Annabelle Linton suddenly remembered something.
Vivian Yates had only used petty tricks to frame her before. They were minor squabbles, really, and the worst she was ever accused of was being "jealous and willful."
But this time was different. This time, it was a direct push down the stairs. It was downright malicious!
She remembered. It seemed to be after this incident, followed by a series of others where Vivian got hurt, that people began to despise her, one incident at a time.
'To think I'm back here again!'
"Miss Yates, please say whatever is on your mind," Annabelle Linton said grimly, her expression showing she wouldn't rest until she got to the bottom of it. "You were injured in the Grant family home. If this accident was intentional, we will absolutely see that you get justice!"
"It's nothing... I just slipped. It's not a big deal. I'll be more careful from now on..." Vivian Yates said dismissively.
Annabelle Linton smiled, her words laced with sarcasm. "That's good. I'm just glad it was you. If some other schemer were trying to frame me, I wouldn't be able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Grivan River!"
Then she added jokingly, "Then again, I wouldn't have a motive, would I? Why would I act on a whim just to make people hate me? I'm not an idiot."
She sounded completely sincere, with no trace of holding a grudge.
Leona Grant glanced at Annabelle Linton. He saw that her eyes were perfectly calm—it didn't look like an act. Besides, Vivian Yates herself had said she slipped.
Still, there was something about Annabelle Linton's gaze that gave him pause.
Her eyes were usually so timid and fearful, at least when she was in front of Grandfather...
But now...
'What is going on?'
'Have I misunderstood Annabelle Linton?'
But then he remembered all the things she had done to Vivian Yates in the past, and a flicker of disgust returned to his eyes.
Leona Grant lowered his gaze to Vivian Yates and said gently, "The doctor said you've had a scare and need to rest. Let's get you back to your room. I had the kitchen prepare some restorative soup for you. Go and have some."
Vivian Yates shot a conflicted glance at Annabelle Linton, then bit her lip and said softly, "Leona, you should stay with Annabelle. She was frightened too. She was even crying just now..."
Hearing this, Annabelle Linton's expression remained calm.
'How could I not see through Vivian Yates's little scheme?'
'She's offering to let Leona stay with me to make herself seem generous and understanding. But she knows perfectly well that Leona despises me right now. Why would he ever stay with me?'
'I remember in my past life, she said the same thing. I had burst into tears, looking at Leona with a mix of hope and heartbreak, and he had utterly humiliated me.'
Leona Grant's eyes darkened. 'Vivian is so kind, while Annabelle is so malicious. How can two people be so different?'
A sarcastic sneer tugged at the corner of his mouth. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Annabelle Linton say, "You don't need to stay with me. I'll be discharged later anyway. Miss Yates was injured at our home, so Leona, if you have time, you should spend it with her."
Annabelle Linton's eyes were serene, composed, and graceful.
With a single sentence, she had preserved her dignity while also indirectly suggesting that Leona Grant's kindness toward Vivian Yates stemmed purely from guilt.
The double meaning made Vivian Yates grind her teeth in fury!
Everyone present was stunned, especially Leona Grant.
He looked at Annabelle Linton's nonchalant expression and found it peculiar.
He still remembered how, just yesterday, Annabelle Linton had been crying, frantically trying to explain that she hadn't pushed Vivian Yates.
'Now that she's been vindicated, why is she so composed?'
Besides, the old Annabelle Linton would have been desperate for this kind of opportunity. Why was she rejecting it now?