The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1466

"Aunt Eunice, I swear it wasn't me. I didn't even know who he was. How could I possibly kill him? For one, I had no grudge against him, and for another, I don't have the guts or the courage. I had no motive and certainly no means to kill him. Why would I do such a thing?"

Serena was crying, the picture of injustice personified.

"Besides, it was the maid who summoned me. I was just about to hit the hay when she said someone wanted to see me. That's the only reason I went down there. I had no clue about all those people locked up in the basement. I'm no psychic, how could I have predicted that the maid would call the wrong person, much less that it'd be me? And I have no reason to do such a thing."

Eunice, however, couldn't wrap her head around the situation, but given that Serena was the last one to see him alive, suspicion naturally fell on her.

"You're a doctor. Can't you check for fingerprints or something? Aunt Eunice, you know some pretty influential people. If I had smothered him, I would’ve left some evidence." Serena sobbed, "It really wasn't me, Aunt Eunice. You might not believe me in other things, but murder, that's something I could never do."

As Serena seemed on the verge of passing out from her tears, there was a sudden, urgent knock on the study door.

Without further ado, Belinda burst in, finding Eunice and Arabella as if interrogating Serena, who was sobbing uncontrollably, looking as pitiable as a frightened little lamb.

"What’s going on here? What happened?" Belinda rushed in, concerned.

"Grandma." Serena opened her arms, seeking comfort from her grandmother, her body trembling with fear, barely able to stand.

She desperately needed someone to hold her and offer solace.

Belinda hurriedly walked over, questioning, "What in the world happened? Eunice, it's the dead of night. What are you doing?"