Chapter 73

"Kieran! What are you talking about?" Lady Bale screeched, pulling him by the arm.

He gripped his mother's shoulder in turn, shaking his head. "It wasn't Lius, Mother. We have to set things straight."

"Set what straight? The boy betrayed us!" Lady Bale's shout echoed throughout the drawing room.

"We will start our investigation based on the accounts given," the inspector said, stepping in. "We cannot arrest Sir Camellius based on mere statements. We need clear evidence. Lord Kieran, perhaps it would be best if we spoke privately."

"Indeed," Kieran agreed, leading an upset Anastasia to the study. The inspector and chief spoke in hushed tones as they pored over the journal, looking for an overlap in the different accounts.

"What are you doing, Kieran? How dare you dishonor me this way?!" Anastasia demanded sharply, barely managing to keep her voice down.

"Calm down, Mother. This isn't right. You know she's not guilty!"