Chapter 11
“Mrs. Fox, it was in a pit in the backyard, the servant replied.
“<b>Take </b>me to see it, <b>Maria </bmanded.
As the group trudged into the backyard, Melody instantly spottel Mabel’s ne right in the pit she had dug earlier. It turned <b>out </b>Mabel had actually stooped so <b>low </b>as to stash the ne there, but this just <b>made </b>things simpler for Melody.
“How the hell did the ne end up here?” Mabel blurted out, pretending to be shocked as she snatched it up.
Just <b>as </b>she <b>was </b>about to point fingers at Melody, Melody cut her off. “<b>Wait </b>a sec! Why the hell is there a cigarette butt here?”
Mabel’s face drained of color. In her haste to hide the ne, she’dpletely spaced on the cigarette butt.
Maria scowled. “Since when are there cigarette butts in my backyard? I banned smoking in this house after I got sick. Who the hell <b>has </b>been <b>breaking </b><b>my </b>rules”
Mabel gulped, clearly on edge, and stammered, “Grandma, let’s just focus on finding out who took my ne, okay? We can sort out the cigarette thingter.”
Mabel. Melody said, rolling her eyes sarcastically. “Maybe the person who snatched your ne is also the smoker. They might’ve lit up right before bailing”
She turned to <b>Maria </b><b>and </b>said, “Grandma, we should get this cigarette butt tested. The DNA might tell us who it belongs to.”
Maria nodded. That <b>makes </b>sense. Have it sent for testing right away!”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Hattie responded, already on her <b>way</b><b>,</b>
Mabel <b>panicked </b>and grabbed Hattie. “Wait, Hattie! Just because they smoked doesn’t mean they’re the thief. I just
remembered I saw
But before Mabel <b>could </b>finish. Melody interjected, “Mabel, why are you <b>so </b>freaked about testing the <b>cigarette </b>butt? Sounds like you’ve got something to hide.”
“No way! It wasn’t me!” <b>Mabel </b>protested, her face ming red.
Maria’s tone was firm. “Hattie, take <b>that </b>cigarette butt for <b>testing </b>Now!”
“Yes, ma’am!” Hattie said, pulling away from Mabel and heading off to get it tested.
Mabel broke into a cold sweat but didn’t dare to stop <b>Hattie</b>, knowing it would make her look even more suspicious.
Melody jumped in, “Hey Grandma, since we’re testing the cigarete butt, why not send in the ne <b>too</b>? There might be fingerprints on it
“One more thing” Melody added, trying to clear the air. “I did dig <b>that </b>pit, but Mabel’s ne wasn’t there at the time. Mabel can back me up on this Plus, wasn’t she about to take a bath? I clearly remember the ne was still on her when 1 Fire”
Melody decided to own up to digging the pit, figuring Mabel would <b>spill </b>the beans eventually.
Then Mabel quickly chimed in. “I don’t remember if the ne disappeared before or after my bath.”
Ynda, sharp as ever quickly came to her daughter’s defense. Maybe <b>Mabel’s </b><b>a </b>bit mixed up. <b>But </b><b>what’s </b>really bugging me
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Chapter II
is why Melody was digging around in the backyard in the middle of the night? And isn’t it a bit too convenient that Mabels ne just happened to be in that very hole<b>!</b><b>”</b>
Maria paused, giving a silent cue for <b>a </b>servant to confiscate the ne for further testing, then turned to Melody. “What were <b>you </b>really doing out here digging at night?”
Melody, who was ready for <b>this</b>, didn’t directly answer Maria’s question. Instead, with a slight gesture towards a cluster of nearby nts, she casually asked, “Grandma, do <b>you </b>recognize these flowers?”
Before Maria could respond. Ynda snapped, “Quit dodging the question with irrelevant flower talk!”
Im actually answering her. Melody retorted as she picked a flower and handed it to Maria. “This is Aster. It’s known for soothing lungs, clearing phlegm, and stopping coughs. I saw it here and thought about cultivating some for your cough. That’s why I was digging”
You’re full of it Mabel blurted out, visibly irritated. “You’re from the countryside–what do you know about medicinal herbs<b>? </b>You’re just trying to throw us off
Melody remained unfazed. “If <b>you </b>doubt me, go ahead and ask the family doctor, she suggested calmly.
Maria epted the flower from Melody and signaled for the servant to fetch the doctor. “Bring Dr. Finn here, she ordered.
“Right away?” the servant replied, and soon after, the family doctor was brought in.
Without letting Mabel or Ynda get a word in, Maria promptly asked the doctor. “Dr. Finn, is this <b>an </b>Aster nt?”
After examining the flower under the light, the family doctor confirmed. “Yes, it’s definitely Aster. Excellent for treating coughs”
Mabel and Ynda were instantly silenced by the doctor’s confirmation, leaving Mabel seething with frustration
“How does Melody keep getting <b>this </b>lucky? Mabel fumed internally.
Just then, Hattie called in Maria switched her phone to speaker and inquired, “What are the test results?”
Hattie hesitated before revealing, “Mrs. Fox, <b>the </b>DNA on the cigarette butt matches Miss Mabel’s. And the only fingerprints <b>on </b>the ne are Miss Mabels”
Maria’s face turned stern as she put the pieces together. “So you were the one smoking?” she demanded.
Mabel’s face paled, and she instinctively hid behind Ynda
Seeing Mabel’s reaction. <b>Ynda </b>quickly jumped to her defense<b>, </b>albeit <b>confused </b>and slightly frustrated Mom, don’t be too harsh on her. Mabel is still young, maybe influenced by badpany at school… She’s <b>always </b>been at the top of her <b>ss</b>, perhaps someone envied her and led her <b>astray</b><b>.”</b>
“Enough” <b>Maria </b>snapped, her voice firm. “Mabel! Get on your knees and tell us the truth!”
stabels legs shook <b>as </b><b>she </b>fell in front of Maria. Grandma… I did <b>pick </b>up <b>smoking </b>from some friends at school. But I swear, I’ll never touch a rigarette again!”
Tm not asking about that, Marta said, narrowing her eyes. <b>Tm </b><b>lking </b>about the <b>ne</b>”Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
Mabel shook all over, looking terrified.
Chapter II
Before she coulde u up with an excuse, Maria spoke again, “Melody dug that pit to get medicinal herbs for me. Your cigarette butt was found next to it, and you knew about the pit. Mabel, I can’t believe you’d frame your <b>own </b>sister!”
“No!” Mabel shook her head wildly. “I swear, I have no idea how the ne ended up there!”
Maria let out a derisive snort. “Really? You don’t know how it got there? Well, the test results are in, and guess what? The ne only has your fingerprints on it!”
Mabel was speechless. <b>She </b>panicked, rolled her eyes, and fainted on the spot.
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