Chapter 92: Why Did You Falsely Accuse Me?

When Caleb returned to the Quixall residence, he saw several chefs bustling in and out of the house, completely swamped with work. The kitchen was packed with an assortment of fresh ingredients, while the garbage bins overflowed with discarded scraps. Despite its generous size, the space felt unbearably cramped amidst the chaos.

Deborah, wearing an apron, was busy slicing fish with a kitchen knife. Upon noticing Caleb, she wiped her hands on her apron and asked, “Caleb, why aren’t you resting in your room?”

With a smile, Caleb replied, “I thought you might be tired from all the cooking, so I bought you a basket of fruit.” He showed the fruit basket to Deborah. It was filled to the brim with a variety of fruits, each one exuding a tantalizing aroma.

Deborah’s face lit up with delight. “Thank you, Caleb, for being so thoughtful.” Without removing her apron, she casually picked out a banana, peeled it, and took a bite.

After taking a look around, Caleb asked, “Mom, when do you think you’ll master the recipe for the thirteen-course meal?”

Deborah stiffened, almost choking in surprise. “Give me a week. Just one week, and I promise I’ll master it.”

Caleb nodded, signaling his understanding. There was still a week’s time left. It seemed the real fun was just about to begin.

After a brief exchange, Caleb made his way upstairs. As he reached the doorway to his room, he noticed Seiren lingering nearby, her demeanor suggesting she had something on her mind.

“Is something the matter?” Caleb asked, casually setting down the fruit basket as he regarded her with a calm, leisurely gaze.

Seiren was clearly taken aback for a moment, but she quickly composed herself and hurriedly lowered her head. “Mr. Caleb, you’re back.”

“Talking out here doesn’t seem appropriate,” Caleb remarked, his tone neutral and inscrutable. “Why not step inside to talk?”

“I—It’s okay. I just happened to be here while sweeping the stairs. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

Chapter 92: Why Did You Falsely Accuse Me?

Seiren clenched her fists so tightly that it even caused her some pain. Caleb looked at her coldly. “Why did you falsely accuse me last night?”

He hadn’t so much as touched her, yet she’d gone to Deborah, fabricating claims that he had hurt her. He couldn’t fathom her actions. They had no disputes, no enmity, barely even a passing interaction. Why, then, was she so intent on framing him? Was it to win Deborah’s favor, or was there another reason?

Various speculations flashed through Caleb’s mind, but he needed Seiren to confirm them personally before he could discern the truth.

A sharp sting welled up in Seiren’s nose, and her eyes grew misty with tears. “Mr. Caleb, I didn’t mean to…”

Caleb remained unwavering. “You claim you didn’t mean to, yet you went to Mrs. Quixall and accused me of murder?”

Seiren wished to defend herself, but Raquel’s words to her lingered in her mind, rendering her speechless. At this point, any explanation felt like a desperate attempt at deceit. The more she spoke, the deeper the trouble would become. Perhaps silence was the better option. The damage had been done, and there was no undoing it.

In the end, Seiren looked at Caleb with tear-filled eyes, then ran away crying. As Seiren fled, Caleb shouted from behind her, “Stop!” But she ignored him, quickening her pace instead. In her frantic state, she accidentally collided with someone. She looked up, and her eyes widened in shock. It was Raquel.

Seiren gave a quick nod of acknowledgment and hurried away. To her surprise, Raquel didn’t pursue her. Glancing back, she saw Raquel calmly approaching Caleb, her every step measured and composed.