Honey, You're a Billionaire?

Lizzie only spared Carl a fleeting glance before quickly averting her gaze.

"I don't know him," she said. She then turned to Cyrus with an innocent expression and reached out to hold his arm. "Cyrus, I have no idea who he is."

Even with Carl standing right in front of her, she still tried to deny it.

Ezra chuckled lightly. This woman was always good at feigning innocence, but no matter how much she denied it now, the truth would eventually come out. He exchanged a knowing look with Finley.

Before entering, Finley had managed to extract some information from Carl.

"Mrs. Finch, although you claim not to recognize him, it appears he is quite familiar with you," Finley declared, emphasizing the words "quite familiar."

Lizzie's heart skipped a beat, and a look of displeasure washed over her face. "Judging by his attire, he appears to be a bodyguard from the Azure Clan, which serves the Finch family. It's not surprising he recognizes me," she countered. Indeed, it wasn't surprising at all.

Before Finley could respond, Lizzie continued, "The Azure Clan is loyal only to the head of the family, and Jonathan has never liked me.

"If you wish to hold me accountable for tonight's events for the sake of the Finch family, I will bear the consequences, even if I am not at fault. But..."

Her voice trailed off as she bit her lip, and a mixture of frustration, righteousness, and a hint of despair crossed her face before she continued, "Why must you drag someone else into this to tarnish my reputation?"

Ezra couldn't help but laugh, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Your reputation? Really?"

"Ezra!" Cyrus barked, his voice filled with anger.

However, Ezra paid no heed to Cyrus, not even sparing him a glance. Instead, he turned his attention to Carl.

"Well then, let's see just how innocent you are. So, Carl..." Ezra's gaze bore into Carl.

Ezra was usually carefree and detached, his striking features more beautiful than intimidating. Even with his status as a member of the Finch family, the members of the Azure Clan saw him as nothing more than just that. However, with that single look, Carl felt as if he were standing before the imposing Jonathan. As Ezra uttered Carl's name, a shiver ran down Carl's spine, his scalp tingling in apprehension.

"Speak up," Ezra commanded coldly. "Start with everything you did tonight, and don't leave out a single detail, not even the slightest bit. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to make you go through the same treatment Finley gave you earlier." It was a blatant threat. Ezra didn't bother to sugarcoat it, and no one questioned his authority.

Lizzie didn't dare to challenge him. She was terrified that the more she said, the more she would slip up and get herself in trouble. At this moment, all she could do was stay silent and wait for an opportunity to present itself. Though she avoided Carl's gaze, her attention was locked on him, not daring to relax even for a second.

Cyrus wanted to speak up, but a single sharp glance from Eleanor silenced him.

Finally, Carl's shaky voice echoed in the hall. "I... I put some drugs in the greenhouse and used Mr. Jonathan's name to lure Mr. Ezra there. Then, using the same trick, I brought Ms. Shaffer to the greenhouse..."

His face was swollen from the beating, and his speech was slurred. But even through his muddled words, everyone understood what he was confessing to.

He had confirmed Ezra's suspicions. Someone had indeed set up Ezra and Rose.

Eleanor's anger flared. "Why did you do it? Who ordered you?"

She knew an Azure Clan bodyguard would never do something like this without a motive or orders. Someone had to be pulling the strings from behind. Carl stole a glance in a particular direction. "I..."

Memories of what Finley had shown him during his punishment flashed in his mind, the pain and fear still fresh. A flicker of determination began to settle in his eyes.

Lizzie noticed the shift in his gaze and felt a surge of panic. She knew what was coming next, and her first instinct was to stop him from revealing her involvement. But how? With a pitiful expression, she gently touched the scarf around her neck.

Hidden beneath it was a scar that everyone assumed was from a tree branch, but she and Carl knew better. It was a mark he had left on her.

Her brow furrowed slightly, and she cast a vulnerable, pitiable look in Carl's direction, hoping to stir his feelings for her, to remind him of his love and loyalty.

If this was before Carl had seen what Finley showed him, Lizzie wouldn't have needed to remind him. He would've willingly taken all the blame, driven by his desire to shield the woman he loved and protect her at any cost.

But he had seen it. It wasn't Finley who had shattered his resolve-it was Jonathan. Jonathan had known about his and Lizzie's relationship all along, and that realization filled Carl with fear.

Overwhelmed by the fear instilled in him by Jonathan, Carl lowered his gaze, succumbing to his defeat.

To Lizzie, this seemed like a victory.

She believed she had succeeded in

manipulating Carl yet again. She knew he loved her, but after this, he would be a pawn she could no

longer use. For now, it was enough if he didn't expose her.

As for the future... She could always find another pawn.

Lizzie tightened her grip on Cyrus' arm, knowing full well that Cyrus was the most important pawn she had in this game.

She was already plotting how to use this incident to strengthen her hold on Cyrus when Carl's voice echoed through the hall once more. "I... was acting under Mrs. Finch's orders." Despite his slurred speech, his words were distinct enough for everyone present to comprehend.

The Finch family had once consisted of two "Mrs. Finch"-Lizzie and Bella. However, following Bella's demise, only Lizzie remained.

Carl had just admitted to following Lizzie's commands.

This revelation came as no shock to many within the room. Ironically, the accused turned out to be the most astonished person in the room.

For a moment, Lizzie's mind went completely blank. It was as if time had stopped, and the world had fallen silent. She couldn't hear a single sound. But it lasted only a moment.

Quickly regaining her composure,

Lizzie concealed the panic that

surged within her. A succession of.

emotions flitted across her

face-first, disbelief at the

accusation, then shock at the

implications, and ultimately

résigned acceptance of her apparent

"wrongful accusation."

"I said I would take responsibility for this. Was it really necessary to go this far?" she sighed, maintaining her aura of sacrificial innocence as though she were the victim once again.

While her outward appearance

remained the same, her heart was in

turmoil. If there weren't so manyThis text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

people present, she would have loved nothing more than to march up to Carl and slap him, questioning his supposed love for her.

But with so many eyes on her, she couldn't say a word.

Nevertheless, when her eyes locked with Carl's, the unspoken question blazed in her gaze. "Is this the love you spoke of?"

Her gaze conveyed her reproach, pity, and admonishment-a blend of emotions capable of stirring up a primal protective instinct in most people. Sharp-witted and observant, Clover caught a glimpse of Lizzie's repulsive attempt at manipulation and couldn't help but laugh mockingly.

"Seems like there's something going on between you two, huh?"

His words had a profound impact on everyone present.

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Ezra's lips as he almost applauded Clover's audacity.

Meanwhile, Cyrus' face darkened. A sudden realization sparked in his mind as he glanced between Lizzie and Carl, his gaze turning suspicious. Realizing the damage that had been done, Lizzie hastily looked away in a panic.