Chapter 121: Vanessa Bennett's Voice Was a Venomous Hiss

“It’s absolutely her! She planned this humiliation all along!” Vanessa Bennett’s voice was a venomous hiss. Pain twisted her features into something grotesque.

Sienna Bennett met the accusing stares without flinching. A cold clarity washed over her. Now she understood Vanessa’s sudden interest in the Auto Show. This was a meticulously laid trap. Every poisoned model pointed a finger directly at her… Her expression remained unreadable. “Accusations require evidence,” she stated, her voice cutting through the tension. “Without it, you’re committing slander. I will not hesitate to pursue legal action.” Her tone was ice, leaving no room for argument.

A collective gasp rippled through the room. Vanessa feigned weakness, her voice a fragile whisper. “She’s right… We need proof. I know my sister… She could never do this.” She then turned pleading eyes toward Lucas Harrington and Archibald Worthington. “Mr. Harrington, Mr. Worthington… Everyone is still here. The investigation must start immediately.”

“The strawberries were eaten recently. Evidence might still be found. The container… other clues… Please, call the police. We must clear my sister’s name…” She coughed violently, pretending to fight through agony for Sienna’s sake.

Tessa Morgan rushed to support her. “Vanessa, don’t speak! Save your strength!” Sienna suppressed an eye-roll. The performance was nauseating. A wolf playing the sacrificial lamb. This move was clever. It discredited Sienna and simultaneously won the sympathy of the other models. Celeste Duval’s agent shouted, “Yes, involve the police! Find who did this to my Celeste!”

“We demand justice!” another model cried out.

Eunice Kerr’s replacement, Giselle Marchand, glared at Lucas. “This happened at your event! If you protect the guilty party, our fans will ruin you!” Lucas’s face darkened. His gaze turned dangerously cold. “The police will be called. Not because of your threats. But to find the truth.” His piercing eyes briefly landed on Vanessa, seeing through her facade. He gave a slight nod to his assistant, Owen Prescott, who immediately pulled out his phone.

A chill ran down Vanessa’s spine. Lucas’s gaze always felt like it could strip her soul bare. Could he know? ‘No. Impossible,’ she reassured herself. Her plan was flawless. Days of meticulous preparation left no trace. The police would find nothing pointing to her. Everything would lead back to Sienna.

‘Just wait, Sienna. Your future is behind bars,’ she thought, a hidden smirk forming behind her mask of pain. She bowed her head, pretending to be overcome by illness.

The police arrived swiftly after the call. A thorough investigation commenced backstage and in the main hall. Everyone who touched the strawberries was a suspect. Test strips were used on fingertips to detect poison residue. Nothing was found. Suddenly, Tessa blurted out, “Sienna must be tested too! She handled the strawberries first! She had the perfect opportunity—”

“Tessa! Stop!” Vanessa frantically tried to pull her back, putting on a show. “Don’t listen to her! She’s talking nonsense! My sister is not a suspect! She doesn’t need to be tested…”

Officer Donovan Pierce stepped forward, test strip in hand. “Anyone who had contact will be tested.” He moved toward Sienna. A sense of foreboding settled in her gut…