Chapter 421

Chapter 421:

He gave a brief nod and then shifted the topic without warning. “Now, to the matter at hand. What is this business about the poison? And why is Molly involved?”

My lips twitched, unsure of where to begin. My eyes instinctively darted toward Amon, who, sensing my hesitation, leaned slightly forward and spoke in a hushed tone to Bryan and me. “After gathering evidence that Molly purchased the necklace, I was ready to make the arrest. However, His Majesty was informed, and he has chosen to address this personally.”

The pieces were starting to fall into place. Molly, pregnant with Clayton’s child, complicated everything.

I straightened my shoulders, drawing a deep breath before speaking. “Your Majesty, it was Molly who conspired with Lily to drug my chicken soup…”

My voice wavered at first, but I steadied myself. I recounted every detail to Leonardo, laying bare the deception that had entangled us all.

As I spoke, my eyes drifted to the necklace clutched in a soldier’s hand. It was the proof I needed. “That necklace is the evidence. Molly bought it for Lily.”

The hall fell deathly silent. All eyes turned to Molly, still kneeling, her body trembling under the weight of the accusation. Leonardo frowned as he shifted his gaze to her. “Molly,” he commanded, “explain yourself!”

Tears pooled in Molly’s eyes, spilling over as she sobbed softly. “Your Majesty, I… I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve always been kind to everyone in the palace. How could I ever harm Makenna’s child?” She sounded too desperate.

But her tears did nothing to sway me. The irony of it all hit like a bitter wave. “Molly, what about the necklace? How do you explain that?”

She sniffled, wiping her tear-stained face. “Makenna, yes, I bought a necklace. But it wasn’t for Lily. It was a gift for my sister, Hayley, for her birthday. There are guests from the party who can confirm this. I don’t know how Lily got a similar necklace. I swear.”

I clenched my jaw, refusing to soften. “What a coincidence. You and Lily just so happen to have the same necklace? And tell me, Molly, where would Lily—a maid in the palace—get the money for such an expensive piece of jewelry?”

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Before she could answer, the doors to the hall swung open, and a servant hurried in, bowing low before Leonardo.

“Your Majesty,” he said breathlessly, “upon inspection, the necklace Lily possesses is a counterfeit. The real one was indeed gifted to Molly’s sister, Hayley.”

Makenna’s POV:

A counterfeit? My eyes shot wide open as I stared at Molly, who knelt on the floor like a fallen saint.

Her face, painted with innocent softness, gave little away, but I caught it—the flicker of pride and sly mischief dancing in her eyes. It all clicked in that moment. Molly had planned everything, each step laid out with careful precision.

Two necklaces. One real, one fake.

The real one—perfect and pristine—she’d gifted to her sister Hayley, parading it proudly in front of their friends at the party. The counterfeit? That had gone to Lily, her reward for helping harm my baby.

But Molly’s brilliance wasn’t in the act—it was in the escape. Even if the truth came out, she could wash her hands clean, shrugging off suspicion with a practiced smile.

I couldn’t help but be impressed by her cunning. Molly was a genius in deception.

Lily, still on her knees, absorbed the blow like a thunderclap. The color drained from her face as her mouth opened in a soundless gasp.

Fury soon followed. She snapped at Molly. “You! How could you do this to me? I trusted you—you gave me a fake? I thought we were friends!”

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