Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 525

The moment she heard that name, Joan’s eyes went wide and her whole body trembled. Colton wasn’t dead? No way. That just couldn’t be true. No one could survive a fall like that.

Mr. Keith didn’t miss the panic flickering across her face. He pulled out a photo and shoved it right in front of her. “Ms. Knotts, do you know this man?”

Joan shook her head before she even realized it, her voice coming out shrill and tight. “No, I don’t know him!”

Mr. Keith just looked at her. “Really? You two have the same last name, you know. And there are witnesses who saw you both going in and out of the same hotel.”

He played the security footage he’d brought along, letting it speak for itself.

Joan’s eyes darted away and she kept denying it. “Sure, maybe I went to that hotel, but I don’t know that guy. Lots of people have the same last name. There could have been a bunch of Knotts in that hotel, Mr. Keith. Why aren’t you questioning them?”

The others in the room exchanged shocked glances when they heard the victim’s last name. Was Colton a relative of Joan’s? A few of the staff, who’d worked at the manor for ages, remembered Neil saying he was an only child. So where did this Colton come from?

Brett didn’t hesitate. He stood firm, his voice full of certainty. “No way. Colton’s trying to set her up! Mr. Keith, look at Joan. She’s so small, so delicate. How could she possibly kill a grown man?”

Mr. Keith shot him a look, pure disbelief on his face. “You’d be surprised. A lot of killers look harmless. That doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous.”

He turned back to Joan, his tone calm and steady. “It’s alright, Ms. Knotts. We’ve got other evidence.”

He waved over an officer, who handed him a small recorder. Mr. Keith hit play and Colton’s voice, weak and raspy, filled the room.

“My name is Colton Knotts. I’m Neil’s younger brother, Joan’s uncle. I want to report Joan for attempted murder. Here’s what happened… After I fell into that pit with the mixer, someone found me and got me to a hospital. My legs are ruined, but at least I’m alive. Joan, that crazy bitch! She actually tried to kill her own uncle. You have to give her the death penalty…”

Every word made Joan’s face go paler. Her heart dropped right through the floor.

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