“I’d love to know what you’re hinting at.”
Feigning ignorance, Hannah’s act wore thin, prompting Joselyn to snap, “Can you swear on your mother’s grave that you didn’t ask those two to stir the pot so you could sneak off to the second floor last night?”
“Cross my heart, hope to die. The second floor wasn’t on my agenda.”
Truth be told, Bryson had taken her to the third floor, so she wasn’t telling lies.
Hannah grinned. “Besides, after the little episode last night, I beat it from Jade Paradise. I didn’t want to cause any inconvenience to you. Concerning the bloke I socked, does he want to be paid? I’ll take care of it.”
Narrowing her gaze, Amelie smiled at Hannah. “Alright then, that was our mistake. There’s a lass who tiptoed into Jade Paradise, and we’re yet to find her.”
“Did she take anything valuable?” Hannah asked, feigning curiosity with a wide-eyed look.
“Not exactly treasure, but losing it would stir up a hornet’s nest.
It doesn’t matter, though. I’m glad you’re in the clear. Don’t worry about the chap you thumped last night. He had it coming. I’ve dealt with him.”
Hannah curled her lips, grinning ear to ear. “Thanks a bunch. Mind if I go upstairs to see Dad now?”
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Amelie raised her hand. “Go on. He is waiting for you.”
Watching the three ascend, Joselyn sat down restlessly. “Mom, did you just let her off the hook like that? Look at her! She’s the one who sneaked in last night!”
“We’re onto her, but what’s the play? She denies it, and her tale holds water. Can you find a crack in it?”
“I…” Joselyn stumbled, opting to keep quiet.
With the news of those people’s escape from the mental hospital in mind, Amelie snorted. “Charlie’s escape probably has Hannah Moore’s fingerprints all over it! She’s been a thorn in my side for too long.
It’s time to oust her.”
“Mom, you should’ve done it ages ago. You should’ve taken a swing the moment she set foot in Lightby!”
Amelie shot her a glance and snorted. “Had you not been a tad dumb, handling Hannah Moore would’ve been a cakewalk! Have you ever accomplished one task I tossed your way?”
Joselyn couldn’t help but shiver, lacking the courage to read Amelie’s expression. “Father has greenlit the union between Maloney and her. I… I slipped a mickey into his drink at that party, but Hannah swooped in and took him away.”
“You numbskull!”
Amelie’s slender fingernail prodded her forehead. “What good was drugging him without a follow-through?”
Feeling the icy touch of a fingernail, Joselyn shivered. “Mom, I know I’ve messed up. Can you show me how to do it?”
“Humph |”
Amelie pulled back her hand, glancing at her nails. “He doesn’t give you a second thought. What’s there for me to do? Hannah came and immediately charmed Maloney. She knows what she’s doing.”