"There she is. She's the one who had him whipped."
Celeste blinked, all eyes were on her as she tried to process the accusation.
What had Margaret just said? That she had Aiden whipped? They had to be kidding. Yes, she had suggested that she asked him again about the divorce, but she didn't remember telling them to bring out whips meant for animals.
And most of all she was sick of this drama. Of taking blame when she hadn't done anything. Why was she the easiest to blame? If what Clarke said was true, then everything that had happened was planned by the Blackwells. So why were they putting all the blame on her and who were these men?
One of the unknown men in suit stepped forward, "Is Margaret right?" He asked. "Did you use whip on Aiden and place him in this condition?"
Celeste brows drew together, as she stared at the older man.
Noticing this, he added. "We are the Blackwells core lawyers. To be specific, we are Aiden's lawyers. We control the company, inheritance, Aiden's rights and everything left behind by Richard to his heir." The older man broke everything down, to make her see the grave of her sin.
Celeste looked behind the man to the three who stood behind him. Of course she had heard about the Blackwells lawyers. They were influential men Richard had left behind to care for his mad heir and properties he'd left in his name. They filled his place, killing the hopes of greedy people who eyed the heirs position.
She moved her gaze to Margaret, who looked at her as if urging her to agree to the accusation. She frowned, but just before she could say a word, the door opened revealing a crying Lydia.
Her sobs quieten when she saw the people in the room, but increased when her eyes landed on Celeste. The servants had told her Cel was here, but not alone as they had some visitors. She couldn't bear for Celeste to tell the Blackwell that she had been the one to drive Aiden into unconsciousness. And what better way to do that than seeking pity from their visitors, while framing Celeste to be an evil and heartless person. Who would hurt her own sister.
"Miss Dyer..?" Margaret frowned, leaving her husband's side to go to the young lady.
Lydia's sobbing increased even more. Margaret tried to take her to the side to ask what was wrong, but she stopped her, and turned to Celeste instead.
"Cel... I-I know you're mad at me b-but—" her voice broke as she tried to control her tears. "I-I don't know what you're talking about." She sniffed. "I've always thought of you as my sister, b-but it saddens my heart to know you d-don't think t-the same. What can I do to make you believe me? I'll do anything. Anything-" she turned to Margaret.
"I made him unconscious. It was me. I had to guards beat him to that condition, it had nothing to do with Cel. Please leave her out of it, I did it all." She admitted, taking turns with her sobs.
Celeste stared at her, finally admitting what she'd done but incriminating her in a way. Now everyone would think Lydia was trying to protect her when she was just admitting what she'd done. She had always believed every words from Lydia, trusted her to always be on her side. She was her safe place in the Dyers home. But now, hearing the same words from the same person she used to trust and believe so much, felt so different. Not after they had sold her to the Blackwells. Who also had no clean intentions for her.
It was hard to believe the Dyers didn't have a hand in this. That they hadn't sold her to the mad heir. Aunt Marianne didn't like her enough for this to be a mistake. Her husband? He agreed to anything his wife said. There was nothing new there. And Lydia? She had finally start seeing the lies in her words, and something else she hadn't noticed between her smiles. It was stating to get evident. To the point she hoped they would just come clean rather than lying to her face like she was still the foolish girl from days ago.
No wonder Marianne hadn't told her the name of the mysterious billionaire who wanted to marry her. Because it was all a lie. There was no way she wouldn't benefit if she followed the Blackwells plan. Marianne wouldn't let an opportunity like that slip, that was why she'd sent her since she couldn't send Lydia.
"What are you saying Miss Dyer? You can't take the blame for what Celeste did. You don't have to do that." Margaret tried to calm the young lady.
"No, you have to believe me. Leave Cel out of it. It's not her fault. Blame me instead. I deserve every bit of it, but not Cel." She cried.
"Enough!" One of Aiden's lawyers stepped forward, having seen enough. "Miss, you can't take blame just because you want to protect her. You can do that on your own free time but not now, especially in front of us. Unless you want us to take your words for it."
Lydia gulped at the man's words. She didn't really intend to take the blame. She moved closer to Margaret who stroked her back, then turned to her son, who had entered the room a minute ago.
"Micheal, please take Miss Dyer aside to calm down."
Lydia strengthened slightly, moving her gaze to Michael who approached. She took in a long sad sniff, when he got close, and he put his hands around her, guiding her to a corner.
"Now explain yourself," one of the lawyers who appeared to be shorter spoke now. "We rushed here when we heard our master finally had someone who could stay by his side, only to find him beaten up and unconscious. And all fingers points at you."
Celeste's mouth parted to speak, only to be interrupted, this time by Margaret.
"Please don't punish her, she only meant well. Aiden had tried to attack her so she only... she only tried to protect herself." Margaret pleaded. She knew they would be in trouble if the lawyers learnt she had been the one to order punishment on Aiden. How could she had forgotten about their arrival today. They had warned them before, to never lay hands on him, but it had been easy to cover up until now. If only Celeste hasn't driven him to unconsciousness.
The first lawyer spoke again, "There are other ways she could protect herself and not by putting him in this condition." The man's hard gaze landed on Celeste. "And you also need to remember than master Aiden is a human like all of us here, and not some beast that needs taming. You broke the rules, and there are consequences."
"Please go easy on her, she is his—"
"Can I speak, now please!" Celeste's voice rose a little because of the growing frustration inside her. She was right here and she was being framed for things she didn't do. She had only asked for a divorce, not to be in the middle of their scheme.
The lawyers blinked, taken a back by Celeste's outburst, the Blackwells looked surprised. Lydia on the other hand was busy being comforted Micheal to notice.
Seeing they had finally gone quiet, she moved her gaze to the lawyers. "If you want to know who had your master whipped, you can ask the servants who were there. Because I didn't." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I just wanted a divorce. Nothing else."