The maid halted mid-step, her body going rigid with fear.


    Kale''s cold voice followed her. "I didn''t do anything. Why are you running?"


    The maid trembled. "Yes, Mr. Mclean. You did nothing."


    Debra seized the moment. "I know you don''t like me, but I swear I never meant any harm to Mr. Lowe. Please, just let me go."


    Understanding dawned in Kale''s eyes. Fury simmered beneath the surface as he muttered, "Debra, you..."


    Before he could finish, Debra closed her eyes and copsed to the ground.


    The maid freaked out and dashed upstairs, shouting, "Help! Ms. Frazier has fainted."


    Kale looked down at Debra, frustration etched across his features.


    Lara pounded on Drake''s bedroom door, urgency in her voice. "Boss, something is wrong."


    "Come in," Drake said.


    Lara opened the door, only to find Drake changing his shirt. She quickly bowed her head and reported, "Ms. Frazier passed out in the wine cer." "What?" Drake was surprised. "Where''s Kale?"


    "He was there when it happened. The maid said he was trying to kill Ms. Frazier."


    Drake''s brows knitted together. He grabbed his coat and strode out of the room.


    When they reached the basement, a crowd had gathered. As Drake entered, the throng parted, allowing him a clear path to Debra, whoy motionless on the floor.


    An uneasy silence enveloped the room, everyone holding their breath in anticipation of his reaction.


    "Why hasn''t she been taken upstairs? What are you all standing around for?" Drake snapped.


    The maids didn''t dare reply. Kale stepped forward and exined, "I told them not to, boss."


    Drake turned to him and growled, " told you to keep an eye on her. And this is how you handle it? You''d


    swnovel.


    better have a good exnation."


    Kale''s face remained impassive. "Boss, this wasn''t my fault. She''s ying a game."


    Drake let out a dryugh. "Are you saying she fainted on purpose? To frame you?" Kale fell silent, lowering his head. The exnation didn''t sound so convincing.


    Everyone there knew Kale was


    I trusted man. No This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    would be bold enough to challenge him.


    The consequences were unimaginable.


    Drake''s gaze shifted to Lara. "Get a doctor here."


    "Yes, boss," Lara replied, hurrying off.


    Drake''s stare swept over the gathered staff. "Who said that Kale tried to kill Ms. Frazier?"


    A trembling maid stepped forward. "It was me."


    "Tell me what happened. Every detail," Drake demanded.


    The maid stammered through her exnation. "Ms. Frazier couldn''t find Mr. Mclean, so she asked me to help her get some cleaning supplies. When Loame back, I saw Mr. Mclean cornering her, and Ms. Frazier was holding a broken bottle, backing away and screaming for help. I got scared and tried to run, but Mr. Mclean wouldn''t let me."


    Drake heard her out and turned to look at Kale. "Is that true?"


    Kale nodded, his jaw tight. "It''s true, but Boss, this was all an act. I didn''t touch her."