C9 Making Use of the Situation

Old Madame Munro stiffened as if someone had struck her in a vulnerable spot, and her gaze toward those around her grew increasingly icy.

The temperature in the room seemed to plummet to an icy chill.

"So, what you're suggesting, Mother, is..." Daxton began, treading carefully, fearful that any sign of dissatisfaction might earn him a scolding.

"It seems to me that someone might be doing this deliberately. Could it be that Ilyana's arrival has inconvenienced someone? Or perhaps they see the child as a burden and have been scheming behind the scenes, causing Ilyana's fall!" Old Madame Munro spoke with a dispassionate tone, her eyes flickering towards Ondine, the skepticism in her gaze unmistakable.

Daxton felt a lump in his throat. Ondine had only told him that Ilyana was feeling unwell, never mentioning a fall down the stairs.

The Munro family's staircase had indeed been specially designed. Could it be that Ilyana's fall was no accident?

Despite his suspicions, Daxton vehemently denied it, "How could that be possible? She's just an innocent young girl, who would target her?"

"Mom, there's no way your theory could be true!"

"Exactly, Ilyana is such a well-behaved and understanding child. And since she's only recently arrived, how could anyone have a motive to harm her?" Ondine stepped forward, her smile unwavering, her face betraying no hint of distress.

Daxton's probing look, filled with fleeting doubt, did not escape her notice.

She would not stand idly by and let the situation spiral out of her control!

Ondine's smile remained as she gently explained, "Moreover, Ilyana's fall was an accident. Daxton was unaware of it. I was terrified when it happened, but thankfully, I called the doctor immediately. The child is fortunate to have come out unscathed."

Her smile thinly veiled her contempt as she glanced at Ilyana. The audacity of this girl to turn the tables on her so effortlessly—she had clearly underestimated her.

Ilyana met Ondine's gaze with a cold laugh in her heart. This woman's mental fortitude was formidable indeed.

Not only was she sharp-witted, but her speech was also impeccably cautious. She certainly had some cunning strategies.

No wonder she had been so easily manipulated in her past life!

But what of it?

In this life, Ondine was destined to fail and be crushed underfoot! She would settle all accounts from her past and present life today.

Old Madame Munro cast a glance at Ondine and snorted, "That would be for the best. However, I will have someone thoroughly investigate this matter. If Ilyana has indeed been framed, I will show no mercy to the perpetrator!"

Ines, standing by, trembled slightly upon hearing this, her face rapidly shifting emotions. She gripped Ondine's hand tighter without realizing it.

"Please do investigate. If there's anything I can do to assist, I'll be more than willing."

Ondine gave a reassuring glance to the person beside her, all while maintaining a graceful smile that left no room for criticism.

"Hmph! You'd better watch yourself!" Old Madame Munro warned through clenched teeth.

It was clear that the matriarch of the Munro family's disdain for Ondine had deepened.

Ilyana understood that Ondine's confidence stemmed from the fact that no useful clues could be found regarding the accident. After all, no one but Ilyana herself had witnessed Ines pushing her.

That's why Ondine was so audacious and unafraid of Old Madame Munro's investigation.

But Ondine couldn't have anticipated that things weren't as straightforward as they seemed.