Chapter 35: Bella, stop lying
"Why did you do it, Bella? Why did you ask to spike Layla’s drink?" Miriam’s voice was sharp for the first time at Orabela. She sat with her husband, Darius, whose face held a deep look of disappointment.
Seraphina, sensing the rising tension, turned her gaze to Orabela and asked, "Did something happen at the reception? Did Layla humiliate you?"
"No," Miriam replied firmly. "Layla did nothing tonight."
Orabela, trying to mask her unease, shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Mom, do you really believe what Lucius said? He and Layla are conspiring to ruin my reputation! Roderick told me himself—his uncle doesn’t like him because of the inheritance. Lucius is lying to all of you! It was his reception party, of course, he would have fabricated evidence. Layla doesn’t want me to marry into that family, and she’s using Lucius to make sure of it."
With ease, Orabela twisted the truth, deflecting the blame onto Layla. She had always been a master of manipulation, spinning lies so smoothly that even the most attentive listener could be swayed. But this time, Darius wasn’t convinced.
"Bella, stop lying," Darius interjected, his voice low but firm, cutting through her web of deceit. His piercing gaze locked onto his daughter.
Orabela faltered as her confidence slipped. "Dad..." she began, her voice trembling, but her words trailed off as the Darius interjected her.
"I spoke to the person you bribed," Darius said coldly, recalling as they left reception Roger asked him to follow him. "You need to start taking responsibility for your actions."
Without another word, Darius stood, weary from the confrontation. "I’m tired. I need some rest," he muttered as he left the room.