Bride behind the mask novel (Marguerite) novel Chapter 639

The sound was sharp and piercing, tightening an invisible string in everyone's heart.

Turning towards the source, they saw Frederick standing in front of a familiar Maybach.

He wore an ash-grey suit under a long black overcoat. His imposing figure was reminiscent of a dashing general from a bygone era, both handsome and intimidating.

Striding past the busy firefighters, his determined steps halted in front of the onlookers. With a chilling voice, he repeated:

"If the order of departure is enough to cast blame, I can assure you, I was the last one to leave the factory."

Two hours earlier, Frederick had rushed to the factory to pick up Marguerite, only to miss her by a whisker.

Marguerite was a perfectionist, everything she touched had to be flawless. Worried she might have overlooked something in her diligence, he made sure to inspect the factory after their missed connection, especially since the new blush formula included an essence from Polar Radiance, making the project crucial to him.

Only after ensuring all was well did he leave the premises.

Halfway home, Zack's call came through—the factory was ablaze. Frederick, with Chuck by his side, braved the blizzard to return to the unfolding disaster.

Yuna's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Frederick. She had never imagined he'd been to the factory too! If he was indeed the last to leave, how could she accuse Marguerite of any wrongdoing? Damn it all!

But Frederick's next words plunged her into even deeper panic.

"Penelope, the blizzard was fierce today. It took me quite some time to return. How did you three manage to arrive so quickly?"

Penelope recounted their evening without omission, "Before we clocked out, Yuna mentioned a chowder house out in the suburbs that was supposed to be superb, so Hackett and I decided to join her. Halfway through dinner, Yuna got a call about the fire. The mall's not far from here, and as soon as we stepped out, we saw the flames and rushed over."

Yuna, on the other hand, was losing her cool. If the police got involved, they would inevitably trace things back to her. And whether Hackett would stand by her then was a gamble she wasn't willing to take. She wouldn't allow it!

Concealing her inner turmoil, Yuna quickly countered, "We can't call the police! If we do, by tomorrow the whole of Stonebridge City will be talking! Everyone will be laughing at the Fitzgerald family!"

Hackett, feeling Yuna had a point, chimed in:

"That's right! No police! Our reputation's at stake here. We've built it up only for it to possibly go up in flames? I can't have my name dragged through the mud in these circles!"

Marguerite chuckled calmly, "Mr. Fitzgerald, how can we not involve the police? If it's an act of nature, that's one thing, but if it's arson, it's a whole different story! If someone's out to get us and there's been one fire, there could be another. Better to have the police clear things up, for your and Penelope's peace of mind, right?"

Catching Marguerite's signal, Chuck understood and swiftly pulled out his phone, dialing the police without hesitation.