Chapter 181: Take a seat and enjoy what’s about to happen

Lily noticed her madam and immediately burst into tears.

"Madam, look what happened!" she cried.

Clara turned toward her and offered her an assuring look. "We haven’t done anything, Lily."

But Lily could only weep.

All they had wanted was to give their best at the event, especially after Adrian had trusted them with preparing the delicacies. Yet now, with the situation spiraling out of control, Clara knew she couldn’t afford to lower her guard.

"There’s clearly been a misunderstanding," Clara explained. "We would never do something so horrendous, especially when we’ve been entrusted with the safety of children."

Clara now understood what Julianna was trying to do. However, she had never imagined that Julianna would stoop so low that she would risk someone’s life just to make Clara appear guilty in front of everyone.

"Then what do you think is happening here?" Julianna demanded, continuing to corner her. "Are you saying this is all an act? Mr. Graham fell ill after eating your food. What if something happens to him?"

She knew everyone present had witnessed the incident. All she needed to do was manipulate their doubts and turn them against Clara.

"Oh, wait. Isn’t she the same girl I saw in that livestream a few days ago?" one of the guests suddenly asked. "People were accusing the bakery owner of putting her customers’ health at risk."

"Yes, that’s right!" another woman agreed. "Even my daughter showed me that video. This girl was in it."

Whispers quickly spread through the crowd, and everyone began looking at Lily with suspicion. Although Lily, Silvia, and Gen had been working at the bakery that day, most of the livestream had focused on Lily and Silvia.

As soon as one person brought up the incident, those who had watched the stream quickly recognized them.

"I think Miss Hayes is right," another man said. "The food needs to be examined. Thank God we haven’t eaten anything yet. Is this woman actually trying to kill people?"

Clara stared at the guests who were now openly accusing her. She glanced around, searching for Silvia, but the woman was nowhere to be seen.

Clara lowered her eyes briefly, her heart sinking.

Then she turned toward Logan.

"Mr. Logan, we need to get Mr. Graham to the hospital immediately," she said. "We can’t waste any more time."

Logan nodded in agreement.

Clara’s only concern now was saving Adrian before the slow poison could cause further damage to his body.

Soon, the sound of a siren echoed outside the venue. A few hospital staff rushed inside with a stretcher.

Clara and Logan helped Adrian onto it, but just as she was about to follow them outside, Julianna stepped in front of her.

"Where do you think you’re going?" Julianna demanded, staring directly into Clara’s eyes. "We’re not finished with you yet."

The corners of her lips curled into an evil smirk.

Clara could only watch as Logan and Lily hurried Adrian away.

Once the ambulance had left, Clara finally turned her attention toward Julianna.

"What exactly are you trying to do, Julianna?"

Clara was done playing along with her. Julianna’s schemes had gone too far, and Clara had no intention of allowing her to continue.

"Look at you," Julianna spat. "How can you be so shameless? You poisoned someone, and yet you’re standing here as if you have nothing to be ashamed of."

Meanwhile, Grace and Jonathan, who still had no idea what had happened, stopped midway when they noticed Clara and Julianna facing each other.

Julianna quickly spotted them and seized the opportunity.

"Clara, just admit that you poisoned Mr. Graham!" she cried. "You even risked the lives of all the children who came to attend this charity event!"

Grace and Jonathan exchanged confused glances.

"Yes, we should hand this woman over to the police," one of the guests declared. "She practically planned to kill everyone here!"

That was when Grace and Jonathan finally began to understand what had happened.

"I need to help her," Jonathan said, immediately stepping forward. "How can they accuse Clara like this?"

But Grace reached out and stopped him.

"Not now, Jonathan."

He frowned. "What do you mean, not now?"

"Honey—" he began, but Grace gave him a calm, knowing look.

Jonathan paused.

"This is not the time," she repeated.

Understanding the silent message in her eyes, he held back. Grace had witnessed something similar before, when Julianna had cornered Clara and convinced everyone that she was the thief who had stolen the precious gem. Yet, in the end, Clara had managed to turn the entire situation around.

Grace could sense the same pattern unfolding again.

The accusation was no longer about theft. This time, Julianna was trying to make everyone believe that Clara had harmed someone and endangered the lives of innocent children.

But Grace knew Clara well enough not to jump to conclusions.

"I think we should take a seat and enjoy what’s about to happen," Grace said with a faint smile.

Jonathan stared at her in surprise.

"Enjoy what’s about to happen?" he repeated.

Grace simply nodded.

Although he still didn’t understand what she had in mind, Jonathan knew his wife would never remain this calm unless she had already noticed something others had missed.

With one last glance toward Clara, Grace turned away, leaving Jonathan to follow her.

***

Julianna watched Clara carefully, expecting her to react to the accusations being thrown at her. But Clara remained unusually calm, her eyes fixed on Julianna with an unreadable expression.

"What’s wrong?" Julianna asked, pretending to be confused. "Why aren’t you defending yourself? Everyone here saw Mr. Graham collapse after eating your cookies."

Clara tilted her head slightly.

"Are you finished?" she asked.

Julianna’s expression stiffened. "What?"

"I asked if you’re finished with your performance."

A few guests exchanged confused glances.

"Performance?" Julianna repeated, raising her voice. "A man is fighting for his life, and you’re calling this a performance?"

"You were the one who suggested calling the police," Clara replied calmly. "So why don’t we do exactly that?"

Julianna hesitated for half a second before quickly recovering.

"Of course we should. The police need to investigate what happened here."

"Good." Clara’s gaze sharpened. "Then they can investigate everything—including how the poison ended up in the cookie."