Chapter 180 Chapter 180
The next morning, Nathaniel’s mansion buzzed with quiet tension. The police cars parked outside made the entire household uneasy. Every staff member moved around nervously, whispering to one another as the officers entered with serious faces.
Nathaniel sat in the living room, his expression blank but his mind spinning. He still couldn’t believe someone had tried to kill him. The brake didn’t just fail—it was clearly cut. Someone close to him wanted him dead.
Detective Harris, a tall man with a deep voice, stepped forward. “Mr. Nathaniel, we’ll need to question every member of your staff. We believe the suspect might be someone with access to your vehicles.”
Nathaniel nodded slowly. “Do whatever you need to do. I just want to know who’s behind this.”
One by one, the staff were called into the study. The room felt cold and heavy with fear.
First was the driver.
“Did you notice anything strange about the car that morning?” Harris asked.
The driver shook his head quickly. “No, sir. I checked the tires and oil as usual. Everything seemed fine.”
“Did anyone else go near the car?”
The driver hesitated, eyes darting toward the floor. “Not that I saw… but the gardener was near the garage for a while yesterday morning.”
Harris made a note. “What was he doing there?”
“Sweeping leaves, I think,” the driver replied nervously.
Next came the gardener—old Mr. Fred. His wrinkled hands trembled slightly as he sat down.
“Mr. Fred,” the detective began calmly, “we have a report that you were near the garage before the accident. What were you doing there?”
Fred swallowed hard. “I… I was just cleaning, sir. That’s all.”
Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed. He had always trusted the man, but now he looked uneasy.
“Did anyone ask you to touch the car?” Harris asked firmly.
Fred’s eyes flickered nervously, and his voice cracked. “No… no one did.”
But his hesitation didn’t go unnoticed.
Detective Harris leaned forward slightly. “Mr. Fred, if you’re hiding anything, now’s the time to speak. If we find out you tampered with that vehicle, it won’t go well for you.”
The old man’s lips trembled. “I swear, I didn’t do anything! I just… I just wanted to keep my job. I didn’t hurt anyone.”
“Alright,” Harris said, writing something down. “You may go for now, but don’t leave town.”
After Fred left, the housekeeper, chef, and even the security guards were questioned. None of them had useful information. Everyone seemed scared — but not guilty.
Finally, Detective Harris returned to Nathaniel. “It’s clear someone knew the car’s routine. Someone familiar with your schedule and with access to the compound. We’ll check the security footage from outside your mansion next.”
Nathaniel nodded, his voice low. “Do whatever it takes. I won’t rest until I know who’s behind this.”
As the police began reviewing tapes in the control room, Nathaniel stood by the window, his hands in his pockets. His mind replayed every argument, every face that had smiled at him recently — trying to spot the lie behind the loyalty.
Just then, Cassandra appeared at the top of the stairs, pretending to look concerned.
“What’s going on?” she asked softly. “Did they find anything?”
Nathaniel didn’t even look up. “Not yet,” he said quietly. “But they will.”
Cassandra forced a nervous smile. “I hope they do. Whoever did this needs to pay.”
Nathaniel turned and looked at her—really looked at her. For a brief second, something dark passed through his eyes. Suspicion.
Cassandra quickly looked away and pretended to sigh. “I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
She walked away slowly, her heels echoing down the hall. But deep inside, her heart raced.
The walls were closing in.
And if she didn’t act fast, the next knock on her door might not be Vanessa’s — it might be the police.