Azalea scoffed. "Don't lie to me, Jackson. I know it wasn't me. And as much as I loathe that snake Violet, she doesn't have the guts to touch the Crown Princess. The Queen wouldn't be foolish enough to harm her own daughter-in-law either." She narrowed her eyes. "That only leaves you."
Jackson sipped his tea, his silence an answer in itself.
"Then tell me this," Azalea said, stepping closer, her tone like ice. "Why have you been asking about Marilyn?"
At that, Jackson's mask faltered. A flicker of irritation crossed his otherwise relaxed expression. He tried to compose himself, but Azalea had already seen enough.
"I knew it," she hissed. "You don't want Portia to carry Cristiano's heir. You want to bring Marilyn back, crown her as the Crown Princess, and keep Portia for yourself."
Her voice trembled with disbelief as she spoke the words aloud.
