The grand wooden doors of the hall swung open forcefully.
Seven or eight prosecutors, clad in black uniforms, strode in. The leader's face was cold and severe. "Who is Miss Eleanor Brooks? We have received a report that you are suspected of drug use and possession. Please cooperate with the investigation."
The room erupted into chaos.
The prosecutors' confidence suggested they had strong evidence. Guests exchanged shocked glances, murmuring among themselves.
No one wanted to be associated with drugs.
Emily gasped, feigning shock. "Impossible! My sister would never—! There must be some mistake!"
Then she hesitated, biting her lip. "Ah! Eleanor, weren't you in the bathroom just now...?" She trailed off as if realizing she had said too much, then covered her mouth in fake regret.
The lead prosecutor narrowed his eyes. "We will, of course, conduct a blood test."
But Eleanor remained utterly calm.
Everything was unfolding just as it had in her previous life.
Next, they would find drug traces in her system. A large quantity of illegal substances would be "discovered" in her belongings.
She would be thrown into prison. The Carter and Harrison families would be humiliated.
But today...
Today, things would be different.
Eleanor lifted her gaze and met Emily's eyes. "Sister, who was it? You can say it. It's okay."
Emily's hands trembled. "No... it's impossible. I must have seen wrong. You wouldn't do something like this..."
Her performance was impeccable. But this time, Eleanor wasn't falling for it.
Tonight, the game had just begun.
The prosecutor waved his hand and surrounded Eleanor. "Miss Brooks, please cooperate with the investigation immediately!"
At that moment, the crowd suddenly parted to both sides, and Charles Harrison walked in slowly.
The murmuring crowd instantly fell silent.
Even the prosecutor's face showed hesitation.
After all, Eleanor was the wife of the Harrison family. Even Charles couldn't openly shield her in this situation.
"An anonymous report, is it?" Charles's thin lips parted slightly, his tone cold and chilling.
Cathy immediately followed up with her father's words. "Yes, my mother is being falsely accused for no reason, damaging her reputation. If there is a report, let the reporter step forward and confront us!"
Charles patted his daughter's head and swept his gaze across the room sharply. "Investigate if you must, but I assure you—there is absolutely no issue with her!"
His stance was an unquestionable defense of Eleanor. In his past life, it was also because of his unwavering protection that he got into so much trouble.
Eleanor gently patted Cathy's head and stood up. "Alright, Cathy, don't make things difficult for everyone. I'll cooperate, but I refuse to bear false accusations."
Then, she turned around. "Grandfather, everyone here today is your friend. Please help me testify. If I am at fault, I will accept the consequences and won't use any connections to escape responsibility. But if I am being framed, please stand by me."
Mr. Carter nodded. "Someone is trying to bully my granddaughter, I won't stand by and watch."
Eleanor smiled faintly, sat down, and raised her arm for the prosecutor to take a blood sample. "Alright, let's verify my sister's so-called 'eyewitness account'."
Olivia felt a wave of heat surge through her body. Her dizziness and nausea intensified, and she leaned against Emily's shoulder, her voice raspy. "Why do I feel like this? Isn't there supposed to be no issue?"
"What are you afraid of? The plan was foolproof!" Emily snapped, shaking Olivia off impatiently.
She fixed her gaze on Eleanor as the prosecutor took her blood and searched her belongings.
In just a few minutes, Eleanor was supposed to be completely ruined.
But soon, the results were in.
The prosecutor looked uncomfortable. "Miss Brooks, there's nothing wrong with your blood or belongings."
Emily stood frozen on the spot.
Nothing wrong? How was that possible? She had personally watched Eleanor drink every drop of that wine!
Just then, gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Ah! What's wrong with her?!"
Olivia was laughing hysterically, rolling on the ground in a crazed state, clawing at the driver's clothes.
In mere moments, she was almost completely exposed.
"Hehehe, hahaha, it feels so good…"
Emily's expression turned ghastly, but she couldn't stop Olivia's madness.
Cathy wriggled free from Charles's arms and ran toward Eleanor on her chubby legs.
"Mommy, mommy! I've seen people like Auntie Olivia on TV before. People who take that kind of stuff act like this—they get confused and crazy. Is she the one selling Tibetan medicine?"
Her innocent words struck like a thunderclap. The crowd erupted with whispers.
"Right! It must be drugs. I can't believe Eleanor is fine, but Olivia is the one having a reaction. This is insane!"
"She always acts so high and mighty, pretending to be better than everyone else. Who knew she was hiding such a secret?"
"Exactly! Otherwise, how else could she have married her best friend's husband?"
Mr. Carter's expression darkened. "What are you all standing around for? Take her away!"
Several members of the Carter family rushed forward to help, but the drug had taken full effect on Olivia, making her impossible to restrain.
When Olivia saw Eleanor, she suddenly burst into wild laughter.
"Hahaha, Charlotte Carter! Today, I'm finally bringing you down!"
"I've waited too long for this day! Ahahaha!"
Emily's face turned pale as she tried to cover Olivia's mouth, but she was no match for the crazed woman.
Splash!
Catherine innocently stared with big eyes, holding an empty cup of ice water.
That entire cup of ice water had been dumped right onto Olivia's face.
Immediately, Eleanor stepped forward and delivered two sharp slaps across Olivia's cheeks.
Emily shrieked, "Eleanor! Why did you hit her?"
Eleanor smirked coldly. "I'm helping Aunt Olivia. Don't believe me? Just watch."
Sure enough, the previously delirious Olivia seemed slightly more coherent. Feeling the cold ground beneath her and her freezing body, she curled up and let out a sharp scream.
Emily hurriedly wrapped a blanket around her mother while looking up at Mr. Carter with tear-filled eyes. "Grandpa, my mother has always been well-behaved. Someone must have set her up!"
Mr. Carter's expression was frighteningly dark.
He sternly commanded, "Find out who brought these filthy things in!"
Thomas, still lingering in the corner, hadn't had a chance to escape before two bodyguards blocked his path.