The first person who had arrived pointed at Aveline, saying, "When I got here, I saw her standing next to Madam Barbara, who was crying continuously." All eyes turned to Aveline.

"She's the one who took Madam Barbara away. Did she mistreat her?"

"Madam Barbara seems to like her a lot. I doubt it."

"What do you know? Women like her can deceive men and old ladies alike. Who knows what she did to

Madam Barbara behind our backs."

Frederick looked at Aveline with a dark expression. "What exactly happened?"

Aveline took a deep breath and recounted the events, concluding with, "If you don't believe me, you can check the security footage."

Frederick glanced at the butler, who immediately went to review the recordings.

Five minutes later, the butler returned with a complicated expression. "Sir, the young madam took Madam Babara to a blind spot in the cameras. We couldn't capture what happened." Frederick's face darkened further. "Aveline, what did you do to Madam Barbara? How can you be so malicious? You know she has dementia, yet you dare to harm her?" Aveline shook her head. "I didn't do anything!"

She quickly looked to Barbara, hoping she would vouch for her. But Barbara was clearly traumatized, whimpering pitifully despite no longer sobbing loudly. Panicked, Aveline forced herself to calm down and said, "There was someone else - a servant here. He stopped the wheelchair. He can testify for me!"

Frederick scoffed coldly. "I don't have time for your excuses. Someone, lock her up until we get to the bottom of this!"

"Yes, sir!"

The butler summoned servants who covered Aveline's mouth and forcibly dragged her out through another door.

"Mmph!" Aveline struggled, trying to say something, but Frederick ignored her completely.

Lucas, as the Tudor family's only heir, was busy entertaining guests and knew nothing of what was transpiring.

Aveline was locked in a dark, damp room - likely an abandoned storage area. The air was thick with the smell of rot and mold, dust and cobwebs everywhere. Aveline pressed her lips together and found a relatively clean spot to sit down. She took out her phone and called Lucas.

At this point, he was her only hope.

However, though the call connected, it wasn't answered and eventually disconnected automatically.

Aveline's expression darkened.

Who had pushed Barbara's wheelchair? Why were they trying to frame her?

The storage room was cold and damp. As night fell and temperatures dropped, it became even colder.

Her formal gown provided little warmth.

Lucas entered from outside and asked a servant, "Where's Aveline?"

The servant lowered their head and replied, "The young madam left earlier."

Lucas paused. She left? Without saying a word to him?

Recalling her aversion and resistance to this place, Lucas lowered his eyes slightly. Perhaps it was for the best - she wasn't comfortable here anyway.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

"Where's Grandma?" Lucas asked next.

The servant answered, "Madam Barbara took her medicine and is resting now."

"I see," Lucas acknowledged.

Just then, another servant approached and said, "Mr. Lucas, Mr. Frederick requests your presence in the study."