, like a crusader standing up to a powerful foe. Around them, murmurs and whispers began to circulate among the guests.
Bianca was anxious to keep the matter contained, knowing that family issues should be handled privately. Publicizing them would only bring embarrassment.
Lydia, sensing her mother’s unease, gave her a reassuring smile. “Mom, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Meryl has spent three years in prison. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again. I trust she is innocent.”
Her words caused a stir, as the guests had been led to believe that Meryl was studying abroad. In their high-society circles, the mention of prison was a serious blemish, a mark that could affect one’s reputation and even that of their family for generations. The room buzzed with whispers.
Lydia realized she had slipped up and quickly tried to cover it, her face full of guilt. “I was just drunk and rambling. Don’t take it seriously. How could my sister have ever been to prison?”
But her attempt to backtrack only made things worse. Her obvious discomfort made it clear to everyone that there was some truth to the claim.
Trying to fix the situation, Lydia said, “Meryl, since you’ve just come back from abroad, have you adjusted to the time difference? Today is our birthday, and I’ve got a special gift for you. Want to see it?”
Meanwhile, the noise from downstairs reached Dalton, who came down to find Lydia looking fragile and upset, apologizing to Meryl in a pitiful way. Her eyes were red, her hands nervously clasped as she watched Meryl’s reaction.
Meryl turned to look at her. This was nothing new. Lydia always had a knack for playing the innocent victim, no matter how many times she tried to frame her. Meryl felt cornered, the crowd’s stares making her feel more exposed.
She hadn’t done anything wrong, yet she was being unfairly accused and manipulated by Lydia. It seemed that, for Lydia, three years in prison wasn’t enough. Exposing Meryl’s imprisonment was meant to ruin her life.
Meryl’s frustration grew. If Lydia wanted to drag her down, maybe it was time to bring everyone down together!