I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 195: Severe Allergic Reaction

Chapter 195: Severe Allergic Reaction

Brooke, her mind reeling from the devastating turn of events, rushed back to the small, makeshift room where Cora was being held. She found her huddled in a corner, her body shaking with sobs, her face pale and drawn. The fear of the impending police interrogation was palpable in the air, thick and heavy like a suffocating blanket.

"Cora," Brooke said, her voice a mixture of concern and desperation. She knelt beside her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "It’s okay," she whispered, trying to project an air of confidence she didn’t feel. "Everything is going to be alright."

Cora clung to Brooke, her sobs intensifying. "I am scared, Brooke," she cried, her voice choked with emotion. "I’m so scared. The police...they are going to arrest me, I have to tell the truth."

Brooke stroked Cora’s hair, her mind racing. She had to calm her down. She had to make sure she did not crack under the pressure. Everything depended on it.

"Don’t worry," Brooke reassured her, her voice firm. "I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise. Just...just don’t say anything. Don’t say that I told you to plant the dress. Just deny everything."

Cora looked up at Brooke, her eyes filled with fear and doubt. "But...but Lyse knows, there is a video," she stammered. "And I am right there with the bag."

"All that does not matter." Brooke corrected, her voice sharp. "We could say that her assistant asked you to bring the bag, or that the contents of the bag was switched, she can’t prove anything."

"But what if they ask me questions?" Cora asked, her voice trembling. "What if they make me confess?"

"Just stick to the story," Brooke instructed, her voice low and urgent. "Say you did it on your own. Say you were jealous of Lyse’s talent. Say anything, just don’t ever mention my name."

Cora nodded slowly, her face etched with worry. "Okay," she whispered. "I’ll...I will try."

Brooke hugged Cora tightly, her mind a whirlwind of anxiety. She knew without a doubt that Cora would crack under pressure, she had to protect herself. She could not let Lyse ruin her life.

"You’re strong, Cora," Brooke said, her voice filled with false encouragement. "You can do this. Just remember what I told you. Keep quiet, and everything will be alright."

She pulled away from Cora, her expression reassuring. "I’ll be right outside," she said. "Waiting for you. Just remember...don’t say anything."

She gave Cora one last hug, then turned and left the room, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she was asking a lot of Cora, but she had no choice. Her future, her career, depended on it.

A short while later, Lyse was informed that the police had arrived. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She had done the right thing, exposing Brooke’s treachery, but she could not shake the feeling of unease. The Brooke that she knew would not give up easily. She would fight to the bitter end.

She walked towards the room where Cora was being held, accompanied by two police officers. As she approached the door, she noticed that it was slightly ajar. She could hear muffled voices coming from inside. She paused, listening intently.

"...you promised me it would be easy," Cora’s voice whispered, laced with fear and desperation. "You said it wouldn’t be a big deal. But now...now everything is upside down. Lyse is going to humiliate me. She’s going to make me look like a thief."

"Don’t worry, Cora," Brooke’s voice replied, smooth and reassuring. "I won’t let that happen. I’ll protect you. Just remember what I told you. Keep quiet, and everything will be alright."

Lyse’s blood ran cold. She had heard enough. She pushed the door open, revealing Cora and Brooke standing close together. Cora’s face was streaked with tears, and Brooke’s expression was a mixture of concern and something else...something that looked suspiciously like guilt.

"Brooke," Lyse said, her voice calm but firm. "I think it’s time for the police to hear the truth."

Brooke turned to Lyse, her face a mask of defiance. "There’s nothing to say," she said, her voice sharp. "Cora has already confessed. She acted alone."

Lyse looked at Cora, her eyes gentle. "Cora," she said, "you don’t have to protect her anymore. It’s time to tell the truth."

Cora hesitated, her gaze darting nervously between Lyse and Brooke. She opened her mouth to speak, but then, she suddenly stiffened, her eyes rolling back in her head. She collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

A collective gasp filled the room. Lyse rushed to Cora’s side, her heart pounding in her chest. She checked her pulse, her fingers trembling. It was faint, but it was there.

"She’s unconscious!" Lyse exclaimed, her voice filled with alarm. "Someone call a medic!"

The two police officers along with one of the organizers of the contest quickly moved into action, one of them calling for medical assistance, the other checking on Cora. Brooke stood there, her face pale and drawn, her eyes wide with shock.

Lyse knelt beside Cora, her mind racing. What had happened? Had she fainted from the stress? Or was there something more to it? She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, that something sinister had happened.

As they waited for the medic to arrive, Lyse couldn’t shake the feeling that Brooke was involved. She had seen the look on her face, the way she had been so insistent that Cora keep quiet. She knew that Brooke was desperate to protect herself, and she wouldn’t hesitate to use any means necessary to do so. A chilling thought crossed her mind. Could Brooke have done something to Cora? Could she have silenced her before she could reveal the truth?

The medic arrived shortly after, quickly assessing Cora’s condition. "She is having a severe allergic reaction," the medic announced, his expression grim. "She will be unconscious for a while."

Lyse’s suspicions were confirmed. Brooke had silenced Cora, preventing her from telling the truth. She had taken matters into her own hands, ensuring that her secret remained buried.

As Cora was carried away on a stretcher, Lyse turned to Brooke, her eyes filled with anger and disgust.

"You did this, didn’t you?" she accused, her voice low and menacing. "You drugged her, didn’t you?"

Brooke’s face was a mask of innocence. "I didn’t do anything," she protested, her voice trembling slightly. "I swear. I would never..."

"Don’t lie to me, Brooke," Lyse interrupted, her voice sharp. "I know you’re behind this. You are desperate to protect yourself, and you’re willing to hurt anyone who gets in your way."

Brooke remained silent, her eyes darting away from Lyse’s gaze.

Lyse sighed. She knew she couldn’t prove anything. She had no evidence to link Brooke to Cora’s sudden unconsciousness. But she also knew that she was right. Brooke was guilty. And Lyse was determined to make her pay for what she had done. She wouldn’t let Brooke get away with this. She would make sure that justice was served, one way or another.