Chapter 10 The Conspiracy Unveiled

Ella had anticipated this. 

Austin would always be like this.

Never questioning the cause, automatically assuming she was in the wrong.

It would never be Judith's fault, nor would it ever be a servant's.

Perhaps in Austin's heart, she ranked lower than even a piece of furniture in the Raymond household?

"So you believe her story?" Ella asked, her eyes cold with disappointment.

Austin stood there, his face devoid of emotion, mechanically nodding. "Show me evidence, and I might actually think more highly of you, instead of watching you continue this petty drama."

Ella tossed the already-printed photos and Yasmin's transaction records at Austin's face. "Satisfied now? I have more if that's not enough."

The photos and documents were scattered like leaves, falling with deliberate disrespect.

Austin lowered his eyes, coldly scanning the photos on the floor and the one-million-dollar transfer receipt. "You investigate a man having close contact with Yasmin and a million-dollar transaction to prove what exactly?"

"Or are you suggesting Yasmin embezzled a million dollars?"

Austin couldn't understand her vendetta against Yasmin.

She had been absent for half a month.

All for investigating this?

How could she be so unreasonable?

During the gala fire, he'd been informed that the missing one was Ella and had been searching for her. Now she appeared, unharmed, presenting this strange collection of evidence.

Austin wanted answers.

"Mr. Raymond, I swear I've never stolen from this household. Please believe me!" Yasmin immediately trembled as she tried to explain.

Her nervous demeanor made it impossible for Austin not to harbor doubts.

He turned to Ella. "Who is this man?"

Ella didn't want to mention her pregnancy.

She no longer wanted any connection with Austin.

"Regardless of who he is, this suspicious amount of money needs investigation. I hope you'll look into it thoroughly—at least don't let a criminal go unpunished."

Ella's gaze fell on Yasmin, who was pleading on the floor.

Yasmin exploded in anger. "Mrs. Raymond, what have I ever done to offend you? Why are you framing me like this? I've served the Raymond family for ten years. If I've ever stolen anything, may I die a horrible death!"

"Just tell me who sent you that money, and I'll leave you alone," Ella insisted. 

She was determined to uncover who had truly wanted to harm her unborn child.

Yasmin was merely a pawn.

She wasn't in a hurry to deal with her.

At that moment, a phone rang.

Austin pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen: Judith.

He held the phone, his sharp gaze scanning Ella briefly.

"The servant issue isn't worth bringing to your attention, especially with your health condition."

Ella didn't need to guess who was calling.

Judith.

Like a bloodhound with an uncanny sense of timing, always appearing at crucial moments.

It was increasingly difficult not to suspect Judith as the mastermind behind everything.

Remembering the events before the fire, how she could have escaped but was pushed down instead—

Ella's eyes grew colder as these puzzle pieces connected in her mind, all pointing to one person.

As countless thoughts flooded her mind, Austin's cold gaze landed directly on her face.

"Even if a servant stole a million dollars, does it really warrant such a scene—and dragging Judith into this?"

Ella felt wrongfully accused and fought back. "How did Judith even know about this? Since when do our family matters concern outsiders?"

"She is not an outsider!" Austin thundered, each word landing like a hammer blow.

Ella laughed, watching his twisted expression, the rage he displayed only for Judith's sake. 

His usual composure had completely vanished.

He was shouting at her because of Judith.

The pain in her chest was unbearable. 

Ella looked at Austin with questioning, disbelieving eyes. "So I'm the outsider?" She asked.

Austin fell silent.

For her baby's sake, she had to pursue this.

These past days, she had been completely on the edge, walking a tight ropewhere one misstep meant falling into an abyss.

She just wanted justice for her lost child.

She closed her eyes tightly, two streams of tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Austin, I just want her to confess everything and reveal the truth."

His brows furrowed tightly as he demanded, "What truth?"

What Ella wanted was unconditional trust, not interrogation.

"Why so many questions? As the lady of this house, do I need your permission to dismiss a servant?"

She was suffocating, her hands trembling uncontrollably as she raised her voice to match his.

Austin pressed his thin lips together, saying nothing.

He remained calm, watching her emotional outburst, coldly observing as she acted like a madwoman.

Ella had had enough.

"I'm calling the police!"

She reached for her phone and began dialing.

Austin didn't move, standing his ground.

His sharp features were divided by the light into warm and cold halves. 

His crisp shirt accentuated his tall, straight posture, and the chilling aura he emanated enveloped her.

Ella steeled herself to press the call button when Yasmin, kneeling on the floor, finally began to speak.

"Don't call, I'll tell you."

The doorbell rang at that moment.

The tense atmosphere suddenly broke as Austin shot Ella a cold look before walking to the door.

When he opened it, Judith stood there, breathing heavily as if she'd rushed over.

"Austin!"

Ella had her back to them, feeling deliberately ignored.

"Austin, don't be angry! Ella probably has a short temper from being spoiled at home. She shouldn't take it out on a servant like this."

Austin asked gently, "Are you tired?"

"Not at all. It's my pleasure to help you solve problems," Judith replied.

Their conversation felt like knives thrown at Ella's back.

Her fingers clenched until they lost feeling.

Ella felt wetness in her palm but didn't look down. 

She turned and stared coldly at the pair by the door.

"Ella, what has a housekeeper done to deserve this? It's just a million dollars. I'll pay you back. Don't be so harsh on her, okay?" Judith's words twisted everything, making Ella seem unreasonable.

Ella had to admit, Judith's ability to distort facts was impressive.

Ella let out a cold laugh. "You know her?"

Anyone connected to Yasmin was now a suspect in her eyes.

The way Judith had rushed over to defend Yasmin was extremely suspicious.

And how did Judith even know what Yasmin had done?

Unless she was behind everything.

"Yasmin practically raised me. I've always considered her family," Judith explained reasonably. "Her good-for-nothing son owed a million dollars. She came to me for help, but I couldn't provide it. I guess she found another way."

Judith stared directly into Ella's eyes, smiling as she explained.

Her implication was clear: Yasmin needed the million dollars to pay her son's debt.

Could her son possibly be Xavier, the obstetrics chief at Peaceful Wellness Clinic?

"That's enough. Now that this is cleared up, stop making a scene," Austin said.

Yasmin nodded repeatedly on the floor, beginning to confess.