Chapter 5 Accused of Poisoning grandpa Frey

Ethan sat in a dark,lonely room. The choking smoke from the cigarette between his fingers and the alcohol burning down his throat were his only companions.

His eyes were bloodshot and had dark circles. He wasn't able to sleep for three days straight, trying to decipher the map before him. Everything was so confusing.

Alex walked in.

Cough cough

He choked on smoke. "M–master." He managed to say. "We've found the head of the gang already."

"Hmm," Ethan nodded.

It was a really sunny afternoon. Abigail made sure to get ice cream for the kids in the Frey orphanage home.

She smiled, seeing the kids happily playing in the playground with nothing to worry about.

"Aunty Abby!" The kids rushed to hug her. "Auntie brought ice cream." The kids were really happy to see her.

She'd been coming every week. But due to recent happenings,she couldn't come visit. "You're here." A Nun came out of the building dressed in her usual black and white.

"Yes, Nun Amera." Abigail smiled.The children ran off with the ice cream. "What brings you here this time?" Amera asked.

"I'm actually here to retrieve something. Do you still have that necklace?" Abigail asked. "Of course dear." Amera smiled warmly and led Abigail inside.

"Do you still remember your training?" Amera asked. "Yes."Abigail laughed. "I could I ever forget."

Ever since she was eight, Nun Amera had been teaching her Chinese herbs and their healing methods.

"That's good,I might be in need of your expertise someday." Amera brought down a wooden jewelry box from the shelf.

"Here you go." She handed Abigail the necklace. "Are you going to find your parents?" She asked.

Her parents? She never thought of finding them. If they wanted her,they wouldn't have left her for dead.

"No. I just want it close." Abigail smiled. She stayed a little longer with the kids before leaving.

The drive back from the orphanage was quiet. Abigail clutched the necklace tightly, as if holding onto a piece of herself she had forgotten. The memory of her childhood felt like a distant dream. Hazy and unreachable,but carrying the necklace made it feel real again.

Her parents,her real family,she had no intention of finding them.

Abigail barely had time to settle back into her room when there was a sharp knock at the door. She opened it to find Clara standing there, arms crossed, lips curled into an unimpressed smirk.

"We don't tolerate idle hands in this house," Clara said, scanning Abigail like she was something beneath her. "You'll be preparing lunch today."

Abigail clenched her jaw. She knew this wasn't a polite request,it was a deadly test. A new way of reminding her that she wasn't truly welcome in the Frey family. But she wouldn't give Clara the satisfaction of seeing her hesitate or fail.

"Fine," Abigail said, stepping forward. "What's on the menu?"

Clara smiled, as if pleased by the challenge. "Pa Frey likes perfection. Let's see if you can meet his standards."

Clara laughed in her mind. "Abigail,you will never be house Frey's mistress."

Abigail folded her arms. If they wanted to test her, she'd prove she was worth more than any of them expected.

She went to the kitchen,got ingredients and started cooking.

Abigail finished plating the meal with care, her training from the nuns guiding her every move. The aroma of rich spices filled the air, a testament to her skill. She had worked hard to make a good impression, to prove herself worthy of standing in this house.

Abigail understood the web of power and deception that ruled the Frey Mansion. It was a house where alliances were fragile, betrayals were expected, and loyalty was nothing more than a bargaining chip.

She had never imagined they would welcome her so quickly,not after she had abandoned Liam for Ethan, a betrayal that should have named her as an outsider.

The Freys didn't trust easily, and stepping into their world meant constantly looking over her shoulder.

Yet, somehow, she had been pulled into their lives like she belonged. But she knew better. In a house like this, acceptance wasn't a gift,it was a test. And if she failed, she wouldn't walk away freely. She wanted to be with Ethan,so she'd fight for it.

Before serving, she checked her reflection in the hallway mirror. Sweat was on her forehead and a few strands of hair clung to her skin. She frowned. If she was going to serve Pa Frey, she had to be presentable.She covered the plated dish and hurried off to shower.

The moment her footsteps faded, Charli appeared- Silent and calculating.

She glanced around the empty kitchen before pulling a tiny vial from her pocket. The liquid inside swirled into the stew,undetectable.

Minutes later, Abigail was out of her room, refreshed and composed. She lifted the bowl carefully and carried it into the grand dining hall.

Pa Frey took the first bite, nodding in approval. "Impressive," he murmured.

Abigail allowed herself a small smile. Maybe she had passed their test. Maybe, just maybe, she had secured a place in this house.

But then,the old man's face twisted.

A sharp cough.

His hands trembled.

His chest heaved.

Abigail's breath hitched as his body slumped forward, unconscious.

The room erupted into chaos. Servants rushed forward, Clara gasped dramatically, and before Abigail could react, Clara walked towards her, eyes flashing with hatred.

"You poisoned him!" Clara accused. "How dare you!"

Abigail stumbled back, shaking her head in disbelief.

No.

No, this wasn't happening.

"I...I didn't-" she started, but Clara was already barking orders.

"Lock her in her room! If father wakes up, he'll know exactly what kind of snake he let into this house!"

Hands gripped Abigail's arms before she could fight them off. She was dragged away, her mind spinning.

Who had done this?

And why?

Ethan stared out the window of his penthouse. His grip tightened around the glass of whiskey in his hand. Abigail. The name had burrowed into his mind, refusing to leave, lingering like a temptation he knew he shouldn't walk into.

The business trip was supposed to be a cover for his deeper dealings, the ones that couldn't be traced. But now, he had a new concern. Clara's message had reached him faster than expected: Pa Frey had collapsed. And Abigail was being blamed.

Ethan exhaled slowly, setting his drink down. If this was Clara's doing, it meant she was playing her hand early,testing how far she could push before he retaliated. But if Abigail was truly in danger, he had no intention of sitting back and watching the Frey family devour her whole.

Justin entered the room, carrying a tablet with fresh reports. "Sir, Clara's people are already spreading word that Abigail poisoned your father."

"They're planning to keep her locked in until he wakes up."

Ethan's jaw tightened. That wasn't going to happen.

"Prepare the jet," he ordered. "I'm going home."