Chapter 501 The Secret of the Handkerchief
Maggie dropped that last line on purpose. She was trying to see how Jenny would react to Kimberly's death.
When Jenny heard Kimberly's name, guilt and fear flickered in her eyes, like a secret had just been exposed.
Remembering Kevin's advice, Jenny quickly pulled herself together and said, "I had a dream. Mrs. Flores was begging me, saying the killer was still out there and she couldn't rest in peace. You murderer, you deserve to be punished severely for what you did to her."
Jenny was a pro at faking it. Even with Maggie watching her like a hawk, she didn't slip up.
Maggie moved closer, thinking that since Francis hadn't made any progress, she needed to rattle Jenny and make her crack.
Maggie said, "Yeah, Mrs. Flores can't rest in peace. She probably never thought she'd die at the hands of someone she trusted the most, right, Ms. Holmes?"
That really freaked Jenny out.
Her face went pale, and she took a step back, eyes wide with fear. Already feeling guilty, Jenny thought Maggie knew something.
Maggie caught all of Jenny's reactions and felt pretty smug. If Jenny was this scared, their suspicions might be right.
Maggie grabbed Jenny's hand, her eyes sharp. "Ms. Holmes, what are you so afraid of? Why do you look so pale? You should take care of yourself and that baby. You wouldn't want to wake up one day and find it gone."
Even though Maggie didn't know exactly what Jenny had done, she suspected Jenny had something to do with Kimberly's drugging incident, given her history of causing trouble.
Maggie's words hit a nerve. Jenny wanted to run and couldn't face Maggie.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Jenny shook off Maggie, trying to stay calm. "Don't worry, I'll have this baby safely. I won't end up like you. I won't face the same difficulties you did."
Maggie sneered. "Ms. Holmes, you're so generous."
Jenny didn't want to stick around. Maggie's eyes were too sharp, and she was more cutting than before. Jenny couldn't get the upper hand.
She didn't even want the dessert anymore and turned to leave.
Maggie watched her go and said, "If you don't want people to know, don't do it."
That line was loaded with meaning.
Jenny didn't dare stay a second longer and walked even faster.
After Jenny left, Maggie texted Francis: [I made the person you're watching nervous.]
If she didn't rattle her, how would she expose her true colors?
Francis saw the message and sighed. Maggie still couldn't keep her cool, but it didn't matter now that she'd rattled her.
Maggie bought a cake and went to pick up Adalia from kindergarten at five, heading straight to the restaurant Olivia had reserved.
Olivia's birthday was a small gathering, with two tables of guests in a big private room, just enough for everyone.
When Maggie arrived, a lot of guests were already there. Olivia was in a red evening dress, smiling and chatting with friends and family.
Isabella was being introduced to a potential match by a relative and looked a bit annoyed.
As soon as Maggie walked in, the vibe in the room changed.
Maggie was a murderer, after all. How could these people not have heard about it? One of Olivia's in-laws asked bluntly, "Olivia, why are you still hanging out with her family? She's a murderer. Aren't you afraid of getting into trouble?"
Maggie had met most of Olivia's relatives before. Before her divorce from Fiorello, these folks were all over her, trying to get on her good side and asking for favors.
But now, they were avoiding her like she had the plague.
People could be so fake.
Not only had she been labeled a murderer, but she had also divorced Fiorello and offended the Flores family. Who would want to get close to her?
Maggie had expected this before coming. She'd even spent time in a police station; why would she care about some idle gossip?
Maggie walked over with Adalia and handed Olivia the cake. "Olivia, happy birthday. Wishing you youth, health, and all the best."
As she spoke, Maggie signaled Adalia to say something.
Adalia didn't like Olivia, but with so many people watching, she obediently said, "Olivia, happy birthday."
"Thank you." Olivia accepted the cake with a smile and asked politely, "Why didn't your mom come?"
Maggie replied, "My mom's still at work. She'll be here soon."
"Maggie, come sit here," Isabella called out.
Seeing Maggie reminded Isabella of Fiorello's harsh words from the night before.
"Okay." Maggie sat down with Adalia.
The relative who had been introducing potential matches to Isabella walked away.
There were other kids in the private room, seven or eight years old, five or six years old, running around, laughing and playing. Adalia was very quiet and didn't join them.
Isabella chatted with Maggie. Maggie asked, "Was that person introducing you to a match?"
Isabella smiled and said, "Now that I'm divorced, a lot of people are trying to set me up."
Maggie casually asked, "Didn't you say you liked someone last time? How's it going with that guy from Montgomery? It's been a while, and you said you'd bring him to meet us, but we haven't seen him yet."
"There's no chance with him." Isabella's words were true. She knew Fiorello's attitude, and there was no chance at all.
Maggie didn't press further. She sat and ate, sharing some fruit with Adalia, waiting for the meal to start. She was in a good mood.
Even if people in the private room whispered about her, she pretended not to hear.
This composure secretly impressed Isabella. She had asked Olivia to invite Arya and Maggie to let Maggie feel the sting of gossip, to soothe her own humiliation from Fiorello's words the previous night.
But Maggie acted as if nothing had happened.
Isabella frowned, stood up, and said, "I'm going to the restroom, Maggie. You rest for a while."
"Okay," Maggie responded lightly while eating.
However, as Isabella stood up, the rowdy kids in the private room knocked over her bag on the chair, just like in the car before, and everything in Isabella's bag spilled out.
This time, what fell out was the handkerchief Fiorello had given Isabella.
Even though it had been cut up and sewn back together, Maggie recognized it at a glance. It was Fiorello's handkerchief because it had the "Fiore" emblem embroidered on one corner.
That was Fiorello's mark.
Maggie's eyes darkened as she picked up the handkerchief and looked directly at Isabella. "Who gave you this handkerchief?"
Maggie's tone was cold because she was sure it was Fiorello's.
Why was Isabella keeping Fiorello's things?
Why had it been cut up and sewn back together?
Why had she hidden it last time and not shown it to her?
This could only mean one thing: Isabella was feeling guilty; she had fallen for Fiorello.
Isabella panicked immediately, not knowing how to answer. Friends and family looked over in confusion, and Olivia walked over, asking, "What's going on? It's just a handkerchief. What's the big deal?"
Maggie stared coldly at Isabella, demanding an answer. "I'll ask one more time. Whose handkerchief is this, and how did it end up with you?"
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