Chapter 606 Misled While Analyzing the Truth
The group first examined the hotel surveillance footage, but due to poor camera angles, they couldn't make out the suspect's face clearly. Left with no choice, they proceeded to the restaurant from the previous night.
Ashley pointed at the monitor screen. "That's her. She slipped something into our drinks. Does anyone recognize her?"
Ethan, Yaakov, and Atticus exchanged bewildered glances before unanimously shaking their heads. "None of us know her."
When Isabella caught sight of Elora on the screen, the color drained from her face, replaced by a flicker of panic.
"Isabella, do you recognize this woman?" Ashley asked.
Isabella's heart skipped a beat. "I... I don't know her," she stammered.
Ashley furrowed her brow. "That's strange. None of us know her or have any reason to be her enemies. Why would she target us?"
Everyone's attention remained fixed on the computer screen, no one noticing Isabella's growing distress.
"Darling, I've already contacted the police," Ethan reassured Ashley. "Whatever her motives, the authorities will uncover the truth soon enough."
Ashley nodded, confident in Ethan's handling of the situation.
Upon hearing that the police were involved, Isabella's anxiety intensified. She forced a smile. "Ashley, I need to use the restroom."
"I'll come with you," Ashley offered, her voice gentle with concern.
In Ashley's mind, Isabella was a victim who needed support and comfort. She wanted to be there for her, to help ease her suffering.
"That's not necessary," Isabella insisted with a strained smile. "I'll be fine on my own."
Ashley looked worried. Before she could protest, Isabella quickly added, "Really, Ashley, I'm okay. Don't worry about me."
"Alright then. I'll wait for you here."
"Thanks."
Ashley noticed Isabella's agitation but rationalized it as the natural response of a victim who might have personal matters she wasn't ready to discuss.
Instead of heading to the restroom, Isabella retreated to a secluded corner. She retrieved a blocked number from her contacts and dialed.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Isabella," Elora's voice came through, "I sent you quite the gentleman last night. How was your experience?"
"Elora, you've lost your mind!" Isabella hissed furiously.
"Without that money within the week, I'll certainly lose more than that," Elora threatened. "Get me the cash, or I'll release the footage of your little encounter."
"What footage?!"
"What do you think?" Elora taunted. "I had front-row seats to your live performance. Quite the show. I was surprised to discover you were a virgin. Robbie never touched you?"
"Shut up!" Isabella was livid.
During her three-year relationship with Robbie, they had never gone beyond kissing. Her refusal to engage in premarital sex was precisely why Robbie had cheated with Elora.
Now, to her horror, Elora had recorded her intimate moment with Ethan.
This could never come to light. It would destroy not only Ethan but also the friendship she had built with Ashley.
"Elora, you fool," Isabella warned, "do you have any idea who that man was last night? He's Prince Totti. You're playing with fire targeting someone like him!"
"What?! That's impossible!" Elora's voice betrayed her shock.
Everyone in Gold Valley District knew that Totti had distinctive Aivalian features. Thinking back, the man did indeed match that description.
What had begun as a scheme to blackmail Isabella had inadvertently provided her with a golden opportunity.
"Elora, I don't have much money. I can give you $200,000 at most. Take it and run before the police catch you!"
"Fine. Give me the money, and I'll disappear."
With that sum, Elora could flee and escape her obligation to repay Dexter's gambling debts.
"I'll transfer the money immediately. Whatever you do, don't get caught, understand?"
"Understood."
After ending the call, Isabella transferred $200,000 to Elora's account. Without even packing her belongings, Elora grabbed a scarf to conceal her face and fled to the harbor.
Meanwhile, Ethan was speaking with the police chief.
"Your Highness, the woman you're looking for is named Elora. Her husband, Dexter, was an employee at the Discussion Group."
Ethan and Ashley exclaimed in unison, "She's Dexter's wife?"
They exchanged knowing glances, the pieces suddenly falling into place.
Yaakov and Atticus looked confused. "Who's Dexter? What's his connection to our being drugged?"
"He worked at our Discussion Group," Ashley explained. "Two days ago, Dexter attempted to assault me. Isabella and I had him arrested."
She continued her analysis, "What if Elora sought revenge for her husband's imprisonment? Perhaps she intended to harm me, but Isabella became the victim by mistake. This is indirectly my fault. I feel terrible!"
Ethan squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Don't blame yourself, darling. What's done is done. We'll do everything we can to make it right for Isabella."
Ashley lowered her head, consumed by guilt.
Yaakov offered another perspective: "None of us know this Elora, so that theory makes sense. But what if there's another explanation we haven't considered?"
"Like what?" Ashley asked.
"I couldn't say. We'll only know the full truth once Elora is apprehended and questioned."
Ashley nodded. "You're right. There could be more to this. Officer, any progress on locating Elora?"
"Our officers are en route to apprehend her now," the police chief replied.
Isabella returned just in time to overhear their conversation, her emotions in turmoil.
Their analysis was logical, but they didn't know that Isabella had lied. She was the only one who knew Elora, and it was because of her that Elora had taken such drastic measures.
Ashley remained unaware that Isabella had deliberately befriended her to get close to Ethan, hoping to hear Robbie's heartbeat again.
Ashley had no idea that Dexter's attempt to assault her had been encouraged by Isabella and Elora, creating an opportunity for Isabella to play the hero and gain Ashley's trust.
None of this was Ashley's fault, yet she blamed herself with such genuine remorse that Isabella could barely face her own shame.
The officer received a call and turned to the group with troubling news: "Elora has fled. Our colleagues are in pursuit. We've discovered that someone transferred a substantial sum to her account just ten minutes ago. This situation appears more complex than we initially thought."
Ethan's expression hardened. "Seal all exits. We must apprehend Elora at all costs."
Near the doorway, Isabella's panic reached its peak.
Seeing the officer about to issue commands, desperation overtook her. With grim determination, she took a small knife and plunged it into her own chest.
Concealing the weapon, she clutched her bleeding wound and burst into the room. "Ashley, help me!" she cried out. "A woman just attacked me—she tried to kill me!"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
