Alice felt slightly embarrassed as she explained, "I'm investigating the pearl necklace incident. Given my godmother's health, she doesn't wear jewelry anymore. So, the chance of her losing the necklace is slim. I suspect it might be an inside job. However, the people working here are all elderly, so they are unlikely to be disloyal or turn against her."
Olivia chimed in, saying, "Human behavior can be quite unpredictable. Someone with bad intentions would believe Godmother has fallen from grace. Hence, they might want to gain favor with Lucian through this act."
Alice's demeanor grew chilly as she turned her gaze toward Doreen. "Godmother, in your opinion, who could be behind this?"
Doreen's usually frail eyes sharpened unexpectedly. It was hard to believe this was a bedridden patient struggling to speak clearly. Nonetheless, she managed to say, "It's… Ada... Moss."
Alice nodded and immediately ordered someone to summon Ada.
It didn't take long for the messenger to return, bearing news that Ada could not be found. Surveillance footage revealed that she had left last night and hadn't returned. It seemed she might have fled to avoid being caught.
Alice narrowed her eyes and instructed the people around her, "Find her at all costs. Also, thoroughly question the security guards who took Miss Maxwell's bag this morning."
Her command was swiftly relayed, and the people present sprang into action.
Albert stepped forward and volunteered, "Alice, let me handle this investigation. Let me clear Olivia's name." He lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with Olivia as he spoke.
Alice glanced at him and then turned to Olivia, saying, "Alright. Team up with Mr. Bailey and conduct the investigation together. It should speed up the process."
He nodded and left.
Alice turned her gaze to Olivia and said, "I understand the disappointment you and your husband feel toward Albert. Your faith in him brought you here. However, during that crucial moment, he found it hard to trust you as much as you trusted him. In fact, he was only trying to protect me. He knew every step I took was like treading on thin ice, considering you were brought into this due to his actions. He feared that any misstep on his part could lead to my complete downfall."
Then, she continued, "Moreover, he was unaware of our encounter five years ago. In such situations, people tend to instinctively envision the worst possible outcomes. Also, Lucian's evidence today is incredulous to those unaware of the truth. So, Albert's hesitation didn't stem from a lack of trust in you; it was more a lack of confidence in his own judgment. Otherwise, he wouldn't have chased after you without a second thought when you left. Please find it in your heart to forgive him, especially considering our familial ties."
Olivia took a deep breath and responded, "This isn't about forgiveness, Alice. I comprehend the circumstances Albert was facing. Even I was left speechless in that situation. As you rightly put it, his actions weren't driven by distrust but rather by the weight of Lucian's evidence. I understand."
Nevertheless, Alice detected no trace of relief in her voice. She knew that Olivia understood, but she could discern an underlying disappointment.
Meanwhile, Eugene was a tougher nut to crack than his wife. He kept his head down, yet his voice showed a subtle vulnerability. "I understand everything you've said, but understanding doesn't equate to forgiveness. Regardless of Albert's reasons, he shouldn't have abandoned us in that situation without any care or concern. We had placed our trust in him and followed him here." Then, he added, "Maybe if it were just me, I wouldn't be this infuriated. You can't fathom how terrified I was back then. Your sister was pregnant, and those security guards were under Lucian's command. General Bleu's reinforcements were notably delayed. The fear of being unable to protect Olivia consumed me. If anything happened to her and the unborn child, the consequences would have been too much for you to bear."
Olivia gently held his hand, acknowledging the truth in his words. She whispered, "I'm alright. Don't worry."
His expression grew solemn. "It's too late for that reassurance now. I never imagined our initial trust would lead us to this juncture."
Alice found herself at a loss for words. After a long pause, she admitted, "It's my fault. I can't believe my security guards would heed Lucian's orders."
Eugene consoled, "You handled the situation well today. A few dissatisfied individuals are to be expected when you ascend the throne. Don't overly concern yourself with their opinions. You wield the highest authority in this nation, including the power over life and death. For those who harbor rebellious thoughts or defy discipline, make an example of a couple of them. Lucian serves as a prime example."
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