Lynda observed quietly from behind, her expression a mix of regret, helplessness, and sympathy.


    “Ah…” Kristine was visibly shocked.


    To onlookers, she seemed to be reeling from the pain.


    However, internally, she felt no pain, only a sense of relief.


    She was secretly pleased that she wouldn’t have topete and face the pressure of performing well.


    Her eyes suddenly met Madisyn’s, a brief flicker of panic visible on her face.


    “Luckily, Madisyn can still participate in thepetition.


    ”


    ine frowned, puzzled by Kristine’s odd reaction.


    “How did you fall?”


    “I… I just slipped by ident,” Kristine muttered, her voice shaky and her manner uneasy.


    She cast a quick nce at the servant nearby.


    The servant hesitated, then said, “I had gone to the living room to make sure everything was tidy.


    I wasn’t expecting to find…”


    She trailed off.


    “What did you find?” Lynda pressed.


    The servant still hesitated, casting a worried look towards Madisyn.


    Lynda noticed and fixed her gaze on the servant.


    “What did you see? Tell us.


    ”


    “I saw Miss Madisyn Johns… It looked like she pushed Miss Kristine Johns down the stairs.


    ” She quickly lowered her gaze.


    “That can’t be right.


    There’s been some misunderstanding!” ine immediately rejected the usation, looking to Madisyn for her exnation.


    Kristine felt a surge of bitterness.


    Even when she was injured, ine showed no hint of suspicion towards Madisyn.


    How could she be so unfair?


    Noticing theplete trust in ine’s eyes, Madisyn experienced an unexpected warmth.


    Her typically aloof demeanor softened a bit.novelbin


    “Kristine, you should tell them,” she said.


    “I…” Kristine’s hands shook as she clenched them tightly, her voice filled with fear.


    “Mom, please don’t ask.


    I already told you, it was an ident.


    I just slipped on the stairs.


    That’s all.


    ”


    Her voice wasced with a sense of helplessness, as if she were being forced to say something she didn’t want to.


    A look of unease passed among everyone in the room, their faces clouded with doubt.


    “I saw it with my own eyes!” The servant interrupted the tense silence, her voice now firm.


    “I swear, I saw Miss Madisyn Johns push Miss Kristine Johns down the stairs!”