Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 316

Chapter 316 Desperate Performance

Finished

Baxter could not contain his outrage any longer. “I’ve truly never seen someone so shameless. The truth is staring her right in the face yet she can still twist everything like this…”

Stella pressed a trembling hand to her chest, her voice thick with anguish. “Yes, now even a servant dares to accuse me of twisting things. Look how far I’ve fallen–not even worth a servant’s respect anymore. Ha! Margaret, this is what you wanted, isn’t it? You’ve really outdone yourself.”

“Save the act, Stella. No one’s listening to your pathetic soliloquy.” Margaret’s gaze was icy, unwavering. “I didn’t orchestrate this little drama, and you don’t need to-”

“Margaret!” Stella cut her off, tears streaking her cheeks. “Who do you think you are, acting all calm and collected? You made sure this blew up, you pointed every finger at me, you dragged me through the mud –and now you have the nerve to stand there like none of it matters?”

Her face twisted in genuine–looking pain. “My reputation is ruined. My engagement is over. Everything I should have had is gone, and it’s all because of you. How can you possibly turn around and accuse me of hurting you? Anyone with eyes can see your life is perfectly fine–better than ever! I’m the one who’s been crushed into the dirt!”

Jasper’s expression softened slightly. “Stella, it’s only a suspicion at this point. There’s no hard evidence yet. Getting this worked up isn’t helping. Once we have proof-”

“Proof?” Stella let out a bitter laugh. “If someone wants to frame me, they’ll produce all the ‘proof‘ they need. Why wait? Jasper, I know you’re taking her side in everything now. I’ve already stepped back–what more do you want from me?”

She turned her tear–filled eyes toward their father. “And you, Father. You promised to get to the bottom of this, but the stolen engagement gifts? You haven’t found a single clue. How will you ever clear my name? I see how it is–I’m just supposed to swallow this injustice again. Ha… Margaret, you really won’t stop until I’m dead, will you?”

Margaret stared back, unflinching. “Who’s trying to destroy whom, Stella? If you hadn’t started this, you might still have a way out.”

“Ha! A way out? There’s no way out for me now. Well done, Margaret. You win.” With a final broken sob, Stella scrambled to her feet and bolted from the room.

Nadia rushed after her. “Ms. Stella Campbell! Wait!”

Watching the two disappear into the night, Baxter fumed. “That madwoman–we can’t just let her run off!”

Margaret gave a cold, humorless smile. “Look at that performance. She’s the guilty one, yet she makes i seem like everyone else is drowning her.”

Timothy massaged his temples, exhaustion etched deep into his face. “Must you all keep this up in the middle of the night? Do you really have to humiliate this entire estate before you’re satisfied?”

Baxter shot back, “Mr. Timothy Campbell, from start to finish, Ms. Margaret Campbell has been the victim here. She nearly lost her life, and instead of showing concern, you won’t even help detain the real-”

12:18 pm PTM

Chapter 316 Desperate Performance

Timothy interrupted, his tone flat and detached, “You already caught the assassin.

Frasind

“If the assassin is caught and she’s unharmed, why keep stirring the pot? An assassin is hardly a reliable witness. He points at Stella with no proof–and you believe him? Fine, believe him. But where is your evidence? Aside from his word, what else do you have?”

His eyes were bloodshot with fatigue and frustration. “If this drags on any longer, dawn will break. Do any of you have the slightest idea how demanding my days are? I barely get a few hours of rest as it is. I try to be fair to all of you–when have any of you ever considered me?”

His weary gaze swept over everyone present. “Guards! Take this assassin to the dungeons. Interrogate him severely. I want the truth–and I want proof. Accusations without evidence are just empty words. No one is to make assumptions based on hearsay!”

“So we’re letting it go again, just like that?” Margaret’s voice was calm, almost too steady.

Timothy’s face darkened. “Margaret, this isn’t ‘letting it go. I’ve always treated you and your sisters equally. You’re all my flesh and blood. Without solid evidence, how can you expect me to punish your sister based on nothing?”

He sighed, the picture of a burdened patriarch. “If the situation were reversed–if Stella had been attacked and the assassin pointed the finger at you with no proof–I would demand the same evidence. Only facts reveal the truth. Can’t you understand that?”

Baxter muttered under his breath, “First time I’ve heard favoritism described so poetically…

Before Timothy could retort, Jasper spoke up, “Father has a point. This is just one man’s word. For all we know, he’s lying to save his own skin or to turn us against each other. Without solid proof, we shouldn’t tear this family apart…”

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