CHAPTER 245: YOU’VE LOST THEIR TRUST.

Zara stopped and glared back, sickened by Riya’s smugness.

"You really thought you could beat me?" Riya sneered. "Wrong. I’m the family’s daughter. Of course, they’ll believe me. I didn’t have to do anything—just a few drops of tears and the right words, and I won. You, on the other hand..." she spat, looking at Zara with contempt, "you’ve lost their trust. Your reckless behavior made you look like the villain."

She stepped closer and tapped Zara’s shoulder. "Next time, come prepared to fight back. Or be ready to accept defeat."

Zara slapped Riya’s hand aside, her skin prickling with irritation. "No one is here now, so stop pretending," she hissed. "I saw what you did. So don’t even try to lie to me. Tell me the truth. What did you give Dad? What did you put in that glass?"

Riya widened her eyes in mock surprise, pressing her fingers to her lips. "You are still doubting me? Honestly, Zara, this is too much. I already explained myself. If I had really added something harmful, would I still be standing here perfectly fine?"

Zara hesitated for a brief moment. It was true—Riya looked completely normal. But that wicked smile she had seen earlier wouldn’t leave her mind. If it wasn’t poison, then what had Riya mixed in?

"Still puzzled?" Riya taunted, stepping closer until her breath brushed Zara’s ear. "Fine, I’ll share a little secret. You were right—I did add something. And it wasn’t sugar."

She stepped back and met Zara’s gaze with a smug look on her face. "But can you prove it?"

A chill rippled down Zara’s spine. Riya had just confessed to her crime. "You... you really did it?" she stammered, her disbelief giving way to fury. "Why would you hurt him? He treats you like his own daughter. How could you betray him like this?"

Riya just smiled coldly.

"Your mother defended you," Zara continued. "She scolded me for suspecting you. She trusts you blindly, and you are breaking that trust. This family gave you love, comfort, and a name—everything you ever wanted. And still, you are trying to destroy it! What has happened to you?"

"It’s because of you," Riya snapped, shoving Zara back. "Before you came, everything revolved around me. Mom, Dad, Nathaniel, all of them used to give me their undivided attention. But ever since you entered this family, their attention shifted to you. You stole what was mine."

Zara’s jaw dropped in disbelief. This was insane. No one in this family ever gave her attention. They didn’t care about her except the old grandmother. Nathaniel had only recently begun showing care for her, but before that, he had been distant and cold.

What nonsense was Riya even talking about?

"Nathaniel, who once did everything for me, now revolves around you," Riya continued bitterly. "Even Mom and Dad don’t notice me when you are around. Leave this family, Zara. Leave Nathaniel, and I swear I’ll never hurt anyone again."

Zara let out a dry, disbelieving laugh. "You are ridiculous. You are just jealous because you think I stole everyone’s attention. But when did that ever happen? Your parents always take your side. Even now, they defended you without question. And you say they ignore you? Grow up, Riya. You are not a toddler who needs constant pampering."

Riya’s lips parted in anger, but Zara didn’t let her speak. "Listen carefully," she said sharply. "If I ever see you doing something suspicious again, I won’t hold back like today. I’ll call the police myself. Then let’s see how you talk your way out of that."

Riya’s composure snapped. She lifted her hand, ready to slap Zara across the face. But Zara caught her wrist midair. Though tempted to strike back, she restrained herself.

Riya would only twist the story and play the victim again.

Zara leaned closer and warned her, "Try something again, and you’ll regret it." She shoved Riya’s hand away.

Riya stumbled, clutching her wrist in pain. "You dare threaten me," she hissed, her face twisting in rage. "I’ll kill you." She lunged forward, hands raised as if to choke her.

Zara stepped back, glaring coldly. "Before you come after me, you’d better take care of yourself first. Don’t forget you drank that juice. You know exactly what you mixed in it."

Without another word, she turned on her heel, stormed into her room, and slammed the door shut behind her.

Riya stood frozen, her face drained of color. She suddenly felt a sharp pain twisting in her stomach. Panic gripped her.

The juice—Did the poison start showing its effect?

In her desperation to prove her innocence, she had drunk it without thinking. Although Zachary had stated that a small amount of it was harmless, she still feared. Chills crept through her veins.

What if she were dying? Or if not dying, what if she fell gravely ill?

"I need to find Zachary," she muttered under her breath frantically. "He must have the antidote." Without wasting another second, she spun around and hurried away.

Meanwhile, Zara stood before the mirror, splashing water on her face again and again in a futile attempt to calm herself. Her reflection stared back, filled with hurt and frustration.

Riya had twisted everything so easily, turning everyone against her. Now, she looked like the jealous troublemaker desperate for attention.

"How could I forget she is this family’s daughter?" Zara muttered bitterly, disappointed with herself. "Of course, they’ll take her side. I should’ve recorded everything before accusing her."

Her thoughts halted abruptly as an idea struck her. "The cameras..." she whispered, eyes lighting up with sudden hope. "Yes, the security cameras. They might have captured her every move."

Determined, she turned and strode toward the study but stopped halfway, hesitation clouding her resolve. To access the footage, she’d have to use the computer in the study. Vincent might still be there, and if she brought up the issue again, he’d surely lose his patience this time.

"No," she murmured, thinking it through. "I can’t act rashly again. I need a plan."

She started walking toward Zane’s room. "First, I’ll check on Zane. Then I’ll think about how I can get access to the computer."

But she froze mid-step when she caught sight of Riya darting out of the house, looking pale and frantic.

Zara’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Where is she going in such a hurry? What is she planning now?"