Day Two…

~~*****~~

“Stop arguing! We summoned you here to find out the truth. We will listen to all of you. Everyone has the chance to speak up and defend themselves.” Axel stepped into the middle, mediating the two parties.

Nathan was not around to make a decision on this. So as his right-hand man, he had to find out the truth before Nathan woke up. Furthermore, Veronica was pressuring him to take action.

“Among the people here, she’s the only person who is very suspicious. We don’t know her.” Veronica was targeting Abigail. She wanted her to be punished severely.

She just learned from Chef Min that this stranger suddenly came into the mansion. She was also surprised when he mentioned that Nathan allowed this woman to stay there with them! Because of that, she felt threatened by her presence. Abigail was also a charming lady. And she looked younger than her.

“I’ve been serving Master Nathan for two decades now. How dare you accuse me of poisoning him?” Butler Li said through his gritted teeth.

“I’ve been serving him for twenty five years now!” Chef Min spat back at Butler Li.

Axel could only shake his head helplessly while watching the two. He glanced at Abigail who remained quiet. She looked calm as if she was the one watching a good show.

‘She doesn’t look affected at all. If Others were in her position, they would be cowering in fear already. How would she defend herself? She’s the one who prepared the lunchbox. And based on the examination result, the food she made was the real cause why Nathan collapsed.’

“Miss Abigail, can you tell us the truth?” Axel asked her again.

Abigail gazed at him straight into his eyes. “I didn’t poison Nathan. If you really think there is poison in the lunchbox, bring the leftover food to me. I’ll eat it in front of you.” Abigail said nonchalantly, glaring at Chef Min.

Axel scratched the back of his head and said, “Actually, it’s not because of a poison. It’s because of the peanuts.” Axel informed them. “Boss is allergic to peanuts.”

Veronica, Abigail, and Butler Li blinked their eyes upon hearing that. Among the people there, they were the only ones who were not aware of Nathan’s allergy.

His health-related matters were very confidential. The cooks, Axel, and Nathan’s family members knew about his allergy because they didn’t want others to find out, especially their enemies. They were very cautious against the spies.

Abigail squinted her eyes at Chef Min while clenching her fists. She had the urge to punch him. Now, she understood it.

“Chef Min didn’t tell me about Nathan’s allergy. He was the one who suggested the menu to me.” Abigail pointed her finger at Chef Min.

“How dare you blame me?! You asked me about my Master’s favorite so I told you. Of course, I’m not allowed to inform outsiders about my Master’s allergy. We signed an NDA (Non-disclosure Agreement) for that. Have you forgotten that I told you not to include peanuts in the ingredients? My assistants were there. They were my witnesses!” Chef Min defended himself with another lie.

“Y-Yes, Chef Min mentioned to her not to include peanuts,” the assistant cook said anxiously, supporting Chef Min’s claim.

Chef Min already told them to support anything he would say. He was confident that Nathan would believe his words and not Abigail’s words. Abigail didn’t have any witnesses. Butler Li was not there when they were talking about the menu.

Axel darted his gaze back and forth between Abigail and Chef Min. He didn’t know who was telling the truth. Chef Min had been serving Nathan and his family for a long time so he would not try to harm their master.

“Miss Abi? Have you forgotten about it?” Axel wanted to hear the truth from her. He hoped Abigail would admit to her mistakes. Besides, he could lessen her punishment if this was just a minor mistake on Abigail’s side.

It was safe to claim she forgot about it, instead of claiming Chef Min didn’t say a word. Of course, it only meant one of them was lying. And Nathan and others most probably believed the one who had been serving him for a long time. Besides, Abigail had no witnesses to support her claim.

“No! I didn’t forget anything. Chef Min never told me anything.” She insisted.

Butler Li facepalmed. He knew that Abigail was in trouble. Meanwhile, Axel also felt disappointed by her answer. He thought he could lessen her punishment if ever Abigail would admit to her mistake.

“See! You are still lying! Do you think someone will believe your lies? Axel! You must punish her severely!” Veronica urged him.

“Where is Nathan? You don’t have the right to punish me. Only Nathan.” Abigail stubbornly said.

“How dare you look for him? It was you who made him sick!” Veronica was enraged by Abigail’s bold behavior.

Abigail just raised her eyebrow. “I’m not asking you. I’m talking to Axel.”

“Master is still unconscious,” Axel responded to Abigail with amusement. She could still maintain her cool despite everything.

Butler Li tried to hold his laughter as Chef Min and Veronica were both fuming in rage as if they were thinking of skinning Abigail alive.

“You can’t touch Abigail, otherwise you want to anger Young Master Ethan. It’s better to wait for Master Nathan to wake up before deciding about her punishment,” Butler Li suggested to them. Of course, he brought up Ethan’s name to protect Abigail.

“What?!” Veronica reacted exasperatedly. She had never thought that this woman was getting along well with her nephew.

On the other hand, Axel could only smile sheepishly. He would never dare offend Little Ethan. He knew how the little young master was very fond of Abigail.

“Okay. Let’s wait for Master to wake up,” Axel said.

“But Abigail is still an outsider. She should not stay here. She can’t roam around the facility. Lock her up in the guest room,” Veronica suggested.

“It’s fine with me.” Abigail shrugged her shoulders. “Just call me once Nathan wakes up.” Then she glanced at Butler Li, giving him a grateful look.