Chapter 2386


    Alyssa had summoned those who frequently mingled in the parlor, on the off chance that one of


    them might have caught a glimpse of the curious events of that particr evening.


    The words she spoke were draped in courtesy, a veil that masked the gravity of the situation from


    them.


    In truth, they should have been questioned days ago, but when Alyssa had reviewed the security


    footage, there was no sign of Mara doing anything suspicious outside.


    With no cameras in the kitchen, it was a mystery what exactly Mara had been up to with her


    grandson.


    “Really, it''s nothing too serious. Just wondering if any of you happened to see what Ms. Lewis was


    up to that evening. It''s just that Balfour had a bit of a spell, and, as his grandmother, I need to get to


    the bottom of it. Wouldn''t want the young couple to have any misunderstandings,” she said.


    The staff exchanged nces. Sure, the affairs of the Howard household were their business, but it


    was no secret among them that the recently visiting Ms. L her sights set on Balfour, although


    Balfour had always remained indifferent.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    They had even gossiped in hushed tones, specting whether Ivy''s moving out was a result of a


    quarrel with Balfour.


    Now it appeared Mara might be at the heart of the matter.


    “Ms. Lewis''s intentions are clear to us all, but it seems to us that Balfour doesn''t share her affections.


    What exactly would you like us to share, Mrs. Howard?" asked Althea, taking initiative.


    Having been with the Howards for many years, Althea had a good grasp of the family’s sensitivities.


    At Althea’s prompting, Alyssa managed a small smile.


    “It''s just a bit of a tiff between two youngsters, but I can’t shake the suspicion about what Ms. Lewis


    was doing in Balfour''s study that night. Balfour is my grandson, but I can''t y favorites and ignore


    Ivy''s feelings, right?”


    Hearing Alyssa put it so inly, Althea recalled the events of that night.


    “Ms. Lewis did visit Balfour''s study that evening, but only to get a book and, incidentally, to deliver


    the ss of warm milk I prepared for his bedtime. I know it wasn''t quite appropriate for Ms. Lewis


    to carry it up, but she insisted, and I couldn''t well refuse her. Rest assured, Mrs. Howard, I was


    cautious and only retired for the night after I saw her return with the empty ss.”


    Alyssa wouldn''t fault Althea; she could imagine Mara’s ulterior motives and how she must


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    have persuaded Althea to let her carry the milk


    “Yes, you did the right thing. I suspect there was something wrong with that milk.


    Althea paled at the usation; after all, she had personally warmed the milk!


    “Mrs. Howard, how could there be anything wrong with the milk? I heated it myself, and then Ms.


    Lewis took it upstairs. I swear I didn''t tamper with it in any way! What happened to Balfour?”


    Quickly, Alyssa motioned for a maid to steady the suddenly weak-kneed Althea.


    "Why would you be afraid? Haven''t you all been with me long enough for me to know what kind of


    people you are? When I went upstairs that night, I found Balfour asleep in his study, which was odd


    since he never sleeps like that. It seems Ms. Lewis must have slipped a sleeping pill into his milk.”